The Western valley contains the roads that come from Mexico City. On or near these roads are the Municipio (rather like a U.S. county) of Etla (Wednesday market), and the villages of Yanhuitlán (Dominican monastery), Atzompa (brown and green pottery), Arrazola, (carved and painted wooden animals), and includes the ruins at Monte Albán, the Hacienda in San José del Mogote, and the archaeological site in Huitzo.

The Eastern valley centers on the International Highway to Tierra del Fuego, and passes through or near to the villages of El Tule (the giant cypress tree), Teotitlán del Valle and Santa Ana del Valle (rugs and other wool weavings), Tlacolula (Sunday market), Mitla (ruins) and Hierve el Agua (natural attraction); and on to Tehuantepec (4 hours) and the Isthmus. Along the way are the ruins of Dainzú, Lambityeco and Yagul.

To the south, there are two roads. One goes to Puerto Angel, on the coast, through San Bartolo Coyotepec (black pottery), Jalietza (cotton weaving), San Martin Tilcajete (painted wooden animals) and Ocotlán (Friday market, home of Rodolfo Morales). The other passes through Xoxocotlán (famous Day of Dead cemeteries), Cuilapan (Dominican monastery), Zaachila (Thursday animal market), and eventually Juquila (with a Miraculous Virgin) and on to Puerto Escondido.

There are also collectivos (shared taxis) to most of the above destinations.

No matter which direction you choose, it is impossible to cover all there is to see in a single day. This means that you will be constantly faced with choices of destination, and of method of travel, and the amount of time you have and the budget you have decided upon are going to have a lot with the choices you make.

Buses and collectivos leave from different locations in the city of Oaxaca, depending on their destination. There are both first and second class bus stations, two main collectivo stands, and several minibus terminals scattered throughout the city. Your hotel's concierge and various travel agencies specializing in local tourism can be of some help, as can the chat rooms on Mexico Online. The following taxis and tour operators are among many helpful resources you can use once you arrive.

Caravan Tours
Fully Escorted Motor Coach Tours
In Business Over 51 Years
Tour Mexico's Ancient & Colonial Cities
All Meals - All Excursions
Photographer's Delight
Chicago, IL * US Tel: (800) 227-2826

Maliollin
Zapotec healers with 34 yrs. experience
Heal illnesses of all types naturally
Use of herbs, sweats, cleansings, massages, & ceremony
Both in Oaxaca city & San Jose del Pacifico
Rio de la Plata #210, Col. Cascada, Oaxaca, Mexico * Tel:(951) 515-8612

Oaxaca Birding Tours
Dedicated to personal birding & cultural tours in Oaxaca
Our program is available throughout the year
Supreme birding expericence
Our emphasis is on professionalism, reliability & personal attention Cuauhtemoc # 5 Teotitlan del Valle, Oaxaca * Tel:(951) 524 4371 *

Viajes Oaxaca Travel Agency
30 years experience in the travel industry
Personalized attention from owner Dolores Ramirez
We specialize in European travelers
We create special packages for your budget and interests
Jazmines S/N Col. Reforma* Tel: 951) 5130447

Viajes Xochitlan Tours
Luxury Tour Vehicles
Multi-lingual Tour Guides
Hotel Reservations at Special Prices in Mexico
Special Events, Conventions & Conferences
M. Bravo #210 Int, A & B * Tel: (9) 514-3271 * Fax: (951) 514-3628