Oaxaca City is located in the southern region of Mexico. It’s a great city to vacation if you like architecture, history and shopping.

Taking a tour through the city, you can see the many beautiful buidlings, such as the Centro Historico (Historic Center), el Templo y ex Convento de Santo Domingo de Guzman (The Temple and Ex-Convent of Saint Domingo de Guzman), la Basilica de la Soledad (The Basilica of Solitude) and el Teatro Macedonio Alcala (The Macedonio Alcala Theater). Santo Domingo is considered the most beautiful church in Mexico. It is also a museum that is home to terrific exhibits displaying the history of the area.

Surrounding the Historic Center in the city’s main plaza, you will find main traditional markets to shop for pottery, textiles and clothing. Now is a time to also sample the local cuisine with foods such as Oaxacan cheese, tamales, peppers and mole dishes. If you a fan of alcohol, don’t miss out on Oaxaca’s mezcal. This regional beverage is created from the maguey plant.

When staying in Oaxaca, a great choice for accommodations is the Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast Inn. This local inn is just 1 1/2 blocks from Santo Domingo in a terrific, convenient area. There are ten great restaurants and four parks within a three block radius. And 10 300-year-old churches are all within a 10 minute walk from the inn. To learn more about Oaxaca Bed & Breakfast Inn, visit their website.

Photos by Mike McElhatton