Unique Things To See Around Oaxaca

An Overview of Oaxaca

Famous for its powerful empires forged from indigionous nations and cultures, such as the Zapotecs and Mixtecs, this area has retained many cultural landmarks from the various pre-colonial ethnic tribes that once populated the mountainous terrain.  The highland nature of the city makes it relatively cool and the colonial streets and churches are extremely colorful. Thanks to its fusion of culture, unique terrain and beautiful architecture, there are many unique things to see around Oaxaca.

Unique Things To See Around Oaxaca

Church of Santo Domingo

This is a famous and beautifully rendered church which expands over a large sanctuary complex with multiple buildings, courtyards and plazas.

Zona Arqueologica de Monte Alban

This is the best-known archeological zone in Oaxaca.  It’s one of the oldest cities found in all of North America and served as a seat of power for nearly a millennia under the rule of the dominant Zapotec culture.

Jardin Etnobotanico

This is a stunning botanical garden with unique reflecting pools and cactus alleys.

Mercado 20 de Noviembre

This is a small shopping arcade which hosts local restaurants, shops and specialized foods stalls.  There are lots of novelty items and souvenir shops here.

Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude

This basilica is an imposing Roman Catholic structure with ornate features dedicated to the patron saint of Oaxaca.

Museum of Cultures

This is a strange museum in a 15th century Covent housing unique cultural artifacts retained from the diverse ethnic natives of Oaxaca and the surrounding region.

Parque Juarez El Llano

This is a very pleasant and small walk-through park with a few food stalls of interest.  It has a useful running path for those wishing to exercise in the mornings.

Mole (Food)

Mole is a specialized type of food which is used as an extremely popular thick paste topping.  The entire state of Oaxaca is notorious for their seven main types of Mole, which include Negro, Rojo, Coloradito, Amarillo, Verde, Chichilo and Manchamantel

El Arbol Del Tule (Tree of Tule)

The Big Tree is an enormously wide Mexican cypress. It’s 54 meter circumference makes it the stoutest tree in the world in terms of a circumference ratio to height.  The tree is a Montezuma Cypress, also known as an ahuehuete in the Nahuatl language. Ahuehuete translates to “old man of the water.”

Oaxaca Textile Museum

This is a modest, free admission museum which showcases many of the bizarre outfits and fabrics crafted in Oaxaca.

Museo de Nieves Manolo

This museum doubles as a traditional ice cream store with an educational museum addition.

Museo Rufino Tamayo

This is a public contemporary art museum with a specialized focus on Hispanic and Native-Hispanic artworks.

Painting Alebrijes

Painting Alebrijes is a specialized art style found largely in the region of Oaxaca.  Neon colorful painted animal carvings are melded with elongated or exaggerated features for unique visuals.

Hierve el Agua (The Water Boils)

This is a truly fantastic natural wonder. Hierve el Agua is made of pillars of mineral waterfalls with unique mineral swimming pools in the Oaxaca countryside.

Night of the Radishes

This is a popular festival native to the region which takes place on December 23rd annually.  Basically, there’s a tradition in Oaxaca which involves using the purple radishes to make elaborate public festival artworks.  There are some areas which perform the tradition year-round to make vegetable sales more enticing. This was the origin of the festival contest in 1897.

Panteon General

This is a large cemetery known for hosting many famous historical figures. It’s also the location of creative tombstones and unique artworks installed while ushering the dearly departed to the great beyond.

Rufino Tamayo Museum of Pre-Hispanic Art

Located in a deceptively shabby building, this is a local artist’s stronghold for one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Pre-Spanish indigionous artwork in the world.  

Mercado de Artesanias de Oaxaca

This is a market for traditional handicrafts like embroidered blouses, carved animal sculptures & pottery.

Zimatlan

Zimatlan is a city just 45 minutes outside of Oaxaca. The city is known for its miles and miles of marigold fields, which are grown for the Day of the Dead celebration.  Flowers start to grow in the late spring and the location is closed around November 24th, when all flowers are collected and shipped off.

Cerro del Fortin

This narrow route is one of the most scenic jogging and hiking trails in all of Mexico.

Read more about unique things to see around Oaxaca and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Blog.

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