Zocalo de Oaxaca is the main square of the city center. It's the place where crowds of people will…read morejust hang out and sit. It's right next to the Catedral Metropolitana de Oaxaca Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. There will often be events in the square, including but not limited to performances, concerts, festivals, parades, and of course calendas. Throughout the area are restaurants, food stalls, drink stalls, and souvenir shops. Even though you might think it's a touristy area, you'll still see tons of locals exploring and relaxing here.

This is the spot to be at when in Oaxaca for Dia De Los Muertos…read more The Zocalo is a plaza in the center of the downtown area within an eyes view of the Palacio, the cathedral and the parade. During our time in Oaxaca we came here every day and each time we saw and did something different. We shopped here, had lunch and dinner here, went to the Cathedral, saw the Catrina contest, enjoyed the bandas ect. We all felt safe here, had zero issues.

Who doesn't like freebies? I do, and that's why this is one of my favourite holidays in Oaxaca…read more I know it's not the most important part of the holiday but it makes it quite exciting. So the basic story is that on the fourth Friday of lent people recreate a bible passage in which a Samaritan woman gave Jesus water from a well. So now every year there's people lineups waiting to get a glass of free "agua", which is not the same as a jugo (agua is somewhat of a watered down juice mixed with sugar or syrup). The beauty of this is the people don't deny the glass of water to anyone and the tables where the water jugs are, tend to be decorated with flowers to make it look like a well like in the bible.

La Samaritana is one of the best traditions you can experience in Oaxaca. It basically about giving…read moreFREE cups of water to everyone and anyone walking down your street. La Samaritana is a tradition based in the catholicism, its celebrated three weeks before the Good Friday of Lent and is based on a bible verse of a woman giving Jesus water from a well in the city of Siquem. The most traditional water recipes you will fin are: horchata con tuna (rice water with the fruit of tuna), chilacayota (pumpkin water) and jamaica (hibiscus). However, every year families and commercial establishments innovate and offer a delicious variety of flavors. From rice water with coconut to pineapple with rose petals, La Samaritana offers a large range on water recipes that makes this tradition a delicious experience that its worth living.

One of the main streets and most beautiful places to walk in Oaxaca downtown. The area is always…read moreclean, no matter what is going on. It might get crowded in high season but in weekdays when kids are in school is very enjoyable. When there is a wedding you will get to enjoy " la calenda " (a mexican tradition to celebrate a men and women union) all through this andador. Many shops, art expos, library and important houses through the street.

Andador Turistico is a pedestrian-only corridor in the historic center of Oaxaca. The full street…read morename is Calle Macedonio Alcala and spans from the Catedral Metropolitana to the Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzman. The streets throughout this area (and a lot of the city) are lined with cobblestone. They also have street performers and vendors who will come up to you to ask if you want to buy fabrics or sombreros. The brick and mortar shops will also have figurines, magnets, ceramics, textiles, and others. Throughout the streets you can see the papel picado (the colorful sheets of hand-cut tissue paper strung together and hung on the streets). You will also occasionally see calendas parading through the streets (music and dancing celebrations). I really liked that there were no cars and I could freely walk on the streets. I wish there were more cities and streets like that!

We booked 3 tours on 3 different days. First they changed our schedule saying the weather wasn't…read moregood only to find that the tour continued without us and we were put on another tour. We were okay with the change at first given that we had 3 days tour. Next day we came in for the 2nd tour scheduled and they did not inform us that the scheduled tour is cancelled. We reached pick up point and we were told that the tour is cancelled. When we questioned they were on calls and talking to each other in Spanish but refused to speak to us. Ultimately we had to fight to get the money back and cancel rest of our tours. Very bad experience! They don't even deserve that one star!

Oaxaca is different than other tourist beach destinations in Mexico. Not handicapped or stroller…read moreaccessible. Tours state no handicap accessibility. We are seniors from the USA. Been to Mexico about 10 times, various vacation spots. Casa de la Tia Tere is a half mile walk to zocalo--the city center plaza. They serve a full breakfast which is convenient. Coffee, tea, and bottled water available all day. Can't drink the water but ok to brush teeth, etc with it. Room has small kitchen, queen bed, and it was clean; daily housekeeping was great. Pool was clean and saw water tested. Kiosk with fresh fruit and vegetables a couple blocks to right. Zocalo city center to the left. English speaking front desk staff. Very few English speaking people in town. Restaurant menu's in Spanish.

Heart of the city. In most cities of Mexico and large towns there's always a heart of the city…read morewhere people gather in the evenings when it's cooler or under the trees for shade in the afternoon. It's been a tradition for many decades. In the old days young couples used to meet under the watchful eye of their families, while they walk around the zocolo holding the hand of their girlfriend in full view of everyone. So propriety was established at the beginning of the relationship. No. It is just a place where people meet for lunch or a cool place in the afternoon to get out of the day's heat. This particular circle though has seen better days though it still has the reputation as being the place to be. It is mostly full of locals. Yet many foreigners will go to this place because of its past history and mystique. It's still amusing for a short visit to just look and see what it looks like but I would still recommend finding something else to do in the area. It's not worth a trip to by itself.

All Mexican cities have a central square, and Oaxaca's Zocalo is no exception. If you like pigeons…read moreand crowds, this is your place! It's a huge square/park located next to the cathedral, the governor's place, and shops and restaurants. It appears that local school teachers, who are perpetually protesting their plight, are permanently encamped in the Zocalo. Vendors abound, selling everything from blankets and rugs to bracelets, wooden spoons, ​and other Oaxacan items. There seem​ to be more vendors selling more goods than there are people to buy them. Our sense was that the quality of many of the items is not very good. Don't waste your pesos --​unless you're just looking for a souvenir of your trip.