Outside of Mitla, on the road to Oaxaca City, are several roadside Mezcal factories. Mezcal is a mexican liquor similar to tequila. Once you enter the factories, you are greeted by a warm, entertaining local who promptly begins to tell you about the various types of Mezcal. The differences range from the rawer mountain species to the more palatable aged varieties and flavored "creme" Mezcal. A couple of small, plastic cups are presented to you with an array of samples. The energizing liquids range from dark, aged, smooth mezcal to the easily imbibable creme flavors of orange, lemon, cacao, mint, and more. The process of making mezcal entails cutting the spikes off various maguey plants. These pencas de maguey are then placed in a pit with hot coals and left to burn over a period of some 72 hours. Once thoroughly charred, the pencas are removed from the pit and left to cool by the edge of the pit. After cooling, the charred maguey is transported to a heavy mill-stone, where it is crushed and ground to extract the juices.

These juices, together with the pulp, are removed into large wooden vats, where they are left to ferment. Once fermented, the liquid is drained off and double distilled before finally being bottled as mezcal.

Montealban, Arrazola, Coyotepec.

·  Tule and Yervelagua.

·  Mitla and the Mezcal Shops.

·  Visists to down town: Sto. Domingo church, Cathedral, Handcrafts MArket, Benito Juarez Market, Maine plaza of Oaxaca City "El Zocalo", Museo of Oaxac, etc.

·  Check for special trip to the coast of Oaxaca.

·  Other places to visit: The many different caffes, restorantes, salsa dancing and the bohemian bars all arround the city. Ask for your preferences and we can recomend you a place......enjoy.

 Archeological sites, churches of the xvi century, handcraft markets, beaches, etc.  

Monte Alban

This ancient Zapotec capital consists of pyramids, temples, and ball court, which spans several hilltops overlooking the city of Oaxaca. In its cultural climax, Monte Alban inhabited some 6.5 square kilometers. Entrance is free on Sundays.

Benito Juarez Market (Mercado Benito Juarez)

This is a great opportunity to see and buy all kinds of handcrafted items from different regions of Oaxaca. This market boasts incredible shopping for clothes, shoes, furniture, crafts, produce, and delicious foods. Don*t forget to buy lush gorgeous flowers here or taste exotic ice cream flavors such as rum-raisin or light coconut creme.

Arrazola - Wood-Carving Capital

Arrazola lies in the foothills of Monte Alb n, about 24km (15 miles) southwest of Oaxaca. The tiny town's most famous resident is Manuel Jim nez, the septuagenarian grandfather of the resurgence in woodcarving-as-folk-art. Jim nez's polar bears, anteaters, and rabbits carved from copal wood are shown in galleries throughout the world; his home is a mecca for folk-art collectors. Now the town is full of other carvers, making fanciful creatures painted in bright, festive colors. Little boys will greet you at the outskirts offering to guide you to individual homes for a small tip. Following them is a good way to get to know the town, and after a bit you can take your leave of them.
If you're driving to Arrazola, take the road out of Oaxaca City that goes to Monte Albán, then take the left fork after crossing the Atoyac River and follow the signs for Zaachila. Turn right after the town of Xoxo and you will soon reach Arrazola. You can also take buses from the second-class station near the Abastos Market.

San Bartolo Coyotepec

This village is a pottery center of international fame for the singularity of their pieces of black earthenware. This quality of blackness is made with a process applied during the baking of the ceramic. Come and visit Dona Rosa and she will show you the technique!

Tule

This tree is more than two thousand (2,000) years old and stands approximately 40 m high. As you can see from the picture below, it*s about 42 m wide and has a volume of 705 cubic meters and an approximated weight of 509 020 kilograms. In order to have an idea of its massive size, this tree could shelter more than 500 people and it would take more than 30 individuals holding hands to completely encircle the tree as it's widest base.

HIERVE EL AGUA

Sitio de singular interes por sus aguas de manantial y por el espectacular paisaje en que esta enclavado. Cuenta con una serie de pozas naturales desde donde se pueden admirar las cascadas petrificadas que forman parte de un sistema de riego prehisp nico. El sitio comprende dos plataformas claramente diferenciadas.

Santo Domingo Cathedral and Ex-Convent

Located next to the Santo Domingo ex-convent and cultural center is the Santo Domingo de Guzm n Church. The church's exterior faces a large esplanade planted with row upon row of unusual desert succulents around and through which run wide walkways. It is located on the corner of Alcal and Cinco de Mayo in Oaxaca City.

Cuilapan

El exconvento de Cuilapan es una joya de la arquitectura del periodo colonial y pese a que nunca se pudo concluir, su majestuosidad y su estilo g tico nos revelan la sobriedad y grandeza de esta orden religiosa.

Zocalo (The Main Plaza)

The main plaza in Oaxaca. A beautiful place to enjoy a meal no matter the time of the day. Enjoy its outside restaurants all around the plaza. We recommend "La Primavera". Enjoy a drink or two and listen to the music of the marimba at night or the music of "La Banda Estatal de Oaxaca".

Mitla

This Zapotec archeological site boasts a traditional artesian market, which offers a wide variety of hand-woven textile products, onyx and leather goods. Most of these local goods are produced by the descendents of those who built the impressive pyramids.

Puerto Escondido

One of the best beaches in the world, Puerto is reknown for the sport of surfing. This beach is located on the southern coast of Oaxaca, among other secluded Pacific beaches. Puerto is a luxurious paradise that offers exciting water sports, a unique bohemian nightlife, and delicious seafood.

Santo Domingo Museum

Long hallways, some stark and shiny with centuries of thick white paint, others decorated by frescos and other ornamentation, lead visitors past display rooms full of pre-Columbian and colonial artifacts. These enormous collections are from the local area, and are exhibits of popular indigenous culture. Entrance is free on Sundays.