Oaxaca Travel Guide E-Book

Captivating Travels

• Herausgeber: Captivating Travels
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 164

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Oaxaca: Experience Culture, History, and Adventure Like Never Before!   Are you dreaming of exploring Oaxaca but feel overwhelmed by all the details? From ancient ruins to vibrant festivals, this guide takes the stress out of planning so you can fully enjoy everything this magical city has to offer.   Why This Guide is Your Perfect Companion:  - 70+ Stunning  Images and Maps: Visualize Oaxaca's beauty and easily navigate its diverse landscapes and streets.  - 15+ QR Codes: Scan for instant directions to top attractions like Monte Albán, Hierve el Agua, and hidden gems you won't want to miss.  - Designed for Every Traveler: Whether you're on a solo adventure, traveling with family, or planning a romantic getaway, this book offers something for everyone.  Here's What's Inside:  - Oaxaca's Fascinating History: Learn about the city's rich past, from ancient Zapotec civilizations to colonial landmarks.  - Navigating Oaxaca Made Simple: Clear tips on transportation options, so you'll know how to get around with ease.  - Traditional Festivals and Culture: Dive into Oaxaca's vibrant celebrations like the Guelaguetza and Day of the Dead.  - Food Lover's Guide: Discover the best mole, tlayudas, and other local delicacies in each region of Oaxaca.  - Fun for Everyone: Find activities to suit every interest, from outdoor adventures to art galleries and workshops.  - Hidden Gems Revealed: Go beyond the typical tourist spots and uncover Oaxaca's secret beaches, lesser-known ruins, and local artisan markets.  - Ready-Made Itineraries: Detailed plans for 1-day adventures, romantic couple's getaways, or fun-filled family trips.    With this guide, you'll have all the tools you need for an unforgettable journey.  Click "Add to Cart" now and get ready to experience Oaxaca like never before!  

Leseprobe

Oaxaca Travel Guide

Captivating Adventures Through Mexican Culture, Colorful Markets, Oaxacan Landmarks, Hidden Gems, and More

Table of Contents

Title Page

Oaxaca Travel Guide

Chapter 1: Get to Know Oaxaca

Chapter 2: To and From the Airport

Chapter 3: Mixteca

Chapter 4: Istmo

Chapter 5: Sierra Sur

Chapter 6: Valles Centrales

Chapter 7: Sierra Norte

Chapter 8: Cañada and Papaloapan

Chapter 9: Costa

Chapter 10: Itineraries and Programs

Chapter 11: Day Trips Beyond The City

Bonus Chapter: Useful Survival Phrases

References

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Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and entertainment purposes only. All effort has been executed to present accurate, up-to-date, reliable, and complete information. No warranties of any kind are declared or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. The content within this book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

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Introduction

Oaxaca regions and districts.

El bart089, Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en> via Wikimedia Commons https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oaxaca_regions_and_districts.svg

Oaxaca is a fascinating palace with history, culture, and unique experiences in every corner. This guide will give you an in-depth overview of all the Oaxaca region’s main attractions while touching on their historic and cultural significance. As you explore the city of Oaxaca and the rest of the state, you will get an insider’s perspective of the place lovingly known as “The Gem of Mexico” in the upcoming chapters.

More importantly, you will be able to appreciate Oaxaca for things many tourists fail to see.

The journey to Oaxaca will begin as you land at Oaxaca International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Xoxocotlán). The airport is located just outside the city of Oaxaca, around 30 minutes away, and from here, you have a number of options. You can head right into the Centro district in the Valles Centrales region, where Oaxaca City is located, to begin exploring the region from its heart.

The Valles Centrales region is the main valley area in the Oaxaca state surrounded by mountains. It has always enjoyed a high status due to the fertile lands it is home to. This is also where you will find Monte Alban, one of the most iconic sites in the entire state. Valles Centrales has numerous markets and neighborhoods that date back to the Zapotec civilization.

To the southeast, you will find the Istmo region. This is home to the Muxe community and is the narrowest part of Mexico between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The main town in the region is Juchitan which still maintains a strong Zapotec influence.

Slightly northeast of Valles Centrales is Sierra Norte. This fantastic mountainous region has dense forests, rugged landscapes, deep canyons, and breathtaking natural views. The main local communities are the Mixe and the Zapotec. If you prefer ecotourism and exploring natural environments, this is a great place to start. Some of the most popular activities are hiking, biking, birdwatching, and exploring archeological sites.

Far north of Valles Centrales, you will find Cañada and Papaloapan. Suppose you prefer areas with a low chance of seeing other tourists, where you have all of the natural beauty to yourself, and also want to get a glimpse of what real rural living is like. In that case, these are great places to consider. The main attractions in these regions are the forests, wetlands, the Papaloapan River Basin, and vast stretches of agricultural land. Here, you will also find a number of indigenous communities that are an essential part of the diverse Oaxacan population.

The Mixteca region on the West of Valles Centrales is named after the local community that has lived there for centuries, the Mixtec people. They are known as highly skilled craftsmen, especially in the field of goldsmithing. The local landscape consists of rugged mountains and narrow valleys. However, the Mixtec people have developed ingenious methods of farming and year-round agriculture despite these natural challenges. It is a great way to understand a way of life that is fast becoming extinct in the modern world. If you do visit, make sure you attend some of the local festivals.

The south-most region of Valles Centrales is Costa. This is where the Oaxacan Coastline meets the Pacific Ocean. It is home to some pristine beaches, plenty of beach activities and water sports, and some of the best waves to surf in the world. It is one of the most popular locations in Oaxaca for both locals and tourists alike and offers a great blend of natural beauty and urban comfort. It also has a very moderate and comfortable climate year-round, so no matter when you visit Oaxaca, this is a place you certainly want to add to your bucket list.

​Chapter 1: Get to Know Oaxaca

The city of Oaxaca, also referred to as just Oaxaca, is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oaxaca. It is one of the main tourist attractions in Southern Mexico and a place that has something to offer for every kind of tourist. It is primarily sought after for its amazing weather, historic sites, cultural diversity, geography, and colonial architecture.

Districts in Oaxaca.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oaxaca_distritos.png

Being the major economic hub of the region, it is also home to many modern businesses. Whether looking for a nice hotel, a fine-dining restaurant, or just some modern entertainment, you will easily find it in Oaxaca. Since colonial times, people from surrounding regions of the Oaxaca state have come to Oaxaca City in pursuit of economic goals and a better quality of life. Oaxaca City is also surrounded by fertile farmland and has been a major player in the agriculture sector in the state.

In this chapter, we cover all the important things you need to know about Oaxaca to fully enjoy this city.

​Geography and Climate

Oaxaca enjoys a much cooler climate than other cities in Mexico and even other areas within the state of Oaxaca. The city of Oaxaca sits at 1,555 meters (5085 feet) above sea level, meaning that winters are not very extreme and summers are quite tolerable. In Oaxaca, you can expect a cool, comfortable, and sub-tropical climate all year.

The city experiences two main seasons: the dry season (winter) from November to April and the rainy season (summer) from May to October.

During winter, night-time temperatures can be as low as 8°C (47°F), while daytime temperatures can be as high as 25.5°C (78°F). During summer, temperatures can be as low as 14°C (58°F) or as high as 3o°C (87°F).

You can also expect quite a bit of rain during the summer months. Oaxaca usually has clear mornings and evenings with most of the rain during the afternoon. Annually, the city gets 222.95 millimeters (8.78 inches) of precipitation.

The state of Oaxaca is located on the southern border of Mexico, and the city of Oaxaca lies around 300 miles southeast of Mexico City. Oaxaca has an excellent transportation infrastructure and is accessible by road and air. From Mexico City, Oaxaca is a 90-minute flight or roughly 6.5 hours by bus.

Oaxaca city is a valley area, in fact, it is situated in what is called the Oaxaca Valley. The city is surrounded by rugged mountains, waterways, and forests. Even within the city, there are areas where you will find sloping hills and differences in elevation. The Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range around the city offers tourists and locals plenty of activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, camping, and bird watching. This rugged but green backdrop creates a stunning view from wherever you are in the city.

​The History of Oaxaca

Oaxaca has a long and rich history filled with ups and downs. Since prehistoric times, Oaxaca City has been an important place in the region and has witnessed many changes in every aspect of life, which is evident in the intricate and complex culture it has today.

The history of Oaxaca can be divided into four main segments. These include:

The pre-Columbian Period

The Colonial Period

Independence

20th century onwards

​Let’s look at each of these in a bit of detail.

The Pre-Columbian Period

The earliest inhabitants of Oaxaca are the Zapotec people who were primarily based in and around Monte Alban. The pyramids found on Monte Alban show that the area was a center for the inhabitants and is estimated to be from 500 BCE. However, this is the dating of the pyramids on Monte Alban; it is possible that the inhabitants (the Zapotec people) were in the region much earlier than this. The city of Monte Alban is known for its urban planning, architecture, and hieroglyphics.

The other main population in Oaxaca was the Mixtec people. The Mixtec people were based slightly further northwest of Oaxaca City and gained prominence slightly later than the Zapotec. The Mixtec are best known for their unique art and are considered expert artisans even today.

The Zapotec civilization reached its peak between 200-800 CE, with a thriving urban center at Monte Albán, supported by advanced agricultural techniques and a well-organized society. The Mixtec civilization, on the other hand, gained prominence in the region after the decline of Monte Albán around 800 CE and continued to thrive in subsequent centuries.

Colonial Period

​In the early 16th century, a Spanish expedition led by Hernan Cortes reached Mexico. Initially landing in Veracruz, they soon made their way to other regions, including Oaxaca. This greatly impacted the culture, politics, religion, agriculture, and economy of the Zapotec and Mixtec people. The Spanish brought with them new methods of farming, Christianity, and a new culture. Most of the classic architecture present in Oaxaca and other parts of Mexico has Spanish roots. Perhaps the most notable sign of Spanish colonization is language.

Independence

Oaxaca played a central role in the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821). The process of independence entailed challenges for Mexico as a whole, and each region within the country had its own share of local-level problems. In Oaxaca, the indigenous people faced many social, political, and economic challenges. These went on for decades and eventually became one of the catalysts for the Mexican Revolution.

​20th Century Onwards

​At the turn of the 20th century, Mexico was on the path to a social movement, and the Mexican Revolution happened in 1910 and lasted till 1920. Despite this uncomfortable start, Mexico went through many phases of growth and evolution on all fronts in the 20th century as well as in the 21st century. By the 1960s, the tourism sector started to flourish and Oaxaca was one of the main locations attracting visitors from all over the globe.

Oaxaca: A Cultural Hub

Oaxaca Valley has been an important place in Oaxaca state as well as Mexico in general, for several factors. It has been a cultural hub since pre-Columbian times, and even today, it is one of the most important cities/locations. Several factors contributed to Oaxaca’s exalted status, which it has even today.

Oaxaca has a tremendous amount of history starting off from the Zapotec age. Since the Mixtec and Zapotec people established themselves in this area and spent several centuries here, there is a lot of history from that era that remains today. Moreover, these were two large populations that were the dominant forces in the region. Their establishments attracted other smaller indigenous groups, and places like Monte Alban became the main cities where the entire region came together. The Zapotecs and Mixtecs also created amazing pyramids and large city structures that still exist today. These remains are major archaeological sites that are highly regarded worldwide.

One of the reasons those ancient civilizations chose to make this region their home was the geography and climate of the region. The Oaxaca Valley is a great place for agriculture and farming. These are essential tools for any society that wants to grow in size and support a much bigger population than groups that rely on the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.

When the Spanish came to Mexico, the already established settlements such as Oaxaca, were the best place to start. Rather than building a city from the ground up, they could continue working on what had already been prepared and enhance and expand that further. That which was previously the main center for the indigenous people became the main center for the Spanish, and they invested heavily in infrastructure development. Today, all the classic architecture is work that was done under Spanish rule.

Oaxaca has been a point where many different cultures, arts, religions, languages, and ways of life have come together. This intermingling of people and thoughts has led to a unique culture in the region. Today, Oaxacan cuisine, music, craftsmanship, art, and culture in general are unlike anything you will find in other parts of the country. This melting pot of cultures has its own unique charm, which drives even more traffic to the region.

​Oaxaca and Other Mexican Cities

Oaxaca is a unique city both globally and locally. One of the standout features of Oaxaca in comparison to other popular Mexican cities is the weather. While other Mexican cities have very hot summers and mild winters, Oaxaca remains comfortable in the summer, and the winter can get chilly. The climate in Oaxaca is also closely linked to the geography of the region. Unlike other parts of Mexico that are much closer to the sea and have a more barren and desert-like landscape, Oaxaca is higher up and has forests, valleys, mountains, and rivers. This geography gives rise to unique ecosystems, a different climate, and a different way of life for the people who live here.

All the major cities in Mexico have indigenous history to them. Oaxaca is different in that it is the home of the Zapotec and Mixtec people. The kind of culture that these groups have left behind is quite different from other indigenous people. In Oaxaca, the traditional arts and crafts have an emphasis on things like pottery, textiles, wood carvings, and architecture (both indigenous and colonial era). Other cities in Mexico have their own forms of artistic expression.

Oaxaca cuisine is also very unique from other parts of Mexico. There are a number of dishes that are unique to Oaxaca as well as many cooking methods and ingredients that are found only in Oaxacan cuisine.

Oaxaca is also different in terms of language. While Spanish is widely spoken, many people in Oaxaca still speak indigenous languages, including Zapotec and Mixtec.  Other parts of Mexico also have significant indigenous language communities, such as Nahuatl speakers in central Mexico and Mayan languages in the Yucatán Peninsula.

​Unique Information about Oaxacan People, Their Lifestyle, Traditions, and Culture

The Oaxacan culture places a lot of importance on gender diversity, and the best example of this is the Muxe Community in Oaxaca. In this community, it is not uncommon, and even accepted, for biological males to identify as females. These individuals dress, behave, and live in the role of a female while being born male. Moreover, if such an individual chooses to have sexual relations with a male, neither of the two is considered homosexual. They are from the Muxe community and can be considered the “third gender.” They are accepted and even celebrated in the Oaxacan society.

Oaxacan people, particularly in the Sierra Norte region, embrace ecotourism and sustainable practices arguably more than any other region in Mexico. While most cities in the country strive towards larger and more modern urban centers, places in the Oaxaca Valley are quite comfortable with their traditional lifestyle. They invite visitors to learn about their culture and enjoy life as they have lived it for generations.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a unique and vibrant celebration held in the Oaxaca Valley. It is a day where people celebrate to remember loved ones that have passed on. To celebrate, people will create altars, there will be various rituals that they perform to honor the dead, and some may even hold processions.

Oaxacan people are also big on cosmology and astrology. Their religious beliefs, worldviews, and even certain aspects of their daily life are influenced by cosmological beliefs. The archeological sites on Monte Alban also have a connection with celestial events. Cosmology is certainly part of the culture here, and even today, it plays an important role in Oaxacan life.

Oaxacan people love to celebrate and have a good time. In this regard, the Guelaguetza is one of the biggest traditional festivals. Other than the Zapotec and Mixtec tribes, many other indigenous tribes come together to do dance performances and show off their costumes on this occasion.

One of the main features of the Guelaguetza festival is the clothing that both men and women wear. Men can be seen wearing a white button-up shirt along with white trousers and a traditional hat. Men from nearly all the various indigenous tribes will be wearing this outfit. Some may wear red sashes or white shirts with light embroidery on them, but the base dress, the white shirt, and trousers remain the same.

The dresses that the women wear are very unique and intricate. Also, women from different indigenous tribes will wear different styles and patterns. For the ladies, there is a shirt/tunic called a huipil, a skirt known as an enredo, and some will wear belts called soyate. The kind of patterns, colors, and embroidery that their clothes have is dictated by the group that they belong to. The different indigenous groups have their own unique styling. Some prefer flower patterns, while others prefer flowers and scorpions, some prefer abstract art, and some may have birds. Generally, the color scheme is quite loud, often involving extremely bright colors. The end product is very eye-catching and, upon closer inspection, crafted with incredible attention to detail. It is important to remember that all the designing, styling, and embroidery is done by hand. Girls start learning how to embroider clothes early on, usually at 12-13 years old. In most cases, the clothes that the girls and ladies are wearing at the festival are garments they have designed and made themselves.

Another important aspect of Oaxacan culture is the food, which stands out for its deep-rooted indigenous traditions. While Mexican cuisine as a whole has notable European influences, Oaxaca’s culinary practices retain a strong pre-Hispanic heritage. Although European contact did impact the region, many indigenous groups have preserved their traditional ingredients and cooking methods.