Oaxaca City
Oaxaca is often called the heart of Mexico’s cultural heritage. Its streets are alive with color, from the intricate colonial buildings to bustling markets where artisans sell hand-woven textiles, pottery, and traditional crafts. The city is also renowned for its festivals, none more famous than Día de los Muertos, when altars, parades, and candlelit cemeteries celebrate life and remembrance in a uniquely Mexican way.
The region is a culinary paradise. Oaxacan cuisine is considered one of the most authentic expressions of Mexican food, with complex moles, tlayudas (often called Oaxacan pizzas), and the smoky flavors of mezcal, which is distilled in small traditional palenques across the valleys. Food markets like Mercado Benito Juárez give you the chance to taste it all, from chapulines (seasoned grasshoppers) to fresh chocolate drinks.
Beyond the city, nature and history await. Monte Albán, a pre-Columbian archaeological site, sits high on a hill overlooking Oaxaca and offers a glimpse into the Zapotec civilization. For adventure, the Sierra Norte mountains are perfect for hiking, while Hierve el Agua, with its petrified waterfalls and mineral springs, is one of Mexico’s most striking natural sights. Oaxaca blends tradition, food, and natural beauty into a truly immersive experience.
