The capital lies in the middle of the beautiful Central Valleys of Oaxaca, within thirty miles several indigenous communities still prctice their ancient traditions, customs and folklore.

These costums are best experienced on market days, or tianguis, so called because each town, depending on its importance, for generations has been assigned its market a different day of the week.

A guided visit will assure you to meet with the most authentic and the best of our indigenous cultures, which would include the wonderful archeological sites.

Each one of these Tours is $US18.00 per person. Send us an email to make reservations tours@go-oaxaca.com

THURSDAY, 10 a.m.
Cuilapan de Guerrero - Arrazola - Zaachila

Cuilapan de Guerrero. An unfinished but marvelous religious complex, constructed by Dominicans in the 16th century.

It consists of the ex-convent, a church and chapel with a basilica type floor plan. Its name in Nahuatl means dyed river or rattles over waters, it was formerly called Coyolapan.

San Antonio Arrazola. Here artisans use wood from the copal tree to create fantastic, imaginary animal figures, known as Alebrijes, which are exhibited in the artisans´ houses and in various shops in oaxaca city.

Zaachila. In this place there still are pre-Hispanic traditions and habits you can witness, on Thursday, in the famous weekly market. The archeological site has not been explored completely. The chronology of the site from 1100 to 1521 AD comprises a big artificial pyramid with a set of mounds.

FRIDAY, 10 a.m.
Coyotepec - Santo Tomás Jalieza - Ocotlán

San Bartolo Coyotepec. Its main attraction is the black pottery made by local artisans, who produce extraordinary beautiful items using openwork and polishing techniques.

Santo Tomás Jalieza. It is located 25 kilometers (30 minutes), Southeast of Oaxaca City on Highway 175 (towards Puerto Angel). The archeological site -as yet unexplored- is comparable in importance to Monte Albán.

People in this town produce woolen and cotton items using back strap looms. The designs and colors vary, but the motifs are usually typical of the area. Among the most common products are dresses, blouses, bags, napkins, underclothes, table cobres, belts and bracelets.

Ocotlán de Morelos. One of the main attractions of this town is the tianguis or market which is held on Fridays. It is famous because it is one of the biggest and most diverse of Central Valley markets.

SUNDAY, 10 a.m.
Santa María El Tule - Tlacolula - Mitla

Santa María El Tule. Among the natural beauties of this town is the huge, ahuehuete cypress called El Árbol del Tule.

The tree is a wonderful example of Oaxacan flora, 40 meters high with a diameter of 52.58 meters, it weights around 509 tons and is approximately 2000 years old.

We suggest you visit the handcraft market of the community and to sample the wide variety of local foods.

Tlacolula has a 17th century Dominican complex with an extraordinary Chapel in the Baroque Style dedicated to the Señor de Tlacolula.

On Sundays, you can visit the biggest market of the Central Valleys, where you can buy all kinds of handicrafts and typical food.

The mezcal sold in some establishments surrounding the main square is of very good quality.

Mitla. Its name in Nahuatl means Place of the Dead, while the Zapotecs called it Lyobaa, meaning Place of burials.

Mitla was a place of residence for the Zapotec priestly class. It was inhabited from the classic period of Monte Albán (100 to 650 AD) , and reached its peak in the post-classical period (750 to 1521 AD).

The layout of the city was probably planned with structures grouped in five sets, currently called the Columns, the Church, the Stream, the Adobes and the South.