The Best of Oaxaca City
Description:
Oaxaca has so much to see, so it's logical that you don’t know where to begin, and if you’re visiting only for a weekend it gets even harder.
That’s why I’ve created this guide, so you can just enjoy the city without having to worry about what should be the next step. All you really have to do is enjoy and marvel at the amazing sites, architecture, pieces of art and ruins you’re about to see!
That’s why I’ve created this guide, so you can just enjoy the city without having to worry about what should be the next step. All you really have to do is enjoy and marvel at the amazing sites, architecture, pieces of art and ruins you’re about to see!
Author: VicaAmuchastegui
Day 1 - Oaxaca City
We'll make of the Zocalo (Guerrero at Flores Magón) our starting, middle and end point. So once you’re standing there, just take a moment to enjoy what’s surrounding you. Just listen to de music, smell the chocolate coming out of the cafes.
Go to the Mercado Benito Juarez and the San Juan de Dios Church nearby, just two block from the Zocalo. The markets in Mexico are an unique experience, admire the fruits, vegetables, food, sauces, cloths and more in them. Go back to the Zocalo and if you feel hungry sit at any cafe facing the plaza and enjoy some local cuisine. Then go to the Cathedral, just next to the Zocalo. Take your time to enjoy both the facade and the inside.
After that go to the Rufino Tamayo Museum, a collection of pre-Hispanic pieces of art collected by Tamayo, the great Oaxacan painter, himself.
We can end the day at the Basílica de la Soledad, the most important church in Oaxaca, and one of the most beautiful baroque facades in Mexico. Go get an ice cream at the lower plaza of the church, and sit to enjoy and listen to the music.
Museums and churches close around 6pm, so if you still feel like walking around the city, go to the Andador Macedonio Alcalá, a pedestrian street filled with shops and cafes.
2
San Juan de Dios Church
Location:
view in google maps20 de Noviembre at Aldama St.
Corner of Aldama and Arteaga
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Phone:
No phone3
Catedral
Location:
view in google mapsNorth Side of the Zocalo
Fronting the Parque Alameda
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Phone:
No phone4
Mercado Benito Juárez
Location:
view in google mapsMiguel Cabrera at Las Casas
Between calles Las Casas, Cabrera, Aldama, and 20 de Noviembre
Oaxaca City, Mexico
5
Mercado 20 de Noviembre
Location:
view in google maps20 de Noviembre at Aldama
Between calles Aldama, Cabrera, Mina, and 20 de Noviembre
Oaxaca City, Mexico
6
Rufino Tamayo Museum
Location:
view in google mapsAv. Morelos 503
North of the zócalo between Tinoco y Palacios and Porfirio Díaz
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Phone:
951/516-47507
Basílica de la Soledad
Location:
view in google mapsv. Independencia 107, at Calle Victoria
Independencia at Galeana
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Phone:
No phone8
Andador Macedonio Alcala
Location:
view in google mapsMacedonio Alcalá between Av. Independencia and Berriozabal
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Day 2 - Oaxaca City
Today is a great day to visit some ruins and some other natural wonders. If you have a car, ask at the reception of your hotel for a map to get to Monte Alban, Mitla and the Tule tree. If you don’t have a car, there are tours leaving from the information center at the Andador Macedonio Alcalá that includes these tree sites. Whatever you do, you can’t leave Oaxaca without visiting at least Monte Alban and Mitla.
The Zapotec civilization lived in this area and built the city of Monte Alban during their golden era. This is one of the best preserved sites in Mexico, and without a doubt one of the most beautiful. The views of the mountains from it are amazing. The pyramids are also great, including the building J, with an shape unique in all the pre-Hispanic world.
Mitla is a magical place, famous for its painted walls and entwines that have marvel people all over the world for decades.
The Tule tree is a fun way to end the day. This is a 2000 years old tree with a 14.36 meters diameter. The fun part is all the shapes you can find, helped by a guide, in the trunk.
1
Monte Alban
Location:
view in google mapsN/A Road to Monte Alban
Oaxaca City, Mexico
2
Mitla
Location:
view in google mapsCarretera Oaxaca - Mitla Km 42
San Pablo de Mitla, Oaxaca
70438 Oaxaca City, Mexico
3
Arbol del Tule
Location:
view in google maps2 de Abril
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Phone:
01 951 502 1200Day 3 - Oaxaca City
Today we’ll be back to downtown Oaxaca. First we’ll go visit one of the most beautiful churches in Mexico: the Templo de Santo Domingo. I know everybody says that about their churches, but believe me, if any should have that title is this one. The inside is breathtaking, it’s impossible to describe, you’ll have to see it with your own eyes.
The go to the Convent of Santo Domingo, where you’ll find a museum with the history of Oaxaca as well as some pieces from Monte Alban and Mitla, including the treasure of the Tomb 7 discovered in Monte Alban. An ancient Library and the Botanical Garden of Oaxaca will complete your visit to this important Colonial building.
This will take you a while, so probably when you leave you’ll be hungry. Go to the Andador Macedonio Alcala and find a good place to eat. My recommendation is Los Danzantes.
The walk to the close by MACO, the Museum of Contemporary Art where you’ll find works by some of the most important artists in the Modern and Contemporary world of Mexican Art.
1
Templo de Santo Domingo
Location:
view in google mapsMacedonio Alacalá n/n
Corner of Gurrión and Alcalá
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Phone:
No phone2
Centro Cultural Santo Domingo
Location:
view in google mapsMacedonio Alacalá n/n
Oaxaca City, Mexico
4
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (MACO)
Location:
view in google mapsAlcalá 202
Between Murgía and Morelos
68000 Oaxaca City, Mexico
Phone:
01(951) 42228 / 47110.