A day in Oaxaca = Two thousand years: Monte Alban and the Zimatlan Valley. Tony Burton

(Part 1: The America's Oldest Urban Center) Having reached Monte Alban and entered the site, on your right as you stand at the corner of the main plaza is the North Platform, the site of th... read more

A day in Oaxaca = Two thousand years: The Americas' oldest urban centre. Tony Burton

The warm afternoon breeze wafts a gentle mist of dust across the floor of the Oaxaca valley and into Oaxaca city, softening the colonial patina of the richly carved, 300-year-old cathedral. The dust is... read more

archeological-sites Monte Alban, Oaxaca

Oaxaca Cultural Center and Regional Museum Stan Gotlieb

A detail salvaged from the original convent of Santo Domingo graces one side of the main entrance to the newly refurbished Oaxaca Cultural Center and Regional Museum. [This is a special article abou... read more

museums Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Puerto Escondido's romantic Hotel Santa Fe Gale Randall

Your cab deposits you outside the arched entrance to the pastel stucco hotel, and as you pass through its main portal, you are transported to another dimension, another time, to a village in Spain perh... read more

exploring-tourism hotels Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

Bobby Vaughn's Black Mexico - The 29 Largely Afro-Mexican Communities in the Costa Chica Region Bobby Vaughn

(populations based on 1990 census) GUERRERO ... read more

history social-issues Guerrero Oaxaca

Cancun to Oaxaca - The bus ride of 27 pedicures Geri Anderson

My friends asked, “You’re going by bus? Why?” I rationalized about all the experiences I’d have to write about. After vacationing for a week in the Yucatan, I was heading back to Oaxaca, where ... read more

exploring-tourism Cancún, Quintana Roo Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Puerto Escondido in February of 1998 - By Brian Larkin Brian Larkin

General Comments Puerto Escondido is a travelers' and vacationers' market right now. Tourism is down this year to perhaps a third of its normal level. One government official told us that if it were n... read more

Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

A small mound in the cemetery in Xoxocotlan, Mexico Stan Gotlieb

November first is children's day in the series of remembrances and festivities that are known as Dias de los Muertos (days of the dead). On this day, the souls of departed children migrate to the homes... read more

day-of-the-dead indigenous-groups social-issues Oaxaca

After the storm: Summer in Oaxaca Stan Gotlieb

This photo was taken in one of the few buildings left standing at Piña Palmera, on Zipolite beach. By now, the foot or so of mud on the floor has been mucked out. By now, also, relief should be reachi... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

My search for the perfect bathroom Stan Gotlieb

Refugees from Loxicha, near Huatulco, brought their animals with them to the zocalo in Oaxaca. They set up a tarpaulin over a sewer grate for use as a bathroom. The governor did not invite them to use ... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Stan Gotlieb in Oaxaca: the author talks about himself Stan Gotlieb

This is my 73rd article. The other 72, as well as a "letters to the editor" section, answers to some Frequently asked Questions and a subscription Newsletter sample, are also available on this site. Ta... read more

perspectives Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Bus from Mexico City to Oaxaca Discussion Thread Forum

I need to arrange for bus tickets for 7 people from Mexico City to Oaxaca on the morning of the 21st of December. I've heard that the "Uno" is the one to take and I'd like to make reservations for the 7 of us in advance. Is it possible to do this and if so, how? And if you're really familiar with the buses, how much?

The hidden places of Oaxaca Stan Gotlieb

Oaxaca's zócalo, with facade of presidential palace in background, is a pleasant place to spend the afternoon.
© Dan Ellsworth, 2009

Mexico is a place where much is hidden. Things go on close to the surface, but not on it. It makes for a sometimes frustrating, always engaging experience. read more

exploring-tourism Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Learning Spanish by immersion: Does it work? Allan Cogan

Imagine a language course that starts off with the instructor giving a monologue that lasts all of sixty minutes, delivered almost entirely in Spanish. What our teacher, Hugo, gave us on that first day was a rundown, delivered at a normal conversational pace, on what we could expect in the next month. There were very few English words used, other than those we obviously didn’t understand. The only saving grace for us was that Hugo repeated his message constantly in several different ways. read more

learning-language perspectives Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Driving from Guadalajara to Oaxaca Allan Cogan

My guide book tells me that it's exactly 1,000 kilometers from Guadalajara to Oaxaca. That's about 660 miles. I know of people who say they've driven the distance in one day and I have to concede that it's possible. The only way you can do it is to take toll roads the whole way, start at the crack of dawn and drive like hell. The other thing you have to do is drive through Mexico City. read more

driving-routes travelogue Oaxaca, Oaxaca Taxco, Guerrero Toluca, México, Estado de Cuernavaca, Morelos

Oaxaca... magic city Allan Cogan

Believe me, Oaxaca is not quite like any other town you’ve ever been to. Even in Mexico. read more

exploring-tourism Oaxaca, Oaxaca

When taking the bus in Mexico, timing is everything Stan Gotlieb

I write for fun, and I love my adopted Oaxaca. Don't take me literally. I try not to take myself too seriously; neither should you. Still, there is truth in here somewhere, and it's as much about me an... read more

perspectives transportation Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Oaxaca: a festive city Gale Randall

Guitarists sing and play on a city street in Oaxaca, Mexico. © Allan Cogan, 1997 A first visit to Oaxaca, capital of Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca, should begin at the zócalo, the town plaza.... read more

exploring-tourism Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Touring Oaxaca's central valley Ron Mader

February 1997 Oaxaca is called "Tierra del Sol," and it a landscape blessed with a spring-like climate and plenty of sunshine. The city of Oaxaca is located in a picturesque valley with an altitude of... read more

exploring-tourism Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The Classic Period (300-900 AD) Part 2: Cholula Dale Hoyt Palfrey

The most important center of the Mexican highlands after the fall of Teotihuacan was Cholula, near the twin volcanic peaks Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl and the city of Puebla. The Great Pyramid there,... read more

archeological-sites historical-sites indigenous-groups Cholula, Puebla Monte Alban, Oaxaca

Athletics, tour guides, evangelism and Mexico border crossings Stan Gotlieb

Below are some archives of letters to the editor that Stan has chosen to answer with open responses. August 23, 1996: A Border Resident Shares Her Experiences Sandy Weisel writes: Hi, I just love ... read more

perspectives question Oaxaca, Oaxaca

The Oaxaca Valley: A week's adventures in a single day Tony Burton

Of all the thousands of possible day-trips from tourist centers in Mexico, perhaps none is as varied, educational, beautiful and just plain fun as that along the eastern part of the Valley of Oaxaca. O... read more

archeological-sites exploring-tourism travelogue Oaxaca

Organic coffee in Mexico Stan Gotlieb and Diana Ricci

This piece was written in early 1995. A year later, pieces on why we should buy "organic" coffee were appearing regularly in the mainstream press. (The picture is of the ancient cedar in Tule, outside ... read more

food-drink social-issues Oaxaca

Mexico's Native American peoples and the global economy Stan Gotlieb and Diana Ricci

I wrote his in early 1995. Thankfully, the decency and good will of the average Oaxacan had not vanished along with their purchasing power and hopes for the future. Teen age gangs, on the rise, have m... read more

indigenous-groups perspectives social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca

Protest in Oaxaca: Watch out for the wind Stan Gotlieb

This was written around Christmas of 1994. The banner hangs outside an opposition union office in Oaxaca. After ten days, the occupation ended. The teachers, some ten thousand strong, went back home t... read more

social-issues Oaxaca, Oaxaca