Oficina de Relaciones Internacionales

Oaxaca

The city of Oaxaca is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in México and is considered as a real historic landmark.

Oaxaca is rich in traditions and customs and has the largest ethnic population found in the Republic of Mexico. Oaxaca is customarily divided into seven regions: La Cañada, La Costa, La Sierra (sub-divided into the Sierra Norte and the Sierra Sur), La Mixteca, El Papaloapan, El Istmo, and Los Valles Centrales. Located in this last region you will find the capital of the state, Ciudad Oaxaca de Juárez (Oaxaca City).
The Central Valleys contain the most important historic tourist attractions in the state, such as archaeological sites, 16th century convents, baroque temples, civil colonial buildings and plenty of museums.

Religious celebrations with typical parades (calendas) and holiday celebrations in which food, music and drinks are offered to people (mayordomías) are prove of the lively cultural habits of the Oaxacans.
Prehispanic civilizations flourished in Oaxaca before the arrival of Cortés. Ethnic groups, such as the Mixtecs and Zapotecs, were conquered and colonized, yet, were able to maintain their form of government, language and culture. There are 16 ethnic groups maintaining original traditions, dances, languages and cuisine.

In 1987, UNESCO declared Oaxaca and Monte Albán “Historical Landmarks”.
The state of Oaxaca is located in the southeastern part of the Mexican Republic, just five hours from Mexico City by the Mexico-Puebla-Oaxaca highway; and it is easily accessible by air too.

 

The weather in Oaxaca
Due to its topography, Oaxaca presents a variety of climates. On the Oaxacan Coast, with tourist destinations as Puerto Escondido and the Bays of Huatulco, the average temperature is around 27+ degrees centigrade. In Oaxaca City, located in the Central Valleys, the yearly average temperature is around 22 degrees centigrade.

 

Days of market of Oaxaca :
You can not leave Oaxaca without having visited one of the typical markets:
Sunday: Tlacolula de Matamoros
Monday: Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz
Tuesday: Ayoquezco de Aldama, Sto. Tomás Jalietza, Atzompa
Wednesday: Villa de Etla, Zimatlán de Alvarez
Thursday: Zaachila, Ejutla de Crespo
Friday: Ocotlán de Morelos, Coyotepec, Jalietza

 

 

Handicrafts of Oaxaca
Oaxaca is one of the richest states in Mexico in terms of popular art. The expressions of its artistic traditions and inventiveness are persuasive and extend over the whole state. There is practically no primary material (cloth, wood, clay, iron, precious metals, leather, etc.) that does not find singular artistic usage in Oaxaca. These materials, enhanced through the artistic talent and the imagination of artisans (with due regard given to traditional methods and techniques) characterize Oaxacan craftwork, and have given it international fame. One of the most striking examples results when Oaxacan imagination joins with the traditional craft of manufacturing textiles.
Cotton and wool fabrics are woven for clothing as they were centuries ago, with the help of waist looms, distaffs, spindles, and natural coloring. The work is exemplified by the richness of the indigenous attire: the astonishing blouses, skirts, and scarves of the Oaxacan Coast and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, (where influences can still be found of the long ago trade with the Orient), in the “huipiles” of the Sierra, and in the “serapes” of the Central Valleys. Oaxaca is one of the rare areas that produces “coyuchi” cotton, whose natural colors vary from beige to red. The cotton ball of this variety is so small that it is impossible to spin it using industrial methods.
This represents the work of more than a half million artisans throughout the state. Recommended places to buy handicrafts are: Arrazola and San Martin Tilcajete (“alebrijes” hand carved figures), Atzompa and San Bartolo Coyotepec (green and black pottery), Ocotlán, Etla and Tlacolula (baskets), Santiago Jamiltepec and Tlacolula (iron sculptures) and of course we must not forget Santa Ana y Teotitlán del Valle, towns where wool rugs are woven with natural dyes, using therefore even an insect called “grana cochinilla”.
The rug designs range from hieroglyphics, Zapotec people to pictorial reproductions of Tamayo, Toledo and Picasso.

Festivals of Oaxaca
Oaxaca has very strong traditions and celebrates many festivals, both religious and prehispanic. Throughout the year there are plenty of festivals. The calendar for festivals is surprisingly extensive because of the diverse ethnic groups in the state in synchronization with Occidental Culture. Oaxaca reflects its joy in music and dance.
The supreme festival takes place in July with the Guelaguetza, a great festivity of light, human warmth and a sense of community. Oaxaca is also internationally known for its celebration of The Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2. In the town of Xoxocotlán, on October 31st, there is a traditional all night vigil in the cemetery. December is full of festivals and religious celebrations. In early December the Virgin of Juquila is celebrated, one of the main Catholic symbols of faith for Oaxacan people.
On the night of December 23rd is the traditional Night of the Radishes, where contestants carve figures and intricate scenarios out of radishes. Finally, on December 24th, there are parades (calendas). People from various Catholic churches build floats and participate in the parade. The festive celebration includes fireworks, musical bands, torches and religious characters such as the baby Jesus with Joseph and Mary, angels and shepherds.

Distances

From Oaxaca City to: