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All the things you'll need to know to visit, to shop, to study and to live in Oaxaca, Mexico!
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
OAXACAN ARTS   &   OAXACAN CUISINE
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SCHOOLS Please See the "U" Page or Click Here -- UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS

 

SEEDS Please See the "G" Page or click here -- GARDENING
 


SHIPPING

DHL, Amado Nervo 104, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)515-5764
Hours: 8:30 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Web Site: http://www.dhl.com
This easy to use web site is an excellent way to track your packages and confirm their safe arrival.

Estafeta

Fed Ex

Mexicana

UPS

Please also see the "P" Page PACKING SERVICES
 


Learning to Shop in Oaxaca is Truly an Art!SHOPPING
Please Also See OAXACAN ARTS
Shopping is one of Oaxaca's real delights. These days you'll find a few more of the standard shops to be found in every city and town in the world, but it is unusual these days to travel and find a city filled with all sorts of shopping venues and with more novel products than you have likely seen elsewhere in many years. Whether you are spending US $1.00 for some little treasure you find at a street stall or US $1000 in a gallery, the experience will be memorable. More than likely what you take away with you will delight and amuse you or charm and entrance you for years to come. From street vendors, to markets, to small over filled shops to the chic and elegant clothing and art galleries, there is something to please everyone. And don't forget getting out to the villages to shop; you will have a memory to cherish and maybe something terrific to pack in your suitcase.

For information on shopping opportunities outside of the city please take a look below at Towns and Villages under SITES AND SIGHTS.

Ámbar Artesanías, Garcia Vigil 413, Centro, Oaxaca

Angeles, Jacobo Y Maria, Wood Carvings, Callejón del Olvido #9, San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)524-9047

Artesanias Gonzalez, Av. Juarez #53, Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca
Learning to Shop in Oaxaca is Truly an Art! Tel/Fax: (951)524-4012

The Blood of the Nopal Cactus, Calle Hidalgo 6, Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)166-6282

Bulmaro Pérez Weaver, Centenario 27, Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)524-4011

La Catrina Chimalli, Garcia Vigil 512, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel/Fax: (9510514-2101

Etnico, Gurrión 104 and Allende 113A, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)516-0734

Galleria Quetzalli, Constitución104-1, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)514-2606 or 514-0030
Web Site: www.quetzalli.com

Indigo Rugs, Camino Real 1, Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca
Tel/Fax: (951)166-6210

El Nahual, 5 de Mayo 402A, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)516-4202

El Pañuelito, Constitución 102, Centro, Oaxaca

Shkaála, Cinco de Mayo 412-2, Centro, Oaxaca

Sierra Morena, Plaza las Virgenes, Labastida 115, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)516-4265

Taller del Orfebre, 206 Macedonio Alcalá, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)514-2386

Taly, 5 de Mayo 409, Centro, Oaxaca

Tienda Q, M. Bravo, 109, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)514-8880

 

SHOPPING CENTERS

Plaza Soriana
Soriana, Fábrica de Francia, Cinépolis, Blockbuster

Plaza Del Valle
ChedraHuí, Multicinemas, MacDonalds, Pizza Hut, Sears
 

SIGHTS & SITES TO VISIT IN THE CENTER OF OAXACA
 
A Photographic Day in Oaxaca
Casa de la Ciudad

Cemeteries and Graveyards
These are places you may want to see before you come to Oaxaca again to participate in the Day of the Dead celebrations. Before and after experiences and photographs make wonderful contrasts.

San Felipe del Agua Cemetery

Xochimilco Cemetery

 
 

Centro Cultural Santo Domingo
This center of Oaxacan culture includes the relatively new and very beautiful Botanical Garden (Jardin Etnobotanico), the exquisite Sto. Domingo church and the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca). You will find them on the wonderful pedestrians only street leading north from the zócalo, Macedonio Alcalá, after walking only about four or five blocks.

 

 

 

 

 

Botanical Garden Jardin Etnobotanico, Reforma s/n esquina de Constitución, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)516-7915
Hours: Open every day except Monday from 10:00 A.M. to 6:15 P.M.
Subdirector: Ing. César Chavez - Rendon

The entrance to this beautiful new addition to Oaxaca's visual treasures lies on Calle Reforma. This used to be the entrance to what was a military base where behind the tall stone walls you could often hear marching drills and military music. Now this complex of carefully restored colonial walls and buildings surrounding more than an acre of open land has been reborn as a botanical garden. Today it features primarily those plants that grow in the State of Oaxaca's hot dry areas. Many of the plants are said to have been 'rescued' from large government construction projects like roads, bridges, universities and more. Plans are in place to enhance the garden with representatives of Oaxaca's other climates and altitudes. As with everything that is alive and growing, this museum will offer us an ever changing collection.

Please Click Here or on the photo above to see more of the garden.

Please also take a look at my gardening for life website. It is based on my experiences gardening in Mexico, in the northeatern and middle eastern US, on the small Caribbean island of Montserrat and now in the tiny town of Panajachel on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. There are lots of photographs and snippets of very useful information. Here is the link, GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com

Just Click The Foto To Go See The Churches and ReligionChurches

Please See the "R" Page or click here -- RELIGION -- for a photographic tour of some of Oaxaca's churches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets Please See the "M" Page or Click Here -- MARKETS

Murals
Murals are a major part of 20th century Mexican Art History. The one in the photograph to the right done by artist, Arturo García Bustos, can be seen on the wall of the staircase in the Museo de Palacio on the zócalo.

Neighborhoods
Please See the "N" Page or Click Here -- NEIGHBORHOODS
Observatorio Sky Observatory
Parks Please See the "P" Page -- PARKS

Planetario Planetarium
Theater Please See the "T" Page or Click Here -- THEATER AND LIVE PERFORMANCES
 

The Walking Street

Calle Macedonio Alcalá was transformed years ago to accommodate pedestrians free of motor traffic. It is delightful to walk this several block long street with other strollers all of whom are taking in the exquisite shopping, the art galleries, the bookstores, delightful cafes and welcoming restaurants with food to enchant on their way to the Santo Domingo complex with its museum, botanical garden and masterfully restored church.

Zócalo or Town Square Please Please Click Here for the "Z" Page -- ZÓCALO
 

SIGHTS & SITES – DAY TRIPS FROM OAXACA
 

Archaeological sites -- Please See the "A" Page ARCHAEOLOGY
 

Towns and Villages

Arrazola -- Please see San Antonio Arrazola below
 
Atzompa -- Please see Santa María Atzompa
 

Cuajimoloyas
 

Cuilapam
This is an eerily beautiful and peaceful 16th century Dominican monastery and church structure that was never finished. The setting is still very beautiful once you are on the site looking toward the mountains in the distance. It seems certain (though I haven't verified this) that this was a site of significance before the arrival of the Spanish. The site is now used for weddings, though only in dry season because there is no roof on the church and there never was.

To see more of Cuilapam click here or on the photograph.

 
 
Ejutla -- If having visited more renowned places, you are still in need of visiting a small town nearby to Oaxaca, put this on your list.
 

Etla

Etla is the name for a large area of land about one half hour's drive to the north of Oaxaca city. It is known for its abundant water and for its natural beauty. Etla is also the source of much of Oaxaca's quesillo cheese. For visitors to the Oaxaca city area it is also known for its confusing plethora of Etla's as you can see below.
 
San Augustin Etla -- Wednesday is Market Day
This is the more well known tourist destination amongst the Etla's.
 
Santiaguito Etla -- This Etla is the source of the wonderful quesillo sold at the La Oaxaqueña cheese shop in the Benito Juárez market.
 
Villa de San Pedro y San Pablo Etla
 

Valle de Etla -- Wednesday is Market Day
We've been told that Valle de Etla may be considered the capital of all of the Etla's. It is there that you'll find the largest market and by far the largest church. You will also see remains of an aqueduct system that may in some way still be operational. It would be a very nice day to first visit Valle de Etla and then travel on the way back towards Oaxaca to stop in and visit San Augustin Etla which is more well known on the tourist route.

    To see photographs of the wonderful church please click here Templo del Señor de las Peñas

    To see photographs of the lovely market please see the "M" Page Markets -- Valle de Etla Market
 
Hierve el Agua -- Please See the "A" Page ARCHAEOLOGY
 
Ixtlán de Juárez -- Monday is Market Day
 
Lambityeco
 
Miahuatlán
"If having visited more renowned places, you are still in need of visiting a small town nearby to Oaxaca, put this on your list." I wrote that comment before actually visiting Miahuatlán, but I had a good reason for holding it in high regard. One day while visiting Abraham Mateus a potter friend in San Bartalo Coyetepec, he received a delivery of mescal. It came in a well worn hard plastic five gallon "jerry jug." Abraham lifted the lid and the essence of mescal filled the room in seconds. He quickly poured off a gallon for us in yet another heavy plastic gas jug. We took it home to Taxco and savored it for the next several months all that time believing Miahuatlán would be a wonderful adventure when next we were in Oaxaca. It probably depends on how you define adventure, but you will pass through this town if you take the exquisite Rt. 175 to the coast.
 
Mitla -- Please See the "A" Page ARCHAEOLOGY
 
Monte Alban -- Please See the "A" Page ARCHAEOLOGY
 
Nochixtlán -- Sunday is Market Day
 

Ocotlán de Morelos -- Friday is Market Day
Artist, Rodolfo Morales, was born and raised in this small city and he has been recognized by many foreigners for his generosity to the town. Ocotlán can be hot and dusty, but it has a certain charm. On the road into town you'll find the Aguilar sisters all of whom make wonderfully colored and imaginative clay figures. They alone make the hour long trip worth the time, but the town is ever changing so put it on your list of things to do and make sure it's market day.
 

San Andrés Huayapam -- Sunday is Market Day
This small town to the north of the city near Etla has fewer than 5000 inhabitants is known as an attractive getaway for Oaxaqueños because it has a dam. It also has one of the Yuu hotels if you'd like to stay overnight.
 
San Antonino Castillo Velasco
My first time in this little town was more than thirty years ago. At that time I was beginning a very small import business from Mexico to the mid-East Coast of the US. I lived and worked in Washington, D. C. and my life was driven by a passion for travel. Having been in Mexico City for a conference, I took some time off to visit the southern capital of Oaxaca. Once there I was charmed by the crafts. I was also familiar with the beautifully embroidered clothing produced in Oaxaca and I'd researched the town where at the time most of it was made. I took a taxi from Oaxaca, arriving in the village of San Antonino left off in a hot and very dry dusty road. There were a few fellows standing on a corner so I asked where I could buy dresses. They sent me up another dusty dirt road a block or two and then yelled and waved that I was "there." I knocked on a very old wooden gate door and soon two women, mother and daughter, ushered me into their walled property. They led me back to a terraced area and from a very well used cardboard box handed me a few dozen of what were very dirty 18" by 18" beautifully embroidered pieces of a high quality cotton cloth. We got on well despite my lack of Spanish and soon arrived at a price for each dress and the size of my order -- just twelve. They asked for and received a deposit and soon I was on my way back to Oaxaca with a promise that they would deliver the dresses the next day. And deliver they did! The dresses were beautifully sewn incorporating what had been the twelve soiled embroidered squares. All had been washed until they were bright white and then ironed until they were exquisitely beautiful.
 

San Antonio Arrazola
This is another small town very close by, under a half hour away. By some it is said to be the home of the now well known art of carved wooden animals and fantastic figures. Certainly there are still families there producing these figures for sale.

 

 

 

 

 

San Bartolo Coyotepec, on highway 175
This is another small, but sprawling town toward the south of Oaxaca city about a half hour away. If you have to make choices in the places you want to visit, don't miss this one. The town has a pride in itself and a genuine life spirit that may not be said of all places here in the Oaxaca valley. There is much creativity and not a little playfulness in the clay figures that are produced here and many of the larger decorative pieces are exquisite.
Restaurants
Restaurante Casa Coyetepec, Guerrero 14-B, San Bartolo Coyotepec, OAX
 
San José el Mogote
 

San Martín Tilcajete
This is a large spread out village/town on the way to Ocotlan. As with San Antonio Arrazola it is known for wooden carvings. You'll probably want to go there by collectivo or private taxi as the walk from the highway into town is long and the town is spread out.
Restaurants
Restaurante Azucena Zapoteca at the entrance to the town
Restaurante los Agaves about 100 meters before the town entrance
 
Santa Anna del Valle
If you get to the busy town of Tlacolula by bus you will be in the bus terminal just a couple of a hundred feet from the main road which carries on toward Mitla and beyond. Santa Anna is lovely.
 

Santa María Atzompa -- Tuesday is Market Day
This small town is just a short, under a half hour trip away from the city center on the way to or from the internationally renowned archaeological site of Monte Alban. Atzompa is well worth a visit even if only on the way to or from Monte Alban. It is here that villagers produce most of the green glazed pottery that you will see for sale in the city and Atzompa is probably also the origin of the hugely popular "chia pet" which shows up for sale on late night American TV every few years or so. I sure hope the villager making the "pet" now gets a share in the profits. The village/town has a few well-known potters, one amongst the most colorful and creative is Doloras Porras. Inside the town is a crafts market with an indigenous foods restaurant that should also be on the list of places to visit in Atzompa. If you have the time, get off the bus, park your car or  leave the taxi driver to sit while you explore what Atzompa has to offer. You won't be disappointed if you look past the pedestrian tourist offerings.

      
 
 

Santa Maria El Tule

Santo Tomás Jalietza
This is a small town a little over a half hour from Oaxaca city just off the road toward Ocotlan. It has always been known for its cotton weaving, mostly the well-known belts and place mats that you see in Oaxaca's crafts stores. The village has a market on Friday.

Teotitlán del Valle, on highway 190 heading southeast of the city
This remarkably well known weaving town is just about a half hour drive from the city. There you will find more hand woven rugs in all sizes and colors and patterns and materials than you ever thought possible. Do plan to bargain a bit and do pay attention to both the quality of weaving and the materials used.

Tlacochahuaya

Tlacolula de Matamoros -- Sunday is Market Day
Restaurant
El Patio Restaurante, Km. 28 Carretera Oaxaca-Istmo, Machilxochilt, Tlacolula, OAX

La Unión Tejalapam

Yanhuitlán

Zaachila -- Thursday is Market Day
If you are driving or have hired a driver a very nice day may be had on Thursday, Zaachila's market day. Start out early and visit the market and the partially excavated ruins in Zaachila. Then work your way back, stopping at Cuilapam de Guerrero (take a look above in the Archaeological Site section) perhaps for lunch. After relaxing for a while, carry on your way back toward Oaxaca city, but stop by the small town of San Antonio Arrazola and do some shopping for those carved wooden animals and fantastic figures that you've seen for sale in Oaxaca's crafts shops.
Restaurants
Reyna Siboney, Nieves Tipicos, Parque Municipal de Zaachila, OAX

Zimatlán -- Wednesday is Market Day
 

SIGHTS & SITES – OVERNIGHT EXCURSIONS FROM OAXACA

Coastal Towns and Beach Resorts

 

Driving from the capital city of Oaxaca south through the state to the coast is well worth doing if you have time to spend a couple of days. The drive we like best, on Route 175 heading out of the city toward Ocotlán, takes you through sparsely populated mountains with fabulous views and lush areas with enough rainfall to support bananas and lovely varieties of ferns. This is not the fastest route so you won't be competing with busses and large transport trucks which is a plus in the mountains. Depending on your driving style it will take about 7 or 8 hours to get you to Puerto Angel. If time is a factor for you, consider flying down and driving back. We drove both ways, but somehow the drive back seemed even more beautiful.
Note: There are good airports close to Huatulco and to Puerto Escondido.

 
 

San Jose Pacifico
About halfway through the trip you'll come to a town called San Jose Pacifico. If you have time, stay overnight to enjoy this fabulous and little known part of Oaxaca. While there try the Italian food at the restaurant called El Rincon de los Duendes (duendes are like Leprechauns, playful and a little tricky too). If you like it there take a look at the Hotel Cabañas, "La Puesta del Sol" for an overnight. Their web site is www.sanjosepacifico.com.
 
If you would like to see some of the plants we have found in this area visit our tropical garden
 
San Pedro Pachutla
This bustling town is memorable only as a crossroads. When you arrive here driving south from Oaxaca, you take a left for Huatulco, a right for Puerto Escondido and stay straight for Puerto Angel through to Mazunte. Folks in the area attend the weekly market in Pachutla for the major part of their fresh fruit and vegetables.
 

Bahias de Huatulco
Twenty years ago when we lived in Oaxaca city, the Huatulco resort was under construction, intended to be the ultimate in Mexico's beach resorts. A little more than two decades later, my husband and I rented a car and drove down the wonderful almost abandoned Route 175 diverging just past the town of Pachutla onto Route 200 to take a look at Huatulco and all that had been done in the years that we had been away living in another part of Mexico. The answer has to be "a huge amount" and "not much." There are a few all inclusive exclusive resorts and we hope they really do provide everything. One of the very small bays, Santa Cruz, is said to have the best beaches, but it is also home to docking facilities for huge cruise ships along with a marina for fishing boats and sport fishing motor yachts. We spent only one night there. Before leaving the area we did a little exploring and found Tagolunda, which we had heard was noted for its upscale resorts and there are a couple. Chahué is a tiny bay between Tagolunda and Santa Cruz. Nearby, about 15 or 20 minutes away from Santa Cruz, you'll find Crucecita, the town where all of the areas workers reside. There you'll find the vibrancy, nightlife and restaurants you'll be looking for.
 

Puerto Angel
This is a small fishing town much the same as it was two decades ago. Now it has more buildings, more people and more fishing boats on the beach but nothing much else has changed. The people are accommodating in a very genuine way. They will do all they can to make sure you remember your visit to their town with great fondness. The whole place is a little ramshackle, but the beaches are very clean, even where the fishermen pull in their boats and often clean their fish. It is a simple place with great warmth, generosity and charm.

To see more of Puerto Angel click here! or the photograph to the left.

 
 

Zipolite
Traveling past Puerto Angel you'll find many curiosities, Zipolite being probably the best known. There you can wend your way in and about a myriad of tiny dirt roads passing peculiar accommodation opportunities, healing centers, camping grounds, restaurants and, well, let your imagination guide you. Zipolite has been like this for decades and it will probably last into 2012 when folks there are assured we'll experience the Mayan end of the world.

Augustinillo
 This is yet one more very small town right on the beach. There are a variety of small hotels and friendly restaurants to go with the clean and beautiful beach.

Mazunte
Not to be intentionally repetitive, but this is another small town on the coast with small hotels and restaurants. It relies, though, on Augustinillo for access to the beach.
Hotel: Posada Las Maxuntinas, Palapa Mar
Email:
Tel: (958)589-5845

Puerto Escondido
This is a well known surfing area as the beach has very rough waves. The town has grown over the years, but still maintains its small town atmosphere. As yet there are no big hotel developments.

Other Destinations

Tehuantepec
Although this is only three and a half hours from the city, it would not be very comfortable to go there and back in one day. Plan on an overnight.

Teposcolula
Only two hours from the city, this trip can be made in a long day, but if you can stay overnight, why not?
 


SPAS AND HEALING ARTS

Oaxaca has day spas and residential spas where manicures, pedicures, facials and massage are only the start of what can be a wonderfully renewing process. Oaxaca has also long been known for its healers locally called curanderos. Aside from having an extensive knowledge of the applications of herbal medicines there is also much to say about the personal curative powers of some of these healers. Use your common sense and your intuition to guide you on your journey into this type of alternative medicine. Taking a traditional Oaxacan steam bath, a temazcal, is another of the naturally healing experiences you may have while visiting the city.

Cleansing stones
We've been told these white stones can be used in many ways for physical and spiritual health. If you know more, please get in touch by writing to us at


Namaste, Constitución 100 int. 3, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)516-9645
Web Site: www.namasteoaxaca.com

Temazcal, Reforma 402, Centro, Oaxaca
Tel: (951)516-1165
Web Site: www.lasbugambilias.com

 


STATIONERY STORES
Please See the "B" Page or Click Here -- BUSINESS SERVICES AND SUPPLIES

 
 
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