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OAXACA

50+ Things to do in Oaxaca City
by Ron Mader

OAXACA WIKISPACE
MEXICO FORUM

Entre faros no hay competidores.
- Dichos


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Map

Oaxaca City (Oaxaca de Juárez) is located in southern Mexico. There are a number of options for a learning vacation. Planeta.com's official tip: think fast. travel slow.


CON CALMA

VOLUNTEER
There are several ways you can volunteer. Ask!

SLEEP IN
Unless you are bird watching or hiking Cerro Fortin, there is little reason to get up early. Most businesses do not open until 10 in the morning.

WALK SLOWLY
Think fast. Travel slow.

SLOW TRAVEL
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.

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. One recommendation is Casa del Angel, on the east side of Conzatti Park.

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.

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! There are plenty of favorites, including Namaste at Constitución #100, Interior #3.

SUNDAY RECITAL
Music recitals take place Sundays, 6pm 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.

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 7:30pm and Saturday-Sunday games begin at 5pm. If a double-header is scheduled, the games begin earlier. When's the next game? Check the calendar.

ACTION

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 in Oaxaca. Check out Mexico's most recent earthquakes.

CLIMB A HILL
Local environmentalists have formed a group to protect Fortin Hill.

PLAY RUGBY
Zinacantli Rugby Club practices Saturdays (after easter, before muertos) 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.

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.

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.

FOLLOW THE TREES
There are many beautiful notable and historic trees in Oaxaca City.

RUN
Sporting goods are available at Sport Ziga, Alcalá #205.

REPAIR THAT BALL
Take that deflated soccer ball, football or rugby ball to Señor Genero Martinez at Tinoco y Palacios #605B. Repairs are made in two or three days.

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EAT AND DRINK

TRY THE LOCAL FLAVOR
Five traditional foods to try are tlayudas, tamales, memelas, empanadas and grasshoppers (chapulines).

EAT A ROCK
Try the piedrazo, a hard-bread softened with vinegar and spices.

BUY A BANANA
Bananas are a tasty, inexpensive and natural treat.

TRY MEZCAL
What tequila is to Jalisco, mezcal is to Oaxaca.

COOK UP A STORM
Eager to learn the art of Oaxacan cooking? It's easy to arrange hands-on cooking classes!

MARKET MUSTS
Oaxaca has some of the best markets in the country. Classics 20 de Noviembre, Juárez, Artesania and Abastos.

COOL DOWN
Drink a cool fruit-flavored agua and if you want something cooler yet, sample the refreshng nieves.

EAT NATURALLY
You'll find natural and organic products at markets and stores throughout the city. Take a look at the pics from the Tianguis Ecológico La Estación, Multi-Bio Cultural, Plaza 8 Regiones and Pochote.

BREAKFAST WITH OTHER TRAVELERS
It's easy to chat it up with fellow travelers no matter where you are. Casa Arnel has the best commons table for dining in the country.

EAT AND DRINK AT A CHOCOLATE HOTEL
If you love chocolate, you'll love Oaxaca. Walk on Mina Street and you will smell a curious mix of dust, diesel and chocolate. More chocolate tips ...

LEARN

LEARN SPANISH
Oaxaca is a great center for learning. For tips, consult our Directory of Spanish Language Schools and our Language School FAQ.

PLACES TO VISIT

LA PLÁSTICA OAXAQUEÑA
Oaxaca boasts a number of Mexico's most famous artists. View their work in the city's museums and art galleries. Openings are usually scheduled on Fridays.

AUTHENTIC PLASTIC
Cristaleria Juquilita, at the corner of Independencia and Reforma, sells housewares, including an astonishing amount of colorful plastic. Another store, La Violeta, is located at 20 de Noviembre #308 and has heaps of plastic toys, including miniature masked wrestlers. If you are looking for bulk quantities of resealable plastic bags, head to Caprichos at Armenta y Lopez #515.

PLAZA DE LA DANZA
One of the most interesting places to visit is just five blocks west of the Zócalo. Tour the complex of the Basilica, the City Hall, the School of Fine Arts (Bellas Artes) and the Plaza de la Danza. For a cool, tasty refreshment, try the famous sherbet (nieves) in the Sócrates Garden.

MUSEUM MUSTS
Oaxaca has some of the finest museums in the country. Must-sees include Santo Domingo Cultural Center, Alvarez Bravo Photographic Center and the indigenous collection of ceramics in the Rufino Tamayo Museum.

MOVIES
See a good movie at the Pochote Center, Garcia Vigil #817.

GET ON THE BUS
Book a seat on the Tranvia (photo).


NOT JUST FOR KIDS

SPIDER ART
Local artist Boris shows kids of all ages how to make artistic creations at Alcala #902-Bis. Slideshow

MORE KID STUFF
Kid-friendly museums include Museo Cri Cri at the corner of La Noria and Xicotencatl.

BUY CRAFTS
Kid-friendly crafts include cloth animal creaturs (telebrijes from Blackbox) and pint-sized chairs.

INSIDER TIPS

CHANGE MONEY
If you need banking services, there are plenty of ATMS and exchange houses near the Zócalo.

CHANGE THE WORLD
When making a purchase that involves change, bring a few coins and small bills.

CHANGE THE WORLD, PART 2
Left over change? Take it downtown and give it to the musicians. Support the arts!

WIRED
Hey Java Junkies, if you are seeking a great cup of coffee, there are several great options all over town!

WIRELESS
Looking for wireless internet? There are plenty of cybercafes. And if you are looking to eat and surf, patronize Los Cuiles and Brújula (featured on our where to eat guide).

NEARBY

VISIT THE TULE TREE
Mexico's most famous tree, and some say the world's largest single biomass, the Tule Tree (Arbol del Tule) and its environs comprise a unique natural monument.

WALK WITH THE WEAVERS
Check out family-owned workshops in the nearby towns of Santa Ana del Valle, San Miguel del Valle and Teotitlán del Valle.

DON'T STEP ON THE LIZARDS
The archaeological site of Monte Albán has been recognized as one of the world's cultural heritage sites and is a 15-minute bus ride away from downtown. Buses leave from Hotel Rivera del Angel, Mina #518. Details


AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the Latin America correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.


KUDOS

In town kudos and warm thanks go to Baruch Nestor Garcia for including many of these tips in his Oaxaca City map.

REFERENCES

FLICKR

g Oaxaca 2009
g Oaxaca Markets
b Group: Arboles de Oaxaca/Oaxaca Trees
ONLINE FLICKR

WIKI

g Oaxaca Wikispace
ONLINE WIKI

VIDEOS

b Oaxaca Flickrmeet
VIDEO


THINK SMART, TRAVEL SLOW

Do you know Oaxaca? Challenge yourself with one of our treasure hunts!

g Treasure Hunt
g Treasure Hunt #2
g Treasure Hunt #3

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TIP -- If you can't do it all, enjoy what you do.


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