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OAXACA, MEXICO

Touring Oaxaca's Central Valleys
by Ron Mader

OAXACA WIKI

FLICKR ALBUM: Responsible Travel

The Central Valleys are easy day-trips from Oaxaca City.

GEOGRAPHY

The valley is Y-shaped with Oaxaca City in the center and the valley is quite high in altitude -- the average is 1,550 meters (5,115 feet). It is also quite extensive, more than 3,375 square kilometers (1,303 square miles) in size. The agrigultural land covers about 1100 square kilometers (700 square miles) and is largest 'flat' patch of arable land in the state.Not surprisingly, this is where the earliest settlements were founded.

The Tlacolula Valley extends 50 kilometers to the east, the Zimatlan valley stretches 100 kilometers to the south, and the Etla valley extends 40 kilometers to the northwest.

WEATHER

Oaxacan valleys enjoys a pleasant climate year-round, though the hottest months are April and May. Expect a chance of rain between May and October. The rainiest months are June and July.
Forecast

FEATURES

Oaxaca's Central Valleys Index
- Oaxaca A-Z

Transportation
- How to get from A-Z

Crafts
- Guide to regional crafts. SLIDESHOW

Guelaguetza
- Join the summertime festival. SLIDESHOW

Market Days in Oaxaca
- For centuries, small towns in Oaxaca have hosted weekly markets.

Rural Community Lodging
- Oaxaca is one of Mexico's pioneers for rural tourism.

Monte Albán
- Visit one of the premier archaeological sites in the country.

SOUTH

San Bartolo Coyotepec
- Black pottery is the specialty from this village. Check out the museum of folk art!

San Martín Tilcajete
- Market town known for its wooden figures.

Santo Tomás Jalieza
- Market town known for its woven goods.

Zaachila
- Market town known for its archaeological site and annual Guelaguetza Celebration.

Cuilapam de Guerrero

Santiago Matatlán

Ocotlán de Morelos
- Friday is Market Day.

Ejutla
- Home to tostadas ejutecas.

WEST

Santa María Atzompa
- Tour exceptional workshops in a village of potters.

San Antonio Arrazola
- Families fashion wooden figures or alebrijes in this town.

EAST

San Andrés Huayapan

Tule Tree
- Tell your friends you visited one of the world's largest biomasses. Bonus points if you can find five more ahuehuetes and claim bragging rights if you sample stone soup!

Teotitlán del Valle
- Hikes and bikes rides complement the town's famous rug-weaving tradition.

Santa Ana del Valle
- Visit the children's museum in this rug-weaving village.

San Jerónomo Tlacochahuaya
- Look for the sun dial outside the church!

Tlacolula
- Visit one of the oldest markets in the country.

Yagul
- New hiking trails and archaeological site.

Lachigolo
- Big tree!

Mitla
- Famous archaeological site.