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Oaxaca City

Nestled in the heart of Southern Mexico is the beautiful gem of Oaxaca City, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique blend of colonial charm, indigenous culture, and vibrant culinary scene. Its location, nestled in a valley beneath the Sierra Madre, blesses it with captivating landscapes and a pleasant climate. Oaxaca is renowned for its colorful architecture, intricate handicrafts, especially black pottery, and traditional "alebrijes" - whimsical carvings of fantastical creatures. Regular festivals burst onto the city streets with music, traditional dance, parades, and the famous "Guelaguetza" folk dance. Food lovers also find nirvana in Oaxaca's local street food stalls and gourmet restaurants serving dishes steeped in tradition, including "mole", a complex and hearty sauce served over meat, and "mezcal", a fiery local liquor.

4.1 /5

Based on our research

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Safety:Safe

Oaxaca City is generally safe for solo female travelers. The locals are incredibly friendly and respectful. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage and it attracts a good number of tourists, creating a comforting environment for outsiders. However, as with traveling anywhere, it's crucial to exercise normal precautions. These include avoiding deserted areas late at night and not showcasing valuable possessions in public.

Transport:Easy

Oaxaca City is quite navigable with a combination of walkability in the city center and readily accessible local transport for other areas. English is not commonly spoken outside tourist zones and there could be safety considerations at night.

Things to do:Interesting

Oaxaca City, is rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty. The city offers many activities and tourist sites. One could visit the multitude of indigenous markets, each unique to their region offering crafts, textiles, and food. The food scene in Oaxaca is world-renowned, a joy for culinary enthusiasts. The city also plays host to many notable museums highlighting the history, art and culture of Mexico. Its architecture is also to be admired, from the vibrant street murals to historic cathedrals. The surrounding area also offers outdoor activities like hiking, caving and bird watching.

Food:Excellent

Oaxaca City serves as a culinary haven that will satisfy any food enthusiast with its richness and diversity. The food scene encompasses traditional to modern fusion, favoring locally grown and harvested ingredients. Known especially for their tantalizing mole sauces, tlayudas, and chapulines, the city offers something to cater to everyone's taste. The Street food culture is also vibrant and is a flavorful exploration of local cuisine. Do try to participate in a local cooking class to learn the nuances of Oaxacan cuisine.

Budget:Affordable

Oaxaca City is quite affordable as compared with other Mexican cities. Accommodation, food, transportation, and activities, are generally lower in cost. Street vendors offer delicious meals at low prices and local markets offer a variety of fresh produce to choose from. Accommodations range from budget hostels to affordable boutique hotels. Although some tourist attractions charge a fee, many are free or have minimal charges.

Group travel experience

I absolutely loved Oaxaca and felt very safe there despite being initially concerned after hearing some warnings! I was with a friend for the most part but also travelled alone at times and felt good walking around even in the evenings. The only factor I’d consider is that I heard from some male travellers that they had to bribe police there to get out of tricky situations, but I’m not sure how common this is. Otherwise I loved it; the food was amazing and the streets were beautiful too :)

Posted: February 20, 2024

Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5

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Jay (40)

United Kingdom

Solo travel experience

I've never been anywhere that felt so cosy. A combination of the rainbow of coloured single-storey buildings and street lighting makes Oaxaca a wonderful place to wander in the evenings. I didn't feel concerned for my safety or encounter any problems. When I arrived there was a parade in one of the streets with huge papier mache people held aloft, dancing behind a band, I followed the smiling, dancing crowd for a while before checking into my hostel. Oaxaca felt small enough to walk around but I did get taxis a couple of times because they were so cheap. There's a shared taxi from the airport which as far as I could tell, was the best way to get into town. Oaxaca is famous for its food, especially the mòle. There's a beautiful covered food market where vendors sell their products next to an area with picnic tables. I ate tamales and drank fresh peach juice. Most of the stalls only accept cash. There are opportunities to learn how to make chocolate and trips to Hierve la Agua: the world's only petrified waterfall

Posted: January 24, 2024Experienced: June, 2023

Things to do: 4/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5