OAXACA

A good starting point to explore Oaxaca is to start at the Santo Domingo Convent, one of the great symbols of New Spain baroque architecture in Mexico and which houses the Ethnobotanical Garden , designed by master Francisco Toledo with 100 endemic species from all over the state. From Oaxaca. Right across the street is the Oaxaca Institute of Graphic Arts (IAGO), which deserves as many visits as possible and is one of the many legacies of Francisco Toledo in the city.

Later, to beat the Oaxacan heat, you have to buy a cold chocolate at La Brújula or go to La Boulenc for breakfast or at least try their sweet bread, which is delicious. After this stop, the best plan is to walk among galleries, cafes, shops, restaurants, hotels and cultural spaces, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca (MACO) or visit Los Baúles de Juana Cata, this place run by Remigio Mestas offers huipiles , shirts, blouses, skirts and hats woven with ancient techniques. The quality of these textiles is very high, since the main objective of the workshop is to preserve and rescue weaving techniques.

If you have time, be sure to walk through the colorful Jalatlaco neighborhood to discover new places, it is full of little shops, restaurants and cafes.

In this city, food is important and there are great ambassadors that prove it, like Casa Oaxaca, by chef Alejandro Ruiz, has a terrace that I love and they prepare the richest Mezcalitas I've ever tasted, a mix of Margarita and Mezcal that makes me crazy.

Another great place is Origen , by chef Rodolfo Castellanos and my latest discovery for a leisurely meal is Criollo, by chefs Enrique Olvera and Luis Arellano who personally curated the space to offer a unique experience where design, Oaxacan gastronomy and art.

My new discovery is the Cocktail Bar La Selva , I loved it for its decoration and atmosphere, but what makes it really special is that they prepare their drinks using the diversity and richness of local ingredients and Mexican distillates inspired by the flavors of Oaxaca .
A trip to Oaxaca is not complete without a visit to its two main archaeological sites , Monte Albán and Mitla, which are 15 and 45 minutes from the city center, respectively. It is also worth making a cultural stopover at the San Agustín Arts Center in Etla, and if you have more time, dedicate a morning to Hierve el Agua. These petrified waterfalls, an hour and a half from downtown. Another infallible route is that of the artisan towns, including Teotitlán del Valle (famous for its rugs), San Martín Tilcajete (famous for its alebrijes) and San Bartolo Coyotepec (famous for its black clay).
I have begun to write and it has cost me not to lengthen, even so I feel that I still have many things to tell but Oaxaca condenses the essence of Mexico and transmits like no other the memory of this country that I carry in my heart.

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