Mexico: Oaxaca State

Discover Mexico. Includes FREE planning and background information. The state of Oaxaca (wah-hah-kah) has a special magic felt by Mexicans and foreigners alike. Long isolated from other parts of the country by ranks of rugged mountains, it is a redoubt of a traditional, mysterious, strongly indigenous-influenced side to Mexican life that has almost vanished in more accessible regions. Oaxaca has Mexico’s most vibrant and creative handicrafts scene, its artists are in the vanguard of Mexican contemporary art, its festivities are among the most colorful and alive in the country, and its uniquely savory, spicy cuisine is starting to combine with outside influences with some spectacular results.