Learn About Oaxaca – Oaxaca Mexican Tours

The state of Oaxaca is located in the southern part of the Mexican Republic. It is bordered on the north by the state of Puebla and Veracruz, to the east by Chiapas, to the west by Guerrero, and to the south by the Pacific Ocean. The great valleys of the state are located between the Sierra Madre del Sur and the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca mountain ranges. The 3.3 million people in Oaxaca make up a very diverse population, combining the descendents of 15+ different groups including the Zapotec, Mixtecs, Chatino, Trique, and Mixe peoples.

Santo Domingo Church

Santo Domingo Church is a former monastery of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. It is a baroque ecclesiastical building and houses the Cultural Centre of Oaxaca. The church was fully restored in 1999. Every surface in it's interior is encrusted with painted plaster and gilded reliefs of saints, martyrs, popes and biblical characters is ornately decorated with gold leaf.

The City of Oaxaca (WAH-HAH-KAH) offers visitors great colonial architecture, including the Santo Domingo Church, the Cathedral of Oaxaca, the Government Palace, the Macedonio Alcala Theater, the Basilica Church, Basilicas de la Soleda, Rufino Tamayo Museum of Prehistoric Art, and the House of Cortes, which houses the Museo de Arte Compordeno. (MACO)

Just outside the capital city, visitors can explore important archaeological sites. Monte Alban and Mitla, the landmark ruins of the region, are easy to reach. Monte Alban, the storied prehistoric capital of the Zapotec empire is located only 10 km from the city. The other major archaeological site is the ancient Zapotec-Mixtec center of Mitla and it is only 46 km outside of Oaxaca. Prehistoric civilizations once flourished and attained great splendor before the arrival of the Spaniards in the region of Oaxaca. Despite the conquest and colonization by the Spanish, the Mixtec, the Zapotec and other indigenous peoples have maintained their language, culture, social organization, and the products of their unique civilization.

Oaxaca is one of Mexico's richest centers for art and crafts. The extensive range includes textiles, pottery, basketry, gold work, silver work, woodcarvings, toys, metal works and leather articles. The treasures range from simple wooden bookmarkers to exquisite hand woven rugs and original paintings.

Oaxaca is also considered unique in Mexico for its music, dance, painting, traditions, and culinary arts. Oaxaca's scenery is marked by nine spectacular bays along its Pacific coast, whose beach paradises contrast beautifully with the rivers, hillsides, and inland valleys. But more than anything else, Oaxaca is enriched by its charming people.

Oaxaca, "The soul of Mexico" is waiting for you.

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