Photo Taken By phylevn

Oaxaca is a popular tourist destination in Mexico but many people who head here go for quite different attractions than, say, those who visit placed such as Cancun, which is popular for its glorious beaches and chilled ambiance. Many of those visiting Oaxaca are looking to soak up the very rich and diverse culture that can be found here as well as the fascinating history of the area.

Situated in Southwestern Mexico, Oaxaca has become well known for its fascinating archaeological sites as well as for its culture, arts and crafts, and history. The coast in Oaxaca is also popular with tourists, with many enjoying a very diverse and exciting vacation experience here in Oaxaca.

Whilst there are many attractions and places of interest to enjoy and explore when you visit this destination, some of the top historical attractions that you should put on your itinerary when you come here include:

Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman

Photo taken by Sergio Kasusky Pech

This beautiful and ornate structure in Oaxaca has become very popular amongst tourists, who enjoy taking in the stunning exterior and interior of the church and learning more about the exhibitions.

This is a great way to soak up a combination of culture and history when visiting this area.

Monte Alban

Photo taken by Eduardo Robles Pacheco

This hugely popular archaeological site dates back many centuries and is a hit amongst tourists to the area. Not only do you get to take in the ancient ruins and delve into the past but you will also be able to take in breathtaking scenery. This is a well maintained site with a good museum onsite so that you can really learn more about the past of the area.

This is a place where you could easily spend a whole day and take the kids along for an educational and fascinating excursion.

Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca

Photo taken by momo

Home to some wonderful and fascinating exhibits, this museum is an excellent choice for anyone that appreciates both the arts and history. In addition to taking in some wonderful Colonial Spanish art you can also take in exhibits such as the treasures from Monte Alban.

Again, this is a place where you may need a couple of visits to fully appreciate what’s on offer

Mitla

Photo taken by Erin English

You can explore the various layers of cultural history that you will find when you visit this place, with its fascinating ruins of a richly historic city. Intricate stonework and carvery is everywhere and many are taken aback by the stunning designs.

These are just a few of the wonderful historical places to visit when you come to Oaxaca, but there are many other historical and cultural attractions here so you can look forward to a full and diverse itinerary when you visit.

Oaxaca is a bit of an obscure place, hiding away at the bottom of Mexico. But it is hard to see why, as it is a great place to explore. Culturally, it is fabulously rich, because it is home to sixteen recorded tribes of indigenous peoples. That, combined with its fascinating and rugged terrain and spectacular coastline, makes it a very special place to visit.

Photo Provided by Keirn

You can see the variety of sights within Oaxaca if you are prepared to get out on the road and investigate. It doesn’t matter if you have a brand new 4×4 or a used Honda, the task is to explore and enjoy this wonderful region of Mexico to its fullest.

In order to get the most from Oaxaca, you need to be mobile and have a good checklist of where to go. There are many great sites to see, but there are certainly 5 places you shouldn’t miss.

1. Cueva del Chevé

One such location is the grotto at “Cueva del Chevé” (Chevé’s Cave). Here, there are fourteen miles of mysterious caves and caverns full of wonderful pre-Hispanic discoveries that have fuelled the imagination. They are believed to have been used in rituals by predecessors of the current inhabitants of the region. They are also the sites of some of the best underground limestone formations in the world.

2. Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

Photo provided by Reaktivo

A second must see site is the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, which has been around for almost a century. It spans just over 12 square miles and has a network of beautiful and fertile lagoons as well as over 150 animal species. A delight to visit, you can watch the spoonbills, blue-winged teals and herons go about their business naturally.

3. Benito Juárez Market

Photo provided by Christopher Holden

Visiting Oaxaca City is also a must on your sightseeing list. If nothing else, just to sample its colorful markets. Saturday is the best day to be in town and experience the Benito Juárez Market. With over 700 stalls, it is a mind-bending labyrinth of sights, noise and smells. You really get a taste for the tradition and skills of the Oaxaca people, their food and handicrafts. You might even think about the local delicacy snack of toasted grasshoppers.

Photo provided by Christine Zenino

4. Temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán

Above the city of Oaxaca, you should also plan on visiting the temple of Santo Domingo de Guzmán; a stunning Baroque inspired masterpiece that its builders labored over for 50 years. With its renowned portal, it is a classic, textbook example of the distinctive Mexican slant on existing design styles. It is a religious destination as well as being a historic symbol of Oaxaca resistance to dictatorship.

5. Monte Albán

Photo Provided by Eduardo Robles Pacheco

Finally, your journey would not be complete without a trip out to the ruins of Monte Albán. This was one of the region’s earliest known pre-Hispanic towns. According to scholars, it served as the capital of the Zapotec people and existed between 500 B.C. and 800 A.D. Even after it was abandoned as a town, it was still used as a place of worship until the Spanish came. This unique site is now a Cultural Patrimony of Humanity designated by UNESCO and remains the foremost historical monument and discovery in the area.

Photo Provided by Lin Mei

With its rich history and inspiring sites, Oaxaca should be on your must see list of travel destinations in Mexico.

Photo provided by Lin Mei

What is your favorite spot to visit in Oaxaca?

Oaxaca is a fascinating destination to include on any Mexican vacation, as it offers a rich cultural heritage dating back to the Spanish settlers – as well as the Aztecs before them.

There are a number of striking Oaxaca landmarks to take in, such as the dramatic ruined city at Mitla. This citadel was inhabited for some time by the ancient Zapotec people, and the stones still bear their marks. Another Oaxaca attraction is the Tule Tree, a vast Cyprus believed to be over 2000 years old!

Oaxaca Tourist Attractions

Much of the architecture in Oaxaca dates back to the conquistadors, and often it is lavishly decorated in gold and precious stones. The magnificent Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman is certainly no exception, looking especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Also worth visiting, are the Cathedral of Oaxaca and the 17th century Basilica de la Soledad, which contains a museum of religious art. The State Government Palace is a must see as well. It is a majestic building that features an iconic mural illustrating Oaxaca’s role in Mexican history.

Oaxaca boasts a number of museums, covering topics as diverse as textiles, military forces and ancient history. Many well-known Oaxacan artists are exhibited at the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca (MACO), while the Oaxaca Regional Museum specializes in Zapotec Indian artifacts.

Image of Teatro Macedonio de Alcala by Ulises Estrada

Visitors to Oaxaca can take in a show at the Teatro Macedonio de Alcala, or just admire the building itself. You’ll find plenty of other forms of entertainment as you explore the streets of Oaxaca, including street performers and live music. There are also a number of religious festivals throughout the year, which are often celebrated with carnivals and processions.

Tours in Oaxaca will Show you a Totally Different view of the City

A variety of Oaxaca tours offer visitors the opportunity to discover the town’s fascinating history, through a series of cultural heritage sites. Alternatively, you can head out of the city to enjoy guided tours around local ecological parks, which make a great place for hiking, fishing or wildlife enthusiasts. A number of stables in the area offer horseback tours, which provide an excellent way to explore the mountains, canyons and cacti groves surrounding Oaxaca.

Image by Greg Westfall

The En Via Foundation is another option to look into for Oaxaca tours. This non-profit organization funds local people to start their own businesses, and participants in the scheme will act as guides as they show you around the supported communities. En Via tours have been described as a fascinating insight into local community culture.

While this list may seem comprehensive, it has only just scratched the surface as far as Oaxaca attractions are concerned, and hasn’t even mentioned the fantastic beaches, or superb selection of bars and restaurants. The only way to take it all in is to experience it for yourself; by immersing yourself in the fascinating history and stunning attractions of a vacation to Oaxaca.

Image by Darij & Ana