Oaxaca's churches reflect the melting pot of cultures that helped build them -- the Spanish conquerors and the Mixtec, Zapotec and Aztec peoples. You'll find the most notable churches in Oaxaca City. The gargantuan Catedral de Oaxaca adjacent to the main plaza was completed in 1733 and is the center of town festivities. It houses part of the mystical Holy Cross of Huatalco, which, according to legend, was a pre-Columbian artifact worshiped by the Aztecs. Another religious landmark, the Church of Santo Domingo, is abundant with heavenly paintings of clouds and cherubs. An adjacent museum exhibits some of the ancient gold and turquoise jewels and treasures found at the ruins of Monte Alban. Both churches are free to the public. Out of respect, visitors should cover shoulders and legs when entering the churches.
Monte Alban, a ruined city dating back to 500 B.C., is the crowning jewel of Oaxaca's ruins. The pyramids, terraces and canals that make up the city span a period of four centuries and the different cultures of the Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs. Some of the structures are carved into hillsides, others look like they've been there so long, they've become part of nature. Visitors can wander the ruins at their own pace, making it easy to imagine what life at Monte Alban must have been like. Monte Alban is an easy day trip from Oaxaca City by car, bus and guided tours.
Further south, the old city of Mitla saw its heyday in the 14th century and is a fascinating look into the life of the Zapotecs just prior to the Spanish conquest. Five clusters of ruins make up the site. Stone carvings, called greca, on each building's facade bear a resemblance to ancient Greek designs and are of a distinctive style found only in Oaxaca.
El Tule may be the widest tree in the world and is definitely the center of attention in Santa Maria del Tule's town center. The Mexican coniferous tree is not only massive -- standing 130 feet high -- but old. Considered a sacred landmark by ancient residents, the town's present-day locals believe the tree is more than two thousand years old. You can view the tree year-round, but the best time to visit is on October 10, when residents throw a large fiesta, Fiesta del Tule, in honor of the giant cypress.
Oaxaca is jagged with lush, verdant mountain ranges characterized by their biodiversity: Sierra Madre del Oaxaca that extends down the southern flank of Oaxaca state, Sierra del Sur on the western coast, Sierra Norte in the north and Sierra Atravesada that extends east into the state of Chiapas. Oaxaca's coastline along the Pacific is an ethereal paradise with bio-diverse waters, gilded sands and peaceful lagoons where exotic birds come and go. Puerto Escondido's Playa Zicatela is a surfer's mecca with a clobbering surf only for the expert boarder. But even if you don't surf, watching can be just as much a sport. The Escondido Pipeline is a phenomenon that occurs when the waves form a giant curl that expert surfers board through.
If you are meeting someone in Oaxaca, chances are it will be at the Plaza de Armas, or zocalo, Oaxaca City's central square. The zocalo -- on the UNESCO World Heritage List -- is a sprawling square filled with trees twinkling with strings of lights. Open only to pedestrians, the square is filled with life: pan flute musicians play serene melodies for small gatherings; women hawk colorful textiles; and the young and beautiful sip cervezas al fresco at the outdoor cafes and bars that ring the square. Although it is busy with people, somehow the vibe in the zocalo remains mellow.
Kitty corner to the zocalo is Alameda de Leon, once a park, but now a leafy square with markets galore selling colorful produce, leather items and bright, cheerful textiles.
