November 1, 2023 | View Online | Sign Up
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Avoiding cliches is a tremendous task when describing Oaxaca City.
Boasting a history and culture far larger cities would kill for and a now legendary culinary tradition, this unassuming metropolis has cast a spell on the world of tourism.
Cobbled streets punctuate a kaleidoscopic array of architecture; its churches are some of the finest in the Americas; and the Zapotec historical tradition is as rich as anywhere in Mexico. But of course, the food (widely regarded as some of the best cuisines on the planet) is stealing the show.
Come for the mole sauce. Leave with a new favorite city.
Welcome to Oaxaca.
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| EAT, SLEEP, DO
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Your Guide to the Best of Oaxaca
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⛪ What to do
The toughest aspect of planning your Oaxaca visit will be deciding what to do. Sublime architecture, Zapotec ruins, spectacular churches, outdoor pursuits, art, and restaurant hopping should all appear on your itinerary. What you cut out is down to you. Here are some of the best things to do in the city.
🫔 What to eat
The eating section is far easier…in theory. The simplest advice is to come hungry and eat everything—mole, tlyadua, chapulines, memela—the list goes on. Narrowing down the best places to try them in such a short time is another story altogether. Here are some recommendations to get you started.Â
🛌🏽 Where to stay
Oaxaca’s growing popularity has spurred the growth of its hotel sector. You’ll find yourself spoilt for choice, from stunning history boutique hotels to the tried and true big brands. Have a look at some of the best places to stay in Oaxaca.
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| MONEY MOVES
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Limited Options But Still Possible
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The biggest issue facing your arrival in Oaxaca using points is the limited connections its regional airport has. While the city is becoming more popular, it’s got a way to go before its infrastructure catches up.
The cheapest way to get there would be to fly through Mexico City and grab a cheap flight or even a super-cheap bus from there. Luckily, Mexico City has a ton of direct flights from all around the US.
The cheapest way would be to use Turkish Airlines. From pretty much anywhere in the US, you can grab a one-way flight for 15,000 points. The taxes will depend on where you fly from, but the fee from somewhere like Newark is only $59. That’s pretty impressive, and you can earn Turkish Airlines miles with this card.
Maybe even grab a business class seat for 30,000 from San Francisco using this card.
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| BOOK YOUR GETAWAY
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Set Sail to Paradise With Avoya TravelÂ
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Searching for the perfect Mexico cruise getaway? Avoya Travel has you covered with incredible savings and bonus offers on must-experience Mexico itineraries.Â
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The possibilities are endless. Wander through Ensenada’s lively markets, sunbathe on Cabo’s breathtaking beaches, experience Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant nightlife, and more. Sail from port-to-port exploring inspiring cities, dining on authentic cuisine, and visiting with friendly locals on your grand Mexico adventure.Â
Nothing says vacation like savings and sun-kissed skin, so start planning your dream Mexico cruise with Avoya today!Â
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| OAXACA FASTÂ FACTS
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🌽 Corn is Born: The valley Oaxaca is found in has been inhabited for 11 thousand years thanks to its diverse and bountiful climate. It’s also the place that gifted us corn and squash.
🗣️ It has its own voice: The state of Oaxaca is one of the most diverse places in Mexico. Over 50% of the population identifies as indigenous, lending to some of the highest levels of Zapotec and Mixtec speakers.
🙊 Don’t say it wrong: The name Oaxaca comes from the Nahuatl word for a tree that grows in the city. That’s why the pronunciation might throw you off a little. You said it “Wah-Hah-Kuh.”
🥃 High spirits: Oaxaca is the home of Mexico’s famous spirit, Mezcal. Its name literally means “over-cooked Agave.” We’re glad they kept the Oaxacan name.
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Safety first
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Despite its success as a tourist destination, cartels and other forms of violent crime have plagued Mexico in recent years. Thankfully, the vast majority of the violence never touches tourists (although the tourists are partly the drug-fueled catalyst for the violence).
Oaxaca is an outlier in that it’s relatively unscarred by cartel violence. While this may change as more tourists flood the region, the city is one of the safest destinations in Mexico. With that said, the usual precautions should be taken to avoid any petty crime.
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Preplan for DĂa de los Muertos
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Oaxaca is renowned as one of the best places to experience a traditional DĂa de los Muertos celebration. The multi-day festival shares dates with our Halloween and has become incredibly popular for travelers.
If you're hoping to grab a hotel spot for the festival, make sure you book months in advance. Rooms disappear fast, and those left might not be as great (or cheap) as you’d hope. On the other hand, if you’d rather avoid the crowds, pick a completely different weekend.
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Don’t fear the street food
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For the uninitiated, street food can be intimidating. Horror stories (usually stemming from non-travelers) are rife and might tempt you into more modern-looking eateries. The reality is you’re unlikely to have any issues if you’re sensible.
Treat street food like you would a normal restaurant. Those with big lines of locals are popular for a reason and are likely to have better sanitary practices. No one would go if they were poisoning everyone. If you see an empty stand on a busy street, maybe avoid it.
And, of course, use your common sense–if somewhere looks unsanitary, don’t eat.
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN OAXACA
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