1. Stroll around Oaxaca City, discovering the architecture, including the baroque Santo Domingo Cultural Centre with its botanical garden, and the buildings around the central square, or zocalo, including the cathedral.

2. Indulge in archeological sites, especially the pyramid buildings of Monte Alban (ancient capital of the Zapotec people) and the intricate stone designs of Mitla (known as the City of the Dead).

3. Take a handcraft tour using one of four routes outside the city, visiting towns and villages known for pottery, rugmaking, woven scarves and table decor, tinsmithing, carved wooden animals and much more.

4. Register for hands-on cooking lessons at places such as Casa de los Sabores (laolla.com.mx) or Seasons of My Heart ( seasonsofmyheart.com).

5. Go for an eco-tour in the Sierra Norte mountains, where you can bike, hike and ride horses, using inns like eco-and cultural-tourism experts Casa Sagrada (casasagrada.com) as a base.
If you Go:

Getting there: Mexicana Airlines (Mexicana.com),WestJet (westjet.com)and Air Canada (aircanada.com),among other airlines, all fly to various points in Mexico, from which you can hop a short internal flight to Oaxaca City — this makes it easy to add Oaxaca to a beach vacation.

Staying there: There’s a range of hotels available, including the Hotel CasAntica (hotelcasantica.com),a converted 16th-century convent with oodles of charm and a convenient location for Oaxaca’s very walkable downtown area. Ask for a room on the quieter second floor.

Getting around: Self-driving is an option, as long as you’re prepared to be very patient in the narrow streets of old Oaxaca. Local tours are also available, however, and have the advantage of a Spanish-speaking guide. Our small group of three travelled with Diego Cruz Castaneda, of Ayuso Travel (viajesoaxaca.com), and highly recommend his knowledge, flexibility and warmth. Photos via Flickr.com