SURROUNDING AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES

Touring Oaxaca?s Surrounding Areas ? Begin with a delicious breakfast at one of the establishments in the colorful Benito Juarez market. At nearly every place you can try atole, a hot cornmeal drink or have a hot chocolate with some sweet bread or tasty tamales. After breakfast, hop in the car and head north to the Calzada Independencia. About 12 km (7 mi) ahead you?ll arrive at the first stop on the route: the town of Santa Maria del Tule, where you can see the famous Arbol del Tule (Tule Tree), an old tree that is more than 2,000 years old and measures 50 meters (165 feet) in diameter and 40 meters (132 feet) tall. If you?d like to buy some wool textiles to decorate your home, the best place to buy them is in the town of Teotitlan del Valle, located 25 km (15 mi) from Oaxaca City off Highway 190. After visiting this textile town, take the same highway in the direction of the Istmo until you arrive at a turnoff in the town of Ayutla. From there go 17 km (11 mi) until you reach another turnoff that leads to Albarrados. About 5 km (3 mi) from there you?ll find the magnificent natural scenery of Hierve el Agua, where you can admire spectacular fossilized waterfalls that are more than 50 meters (165 feet) high. The waterfalls have taken form over the years due to the flow of the area?s sulfuric waters. In addition to the spectacular landscape at this place, you can also go swimming in natural springs, which have waters that are famous for their healing properties. This place is ideal for those looking for rest and relaxation. Finally, get back in the car and head to the last stop on the route: Huatulco, Oaxaca?s paradise on the coast. Huatulco is just 148 km (92 mi) from Oaxaca City. To get there, take Highway 200 and follow the indicated turnoffs. Surely, the charm and magic of Huatulco?s nine bays and its calm waters off the Pacific coast will leave a lasting impression.

Archaeological Route in the Surrounding Areas of Monte Alban ? From Oaxaca City take the state highway about 10 km (6 mi) to Monte Alban, the ancient capital of the Zapotecs, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO thanks to the structures? artistic and cultural value. About 5 km (3 mi) ahead you can visit Zaachila, the last capital of the Zapotecs in the valley of Oaxaca. At this site, two of the region?s most important tombs were discovered. Continue 23 km (14 mi) east until you arrive at the archaeological zone of Dainzu, which is near the town of Santa Maria de Tule. There you can see some stone carvings of five gods and a ball game. About 5 km (3 mi) southeast you?ll reach Lambityeco, an archaeological site near the town of Tlacolula. This site has more than 200 hillocks. The next stop is Teotitlan del Valle, where you?ll find a road that leads to the archaeological zone of Yagul, which is close to the town of Santa Ana del Valle. At Yagul you can see an amazing ball court, the region?s largest and the second largest of Mesoamerica. We recommend that you allow yourself two or three days to do this tour so that you can discover the many wonders of these ancient capitals.