1. Artisan Workshops
Our artisan live in three small towns outside of Oaxaca. Visiting them in their workshops is without a doubt the best part of our trips. They share food, new designs, new looms, new workshops but visit after visit we get to know families, attend weddings and watch their families grow.
We encourage you to seek out artisans in their houses in many of the communities around Oaxaca to learn about their art and meet them in person. Check out Friends of Oaxaca Folkart for list of artisans, a summary of their art, and directions to their houses.
A few of our favorites include:
Zeny & Reyna Fuentes - Zeny and his wife Reyna create very impressive famous Oaxaca woodcarvings that are elaborately painted. The home is set up for visits.
Jose Juan Garcia Aguilar - Jose Juan comes from a famous family of ceramic artist. He specializes in skeleton ceramics often depicting animals and insects as skeletons or half skeletons. Although it appears somewhat dark, I find his work to be some of the most artistic in the region.
Pueblo of Ocotlán de Morelos
Prolongacion de Industria s/n
j.j.garciamix@hotmail.com
(From US) Cell 011-52-1-951-222-0050
(In Oaxaca) Landline to Cell 044-951-222-0050
Cell to Cell: 951-222-0050
2. Casa Oaxaca
Many people travel to Oaxaca only for the food looking for moles, blue corn tortillas, chapulines (grasshoppers), chocolate and mezcal. Food tours are everywhere, and there are several world class restaurants. Undoubtedly Casa Oaxaca is one the best restaurants in Oaxaca, I feel it never disappoints. Be sure to make a reservation and sit on their rooftop patio around dusk.
3. Monte Alban
Monte Alban is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site on the outskirts of Oaxaca. It is very impressive and can easily be reached by taking a taxi. Be sure to arrive a few minute before it opens to snap photos before others arrive.
4. Iglesia de Santo Domingo
The Iglesia de Santa Domingo is a main tourist attraction. Construction started in 1575 to be used as a church and monastery. Today it houses the Cultural Centre Museum of Oaxaca and still carries out church services. It is a beautiful building and the open air markets, pedestrian walkway, and hip restaurants and bars surrounding it make a great place to visit in the evening for people watching in front of such an impressive structure.
Other places worth visiting in Oaxaca:
5. Regional Town Markets - We love Tlacolula on Sunday or Ocotlán on Friday.
6. Mercado de Artesanías - Gral. Ignacio Zaragoza
7. Mercado 20 de Noviembre - 20 de Noviembre 512,
9. Zocolo
9. Amate Books - Calle Macedonio Alcalá 307
