Cheap Flights to Oaxaca
The city of Oaxaca is one of just a handful of destinations in Mexico that is not situated on the country's extensive coastlines, and instead relies on its cultural heritage to attract visitors.
Located in Mexico's southeast, it is the capital and largest urban area in a state of the same name. The area boasts a sub-tropical climate that ensures pleasant temperatures year-round, and the climate alone is often reason enough for tourists to book cheap flights to Oaxaca.
The city lies in a region dubbed the three valleys area and is surrounded by forests. The absence of a beach still leaves visitors spoilt for choice when it comes to planning an itinerary. As ever, these usually start and end with finding a place to eat and this is as a good a place as any to do just that.
Travellers often arrive from flights to Mexico keen to experience its culinary delights and Oaxaca is often dubbed the culinary capital of the country. Oaxaca boasts a wide selection of local, Mexican and indeed international cuisines.
The city is compact and most of the local attractions can be accessed on foot. Known for its unique style of colonial architecture featuring the green stone found in the area, Oaxaca's cultural heritage is on display throughout the city centre.
As home to Mixtecs, Zapotecs and 14 other distinct ethnic groups, Oaxaca is also one of the most diverse states in Mexico and indeed areas in the world. This diversity has forged a wide-ranging modern society that features a unique blend of modern amenities in an ancient setting.
Some 4,000 archaeological sites can be found in the vicinity and many of these are open for guided and in some cases unguided tours. For those more interested in more recent history, there is no shortage of temples and churches representing many of Oaxaca's indigenous groups.
Of course with a setting that combines mountains and valleys with lush forests and in spots jungles, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to occupy them, be it mountain biking, hiking or for the particularly adventurous zip-line rides (for the uninitiated this is the grown-up version and scale of the playground flying fox).
At about 150 miles, the coast is not all that far away though a word of warning for anyone intending to attempt a dash for the sea. The route passes through the Sierra Madre del Sur, meaning that at about eight hours, the journey is more trek than a day trip.
It is also a vibrant arts and entertainment centre with a full calendar of cultural events - a variety of music, dance or artistic productions by local performers and artists.
Chief among these is Guelaguetza, an annual festival celebrating giving, that takes place in July. Also known among the locals as Lunes de Cerro (Monday on the Hill), it usually takes place on the last two Mondays in July and features a fiesta at a nearby amphitheatre that offers memorable views of the city. Groups representing the various tribes that make up the local population perform dances in regional dress during which they toss gifts to the crowd to mark the spirit of the festival. These gifts are usually small fruit or crafts such as hats but beware as the occasional coconut or pineapple has also been known to make an appearance. Remember that Guelaguetza is a regional celebration so similar, albeit smaller, gatherings will also take place across the area at the same time.
The other standout in Oaxaca's cultural calendar is the aptly named Night of the Radishes (Noche de Rabanos) festival held annually on December 23. This involves the intricate carving of large radishes into detailed sculptures of all manner of things including saints, animals, nativity scene interpretations or just about anything that pops into the radish artist's head. On the day of the festival, all of these are displayed and the best of the massive lot are recognised for their efforts.
Regardless of the time of year you choose to travel, remember to check out the Cheaplights guide to Oaxaca and Mexico before you set off for more detailed outlines to help you build the perfect itinerary.
