Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City, also known as Oaxaca de Juarez, is located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, and nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. There are many indigenous cultures in the area, but the main two are Zapotec and Mixtec people, who have called the area home for thousands of years, and eventually joined by the Aztecs in the 1400s. Monte Albán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are the pre-Hispanic ruins of an ancient Zapotec city, much of which is still standing, and worth a visit. The Spanish arrived in 1521. A long history exists here, much of which follows the familiar story of colonialism, religious influence, and war. We urge you to seek out more information on Oaxaca if you’d like, as Oaxaca’s history is fascinating, rich, and deeply nuanced.
Today there is a diverse and warm community of people who call Oaxaca City home. Tourism is a big part of the local economy, and locals are known to be friendly, approachable, and welcoming. Walking There is a thriving restaurant scene, keeping Oaxaca on the map for foodies from across the globe. Artists and makers sell their goods in street markets and in the well established markets, such as the Mercado 20th de Noviembre, or the Mercado Benito Juárez, both lively markets selling mole, mezcal, textiles, produce, home goods, local cuisine, and more. There are multiple museums, gardens, art galleries, mezcalerias, and live music venues to check out. Festivals and parades are extremely common, and seem to occur almost daily for weddings, graduations, birthdays, holidays, and other cultural celebrations. Oaxaca is home to great local food, and also has a number of international restaurants worth trying out. Below we listed a number of attractions to check out. If you’re able, we encourage you to come to Oaxaca ahead of the weekend events, or stay after for a few days to give yourself time to experience the city for all its beauty, culture, and uniqueness. It’s truly a city like none other, and we feel very lucky to be able to host our dearest friends and family in such a special city.
Want an insane amount of hyper-detailed info on literally anything you’d ever want to know about Oaxaca City and the surrounding areas? Mark Kaufman has you covered with an absolutely wild amount of info on everything from where to find a specific type of mole to where to find a specific type of hat. Want to know where to get freshly pressed tortillas, or where to buy glassware or pottery? He’s done the research so you don’t have to, and it’s likely he has firsthand experience and these are subjective insights. Click the link below to be taken to a Word document that was clearly written by someone who practiced law.