Oaxaca: Archaeology, Nature and Mezcal

Archaeological sites, protected landscapes and mezcal traditions reveal different sides of Oaxaca. You can focus your trip on Zapotec heritage, natural areas or regional dishes.

Archaeological Sites and Different Periods

Monte Albán was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Another significant archaeological story leads to Mitla: after Monte Albán’s decline in the 9th century, Mitla gained importance. The city reached its peak around 1200 and retained its prominence in the Tlacolula Valley until the Spanish conquest. This comparison of periods shows that the region’s history is not limited to a single high point.

The ancient city of Mitla is represented by five monumental architectural groups: Grupo del Norte, Grupo de las Columnas, Grupo del Arroyo, Grupo del Adobe or del Calvario, and Grupo del Sur. The five groups give the site a distinctive structure that extends beyond a single building. The Cuevas Prehistóricas de Yagul y Mitla, with their rock paintings, are also part of the archaeological heritage: they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural landscape in 2010.

In Yagul, residents built pyramids, palaces, tombs and a large ball court complex in the 10th century on interconnected platforms around the Caballito Blanco plateau. Atzompa is a Zapotec settlement belonging to the pre-Hispanic city of Monte Albán; its occupation dates to periods IIIB–IV (650–850). The site includes three ball courts, including Juego de Pelota I, described as the largest ball court in the pre-Hispanic city of Monte Albán. The archaeological zone of Zaachila offers another historical perspective, as it is considered the last capital of Zapotec power.

The City’s History and Native Plants

In Oaxaca’s historic center, architecture and buildings reflect an artistic and historical tradition spanning more than four centuries. A total of 1,000 historic monuments have been inventoried and recorded there. The Museum of Oaxacan Cultures is housed in the former Santo Domingo monastery. Next to the Templo de Santo Domingo is the Jardín Etnobotánico, with about 1,300 species native to Oaxaca. The city thus offers different points of interest side by side: the old town’s long architectural and historical legacy and the diversity of Oaxaca’s plant life.

Protected Areas with Diverse Landscapes

The natural areas also reveal different sides of the region. Huatulco National Park encompasses nine bays, lowland forest, mangrove areas, a seasonal wetland, beaches, and coral and rocky reefs. Within the park, Sendero Zanate is one of three hiking trails. Benito Juárez National Park is a protected natural area in Oaxaca that preserves diverse flora and fauna.

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve extends across 31 municipalities in the northwest of the state of Oaxaca. Its landscapes include semiarid, temperate and tropical ecosystems. The reserve has nine vegetation types and about 2,700 identified plant species, 11 percent of which are endemic. Its diversity can therefore be described in terms of both its different ecosystems and its plant life. Lagunas de Chacahua National Park protects a rich system of lagoons and coastal wetlands.

Mezcal Traditions and Getting Around

The Caminos del Mezcal route begins in Oaxaca’s Central Valleys and offers a chance to discover traditions surrounding mezcal and regional dishes. Travelers who want to include culinary interests in their plans will find a concrete connection to local traditions here, distinct from the archaeological and natural perspectives.

There is a specific road connection for getting to Mitla: from Oaxaca, you can reach the town via Pan-American Highway 190 and a turnoff to the north. Much of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve can be reached via the Cuacnopalan–Oaxaca expressway and federal highways 150, 135 and 125. As road conditions can change, check your route before setting out. When looking for a hotel in Oaxaca, you can first decide whether archaeological sites, protected areas or mezcal traditions will be the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Puerto Escondido, Guadaloupe, San Felipe Del Agua, San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec, Puerto Ángel, San Pedro Pochutla, La Luz, Asunción Nochixtlán, Santa María Jacatepec, San Juan Bautista Valle Nacional, San Felipe Usila, San Felipe Jalapa De Díaz, Tehuantepec, San Jerónimo Tlacochahuaya, Villa De Tamazulapam Del Progreso, Santa Catarina Lachatao, San Miguel Amatlán, Salina Cruz, Cuajimoloyas, Tlalixtac De Cabrera, Juchitán De Zaragoza, San Antonio De La Cal, Santa Catarina Juquila, Tlachicon, San Pablo Etla, San Agustín Etla, Santos Reyes Nopala, Santa María del Tule, El Barrio de La Soledad, Teotitlan del Valle, San Pedro Mixtepec Distrito 26, Santa María Chimalapa, Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, San Pablo Etla, Santa María Tonameca, San Juan Bautista Coixtlahuaca, Santa María Colotepec, San Miguel del Puerto, Santa María Xadani, Mazunte, Cacaotepec, Santa María Huatulco, Oaxaca De Juárez and San Pablo Villa De Mitla.

For the broader travel overview: Mexico.