When the topic of Mexico arises in global news coverage, most times, the focus tends to be on criminal activities, threats, and insecurity in the country. However, Mexico has to offer many other things that are not always highlighted by the media: bright historical cities, friendly people, local markets, incredible food, and old archaeological sites.
An interesting case in point is Oaxaca.
This city is situated in the southern region of Mexico and is renowned for its history, architecture, indigenous traditions, and cuisine. Due to the fact that the city is not as developed as some of the popular tourist cities, Oaxaca is able to give its guests an authentic experience, especially in the areas that are not so famous as the central part of the city.
This journey starts with a flight from Mexico City to Oaxaca and goes ahead with the exploration of local markets, food, neighborhoods, and the historical site of Monte Albán. On the way, the visitors will find a lot of unexpected things, such as ice cream made of cacti, traditional drinks, chapulines, and mezcal.
So, what does Oaxaca look like from the tourist’s perspective?
Flying From Mexico City to Oaxaca in the Business
It was surprisingly easy to reach the point of departure. The journey from the airport entry to the point of embarkation was less than ten minutes long, which was particularly fortunate given that the events of the previous morning had already become complicated.
An earlier incident involving a shooting near a hotel in Mexico City had taken place that morning. As the Uber driver stated, the shooting victim was a local politician. As a result, the city center was fortified with military personnel and armed police officers.
The event complicated traveling procedures since it was necessary to get out of the closed area before it was possible to call an Uber.
Despite the event, the general view of Mexico City as a tourist destination stayed relatively positive. The experience showed that episodes do happen even when one feels comfortable in the city.
Fortunately, it was still possible to make it to the airport and catch a flight to Oaxaca.
The business-class cabin has a good-sized seat consisting of good legroom and nice recline angle ensuring a pleasant and enjoyable flight which lasted about 35 minutes. Even though the seat is not convertible into a bed, it isn’t a real need on such a short flight.
There was a Wi-Fi signboard though the level of quality can be questioned with previous experience with flying.
Instead of being served with a full meal the passengers were given snacks and drinks which is understandable due to the short travel time.
The total price of the ticket amounted to approximately $250 which consists of about $100 for the business class upgrade. Even though the upgraded cabin provides comfort, its expense is justified for long flights rather than for flights lasting less than an hour.
First impressions of Oaxaca Airport
One can feel the difference of an arrival in Oaxaca Airport.
The airport is relatively small, which is okay since the population of the city is about ¼ million people. Since the flight has arrived from Mexico City, it was a domestic travel and there is no immigration check upon arrival.
The weather is sunny and bright and the area is a typical example
Oaxaca can be found in an elevated area, and it was easy to see the facilities beforehand while approaching the airport.
Another critical detail is the mode of transport as far as the journeys to Oaxaca are concerned. Unlike in Mexico City, Uber is not available in Oaxaca.
Luckily, the airport has a taxi stand through which passengers can buy prepaid transport.
A taxi ride from the airport to downtown Oaxaca costs around 490 pesos while taking shared vans is much cheaper.
With the prepaid method one knows the exact fare before getting into the vehicle.
It takes about 20 minutes to go from the airport to the center of Oaxaca city.
What is Oaxaca known for when it comes to food?
The food in the city is one of the main reasons for visiting Oaxaca even when coming from the airport to the city.
Oaxaca has a great reputation for its delectable food that even Mexicans come to eat food in Oaxaca.
One woman seen at the airport had also traveled to Oaxaca to be able to enjoy eating there.
For culinary fans of authentic Mexican cuisine, Oaxaca has numerous options; one can try out various delicacies.
Accommodation in downtown Oaxaca
The property where the author stayed was in a pedestrian area of downtown Oaxaca, which means taxi access to the hotel was restricted.
After walking to the hotel, the author found the hotel and the room to be quite good.
The accommodation consisted of a sizeable living space, a small kitchen, a sleeping area, and other conveniences. The price comes to around $150 per night, including breakfast.
There was also a rooftop with a small swimming pool.
The location of the property turned out to be very ideal as it was easy to explore many sights in the city on foot.
Oaxaca’s Historic Center Is a UNESCO World Heritage Property
An important thing about Oaxaca’s historic center is its architecture.
The central square was indicative of the essence of Oaxaca. Many people gathered around the square as a place for shops, street vendors, musicians, and the locals who were passing nearby.
With the stunning old churches, the vibe of the center was even more overwhelming.
The interiors of the churches, even seen for a very short time, spoke of Oaxaca’s long history and religious and architectural traditions.
Meeting Another Expeditioner in Oaxaca
The adventure continued in the central square, where I met another YouTube blogger from America, who had just arrived in Oaxaca the previous night.
He was impressed and excited about the visit.
He might have thought that Oaxaca is the most beautiful city he has ever visited in Mexico. He mentioned the stunning architecture of the town and the special atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
It echoed the feelings I was experiencing while walking around the town.
Although it seemed that almost all the streets were full of people, Oaxaca didn’t look like a touristy destination saturated by tourists from abroad. Most of the people in the streets were locals and Mexican people.
Mercado 20 de Noviembre: A Haven for Food Enthusiasts
A visit to Mercado 20 de Noviembre was an enthralling experience filled with the sights, smells, and sounds of a traditional marketplace.
As soon as one enters the market, the first thing that strikes the senses is the smoke in the air.
The reason for the smoke was the vendors who set their grilling stations right next to the walkways and did not bother with separate cooking areas. Not surprisingly, visitors encounter a smokey atmosphere filled with delicious smells.
The market worked as a big food court.
Every corner provided dishes with new flavors.
For those who love to try the local food, it is better to eat at such markets than at ordinary restaurants since one can see the cooking process and the place’s ambiance is really friendly.
Among the recommendations was the tlayuda, which, because of its size and shape, is sometimes called an Oaxacan pizza.
It should be mentioned, though, that the comparison is only visual. Its base is more of a large thin and crisp tortilla.
The dish consisted of meat, sausages, beans, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, and cabbage.
The serving sizes were substantial enough for sharing.
The crispy base combined with the melting cheese, meat, bean, and sauce left as a welcoming base for the palette. The sauce was sweet to some extent and the meat was lightly seasoned.
In general, the tlayuda served as a good introduction to the Oaxaca cuisine.
Mole Negro Cannot Be Classified As A Dessert
Mole Negro was another dish that created some confusion.
It was expected that it would be sweet enough to act as a dessert owing to its association with chocolate.
However, that wasn’t the case at all.
It was served with chicken and tasted savory. The sauce had a thick and rich consistency with spicy notes.
Instead of tasting like chocolate dessert sauce, it was more like thick gravy.
The experience proved one of the distinctive features of Mexican cuisine where one would think that a dessert ingredient may be used for savory dishes.
Trying Traditional Drinks and Oaxacan Mezcal
The market provided the chance to taste local drinks as well.
One drink, a bit bitter yet nice, was said to be the old drink of this location.
The other man offered some drink samples.
Oaxaca is known for its mezcal, so different types of it were presented for tasting.
The taste of mezcal was similar to that of tequila yet this one was liked by a man who hated tequila.
There were also different flavored drinks like cappuccino with 18% alcohol.
It is worth mentioning that cappuccino drink was similar to cream coffee rather than to an alcoholic beverage.
A little bottle was bought as a keepsake.
Chapulines: Eating Grasshoppers in Oaxaca
To explore the Oaxacan market means to have a chance to see chapulines.
Chapulines are the fried grasshoppers and are a popular food in Oaxaca.
Many vendors were selling them with or without spices like salt, lemon, and chili.
After having tried chapulines in Mexico City before, one man decided to try them again.
The texture was very crunchy, while the flavor was mostly salty with an undertone of citrus.
In conclusion, they were decent, but not the top pick.
However, the actual process of tasting something new is what makes traveling special. Even if the dish does not become a favorite, it gives a nice story.
Discovering the Various Markets in Oaxaca
The markets had lots of things besides food
There were shops with clothes, bags, souvenirs, colorful handicrafts, local products, and strange things that probably can’t be found anywhere else.
One of the highlights was the discovery of the piñata.
These colorful figures present everywhere in the market included some well-known characters, such as SpongeBob and Sonic, and various animals, etc.
We saw some other small animals there, for example, rabbits and baby tortoises.
Visiting foreign markets lets one see a whole new level of understanding a country, because everyday trade can tell one much more about the life of the country than typical tourism venues.
Tuna Fruit and Cactus Ice Cream
Another food discovery that surprised me was cactus ice.
Of course, this was not really ice cream. Its texture resembled that of slushy, but the taste of the cactus was surprisingly good.
At this place, I also had a chance to taste tuna fruit.
To clarify, tuna fruit is not related to fish at all. This is a fruit from cactus.
This fruit was said to have a strong flavor that reminds of strawberries.
Trying some new fruit was yet another reminder of the fact that travel is all about discoveries, and not only about famous places.
Being open to new things can give you the best experience in traveling.
Traveling to Monte Albán
The next place to visit was Monte Albán, which is an ancient archaeological site located outside Oaxaca City.
Since Uber was not available, I needed to get a regular taxi.
The taxi ride cost me around 250 pesos for one way, and the driver was supposed to wait for me to take me back.
The route was through the mountains, away from the city.
Interestingly, some villages along this route offered some tuk-tuks. These three-wheeled vehicles are common in several countries in Asia, but it was amusing to see them in this part of Mexico.
The topography gradually became mountainous as the journey progressed.
Discovering Ancient City of Monte Albán
Monte Albán is one of the most important historical places near Oaxaca.
You would have to pay about 100 pesos as an entrance fee, and also pay about 63 pesos as the camera fee for professional equipment.
The site itself proved to be impressive right away.
Before we arrived at the main ruins, the views of Oaxaca and mountains around were amazing.
One of the first surprises was meeting a big cactus that was growing naturally.
Having seen cactus in movies and in Mexican cuisine, it was great to see one in its natural environment.
The place has lizards and other wildlife as well.
The History of Monte Albán
Monte Albán was established roughly 500-600 BC by the Zapotec people.
This city was one of the first urban centers of the Americas, which continued to be populated for more than 1,300 years.
The archaeological location is located at about 1,940 meters above sea level. That height is apparent, especially when traversing steep steps under the blazing sun. Monte Albán was not a Mayan city. Information that was revealed during the visit claimed that several cultures related to the site during its historic existence, such as the Olmecs, Zapotecs, and Mixtecs. Thus, the site emphasizes an understanding that the ancient history of Mexico goes beyond the famous Maya.
Why to Visit Monte Albán
The feeling of being on the ancient platforms makes it possible to imagine how massive the city that used to exist there was. Huge staircases, plazas, stones, and view points prevail in the site. Moreover, its location seems to be of great importance. From the top of the mountain, one can spy on the surrounding territory which proves a point of why such a place could become important regarding defense.
This experience presents the unique opportunity that requires one to visit places inhabited by people many centuries before.
Returning from Monte Albán
After our time at Monte Albán, we faced some difficulties finding transportation to Oaxaca.
Fortunately, solving the issue was pretty easy.
We took a shared colectivo for about 100 pesos and it took only a few minutes to leave.
The return trip turned out to be much easier than expected.
After that we had plans to check out a different part of Oaxaca and try more local food.
Getting Local in Oaxaca
Once we left the tourist center, there was a different vibe.
The main area was touristy but still not filled with tourists. The next market felt much more local.
There were plenty of vendors selling fruits and vegetables, food stalls, bride traders, and people engaged in usual daily business.
I paid less than a dollar for freshly squeezed orange juice from a street vendor in a large cup.
The vendor informed that he worked in market regularly and worked as bartender on weekends.
These short conversations added another dimension to experience of traveling as they offered insights into lives of people working in the city every day.
Tastes Another Tlayuda in a Local Market
A small family-run food stall gives the chance to taste the Oaxacan food again.
In this instance the tlayuda has darker base, which consists of beans, cheese, meat and several other toppings.
The taste of this version of tlayuda is quite different compared to the previous one due to the fact that darker dough was used.
The upper part is crispy while the inner part is softer due to presence of cheese and other ingredients.
The meat served together with the dish was also delicious, as it had a flavor similar to a good steak.
The addition of guacamole made it even better.
The cost of the meal was only around 80 pesos, which included water and was much cheaper than the majority of tourist restaurants.
Oaxaca has a Friendly Atmosphere
One of the most significant points that I remember about Oaxacan markets is just how welcoming the people there are.
People smiled, waved, and sometimes came up to talk to us.
The people in this neighborhood seem to be unaware of foreign tourists being in their vicinity.
But this didn’t make anyone feel uncomfortable. In fact, it became clear that the locals were friendly and interested.
For a traveler seeking to learn about the way of life in Mexico, it is much more rewarding to make such contacts rather than simply visit one more tourist attraction.
A Simple Dessert
The evening continued with a small baked dessert that resembled a muffin or cupcake. It had a darker appearance due to the flour and was topped with strawberries, strawberry sauce, and cream. The dessert was simple but enjoyable. Together with the atmosphere of the local market and spontaneous talks, it proved that some great travel experiences can occur unexpectedly.
Is Oaxaca Authentic?
After visiting historical centers, traditional markets, local neighborhoods, Monte Alban, and trying various dishes, the overall impression is very positive.
Oaxaca appears to be much more authentic as compared to those commercialized tourist
Although the city proved to be convenient for travelers, there was no large number of foreigners visiting.
Mexican tourists made the majority of visitors present in the area.
The culinary aspect was one of the most significant highlights.
The place is famous for dishes like tlayudas, mole negro, chapulines, and a huge variety of mezcal beverages.
How Much Money Do You Need for Visiting Oaxaca?
Several prices were enough to understand how much money one should inevitably spend on a trip to Oaxaca.
The airplane ticket from Mexico City stands at around $250 per person in business class with a $100 extra payment made.
It is possible to pay around 490 pesos for taking a taxi from the airport.
A hotel room is about 150 US dollars per night with a breakfast included.
The price of a big meal served at Mercado 20 de Noviembre is around 360 pesos for two people.
The cost of visiting Monte Albán is 100 pesos with another 63 pesos paid for taking photos there.
Using a taxi from the city to Monte Albán will cost around 250 pesos, while the way back can be made by a van at a lower price of around 100 pesos.
The food found in local markets was incredibly inexpensive, with a single dish priced at roughly 80 pesos.
These prices serve as evidence that Oaxaca caters to different tourism budgets, given that the tourists eat at local markets instead of solely relying on high-end restaurants.
Final Thoughts: Oaxaca Is One of the Most Interesting Destinations in Mexico
Having been to Oaxaca and spent some time in this city, the overall impression left was that it is a must-see destination for travelers interested in food, culture, history, and a local atmosphere.
Oaxaca features vibrant streets, ancient architecture, unique surrounded places to shop, helpful local people, and amazing food.
The most exciting part is that Oaxaca does not seem to be aimed at foreign tourists.
As you walk around local markets, sample tasty food at a family-run kiosk, communicate with locals, and taste unfamiliar products in quieter neighborhoods far from tours, this experience becomes unique.
It is true, however, that a brief visit cannot fully reflect on every aspect of Oaxaca, and, in fact, there is not enough evidence to draw a conclusion about safety in the whole city based on the transcript. Yet, the experience discussed in this article seems to be overwhelmingly positive and suggests that Oaxaca is a welcoming and culturally interesting place.
Oaxaca should be taken into account for anyone looking for authentic travel experience in Mexico.
Food becomes an adventure, a market might teach you a lesson about culture, and you can find something interesting at every corner of the streets.
What is more important, Oaxaca proves that Mexico cannot be judged only by the negative information about the country that is usually highlighted by the mass media.
There are civilizations and communities that are centuries old, food, and how remarkable cities can be.
And after tasting the food, going shopping at the markets, visiting Monte Albán, and finding your way through the beautiful historical center of the city, Oaxaca really became more than one of the destinations on the map.
