-wrapped tamales with mescal and its cheese is known simply as Oaxaca cheese which is similar to mozzarella. Shellfish, as fish are eaten near the coastal region and black beans and corn, are infused in dishes all across the state.
Most of the state’s main tourist attractions are located in and around the capital as well as in other valleys throughout the state. Traditional villages draw many travelers who visit the markets and celebrated ruins or archeological sites. Rich with cultural attractions, the state is also famous for its ecological zones and incredible biological diversity. Eco-tourism is a thriving industry for the state and there are plenty of sights and activities to please any outdoor enthusiast.
Sites to See and Things to Do in Oaxaca
Oaxaca de Juarez: Founded in the 1500s, the capital is filled with historic landmarks as well as cultural attractions. The Plaza de la Constitucion, city gardens, and government palaces are all popular city sites.
Catedral de Oaxaca: Although earlier cathedrals were destroyed by earthquakes, this one, located in the capital, dates to 1733 when it was completed.
Benito Juarez National Park: Roughly three miles north of the capital, this park was established in 1937 and contains the celebrated peak Cerro de San Felipe. While the natural attractions draw many visitors, the park has recently become celebrated for its downhill cycling.
Lagunas de Chacahua National Park: With its fifty square miles, this park is home to extraordinary lagoons that are connected by various channels. Celebrated for its flowers, the park is also a bird watcher’s paradise.
Santiago Comaltepec: This region is famous cloud forests draw many visitors to its Sierra Norte region. More than 25,000 square miles are conserved for flora, fauna, and indigenous people—around 1,500 make their home there.
Museum of Contemporary Art: Located in the capital, this museum is situated in one of the city’s oldest buildings.
Monte Alban: This archaeological site is located in the Valley of Oaxaca. The site is regarded as one of the oldest cities of Mesoamerica. Historians believed it was founded around 500 B.C.
Rufino Tamayo Museum: The famous Oaxaca painter donated the pre-Columbian artifacts and archeological relics that include Mayan steles and Mesoamerican stone faces. The museum is located in the capital city.
Huatulco National Park: With its nearly thirty acres, this coastal park is home to a myriad of fauna like birds and reptiles. Sightseers have even been known to spy dolphins swimming in the coastal waters.
Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve: Oaxaca shares this park with the state of Puebla. The reserve is famed for its six rivers that flow to the Gulf of Mexico. 356 bird species make their home here as well as many other animals.
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