Secretara de Turismo

del

Estado de Oaxaca

Presenta

WHY OAXACA ?

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WHERE IS OAXACA ?

1,560 mts. Above the Sea Level

450 Km. Cd. from Mxico 308 Km. To Puerto Escondido

208 Km. To Bahas de Huatulco

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OAXACA

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WELCOME

Monte Albn
In 1987 the city of Oaxaca and the Monte Albn archeological site were named UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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WELCOME

In 1994 the city of Oaxaca and the Central Valleys were declared Priority Tourism Development Zones by the Ministry of Tourism.

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TRANSPORTATION

AIRLINES Oaxacas international airport has excellent plane connections with Mexico City and other destinations in Mexico and elsewhere. These routes are served by Mexicana de Aviacin, Clic de Mexicana, Aeromexico, Lneas Areas Azteca, Aviacsa, A Volar and Continental Express. Furthermore, if you want to fly to the Oaxaca Coast from the city of Oaxaca, you can use Aerotucn and Aerovega. HIGHWAYS One can go by highway from the city of Oaxaca to the states of Mexico, Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and the Federal District via the Cuacnopalan-Tehuacn-Oaxaca toll superhighway that intersects with the Puebla Veracruz toll superhighway. Oaxaca can also be reached via federal highways 190 and 131.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

The city of Oaxaca has 5930 hotel, rooms suitable for tourists that range from one star to a special luxury category. Some are colonial houses that have been restored and adapted as boutique hotels to accommodate the most demanding tourists, who receive personalized, high quality attention.

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CUISINE

Oaxaca cuisine is a blending of pre-Hispanic and European cuisines, one of the most varied and delicious of Mexico. It can delight the most demanding palate, not only thanks to its famous seven moles (black, red, yellow, green, coloradito, chichilo, and almond), but also to its classic, and unique, dishes: Oaxaca string cheese (quesillo), jerked meat (tasajo), chile-seasoned sundried pork (cecina enchilada), local sausage, tlayudas, tamales (filled with mole, strips of poblano chiles, chepil or black beans), delicious sherbets (sorbet, prickly pear and lime), fruit-flavored waters (horchata, chilacayota, chia, zapote, and many others), as well as the broad range of regional candies, bread, and the delicious, sought after chapulines (grasshoppers) that some say are aphrodisiac.

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SHOPPING

If there is something that speaks of the prodigious heritage of the Oaxacans, it is their art and handcrafts that reflect the colorfulness and unbridled spirit of the different regions of the state. Artisans express the sublime in pieces made from black pottery from Coyotepec, green and multihued pottery from Atzompa, hand woven rugs from Teotitln and Santa Ana del Valle, brightly painted alebrijes (animals and fantastic figures) from Arrazola, hand-wrought knives, tin work, colorful clothing, basketry, and leather work. Its expert jewelry makers and silversmiths are legendary: they even make reproductions of piece from the treasure of Monte Albns Tomb No. 7.

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ACTIVITIES

The city of Oaxaca and the surrounding Central Valleys have an extraordinary diversity of natural, archeological, colonial, artistic, gastronomic and cultural attractions, easily accessible thanks to the numerous local travel agencies that schedule daily excursions and guided tours in various languages. Walking around downtown gives one an opportunity to see some of the sites and delve into attractive stores and art galleries followed by time to rest in the shade of a tree or enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or chocolate in one of the many restaurants under the arches around the Zcalo with the music of a marimba or a concert by the state band in the background.

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WALKING TOURS

Arches of Xochimilco State Handcraft Center Casa de Juarez Museum Carmen Alto Church Carmen Alto Plazuela Instituto de Artes Grfiicas de Oaxaca Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmn Church of the Precious Blood of Christ Contemporary Art Museum State Public Library Church of San Agustn Government Palace Cathedral Zcalo Jardn de la Constitucin Benito Jurez University of Oaxaca Alameda de Len Macedonio Alcal Theate Ex-Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena Handcrafts Marketa

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WALKING TOURS

Church of San Juan de Dios 20 de Noviembre Market Benito Jurez Market Church of the Compaia de Jess Carmen Bajo Church Casa de la Ciudad Museum Rufino Tamayo Pre-Hispanic Art Museum Church of San Jos Jardn Scrates Plaza de la Danza Basilica and ex-Convent of La Soledad Museum of the Painters Church of San Felipe Neri Church and ex-Convent of Guadalupe Paseo Juez or El Llano Church of San Matas Jalatlaco Church of the Patrocinio Macedonio Alcal Street

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CIRCUITS AND TOURS Monte albn Circuit

Atzompa We suggest you start your visit to this town by stopping at the Casa de las Artesanas where you can buy beautiful pieces of natural color clay, painted clay, and glazed green ceramic ware. Monte Albn This was the ancient capital of the Zapotecs and was later occupied by the Mixtecs until shortly before the arrival of the Spaniards. When it was at its height of splendor, Monte Albn occupied a surface area of 40 square kilometers (16 sq mi) and had a population of around 40,000 inhabitants. Its temples, patios, palaces, and ball game were spread out over an immense esplanade.

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CIRCUITS AND TOURS Ocotln Circuit

San Bartolo Coyotepec The main attraction here is the burnished black pottery produced by the local artisans, who achieve extraordinarily beautiful pieces, many of which have perforated designs. There are two pottery markets, a

San Martn Tilcajete This town makes alebrijes, fantastic carved figures painted in bright colors. Santo Toms Jalieza Jalieza is famous for textiles woven on back strap looms that can be bought in the central market and in the numerous workshops. Ocotln de Morelos This town is famous for its colorful Friday market. Items for sale include red clay ceramics, hand-wrought knives, rustic kitchen utensils, regional food. The restored convent is now a museum.

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CIRCUITS AND TOURS Mitla Circuit

San Andrs Huayapan This town is famous for being the origin of a delicious pre-Hispanic drink called tejate that is made from corn and chocolate. Its eighteenth century church has

Santa Mara El Tule The famous Tule Tree is here. It is over 40 m (132 ft) high, 52.58 m (173 ft) in diameter, weighs 509 metric tons and is over 2000 years old. Lambityeco Ancient site of an important zapotec trading center, Lambityeco still has vestiges of palaces and shrines. Santa Ana del Valle This town is one of the traditional textile centers of the valley. Its craftsmen weave rugs and other woolwn items using ancient and modern designs and natural dies.

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CIRCUITS AND TOURS Mitla Circuit

Tlacochahuaya The church and convent were built by the Dominicans in the sixteenth century. Its interior has indigenous frescos painted with cochineal, several altars by the painter Juan de Arru, and a pipe organ from 1620

Dainz This is a small archaeological zone in which there is an interesting gallery with bas relief in stone that Yagul This archeological zone is contemporaneous with Mitla and was founded by the Zapotecs. Its ball game is the largest in the Oaxaca area and the second largest in Mesoamerica. Walk about the Fortress and the Palace of the Six Patios. The view over the Valley of Oaxaca is fantastic. Mitla City of the Dead, this Zapotec ceremonial center and residence of high religious leaders is famous for its exquisite architecture. The harmony of its buildings and the proportions of its patios are heightened by

Teotitln del Valle In this town serapes and rugs are made on Spanish looms, the wool having been died with natural dies. Be sure to visit the local workshops and the town museum where some pre-Hispanic objects are displayed. Tlacolula This town is famous for its colorful Sunday market. In the church of the Assumption there is one of the true jewels of Mexican baroque art: the chapel dedicated to the Santo Cristo of Tlacolula.

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the extraordinary decoration of its walls.

THE DOMINIC ROUTE

The great miracle by which the Dominicans could have seen finished the greatest temples of Yanhuitlan, Teposcolula and Coixtlahuaca was due to the gratitude of the indigenous people to them thanks to the spiritual, material and social benefits obtained; despite of the great quality job of Mixtec inhabitans. The seed of evangelization came to fruition in a good land; you just have to visit the Museum of Oaxaca Cultures, at the Cultural Center of Santo Domingo, to realize of the prehispanic ability. The arqueological zones of Monte Albn,Mitla, Dainz and Lambityeco show the eloquence of their arquitectonic knowledge. On their construction stands out the Tequitqui art, this is the indigenous sculpture work in two dimensions with superficies, but still not yet familiarize whit the tridimensional European work.

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THE DOMINIC ROUTE

The Dominican Route at the Oaxaca Mixteca offers to the visitors the opportunity to experience the vice royal times along the Royal Path, which connected the capital of New Spain with Old Guatemala through its majestic convents and temples; the most representatives are Yanhuitln, Teposcolula and Coixtlahuaca. The evangelization of Oaxaca is a result of this chain of buildings situated no more than one day of distance, allowing the Dominicans to leave a convent early in the morning and get to the other at night.

The temple and ex-convent of Santo Domingo Yanhuitln is one of the most important buildings talking about its arquitecture, it is the inspiration for many since it was built by arquitects from El Escorial de Espaa.
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The Sierra Norte of Oaxaca is among the three richest hot spots of variety in fauna in the country, with more than 400 species of birds and 350 species of butterflies. This area is one of the well-preserved natural areas in Mexico. It also includes a wide variety of flora and seven different kinds of vegetation of the country. Oaxaca offer on Alternative Tourism is the most solid in the state, it includes projects in rural settings with old routes to practice different sports like hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, birth-watching, etc., guided by expert local guides. You may also enjoy the landscape and the historical and artistic attractions of enchanting Oaxaca rural towns with attractive surroundings and make contact with the locals and their traditions like the famous temazcal (traditional steam bath) or the practice of traditional medicine which includes the so called limpias.

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Among the services that the Sierra Norte offers the visitor may find equipped cabins, houses of the locals or special areas for camping. Whoever visits the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca has in front of them a paradise of natural resources that can also be turned into stupendous culinary creations. From these come dishes prepared by its inhabitants, who better than anyone, know the aromas and flavors of the traditional Oaxaca dishes.

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WELCOME

This paradise is located on the southern coast of the Mexican Pacific in the state of Oaxaca. It has 35 km of coastline with 9 bays: San Agustn, Chachacual, Maguey, El rgano, Santa Cruz, Chahue, Tangolunda, Conejos and Cacaluta. There are 36 beaches with brilliant, transparent water bounded on the north by the impressive Sierra Madre del Sur and on east and west by the Copalita and Coyula Rivers, respectively. The total surface area is 21,000 hectares (52,500 acres or 82 sq mi) of which almost 80% is earmarked for regeneration and conservation of the ecology, among which is the Huatulco National Park, a National Protected Area since 1998.

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GREEN GLOBE AND NACIONAL PARK

Green Globe 21 National Park Huatulco is a fully planned center developed by the Mexican Fund to Foster Tourism (Fonatur, for its initials in Spanish) during the 80s. It was certified in early 2005 as the first Sustainable Tourism Community in the Americas and the third in the world. The people and authorities of Huatulco are committed to a vision of longterm sustainability and have set themselves the goal of keeping it in the vanguard of Mexican and international beach destinations in environmental matters.

The Mexican Government declared the Huatulco National Park a Protected National Area in 1998 so as to conserve the natural and cultural resources of the southern coast of Oaxaca, particularly in the region of the township of Santa Maria Huatulco, protecting with this decree 413 species of plants, 130 species and subspecies of mammals, 291 species of birds, approximately 72 species of reptiles and around 15 amphibious speciesall representing the vast biological diversity that comprises its regional, national and world patrimony. Hand in hand with conservation the decree seeks to promote scientific, educational, recreational and cultural activities under principles of conservation and restructuring, rational management and sustainability.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Huatulco has an upscale urban infrastructure, strictly

adhering to international quality and ecological standards with respect to the architecture and its natural surroundings. There are 2,300 hotel roomsranging from modest inns to hotels ranked Gran Turismo, five-star hotels and even an above-rating special categorythat offer accommodation alone or operate on an all-inclusive basis.

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CUISINE

Huatulco reflects the traditional Oaxaca hospitality, the surprising flavors of its cuisine and the marvels of its culture. The most demanding palates will find satisfaction in the restaurants in Tangolunda, Chahu and Santa Cruz, as well as in the town of La Crucecita, where one can savor fresh fish and seafood along with Oaxaca and Mexican specialties and international cuisine.

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ACTIVITIES

Golf Sandwiched between the mountains and the ocean, one of the best golf courses of the Mexican Pacific is a treasure of Tangolunda Bay. It offers everything for an unforgettable day embracing both natural scenic beauty and the emotion of a successful round of golf.

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ACTIVITIES

Extreme Sports Practice your favorite extreme sport in the natural Huatulco scenarios: downriver kayaking, rafting and canoeing, or rappelling at Punta Celeste in Botazoo Park or in the canyons upriver on the Copalita. Water Sports Water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing, kayaking, and the like have the best scenic backdrop in Huatulco at the most remote beaches accessible only by boat.

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BEACHES

SANTA CRUZ TANGOLUNDA CHAHU CACALUTA CONEJOS MAGUEY EL RGANO SAN AGUSTN CHACHACUAL

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BEACHES

SANTA CRUZ TANGOLUNDA CHAHU CACALUTA CONEJOS MAGUEY EL RGANO SAN AGUSTN CHACHACUAL

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TRANSPORTATION

SANTA CRUZ TANGOLUNDA Huatulco has an international airport. Flights from CHAHU CACALUTA Mexico City take 60 minutes and from the city of Oaxaca, CONEJOS only 35 minutes. MAGUEY EL RGANO Airlines linking Huatulco to Mexico City are Mexicana de SAN AGUSTN Aviacin, Click de Mexicana, Magnicharter and Nova Air; CHACHACUAL Continental Express has flights from Houston to Oaxaca; Flights from Oaxaca to Huatulco is via Aerotucn.

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WELCOME

Puerto Escondido is the oldest tourist center in the

region. Formerly known as Punta Escondida, it was a fishing village with a port for shipping coffee that was raised nearby and was the basis for significant commercial activity. The natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere gradually turned it into a favorite tourist destination. Years later it attained international recognition as one of the few places in America where professional surfing can be practiced, thanks to the strong waves along some of its beaches. In the area there is abundant wildlife: armadillos, migratory birds, crocodiles, iguanas, sea turtles, and numerous species of fish can all be seen in their natural habitat. The residents of Puerto Escondido are committed to conserving the ecosystem and preserving it as an ecological reserve.

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TRANSPORTATION

Thanks to its international airport, Puerto Escondido can be reached by air from Mexico City in 45 minutes and from Oaxaca in 30. From Oaxaca by highway there are two routes, one is via highway 175 via Pochutla, a distance of 324 Km (200 mi), and the other is via Sola de Vega, a distance of 260 Km (162 mi). Via highway 200, Puerto Escondido is approximately 400 Km (250 mi) from Acapulco.

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ACCOMMODATIONS

This tourist destination offers a diversity of options for accommodation, ranging from attractive cabins to fourstar hotels, to satisfy all kinds of tastes and needs, where guests are treated in a warm, friendly manner characteristic of coastal hospitality, so that they can enjoy truly unforgettable vacations

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CUISINE

The gastronomic specialities of Puerto Escondido are served in a broad variety of restaurants and hotels offering delicious dishes to choose from, particularly those based on seafood. The most demanding palates will also be delighted with the vast array of world-famous Oaxaca cuisine and the many possibilities of savoring international cuisine as well.

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ACTIVITIES

Puerto Escondido offers visitors countless recreational activities. Thanks to the force and height of the waves, it is an ideal, scenic place for surfing. There are many tranquil places as well, such as beautiful coral reefs where scuba divers and snorkelers alike can admire colorful tropical fish, shellfish, lobsters, and stingrays. Deep sea fishing for sailfish, marlin, tuna, and dorado is excellent.

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BEACHES

ZICATELA PRINCIPAL BACOCHO CARRIZALILLO PUERTO ANGELITO MARINERO MANZANILLO

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The Isthmus of Tehuantepec, is the narrowest part

of Mexico, it is located in the State of Oaxaca. Because of its size, it is the second most important region and it is composed by 41 head districts with diverse cultures. It is inhabited mostly by zapotecs, Chontales, huaves, zoques, mixes, mixtecs and in a minority scale by tzotziles and chinantecos. The region has a wide variety of eco-systems.

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In the Isthmus, culture flourishes, seen in every traditional dance, performed at the rhythm of regional songs like the Sandunga or la Llorona, where women wear the beautiful and worldly known Tehuana costume adorned with hand made gold filigree. In the Isthmus, one can feel the isthmenian folklore in the festivities and in the Velas held in the month of may and during the rest of the year enjoy cultural events like the Guendaliza in Tehuantepec or the sea festival in Salina Cruz and the Festival of The River in Juchitn. www.oaxaca.travel

Tuxtepec is the ideal place to observe the beauty of its landscape, two rivers water the district, the Tonto and the Papaloapan. Along these natural pools, are found such as the Piedra, Los Sauces Las Mariposas, Sumatra and Piedra Quemada. Culture and dance com hand to hand by the beautiful rhythm of the marimba, by the brass band of the Jaraneros heard in the multiple cultural festivities all year long but its splendor is seen in the celebration of the Guelaguetza with the worldly famous Flor de Pia dance.

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Secretara de Turismo

del

Estado de Oaxaca

Presenta