ICBRKR TRAVEL GUIDE: OAXACA

OAXACA

Anyone looking to have an authentic Mexican experience must go to Oaxaca. The city has preserved many historical buildings, and is home to several indigenous tribes. This city is also a major producer of mezcal, a smoky tequila distilled from 11 different types of agave that are native to Oaxaca. For serious foodies, this is the place for you to taste refined Mexican cuisine with flavor profiles that can only be found in Oaxaca. If you want to explore outside the old town, you can go to the coast and visit some really stunning natural environments like Hierve el Agua. There are so many things to explore here, you will want to take your time to get to know this city.

PERFECT FOR

• Art Aficionados

• Fellow Foodies

• Urban Explorers

• Extended Stays

• Remote Working

• Group trip

• Weekend getaway

• Romantic Getaway

ABOUT OAXACA

• Oaxaca comes from Nahuatl word "Huaxyacac”

• Oaxaca is dated back 11,000 years BC for human habitation

• The largest indigenous people tribe in Oaxaca is Zapotecs

• Best known for indigenous people and cultures. 6 tribes are officially recognized

• Home of mezcal and mole

• Sandy beaches - Puerto Escondido, Puerto Ángel, Zipolite, Bahia de Tembo, and Mazunte.

INSIDER TIPS

• Book restaurant reservations in advance

• Most places are walking distance

• Get a tour guide to take you textile shopping

• Do extend the trip to visit the coast

• DO NOT rinse your mouth with tap water!!! Use bottled water to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth

• Drink only bottled water

• BEST TO VISIT

  All year besides summer (rainy season)

WHAT NOT TO MISS

Hierve el Agua

Hierve el Agua

Photo from Mezcal Amores Experience

Photo by Gentl and Hyers

• Walk around central Oaxaca to visit the museums and cathedrals

• Hierve el Agua

• Visit a ruin - Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán (this is an hour away from Oaxaca central)

• Visit the coasts - Puerto Escondido, Puerto Ángel, Zipolite, Bahia de Tembo, and Mazunte.

• Try out different variations of mole

• Shop for ceramics at Chicharra

• Mezcal tasting and visit an agave field

• Criollo (one of the best restaurants and sister restaurant of Pujol)

• Mezcal Amores Experience (usually takes place in late March)

WHERE TO STAY

Casa Antonieta Oaxaca

Pug Seal

Hotel Escondido Oaxaca

• Casa Antonieta (our favorite)

• Los Amantes

• Pug Seal OAXACA (our favorite)

• Hotel Sin Nombre

• Hotel del Callejó

• Casa Carmen

• Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca

• Escondido Oaxaca

• City Centro Oaxaca

• CREOLE HOUSE

• Quinta Real Oaxaca

• GRANA B&B

• HOTEL CASA SANTO ORIGEN

WHERE TO EAT

Criollo

Listing from must eat to casual eat

• Criollo - “Enrique Olvera and Luis Arellano’s countryside Oaxacan food lab”. prefer day time because of the beautiful light at the restaurant

• Oaxacalifornia - seafood

• Alfonsina

• Ancestral

• Los Danzantes

• Origen

• Restaurante Casa Oaxaca

• Tierra del Sol Casa Restaurante

• Levadura de Olla Restaurante

• Pitiona

• Memelas "Doña Vale" - street food

• Restaurante Coronita

• Boulenc - breakfast/lunch

• Café Brújula - breakfast/lunch

• Tacos De Comal Plaza Del Carmen - street food

• El Tendajon

WHERE TO HANG OUT

Mezcal

• Selva Oaxaca Cocktail Bar

• In Situ

• Mezcal Tasting at La Mezcaloteca

• Archivo Maguey

• El Cortijo - La Mezcaleria

• Mezcaloteca

• Mezcalillera

• Mezcalogia

• Mezcalería Los Amantes