If you’re looking for a destination where the streets are full of color, the cuisine is zesty and varied, and the people are warm and giant-hearted, Oaxaca, Mexico is ready to welcome you with open arms. At Wild Nectar, our travelers are looking for opportunities to get way off the beaten path. We’ve designed our Immersive Oaxaca: Vibrant Colors and Subtle Flavors program with connecting with locals in mind, and to showcase the very best of what this special location has to offer. (It's a custom program to fit your dates.) Here are a few things we love about this place:
History’s Passions and Legacies: Oaxaca is a tapestry woven with the threads of ancient civilizations. Its history practically vibrates at majestic archaeological sites like the pyramids of Monte Albán, where pre-Columbian Zapotec and Mixtec cultures thrived. Oaxaca’s streets showcase its UNESCO World Heritage Site status with their well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture juxtaposed with indigenous artistry. The past comes alive as you wander through the historic center, with its ornate churches, bustling markets, and vibrant zocalo.
Foodie Paradise: Oaxacan cuisine is one of Mexico's finest culinary traditions. The streets entice the hungry with aromas of mole, tlayudas (a large, thin, partially fried tortilla with beans, cabbage, meat, cheese, and avocado), and quesillo (a white, semi-hard, low fat cheese). Visit the Mercado 20 de Noviembre, where local vendors serve up unbelievable delicacies. Be sure to try a traditional Oaxacan breakfast of hot chocolate and pan de yema (an airy bread made with egg yolks) at one of the busy booths!
So Much Art!: Oaxacans lead a very colorful existence and their vibrancy is reflected in the rich local artistic and artisanal traditions. The city is a haven for artists and artisans and if you love crafts and textiles like I do, you’re going to be in heaven! From intricate wovens and embroideries to colorful ceramics, wood carvings, and paper-mâché, you’ll be dazzled by the skill and passion that goes into each masterpiece. Visiting workshops and galleries allows you to gain insight into the artistic process and take home a unique piece of Oaxacan culture. Or two!
Festivals, Gatherings & Celebrations: Oaxacans’ remarkable zest for life is reflected in their exuberant festivals and gatherings. People come from all over the world to witness their awe-inspiring Day of the Dead celebrations. The city comes alive with vibrant altars, candlelit processions, and marigold-decorated streets as families gather to honor their departed loved ones. Another captivating event is the Guelaguetza festival, where indigenous communities from all over the state come together to showcase their traditional dances, music, and elaborate costumes. And weekly events like Lucha Libre wrestling matches bring out the local community in droves. (Attend one via our Immersive Oaxaca itinerary!)
Hiking & Natural Beauty: Outside of town, Oaxaca's natural beauty delights and inspires. The surrounding landscapes vary from lush valleys to rugged mountains to pristine beaches. Our Immersive Oaxaca program includes remote days of hiking from tiny farm to tiny farm. Meet meet Ms. Martha to learn about pulque and tepache, two important drinks made from maquey (agave), enjoy a farm to table experience with Mr. Eli and his wife sharing Zapotec dishes, or hike through stunning forests, flowers and fungi in the Oaxacan Sierras.
Mescal: A trip to Oaxaca is incomplete unless you’ve sampled mescal. Join a local Mescal expert for dinner as he shares with you the ins and outs of this most famous of local liquors. The saying goes, "For everything good, Mescal, for everything bad, the same". No event in Oaxaca occurs without this essential liquor of the Gods. Your Mescal guide will share the subtle nuances and allow you to test several brands to understand more.
The People: Perhaps the most amazing thing about Oaxaca is the warmth and hospitality of its people. The locals, known as Oaxaqueños, are proud of their heritage and always eager to share it with visitors. Engaging in a conversation with a local can lead to heartwarming stories and insights into their way of life, creating unforgettable connections that stay with you long after you leave.
Mexico has so much to offer yet this coastal state along the Pacific Ocean and its capital, Oaxaca de Juárez is a jewel among places. Whether you’re traveling with children, a partner, friends, extended family, or on your own, Oaxaca will bring your senses alive and leave you with memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
We invite you to explore our custom Immersive Oaxaca program tailored to fit your dates and interests. Contact us and we’ll revise it until it’s just right for you.
