The 16th of December is the night of the first posada. Because this is the first night, it begins with a mass that is held either in the local church or chapel (in this case a tiny neighborhood capillita). Following the mass, the group will form a procession to the home where the first posada is going to be held. Often they will carry candles or small lanterns, and sing hymns or Christmas carols (called villancicos in Spanish). In some cases there are children dressed up as Mary and Joseph leading the procession (sometimes they’ll even have a real donkey to ride), but most often there are figures of Mary and Joseph which are carried at the front of the procession.

Images of Mary and Joseph lead the posada procession

Upon arrival at the home of the family who is hosting the posada, the group will gather around the front door of the house and sing a special song to ask for shelter. In this song the people outside sing the words of Joseph requesting a place to stay for his pregnant wife, and the people inside the home sing the words that would have been spoken by the innkeeper. At the conclusion of the song the innkeeper consents to let them stay, and the door of the home is opened, and all the participants enter joyfully. Read the lyrics and translation of the posada song.

In a traditional posada, once the crowd is inside the home, there is then usually a Bible reading and a religious reflection and some prayers, and then the fun begins. There are several piñatas to break, hot drinks are served, either hot fruit ponche or atole, and something to eat, like tamales, tortas or tostadas are distributed to the guests. Besides the candy in the piñata, all the children are also given loot bags full of candy (to the delight of the children, and this parent’s dismay). There is a festive atmosphere with the whole neighborhood coming together to take part in the celebration.

Hitting a piñata

The images of Joseph and Mary will stay in the home where the first posada was held until the following day, when people will gather there again and form a procession to the home of the family hosting the 2nd posada, and the same will take place each night until December 24th, when the images are returned to the church for Christmas Eve mass.

Posadas are great fun for the whole family, and a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit. The tradition of holding posadas is celebrated differently in different parts of Mexico, but this is the experience I’ve had of posadas in Oaxaca, and I’m glad to live in a place where the traditions and the bonds of family and community are so strong.

Read more about Mexican Christmas traditions.

Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day. Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own. Visit Mexico Today on Facebook and Twitter.

Oaxaca is known for the variety and beauty of its handicrafts. Oaxaca’s diversity is reflected in its popular art: pottery, woodcarving, weaving, basketry, candle making, embroidery, and many more crafts are practiced here. Collectors from all over the world come to Oaxaca to purchase the folk art created by skilled Oaxacan artisans.

Many of the small towns and villages surrounding Oaxaca City specialize in a particular type of craft. In some cases this specialization dates back as far as prehispanic times when different villages were required to pay tribute to the ruling group in specific goods.

Oaxacan families who create folk art pass their knowledge down through the generations. In most cases the finished product is the result of family cooperation, with different family members taking responsibility for different tasks. Though skills and knowledge are passed down, each individual brings their own creativity to their work and each piece bears the personal touch of its creator.

Barro negro from San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oaxaca

Several villages in the Oaxaca valley specialize in pottery. The black pottery (barro negro) produced in the town of San Bartolo Coyotepec is one type for which Oaxaca is famous. The color of this pottery is the result of a technique that was developed by Doña Rosa Real, a potter from the village. She found that if the pieces weren’t fired as long as usual they would come out black instead of the usual grey. This black ware is decorative but not practical, as it will not hold water. The pieces are burnished with a smooth stone before firing to give them a shiny metallic gleam. This innovation came about just in time – prior to that time pottery had been used for many practical purposes, but as the use of plastic became more common, the potters were losing business. The switch to creating highly valued decorative pieces allowed many families of potters to continue practicing their craft. 
 
 

Painting a woodcarving, San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca

Woodcarving was practiced in Oaxaca throughout history, but the term “alebrije” which is given to the carved wooden animals is of fairly recent provenance. Pedro Linares, an artist from Mexico City, created the first alebrijes in the 1930s; these were fantastical animals made of paper mache. In the 1950s, Manuel Jimenez from the village of San Antonio Arrazola, Oaxaca, began to make the same type of designs in wood. The theme became popular, and soon many Oaxacan woodcarvers were creating alebrijes. There are now three villages in the Oaxaca valley which specialize in woodcarving: San Martín Tilcajete, San Antonio Arrazola and La Union Tejalapa. The themes and styles vary, but they all reflect the rich heritage and imagination of their creators.
  
 

Wool tapestry with feathers by Francisco Martinez of Teotitlan del Valle

Weaving is the main economic activity of the village of Teotitlan del Valle. This Zapotec community is famous for the quality and beauty of its woolen rugs which are woven on pedal looms. The inhabitants of Teotitlan wove in ancient times, but prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, they wove cotton and used the backstrap loom. Wool and the pedal loom were introduced later, and revolutionized the weaving process. The weavers began to use synthetic dyes in the 1920s,  but the use of natural dyes such as cochineal and indigo has been revived in the past few decades. Natural dyes are more time consuming to prepare, but the finished piece is of finer quality. In recent years, other innovations have taken place in Teotitlan’s textiles industry, including, for some weavers, the inclusion of other materials in their weavings, for example the use of feathers as in the tapestry pictured above.

 
 

Master weaver Francisco Martinez proudly displays his work

 Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day. Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own. Visit Mexico Today on Facebook and Twitter.

Located on a mountaintop some 4 miles to the southwest of Oaxaca City, the archaeological site of Monte Alban, along with the historical center of Oaxaca City, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

This ancient place is less well known than some of Mexico’s other archaeological zones, such as Chichen Itzá and Teotihuacan, but no less important. This was the first urban center of Mesoamerica and the capital of Zapotec civilization. Once known as Dani Baá to the Zapotecs, and Ocelotepec to the Aztecs, this site is now named Monte Alban (“white mountain”) for the white flowering trees called casahuates which flourish in the area and bloom in November and December.

Casahuate tree in bloom – Creative Commons photo by Ruddy Benezet

In order to build the city, the top of the mountain was flattened off, and the architectural plan was laid out; tons of rock and dirt were moved and used to construct a new sacred landscape. The architecture of the site is on a grand scale, characterized by massive pyramids and immense open spaces. When we contemplate the human resources, materials and logistics necessary for such an undertaking, it becomes clear that this was a highly organized civilization.

The archaeological record tells us that the construction of the site began in about 500 B.C., a few centuries before the founding of Teotihuacan. Although it never attained the size of Teotihuacan, the Zapotecs maintained control over the Oaxaca valley and the surrounding region for over 1000 years from the vantage point of their mountaintop capital.

The inhabitants of Monte Alban made several important intellectual achievements. They developed a calendar and writing system (as yet undeciphered). They used the number system inherited from the Olmec civilization. They had astronomical knowledge, which can be seen in the alignment of certain building features with celestial phenomena. Their architectural and engineering abilities are obvious. There are also clues pointing to the extent of their medical knowledge.

Monte Alban was deserted some seven hundred years before the arrival of the Spaniards. The Zapotec people abandoned the city and subsequently, other sites in the valley flourished (Yagul, Zaachila and Mitla). Many Zapotecs remain in the valley and continue to speak their language; today there are over 400,000 speakers of Zapotec.

Alfonso Caso, a Mexican archaeologist, began a major excavation of the site in 1931. During his first year of fieldwork, a tomb was found which contained a spectacular treasure which surpassed anything that has been found in Mesoamerica to this day. The treasure contained over 400 pieces of gold, silver, turquoise, and intricately carved bone. This is not a Zapotec treasure, but was deposited by the Mixtecs in a later re-use of a Zapotec tomb. The majority of this treasure is on display in the Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca, in the Santo Domingo Cultural Center.

Gold jewellery from the Treasure of Tomb 7 on display at the Santo Domingo Museum.- Creative Commons photo by hmerinomx

From Building E, the highest point you can climb on Monte Alban’s North platform, you can take in a spectacular view of nearly the whole archaeological site, the expanse of valley around it, and the surrounding mountains, and get a sense of how the design of the site reflects the natural landscape and blends harmoniously with its surroundings. 

Although this site still holds many secrets, it is clear that its original inhabitants possessed substantial knowledge of architecture, engineering, astronomy and art. Beyond what the archaeologists have been able to discern, it’s a place that has a distinctive energy – whenever I’m there I have a feeling of peace and connectedness. Maybe it’s because of the site’s antiquity, or perhaps the ancient Zapotecs chose that spot because it was a special place to begin with, but it is certainly a location that seems to hold great power.

Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day. Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own. Visit Mexico Today on Facebook and Twitter.

	1. Listen to mariachi music. Any dull party will suddenly liven up with the addition of mariachis. Mariachi music originated in the state of Jalisco, but is now considered the quintessential Mexican music. Made up of a group of five or more musicians wearing charro suits, a mariachi band lends a festive atmosphere to any event. A live mariachi group is best, but in a pinch recorded music will do just fine.
	2. Learn about the Mexican flag. The first flag of Mexico was established in 1821, the year Mexico gained independence, and contained the national colors, white, red, and green in diagonal stripes. The colors have remained the same, but their placement and the crest in the center of the flag has changed over time. Each of the three colors has a specific meaning; it is said that the color green represents hope, white is for unity, and red is for the blood of the national heroes. The crest in the center panel is Mexico’s coat of arms and portrays an eagle with a snake in its beak standing on a cactus.
	3. Drink a Mexican flag. What, drink the flag!? Why yes, Mexicans love things in their national colors (and if it has an alcohol content, then all the more festive). There are two ways to do this. You can do a Mexican flag shooter as pictured here with all the colors layered in one shot glass, or if you prefer to keep your colors separate, order a Bandera Mexicana with a shot of lime juice, a shot of tequila and a shot of sangrita, as my colleague Stay Adventurous Craig describes here: The Mexican Tequila Bandera.
	4. Eat chiles en nogada. According to legend this Mexican dish was first prepared by nuns in the city of Puebla just after Mexico’s independence was declared. The nuns served the dish to Agustin de Iturbide on his saints’ day (August 28) shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba which granted Mexico its independence. Its ingredients have the colors of the Mexican flag, making it an ideal Independence Day food. Read about the story behind chiles en nogada, or try this recipe for chiles en nogada.
	5. Decorate your house, car, school or place of business. In the month of September on street corners throughout Mexico there are vendors selling flags, sombreros, pinwheels and an assortment of other items in the national colors of red, white and green. People place flags and banners on their cars, in their windows and anywhere else you can imagine. To celebrate Mexican independence you should do the same. Mexican flags, red, white and green streamers, papel picado and other Mexican decorations are all good choices.
Photo by Yelp	6. Dress for the occasion. When celebrating Mexican Independence Day you shouldn’t stop at just decorating your home, car and surroundings. You must decorate yourself too! Wear the colors of the flag, paint your face, or wear a fake moustache and a big sombrero. (And if you’re in Mexico don’t worry about finding a moustache – they sell them for 10 pesos on the street corners.)
	7. Learn the Mexican national anthem. There’s no better way to bring out your inner Mexican than by belting out an enthusiastic rendition of Mexico’s national anthem. The lyrics of this song were composed by poet Francisco González Bocanegra in 1853; the music by Jaime Nunó was added later, in 1854. The lyrics speak of Mexican victories in battle and defending the homeland. Come on, everybody now: “Mexicanos al grito de guerra….”
Photo by Cliff Dix Jr	8. Throw a Mexican fiesta. Why leave it to someone else? You can make sure all the elements are in place if you plan it yourself. Don’t forget the decorations, food, drinks, and entertainment. And best of all, you have control over the guest list.
Photo by toastforbrekkie	9. Cry “¡Viva Mexico!” Mexico’s War of Independence was initiated by Father Miguel Hidalgo who called out to the people to rise up against Spain in 1810. This event is known as el grito de Dolores. On September 15 at 11 pm el grito is re-enacted in town squares throughout Mexico. If you’re in Mexico you shouldn’t miss this opportunity to be in the center of the action. If you’re not in Mexico, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, stop at 11 pm on September 15 and shout “¡Viva Mexico!”
	10. Go out on the town. Many restaurants, hotels and nightclubs in Mexico put on Noche Mexicana celebrations. These may entail the above items (Mexican food, drink and entertainment), and can vary from fancy hotel dinners and concerts to raucous dance club parties. Or you can just head to the nearest town plaza to join the crowds for el grito at 11 pm and continue partying into the wee hours of the morning. Mexican communities around the world will also be celebrating!

Learn more about Mexican Independence Day, or check out some posts from my fellow Mexico Today Ambassadors on the subject of Mexican Independence. ¡Viva México!

Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own.

Oaxaca is well known for its gastronomy, archaeological sites, fiestas, and handicrafts, but many visitors are surprised by Oaxaca’s impressive colonial architecture. Oaxaca’s cathedral, La Soledad church, and the Santo Domingo church and former convent are all excellent examples of Oaxacan religious architecture from the colonial period, but Santo Domingo is the most outstanding. Considered by many one of the finest examples of Dominican architecture in Mexico, Santo Domingo is built on a grand scale. The interior decoration of the church is hyper-ornate, while in the former convent, open spaces and elegant arcades predominate.

Designed by Dominican friars and built by native workers, the religious buildings which have survived from the colonial period are impressive. The two vastly different cultures and traditions which collided during the colonial period combined to create some magnificent works of art and architecture. Another determining factor in Oaxaca’s architecture is the fact that it is a seismic zone, and subject to frequent earthquakes. The architects learned through trial and error to build structures which could withstand earthquakes.

History of Santo Domingo Church and Former Convent

Construction began on the Santo Domingo de Guzmán complex in 1575, and was not complete when the Dominican friars occupied the building in 1608 following the destruction of their former convent, San Pablo, in an earthquake. Construction of the main church and convent was completed around 1619, the Rosary chapel was built later, and completed in 1731. The convent was the principal monastery of the province, it served as home to as many as 150 Dominican friars and novices, and was also a Dominican educational center.

From the War of Independence through to the Mexican Revolution, the church and convent were successively occupied by military troops of various factions, which resulted in the destruction of much of the original interior decoration. The church and a small section of the convent was returned to the Dominicans in the 1930s, and in 1972 a museum was opened in one section of the convent, but it wasn’t until 1994 that the military finally vacated the building completely. A major restoration project took place for the next four years, using local materials and traditional construction techniques, returning Santo Domingo to its earlier splendor. The Santo Domingo Cultural center was inaugurated in 1998, and consists of the Oaxacan Museum of Cultures (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca), the Francisco Burgoa library, the Nestor Sanchez periodicals library, and an ethnobotanical garden.

Visiting Santo Domingo Cultural Center

Santo Domingo is a not-to-be-missed sight on a visit to Oaxaca. The church, the museum and the ethnobotanical garden are all well worth a visit. Even visitors who don’t like churches and museums should at least go in and take a look around and get a sense of the grandeur of the construction.

Santo Domingo Church: The church’s interior features 17th Century baroque decoration with intricate gilded wood and plasterwork. Open from 7 am to 1 pm, and 5 to 8 pm daily. No flash photos.

Museum of the Cultures of Oaxaca: The museum’s 23 permanent exhibition rooms offer a walk through the history of Oaxaca from pre-Hispanic times through the colonial period and independence. The most impressive display is the room showing the Treasure of Tomb 7 from Monte Alban. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed Mondays. Admission is 51 pesos.

Francisco de Burgoa Library: This library contains over 30 000 volumes published between 1484 and 1940. Reading room hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm; the showroom is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Website: Biblioteca Francisco de Burgoa

Ethnobotanical Garden: The ethnobotanical garden is a project which was instigated by Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo, and the focus is not just on the plants, but their cultural significance. It is located behind the church and former convent in the space once occupied by the former convent’s orchard and garden. At present the garden may only be visited as part of a guided tour. The guided tour is very interesting, and highly recommended for anyone interested in plants, natural history and culture. There are daily tours in Spanish, and tours in English on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11 am, cost 100 pesos. Entrance at the corner of Constitución and Reforma. Website: Jardin Etnobotanico

Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own.

Huatulco National Park, Oaxaca

Mexico is among the world’s top five most biodiverse countries. This phenomenal biodiversity is due to Mexico’s highly varied topography and its geographic situation — it’s located where the Nearctic and Neotropical ecozones meet, so it has species which are endemic to both zones. Accordingly, there is also a huge array of ecosystems in Mexico. You’ll find wetlands, deserts, mountains, forests, jungles, islands, and coral reefs. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers who can explore the wide variety of options for adventure and ecotourism, and also enjoy quiet moments surrounded by natural beauty.

A boat ride in the Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas

Mexico has more than 170 natural protected areas which make up over 12% of the country’s territory. Mexico’s natural protected areas come under a variety of classifications; they are biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, natural monuments, natural resource protected areas, and flora and fauna protected areas. The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas, or CONANP (Comisión Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas) is the government agency encharged with protecting Mexico’s natural treasures. Keeping in mind that many of the communities living in and around Mexico’s natural areas have survived by exploiting natural resources, an important part of CONANP’s plan for management of these areas involves the local communities, changing attitudes about natural resources, and presenting other options for making a living. In many cases, the answer is ecotourism, which, in the best cases is a win-win-win situation, helping to conserve the natural environment with its flora and fauna, benefiting the local people, as well as offering wonderful opportunities to travelers.

Of course visiting these natural areas brings with it great responsibility. As tourists we must not cause harm to the places we visit, the people, and other living things. To do this it is important that we respect the local culture and any restrictions which may be placed on visits, respect the local people and their privacy, stay on designated paths and avoid disturbing the wildlife. We can contribute to the local economy by purchasing crafts or other goods from the person who made them. Hopefully by visiting respectfully, we can help to ensure that these places will be open to visitors for many years to come.

Mexico is a place where you can stand in a forest surrounded by fluttering butterflies, swim with the largest fish in the ocean, cheer on baby sea turtles as they make their way to the sea, take a boat ride through a spectacular canyon with 2600 feet-high walls, explore an underground river, hike up a snow-capped volcano, or simply marvel at gorgeous panoramas that defy description. This is but a small sampling of the variety of activities Mexico has to offer. It’s one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources, diversity of landscapes, and natural beauty, and a not-to-be-missed destination for anyone who loves nature.

A Sunset in the Cloud Forest, Oaxaca State

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own.

Eastern valley route

Southern route

Monte Alban and Cuilapan/Zaachila

- Richard and Sybil Shevlin

“We just returned from Oaxaca, and all three of us agreed that one of the main reasons that our trip was so wonderful was because you were our guide for three days: it was like traveling with a very smart friend with a comfortable (and air conditioned) car. Our hotels all offered small group tours, but it was obvious to us—especially when we saw groups at markets or restaurants—that being with you was so much more relaxed, fun, and personal. You tailored our trips to what you learned about our interests, and you were right every step of the way. You shared your knowledge and love of Oaxacan culture with us in a way that made it as interesting for our 13-year-old daughter as it was for us. I would highly recommend you as a guide to anyone interested in the art and culture of Oaxaca.”

- Barbara Winard, Ridgefield, CT

“Our stay in Oaxaca was greatly enriched by our time with you. We appreciate your patience, and for being flexible with our itineraries. We both enjoyed our conversations with you. Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge of the history and people of Oaxaca. Some of the favorite moments of our week in Oaxaca were on our day trips with you. Debra counts lunch in the small cafe in San Pablo, near Mitla, as one of her favorite memories, and for me, the long, leisurely lunch in the restaurant across from Zeny Fuentes’s studio in San Martin Tilcajete.”

- Steve Palmen

“Suzanne Barbezat was my guide on two different trips to Oaxaca, and she has my highest recommendation. On the first trip we were all adults and on the second trip we were adults and children. I found Suzanne to be an excellent guide for both groups. She is extremely knowledgeable about the area, and was able to help us pick activities that were enjoyed by everyone. She explained the Oaxacan surroundings, history and customs in a way that was interesting for all of us, and because she is a native English-speaker, there was no problem in understanding what she said.

With the adults, we visited the many wonderful churches, colorful markets and amazing ruins, and Suzanne also was able to arrange for us to visit the homes and studios of artists and craftspeople, so that we were able to see their work and how they live. With the children, Suzanne arranged for us to have a “workshop” with a local painter and carver of wooden animals, and we spent an afternoon painting our own wooden animals with guidance from the artist – a highlight of the trip. We also took a wonderful hike in the mountains near Hierve el Agua, the “petrified waterfall”, and everyone was excited to see the scenery, the villages, and the many cows, horses, goats, donkeys and other animals wandering the roads and fields. We all ate several meals together, and Suzanne, a vegetarian herself, was able to help the vegetarian in our group learn how to find vegetarian food in Oaxaca – not an easy task.

Perhaps most importantly, everyone really liked and was comfortable with Suzanne – each day was fun and ended too soon! The kids found everything “awesome”, which is considerable praise from people who do not give praise easily.”

- Janet Brand, New York

“Our trip to Oaxaca was greatly enhanced by your insights and knowledge of the area. Especially important to us was your willingness to take us where we wanted to go and to augment it with exciting and fun side trips along the way as well as good places to eat. This combined with your laughter at our sometimes witty comments as well as your patience for our silly banter will always be in our memories of our trip to your home of Oaxaca.”

- John and Jenny, Trinidad, CA

The word Guelaguetza means “offering” in Zapotec, and implies a reciprocal exchange between parties. In the Guelaguetza festival, also known as “Los Lunes del Cerro” (Mondays on the Hill), representatives of the different regions of Oaxaca come together wearing their traditional clothing, and they perform the dances which are particular to their region. After they dance, they distribute gifts to the crowd: fruit, baskets, candy, mezcal, tamales and other local goods. This festival is a grand celebration of the cooperative sharing that takes place in every day life in Oaxaca.

The word “guelaguetza” is used in other contexts besides the festival. For family occasions such as baptisms and weddings, or community celebrations like the feast day of the patron saint of a town, members of the community contribute the items which are needed for the celebration. These contributions are the guelaguetza which each member brings that allow the celebration to take place, this could range from a simple carton of beer to paying for a musical group to perform, whatever is within each person’s or family’s means. Since these contributions are understood to be reciprocal, guelaguetza creates and reinforces the social ties within the community.

The state-sponsored Guelaguetza performances take place in an auditorium on a hill overlooking the city. Tickets are sold for the first two sections of the auditorium, and the remaining two sections have free admittance. For the 2011 Guelaguetza, the auditorium has a new roof made up of a metal structure with a tent-like covering to protect the participants and audience from the elements. Previously there was no roof and those who attended the Guelaguetza were exposed to the strong sun in the morning and rain in the afternoon (since the dates of the festival fall in the middle of rainy season, rain is nearly a certainty). Now the view of the city is obscured, but those who attend the Guelaguetza may comfortably enjoy the presentation. Several other events take place throughout Oaxaca City during the Guelaguetza. This year there was a mole festival and a mezcal fair, as well as nightly presentations of a laser light show projected on the facade of the cathedral.

Besides the events taking place in Oaxaca City, there are other Guelaguetzas held in various villages throughout the valley. These more informal celebrations of the Guelaguetza probably bear more resemblance to the way the festival was originally celebrated. This is not so much a show, but a time for people to come together and enjoy one another’s presence, their culture and food. The Guelaguetza lasts for several hours and here people come and go throughout the presentation.

This year I attended the Guelaguetza festival in Zaachila, a town located about 6 km outside of Oaxaca city. The Guelaguetza in Zaachila is held by a hill in the town’s archaeological zone.

In the video you’ll see just one of the many groups who performed at the Guelaguetza. This is the delegation from Santa Catarina Juquila, a village situated in the Sierra Madre mountains which is home to the Virgin of Juquila, a venerated image of the Virgin Mary. They perform a dance, and then later a “torito” (little bull) comes on stage (a guy holding a frame built to look like a bull, with firecrackers attached) and chases the dancers around the stage, after which the dancers throw fruit and candy to the crowd. Their guelaguetza, the offering they bring, consists of their presence at the festival, the dances they present, as well as the items they give to the crowd.

The Guelaguetza is a festival of music, costumes, dances, and food, but it’s also a celebration of the mutual interdependence of people within a community. It’s a moment when Oaxacan culture can be appreciated at its best. The Guelaguetza participants and all who attend demonstrate great pride in their cultural heritage and show a sincere joy in sharing it with others.

If your visit to Oaxaca does not coincide with the Guelaguetza celebration in July, you can still see the traditional dances and costumes of the Guelaguetza in the presentation of the Guelaguetza on Friday nights at the Camino Real hotel or nightly at the Casa de Cantera.

Learn more about the Guelaguetza Festival in Oaxaca.

Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own.

Huatulco Cliffs

Located on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, Las Bahías de Huatulco (the Bays of Huatulco) is made up of nine protected bays that stretch over 22 miles of rugged coastline with 36 unspoiled beaches, as well as a national park. Established in the mid-1980s, Huatulco was the fifth resort development to be initiated by FONATUR (Mexico’s National Trust for Tourism Development) after Cancun, Ixtapa, Loreto and Los Cabos. Huatulco was designed from the outset to be ecologically sustainable, and the community has maintained its commitment to protecting the environment. As one of FONATUR’s “Integrally Planned Centers” there is a plan for the long-term development of the area that ensures proper management of natural resources, so that development and economic growth do not adversely impact the marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Blue Bunting spotted in Huatulco

The Huatulco resort development is surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range, where you can find coffee plantations set amid semitropical forests. In 1998, the Huatulco National Park was founded, protecting 5516 hectares of marine territory and 6375 hectares of land which are officially set aside to be left undeveloped. In 2006 this area was listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Over 700 species of animals make their home in the park, as well as a wide variety of fish and shellfish. The park is open for scuba diving, bird-watching and hiking.

Huatulco is the only destination in the Americas to have received EarthCheck Gold certification, evidence of the commitment of the Mexican government, business owners, and residents to protecting the natural environment. EarthCheck (previously Green Globe) is an independent organization which offers environmental benchmarking for the hotel and tourism industry. In order to achieve certification, a property or community must show evidence of superior levels of practice in several different areas, including water and waste management, renewable energy, biodiversity, and conservation of natural species. Some of the measures which have been taken to reduce the environmental impact of the tourist development in Huatulco include a water management infrastructure including 17 km of storm protection channels, 23 re-lift stations for sewage treatment and management, and harvesting structures which collect storm water runoff. A recycling center has been built, and a training program for hotel staff, area residents, and local schoolchildren has been instituted.

Villa Valencia in Huatulco

My most recent visit to Huatulco was this past January. I went with my family and the family of a longtime friend who was visiting from Canada. Since we both have small children, we decided the most comfortable accommodation option would be a vacation rental. My internet research led me to Villa Valencia, a villa with two separate guest houses and a private pool, located by the Tangolunda golf course, and a short drive to the beach. We enjoyed shopping in the local market and preparing food (and cocktails!) in the well-equipped kitchen. The best part about staying in a vacation rental was being free to have our meals and activities at whatever time was convenient for us, with no worries that we or our children might bother other guests.

Arrocito Beach in Huatulco

Since my husband is an avid birder he would rise at dawn and venture out to roam the area around the golf course with his binoculars, while the rest of us slept in or got up for an early morning dip in the pool before breakfast and then heading out to the beach. We enjoyed visiting different beaches each day, particularly La Entrega and El Arrocito, beaches which have gentle waves and were perfect for our little ones to play in the sand by the water with no fear that a large wave might come and knock them over. We would have lunch at a beachside palapa, and in the late afternoon head back to our villa to rest and enjoy quiet evenings. On the final day of our stay, the men took the children to the beach and my friend and I enjoyed a ladies’ day of pedicures and shopping in La Crucecita. A most satisfying vacation!

Huatulco is a wonderful beach destination, offering a variety of conditions within its various bays. Parents of small children will be pleased with the beaches that have gentle waves and safe swimming and snorkeling conditions, others looking for more excitement may prefer beaches with stronger waves. Nature lovers will be thrilled with the diversity of birds, animals and plants in the area. But one thing that should please all visitors to Huatulco is knowing that they’ve chosen a destination that’s committed to being environmentally sustainable.

Learn more about Huatulco: Huatulco Travel Guide

Marca País – Imagen de México, is a joint public and private sector initiative designed to help promote Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination. This program is designed to shine a light on the Mexico that its people experience every day.

Disclosure: I am being compensated for my work in creating content as a Contributor for the México Today Program. All stories, opinions and passion for all things México shared here are completely my own.