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Oaxaca

Oaxaca

What you see today when you walk through the historic district of Oaxaca (wah-hah-kah) is largely the product of 3 centuries of colonial society. The city is famous for its green building stone and for its own particular style of colonial architecture an adaptation to the frequent earthquakes that plagued the city in colonial times and still occasionally shake things up.

Building walls and facades are thick and broad with heavy buttressing, colonnades are low and spaced closely, and bell towers are squat with relatively wide bases. The cumulative impression of this architectural style is one of mass and substantiality.

At a Glance

Oaxaca at a Glance

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the central valley of Oaxaca was an important and populous region. Olmec influence reached the area around 1200 B.C.; by 800 B.C. the Zapotec (the original builders of Monte Albán) occupied the valley. Their civilization flourished about the same time as Teotihuacán in central Mexico.

Fast Facts

Oaxaca Fast Facts

The state of Oaxaca pronounced (wah-HAH-kah) is located on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico. This state of 36,371 square miles(about the size of Indiana ),is  mostly mountainous with wide,fertile valleys.In this agricultural region you will find a variety of produce such as tropical fruits, cereals,sugar,coffee,cacao and tobacco.

Activities

Oaxaca Activities

One day in the city is not enough to visit all the churches and convents, museums and galleries, markets and workshops. A trip to Oaxaca wouldnt be complete without visiting just some of the hundreds of towns and Native American communities in the citys vicinity by the sierras.

Restaurants

Oaxaca Restaurants

Just as in the rest of Mexico, the gastronomy in Oaxaca is based on corn and vegetables but meats have an important role. Up by the sierras chicken and turkey are the most common whereas beef and pork are popular in the valleys. Closer to the Pacific shore it is fish, seafood where even iguana is consumed.

Nightlife

Oaxaca Nightlife

Trova, salsa, techno, trios, and pop are just some of the alternatives to the most traditional and not less fun atmosphere of the cantinas. Oaxaca nightlife usually carries on until the wee hours of the morning.  Oaxaca features an unexpected variety of options to start, continue or wrap up the party.

Shopping

Oaxaca Shopping

The Benito Juarez and Artisans' markets are good places to buy textiles; ask to see the treasures hidden away for special customers (the merchandise is too good to be handled just out of curiosity). The shops carry some of the  " alebrijes ," the typical painted wood creatures that are in such demand.