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• Oaxaca State

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DATELINE: February 3, 2002

Known as "Tierra del Sol," the state of Oaxaca is blessed with mountains, lakes, and a beautiful coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Part of the state is located on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a narrow strait where only 210 kilometers (130 miles) separate the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Mountain ranges dominate the landscape.

The state is a prime tourism destination, combining the beaches of Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel with colonial gems such as the city of Oaxaca and ancient archaeological wonders like Monte Albán and Mitla. Oaxaca is actively promoting rural tourism. There are rural hostels and outstanding community museums throughout the state.

Basic Facts
Spotlight on TMN Partners
Featured Online Guides
Tourism Contacts
Language Schools in Oaxaca
Featured Travel Companies
News
Responsible Tourism

BASIC FACTS

Size

36,8000 square miles (95,400 square kilometers) -- making this Mexico's fifth largest state Major Cities: Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido, Huatulco Major Festivals: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), Night of the Radishes (Noche de los Rabanos), Guelaguetza Dance Population: 3.3 million

Population

Oaxaca's diverse population is made up of 17 ethnic groups: the Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Mixes, Chinantecos, Mazatecos, Chatinos, Huaves, Chontales, Zoques, Tacuates, Amuzgos, Triquis, Nahuas, Cuicatecos, Chochos, Ixcatecos, and descendants from African slave populations who live on the coast.

Prominent Archaeological Sites:

Monte Alban, Dainzu, Yagul, Mitla

Transportation:

Oaxaca has a toll-road leading to Mexico City via Puebla. A new toll-road is under construction from Oaxaca City to Huatulco. Major airports are found in Oaxaca City, Huatulco and Puerto Escondido

Airlines:

Aeromexico, Aerocaribe, Aerotucan, Aviacsa, Mexicana

SPOTLIGHT ON TMN PARTNERS
http://www.mexiconetwork.info/

The Mexico Network (TMN) invites tourism professionals to consult our content-rich archives. Oaxaca figures prominently on each of our websites. The following is a brief guide to some of the outstanding features you will find online TMN:

Mexicanwave
http://www.mexicanwave.com/oaxaca

• Explores the warm, red-earth Central Valleys of Oaxaca -- a fine destination for several interesting day trips from the state capital, and boasting a historical and cultural legacy stretching back over 2,500 years. Features photo galleries of the ancient Zapotec capital, Monte Albán, the weaving town of Teotitlán del Valle and the magnificent mosaics at Mitla. Also mini-features on the state's major Dominican priories, the freshwater Laguna Manialtepec with its rich wildlife, and the hidden village of Mazunte, (in)famous for its nesting turtle population. Plus Oaxaca bookshelf and a profile of singer Lila Downs.

Mexico Connect
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/oaxaca/oaxacaindex.html

• Compendium of 40 articles and over 70 photographs of Oaxaca State, Oaxaca City, Bahias de Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel and other communities. In addition, the articles cover archeological explorations, "do-it-yourself-tours", fiestas, history and other general information, including where to stay. Featured is a special section about the Cuisine of Oaxaca.

Planeta.com
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/oaxaca/oaxaca.html

• Focuses on environmental travel and ecotourism with a number of original articles and features, examining the "Night of the Radishes" and the episodic tale of "Oaxaca Territory." Features include an insider's tale of the community museums and updated information on the innovative rural cabins known as Tourist Yu'us. Plus Spanish language schools and cozy hotels and B&Bs in Oaxaca City
  
  
  

FEATURED ONLINE GUIDES

Pacific Coast of Mexico
http://www.tomzap.com/

Archaeological Resources in Oaxaca
http://www.saa.org/Publications/oaxaca/cover.html

Ask Maria Forum
http://www.oaxacalive.com/askmaria/index.html

TOURISM CONTACTS

Oaxaca Tourism Office (SEDETUR)
http://oaxaca.gob.mx/sedetur/

Oaxaca City Government Office
http://www.oaxacacity.gob.mx/

LANGUAGE SCHOOLS IN OAXACA

http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/schools/schoolist.html#Oaxaca

Spanish language schools offer a great opportunity to learn another language and culture via immersion. There are many schools in Mexico and Oaxaca is a primary hub. Some programs are run in conjunction with a university. Others are less formal. Reservations can be made ahead of time or at the door. The following schools are all listed on Planeta.com.

Amigos del Sol Spanish Language School
Libres #109
Oaxaca, Mexico
Contact: Rogelio Ballesteros
Phone: (951) 515-3484
Email: amisol@oaxacanews.com
Web: http://www.oaxacanews.com/amigosdelsol.htm

Academia Vinigulaza
Abasolo 209
68000 Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Phone: (951) 51 464 26
Contact: Catherine Kumar
Email: vinigu@prodigy.net.mx
Web: http://www.mexonline.com/vinigulaza.htm

Instituto Cultural Oaxaca
Apartado Postal 340
Avenida Juarez 909
68000 Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Phone: (951) 515-3404, 515-1323 and 515-3728 Contact: Lucero Topete
Email: inscuoax@prodigy.net.mx
Web: http://www.instculturaloax.com.mx

Becari
M. Bravo 210, Plaza San Cristobal
68000 Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Phone/Fax: (951) 514-6076
Email: becarioax@prodigy.net.mx
Web: http://www.becari.com.mx

FEATURED TRAVEL COMPANIES

TMN spotlights the following companies at the vanguard of environmental and adventure travel in Oaxaca.

Bicicletas Pedro Martinez
J.P. Garcia 509-A
68000 Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Phone: (951) 514-3144
Email: oaxmb@prodigy.net.mx
Web: http://www.oaxaca-mtb-tours.com/
Contact: Pedro Martinez

• Offers bike tours lasting from three hours to four days in Oaxaca

Tierra Dentro
Reforma 528-B
68000 Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Phone: (951) 514-9284
U.S. Fax: (603) 375-8434
Email: info@tierradentro.com
Web: http://www.TierraDentro.com
Contact: Livingston Monteverde and Gloria Gracida

• Specializing in rock climbing and mountaineering; offers one-day and weekend trips and six-day expeditions to the Mexican volcanoes.

Mexican Cultural Adventures
182-2496 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Phone: (604) 251-1425 Vancouver
Contact: Doris Pickelein
Email: home@backcountrymexico.com
Web: http://www.backcountrymexico.com

• This Canadian company focuses its operations in Oaxaca, taking travelers to a Mixtec mountain village and camping on tropical beaches. Learn from the local people about traditional crafts and plants.
  
  
  
  

NEWS

Spanish language coverage is available from Imparcial http://www.imparoax.com.mx and Noticias http://www.noticias-oax.com.mx

English-language features are available from the Oaxaca Times http://www.oaxacatimes.com and El Sol de la Costa http://www.puertoconnection.com/elsol.html The Oaxaca Newsletter http://www.realoaxaca.com is available via subscription from Stan Gotlieb.
Additional Mexico news sources are indexed online:
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/period/pubmex.html
http://www.mexico-connect.com/newsindex.html

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Planeta.com and the Amigos del Sol Language School co-sponsor "Oaxaca Options," a series of free, public presentations about alternative tourism -- particularly ecotourism -- in Oaxaca. The bilingual (English-Spanish) programs take place at the Amigos del Sol Language School, Libres #109, generally on Thursday afternoons. A 30-minute talk is followed by questions and answers. Details:
http://www.planeta.com/ecotravel/mexico/oaxaca/options.html

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