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Tourist Routes in Oaxaca

TO THE CITY OF OAXACA BY ROAD

A tourist walk through the streets of the Historic Center of Oaxaca, (M. Alcala Street), Regional Museum, Temple of Santo Domingo and its magnificent former convent, walking three blocks from Santo Domingo we find ourselves in the arches of Xochimilco, where you can find the kapok tree, also the famous Pochote spines of which crafts are made, and inside here is a cinema to see movies from countries like France, England, Spain and also various conferences, continuing the journey we walk to the right and visit the FONART house, that offers famous Oaxacan crafts, there are different types of weaving looms and handicrafts, also alebrijes and Oaxacan pottery, then one block downtown is the Church of Carmen Alto, one of the most famous Oaxacan churches that belonged to the Carmelites who had settled in the city of Oaxaca in 1696. Here was established the hermitage of Santa Cruz which replaced the large teocalli Huaxyacac, the great "Feast of the Lords" where there was the sacrifice of a maiden of honor Centeotl "Goddess of the corn and agriculture".

This Oaxaca festival became Christian and was transformed into the current celebration of the Guelaguetza, or Lunes del Cerro which coincides with celebrations in honor of the Virgen del Carmen.

From there, down the street toward the center of Oaxaca, Vigil Garcia is on the corner of the Matamoros crafts shop where various craftsmen display their works, embroidery, weaving, rugs, ceramics, Oaxacan pottery of various shapes and colors, At the side is the "Plaza del Mezcal" where you can enjoy a variety of mezcal creams such as coconut, coffee, passion fruit, mango, etc, it is traditional agave Oaxacan mezcal.

From there we walk three blocks, on the esplanade of the Alameda de León, opposite the Oaxaca Cathedral is where we can see religious paintings and a Baroque organ.

On this route can then have a coffee or a beer in one of the Zócalo bars and admire the view of the center of Oaxaca, Here are some places to eat in the Oaxaca Zócalo that are most recommended: GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE, where you can try some delicious dishes from Oaxaca, also VASCO RESTAURANT where they offer delicious meat dishes.

THE ROAD FROM MONTE ALBÁN TO ZAACHILA

You can visit Bartolo Coyotepec market and the various craft houses where you can see how they make each of the handmade pieces of black pottery.

From there we can take the route to Zaachila and visit the archealogical ruins. You can visit the market on Thursday which sells delicious ice cream, bread and pies, also you can admire majestic clock next to the church.

A recommended place to eat in Zaachila is Restaurant "LA CAPILLA country".

There is a beautiful panorama of countryside that connects with Cuilapan of Guerrero where we can visit the Convent, and the place where they make the famous Alebrije root figures that are hand painted in many colors.

From Cuilapan we can also visit the ruins of Monte Albán, famous throughout the world, Monte Albán is the ancient capital of the Zapotec and one of the first cities built in Mesoamerica. At the main entrance to the ruins is the Monte Albán Museum where visitors can learn more about this archealogical site.

From Monte Albán we take the route to Santa María Atzompa where we can buy some green clay and other colored pottery.

If you want to go further into the city take the path to Ocotlán de Morelos.

THE ROAD TO OCOTLÁN DE MORELOS

In the state capital you can see various paintings by Rodolfo Morales, also the presidential palace and its market, which is famous for its rich ice cream and food, as well as the traditional drink called "CHOCOLATE ATOLE".

Here are also found the crafts of the Aguilar sisters, and the RODOLFO MORALES foundation, the famous Oaxacan painter who was responsible for the restoration of the former convent.

It is recommended to visit San Martin Tilcajete in the morning, where you can find alebrijes. San Martin Tilcajete is located 25 minutes from the downtown area.

Santo Tomás Jalietza which means "under the church" consists of jana-down and Liezen-church. It is located 25 km outside town on the south east side of Oaxaca city (on highway 175 from Oaxaca to Puerto Ángel). It takes about 28 minutes to reach Santo Tomás Jalietza. Here they manufacture fabrics and cotton wool on a backstrap loom. The fabric designs are varied.

THE DOMINICAN TRAIL

VILLA Tamazulapan

SAN PEDRO Y SAN PABLO TEPOSCOLULA - This village is located 23 km from Santo Tomás Jalietza by way of the Tlaxiaco deviation on the highway section 190 in Oaxaca.

The Dominicans were established in 1541, beginning as a religious group. In San Pedro there is a magnificent chapel which is one of the most significant architectural works of the then New Spain. The chapel had two choirs, one for the singers and one for the musicians.

COIXTLAHUACA - This is a temple, a cloister, or an open chapel and atrium, forming one of the most peculiar examples of art and architecture of the sixteenth century New Spain.

SANTIAGO APOALA - (Is a place to stay in touch with nature, there are cabins and also a waterfall).

YANHUITLAN - It highly is recommended to visit the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, whose name means "new town" in Nahuatl. It was formerly called Yosocahui, which means "The New Llano" in Mixtec.

VILLA DE ETLA - Famous for its market and church

SAN JOSÉ EL MOGOTE - is an archeological site which is located 12 km on the highway from Oaxaca to Mexico, and from the highway another 1.5 km. Here are ancient temples. Objects recovered during the excavations of the site are exhibited in a small community museum located in an old Hacienda.

HUITZO - "Atalaya de Guerra" is located 32 kms from the city of Oaxaca on the Federal highway, a large mound was discovered in the Rosario neighborhood, this mound can be traced back to a time well before the founding of Monte Albán.

THE SIERRA DE JUÁREZ ROAD

TULE - Sabine is located 12 kms from the city of Oaxaca, on the road to Tehuanteéc. Close to the temple of Santa Maria El Tule. The Tule tree is 40 meters high with a diameter of 52.58 meters and a weight of 509 tons. The Tule tree is about 2,000 years old.

GUELATAO DE JUÁREZ - Is 55 kms from the city of Oaxaca, on the Federal Highway section 175 from Oaxaca to Tuxtepec, this is the home of the Father of the Americas; Don Benito Juárez. It's name means "Laguna Chiquita" or "Small Lake", on the banks of the "Laguna Encantada" or "Enchanted Lake" is a monument in stone and bronze representing Johnson Pastor and his mother Brigida García de Juárez.

IXTLÁN DE JUÁREZ - is a city located 3 kms from Guelatao de Juárez. We recommend visiting this place on Monday as this is the day of the flea market. This market brings together the inhabitants of surrounding villages to sell their products. It's main attraction is the Catholic church dedicated to St. Thomas that was built in the seventeenth century. Churrigueresque porch is made of a beautiful pink stone, with a precious wood carved altar and a carved stone baptism fountain.

CALPULALPAM - Is 10 Km from Ixtlán and is in the beautiful Girón Sierra Juárez where there is a magnificent temple in honor of San Mateo, built in the seventeenth century, which integrates the baroque and neoclassical styles.

In this village textiles are manufactured in wool. Also ponchos and blankets and beautiful embroidered dresses.

ROAD TO MITLA

MITLA - In the city of Oaxaca Mitla is considered the main ceremonial center of Monte Albán. It is considered one of the most beautiful archealogical sites in the whole of America. The site has wonderfully conserved columns, fretwork panels and tombs.

YAGUL - Was an important military center that consists of three parts: In the center a huge artificial platform that joins the terraced main temples and palaces, in the highest part is the acropolis, crowned by the fortress with a watchtower. The area has caves where arrowheads have been discovered, also animal bones and remains of primitive corn carvings. The ball court of this site is the largest in the valley of Oaxaca.

TLACOLULA - Is 27 kms from the city of Oaxaca. The Dominicans began the construction of the chapel of Christ Tlacolula in 1561, it is an exquisite expression of colonial art, similar in style to the Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca city.

SANTA ANA DEL VALLE Y TEOTITLÁN DEL VALLE - Is one of the most important craft centers in Oaxaca State. It produces the famous wool rugs, curtains, ponchos and cotton dresses. The products are tradicionally produced on wooden looms and mostly painted with plant pigments.

DAINZU - these are ruins where three buildings have been explored, this place was once a great city.

TLACOCHAHUAYA - The hotel at Tlacochahuaya was a Dominican convent of meditation which began in the year 1586, as a whole it is majestic, it has a baroque facade, polychrome painted ornaments, beautiful altars and altarpieces.

EL TULE - Fifteen minutes from the Hotel, is the ahuhuete type tree that is 2,000 years old. It is the largest tree in the world.

CD. DE LAS CANTERAS - Is a Park where you can enjoy the sunset and generally relax.