ESSENTIALS
MEET THE LOCALS
Oaxacans are ambassadors for local culture. It's easy to strike
up a conversation. Ask about their favorite mole or chocolate. Talk
about the weather. Compliment the fashion.
FOLLOW THE TREES
There are many beautiful,
notable and historic trees in Oaxaca. Find them. Plese upload
your favorite photos to our Flickr Group Árboles
de Oaxaca (Oaxaca Trees).
FIND THE VIRGEN
Find the Virgen de Guadalupe in Conzatti
Park.
CLIMB A HILL
Local environmentalists have formed a group to protect Fortin
Hill. Climb the hill for a great view of the city.
RIDE A BIKE
There are plenty of places to spin
your wheels! Rent a bike at Bicicletas
Pedro Martinez, Aldama #418 and Zona Bici, García Vigil
#406. Check out Mundo
Ceiba's noctural adventures.
MARKET MUSTS
Oaxaca has some of the best markets
in the world. Classics include the 20 de Noviembre and Benito Juárez
south of the Zócalo. Be adventurous and check the labrynth
of Abasto(s). One of my personal favorites is the Sánchez
Pascuas. Other faves include the Friday/Saturday Pochimilco. More
info on Facebook
and Slideshare.
BE GENEROUS
At the market, buy something for Oaxaca friends and support the
local economy. Top faves include tamales
and house plants.
Purchases make great gifts for locals.
BE MULTILINGUAL
Learn how to say 'delicious' and 'thank you' in an indigenous language.
EAT SOMETHING WITH HISTORY
Eat something that has a history of more than 500 years. Check out
the indigenous
menu!
KEEP HYDRATED
If you have a water bottle, use it and keep hydrated. Ask your hotel,
language school or tour operator for a refill which is more eco
than buying a new bottle.
ACTION
SAFARI
Photo safari!
If you have photos of local crafts particularly those that depict
animals, please upload the photos to World
Crafts. Try to provide as much info as possible to help others
find the treasure. If you can, include the artisan's name as well
as the venue (store, workshop, market, whatever). Pics of the trees
and lions
in Llano Park can be uploaded to City
Parks or Árboles
de Oaxaca.
GET FRAMED
Take a picture of one of the famous cartereras
from the 70s. Bonus points if you get a photo of yourself and add
this to the Flickr Group Oaxaca
Today.
DIAMOND NOTES
Baseball
in Oaxaca is a great entertainment value. The Guerreros
play March-July (with play-off potential in August). Tuesday-Friday
games start at 7pm and Saturday-Sunday games begin at 5pm. If a
double-header is scheduled, the games begin earlier.
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
Learn to dance
at the Salon de la Salsa,
Lic. Verdad #108, one block east of Llano
Park.
ROCK AND ROLL
The earth trembles. Check out Mexico's most recent earthquakes.
SUPPORT MICROFINANCE
Fundación En Vía
is a non-profit microfinance organization working to combine the
power of microfinance with the power of tourism to alleviate poverty
in Oaxaca. Wiki
FOLK HERO
Learn to play the guitar.
PLAY RUGBY
Zinacantli
Rugby Club practices Saturdays at the Ciudad Universitaria.
PLAY POOL
Billiards (billares) is popular all over town. Check out Billar
Jalatlaco #519B 5 de Mayo in the Jalatlaco
neighborhood and in the centro, Liverpool, upstairs at the corner
of 20 de Noviembre and Las Casas streets.
GET WET
Swim.
MOTORIZED TWO WHEELING
Oaxaca is great for motorcyles and even has its own BMW
Club. Keep a look out for the dangerous curves (curvas peligrosas)!
CLIMB A MOUNTAIN
Oaxaca has spectacular sierra and there are many places for rock
climbing and mountaineering. One store that specializes in equipment
is La Gran Montaña, Hidalgo #1111.
WASH YOUR DUDS
If you need to clean your clothes, there are heaps of laundrymats
(lavandarias) and most hotels offer guests laundry service.
RUN
Sporting goods are available at Sport
Ziga, Alcalá #205.
REPAIR THAT BALL
Take that deflated soccer ball, football or rugby ball to Tinoco
y Palacios #605B.
CON CALMA
SLEEP IN
Unless you are hiking Cerro
Fortin, there is little reason to get up early. Most businesses
do not open until 10 in the morning.
VISIT AN ALTAR
Altars are placed in various chapels in the city churches.
During Day of the Day and the week before Easter,
homes and markets are also decorated. Be respectful. And it's ok
to be overwhelmed. Look for church
tours in English.
RECYCLE
Reuse your plastic water bottles by refilling them.
WALK SLOWLY
Think
fast. Travel slow.
SLOW TRAVEL
Slow down! Buy a postcard, get a cup of hot chocolate and write
to a friend. The post office is located on the west side of Alameda
Park.
WALK ON WATER
Take a walk along Calzada de la República and you are actually
walking over an ancient river that formerly separated the downtown
from the Jalatlaco
neighborhood.
GET A HAIRCUT
Getting a haircut is one of the best local experiences you'll find.
VISIT A CITY PARK
East of town is Ciudad
de las Canteras, a former quarry that has been converted into
a pleasant city
park.
YOGA
Stretch your mind and your body with a yoga
class. Friends recommend Casa
del Angel, on the east side of Conzatti
Park.
VOLUNTEER
There are several ways you can volunteer.
Ask!
ART WALK
Visit Oaxaca's home to graphic arts, La
Curtiduria, in the Jalatlaco
neighborhood at 5 de Mayo #307. Open Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm
DANCE
Throughout the year you can enjoy a dinner show at the mini
Guelaguetzas conducted in town.
TAKE A TEMAZCAL
There are several steam baths (temazcales) in the city and more
in the countryside. Las
Bugambilias and Casa
de María have recommended service.
HEALING TOUCH
Get a massage!
HEALING TOUCH #2
Schedule a cleaning with a dentist.
SUNDAY RECITAL
Music recitals take place Sundays at the Santo
Domingo Cultural Center.
FOLK ART
Support local artisans! From jewelry to rugs to wooden figures (alebrijes),
Oaxaca has some of the best folk art in the world. Check out our
regional
craft guide.
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