1
The Monte Alban Archaeological Site
Located 10 km (6.2 miles) to the west of Oaxaca City, Monte Alban is one of the most important archaeological sites in Meso-America. Tel. (951) 516-1215. Open daily, from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs, 365 days a year.
2
Santa Maria El Tule and the Mitla Archaeological Site
El Tule tree is one of the biggest and oldest in the world. Mitla is the second most important archeological site in the state and the most important of the MIxtec-Zapotec culture. Open all year, from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.
Adults $35 (Costs in MXN)
3
Church and Former Monastery of Santo Domingo
Housed in a 16th-century building, this baroque complex is now Oaxaca's main cultural center. Visitors to the site enjoy the Museum of Cultures and the Church of Santo Doming--an example of the Mexican Baroque. Tel. (951) 516-2991 Macedonio de Alcala esquina Gurrion s/n. Closed on Mondays.
Ph. ( +52-951) 516-2991
Adults $51 children free admission (Costs in MXN)
Adults $51 children free admission (Costs in MXN)
4
Tlacochahuaya
Located 19 km (12 miles) to east of Oaxaca City, on the way to Mitla, Tlacochahuaya is the site of a former Dominican temple that houses frescoes painted with cochineal dye and an organ dating back to 1620.
Adults $10 (Costs in MXN)
5
Hierve El Agua
Located 30 minutes from Mitla, these impressive petrified waterfalls were regarded as sacred by the Zapotecs .
6
The Benito Juarez Market
Located in downtown Oaxaca, this is a great place for lovers of handicrafts and popular art objects. Make sure to taste Casilda's refreshing beverages, the chocolate, and the typical quesillo (string cheese) sold here.
7
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MACO)
Known as the House of Cortes, this building features 18th-century architecture, a quarry stone facade, balconies, and wrought iron fences. It is also the setting for Mexican style weddings. Tel. (951) 514-1055. Alcala No. 202. Closed Tuesdays. Website: www.museomaco.com
8
Teotitlan del Valle
Located 28 km (17 miles) from Oaxaca, this community is famous for its beautiful woolen rugs, which are produced using natural pigments and wooden weaving looms.
9
Arrazola and San Martin Tilcajete
These two towns specialize in the art of crafting alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures), which can be purchased directly from the artists.
10
San Bartolo Coyotepec
The artisans of this town specialize in black clay pottery.
11
Santa Maria Atzompa
Located 8 km (5 miles) to the northeast of Oaxaca City, this town is perfect to see how natural and green glazed potteries are produced.
12
Cuilapan de Guerrero
Located 10 km (6 miles) to the southeast of Oaxaca City, this famous 16th-century open-air chapel hosted a mass by Pope John Paul II.
13
The Rufino Tamayo Prehispanic Museum
The museum houses 800 Pre-Hispanic pieces from Rufino Tamayo's collection. Tel. (951) 516-4750. Av. Morelos No. 503. Closed Tuesdays.
