Why Visit Oaxaca?
The history, the food and the architecture are just a few of the reasons you’ll never stop admiring about your trip abroad to Oaxaca city. From this point, the city site was inhabited by numerous Mesoamerican civilizations, as evidence by the Zapotec ruins at Monte Alban and Mixtec and Zapotec ruins at Mitla. Although, it seems hard to believe some of the cities, art and architectures still survive and were designated a UNESCO World Heritage. Nowadays they can be seen and explored by people from all over the world.
COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
The bright colors of the colonial architecture of Oaxaca are one of the reasons for you to visit the city. The buildings are built of concrete, filigree work and stone finished walls with cobbled streets, mixed with the adoption of Hispanic and indigenous building techniques. This type of architecture is called barroque, meaning a mixture between the influence of the european baroque and the work of the indiginous artisans. All this adds to Oaxaca an extraordinary beauty and still persists to this day. There is no doubt Oaxaca is a paradise and an endless admiration for national and international photographers and artists.
TRADITIONAL OAXACAN CUISINE
Oaxaca is one of the top food destinations in Mexico. It is known for its many delicious dishes and street food. When a visitor gets the opportunity to try one of the traditional dishes they get delighted of its unique and fresh flavor. Oaxaca represents some of the very best in traditional cuisine in the entire country. Like mole (sweet paste sauce), tlayuda, memelas, tacos, tamales, quesillo (Oaxaca string-cheese, tropical fruits, artisan beverages and fresh seafood as many others are among the many delicious reasons why travelers fall in love with Oaxaca and its cuisine. Know that Oaxaca is known as the home to one of the richest pre-Hispanic culinary traditions which they are all preserved to this day.
ART AND HANDCRAFT
Ready to discover the unique craft and art towns in Oaxaca? The city has adopted a name through the unique art variety that Oaxaca offers. The name of “Oaxaca Art of Town Route” was given for its great handcraft wonders, from black clays and fantastical decorated animal sculptures to ancestral beverages such as Pulque, mezcal and tejate. The talented artisans for the fantastical creatures and black clays use special manufacturing materials that are only obtained in that town with its own characteristics making it a unique design. Oaxaca now is known for all the variety and beautiful colorful native crafts, turning it into a national and international reference.
CULTURE AND TRADITION – THE DAY OF THE DEAD
In the state of Oaxaca there are many traditions and customs belong to Oaxaca only. Oaxaca is represented by the pre-Hispanic cultures that lived in the city, and for which up to now these cultures have been preserved as evidence in current ancient archeological cities, in native languages, in food and in agricultural activities. In the pre-Hispanic culture, the inhabitants had certain native customs and one of them was the religious ritual. For this reason, one of the native traditions of Oaxaca is the Day of the Dead celebrated on November 1 and 2. It is believed that the spirits of all deceased visit those days to be reunited with the alive ones. That is why especially catholic families construct an altar with marigold flowers known as ofrendas (offerings) with the departed families favorite´s snack, toys, photos, drinks and bread. The offerings are believed that the departed souls smell the food, see their pictures and join the party.
PRE-HISPANIC SITES
Maybe you have heard or studied in school about the Mesoamerican civilizations. Oaxaca was a pre-Hispanic city dominated by the Zapotec and Mixtec civilization. And currently, you can appreciate the value of the Mesoamerican heritage that was inherited to the state of Oaxaca. One of the largest pre-Hispanic cities that existed in Oaxaca was the city of the Zapotecs that today is known as Monte Alban. An archeological zone as UNESCO cultural heritage. The other one was the city of the Mixtec that is today known as the ruins of Mitla located near outside Oaxaca city. The great thing is that all these pre-Hispanic cities still survive and remain as cultural heritage of the Oaxacans.
FESTIVALS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES – GUELAGUETZA
When you visit Oaxaca the most likely thing is that you will run into traditional dances and calendas (parades) on the streets. These cultural festivals are unique to the city and are colorful, passionate and full of life. When a cultural event is held the city becomes even more alive and flourishing with the streets festively decorated. The biggest Oaxaca festivals that you can’t miss are the Guelaguetza, Noche de Rabanos, (The Radish Night) The Day of the Dead, Mezcal festival and Semana Santa (Easter). In July, month of la Guelaguetza the largest one of all the others. Oaxaca overflows with happiness and joy where thousand-years old folklore dances and typical indigenous clothing reproduce colorfully the customs of the eight regions of Oaxaca.
BEST BEACHES IN OAXACA
Are you a beach lover? If so then you would admire the wonders of the oceans we have in Oaxaca. Oaxaca beaches are some of the best beaches in Mexico. The beauty of the turquoise water with golden sand and palm trees makes the landscape attractive and unique to the place. The most well-known and largest Oaxaca beach towns are Puerto Escondido and Huatulco with more than ten beaches to visit in each place. The temperature of the water is between hot and cold making it enjoyable to swim all day.
