Visit Oaxaca

Oaxaca is a Mexican colonial city with a Historic Centre and an archaeological site declared Heritage of Humanity Site by the UNESCO, with a great ancestral culture, folklore, archaeological heritage, museums, theatres, a precious tourist corridor and world-wide known gastronomic culture.

Its numerous temples are proof of a deep religious vocation and in each one of them visitors can admire stunning architectural details with carvings in green stone and beautiful sculptures and paintings. The Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzman and the San Felipe Neri Temple in downtown Oaxaca are just a couple of examples of this architectural beauty.

Magic and mysticism can be felt all over some of the main attractions of Oaxaca like the much praised archaeological zone of Monte Alban where you find the Great Plaza, Ball Game, Danzarines Building, South Platform Palace, Tomb 7 and the Cultural Museum of Oaxaca; other archaeological zones are Mitla, Dainzu, Lambityeco and Yagul. As far as historical architecture, the buildings that stand out include, Oaxaca Cathedral, Temple and Former Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzman, San Felipe Neri Temple and cultural enclosures such as Culture Museum, Filatelia Museum, Rufino Tamayo pre-Columbian art museum, Photographic Center Manuel Alvarez Bravo, Graphic Art Institution and the Casa de Juarez Museum.

Tourist Places in Oaxaca:

1. Zocalo/City Square. Sitting in a coffee shop at the zocalo or Plaza de la Constitucion gives its visitors the chance of knowing a little of the local lifestyle. Around this area you’ll find lots of cafeterias, restaurants and places of interest like the stunning Cathedral and the Alameda Leon.

2. Santo Domingo Temple.

Address: Constitucion St. #101, Downtown.

Six blocks away from the Zocalo in the Historic District of Oaxaca is the Santo Domingo de Guzman Temple, a baroque-style temple that started its construction in 1570 and was declared historical monument in 1933. The last restoration took place in 1976 and is one of the most visited religious monuments in Oaxaca.

3. Ethno Botanic Garden.

Address: Reforma s/n, corner Constitucion, Downtown.

It’s part of the Santo Domingo Cultural Center and is right next to the Santo Domingo Temple. It is a 2.3 hectares area that exhibits hundreds of species of plants from Oaxaca in an attempt to preserve and promote the state’s flora.

4. Monte Alban.

10 km from Oaxaca is the Monte Alban archaeological site, declared Cultural Heritage Site in 1987. It’s one of the most imposing places, with its Gran Plaza, temples, palaces, the Ball Game and one of spectacular panoramic views of Oaxaca.

Right after Monte Alban, Mitla is the main ceremonial center of Oaxaca. Its buildings are divided into groups and include ceremonial centers, central plazas and palaces. It’s located in east Oaxaca, about 44 km away.