Things to see in Oaxaca
There is an endless amount of things to see in Oaxaca and its surrounding areas. The city is filled with museums, galleries, churches, and markets, and in nearby villages, one can visit the artisan workshops to see firsthand how the different pieces are made. Some towns you can visit are San Bartolo de Coyotepec for black pottery, Arrazola for alebrijes (fantastical painted wood figures) Teotitlán del Valle for wool rugs, Atzompa for green pottery, and Santo Tomas Jalietza for weaving.
There are several famous Zapotec and Mixtec archeological sites near Oaxaca city. These sites include Mitla, Yagul, Dainzú, Zaachila, Lambityeco and Monte Albán, which was declared, along with the historical center of the city, by UNESCO to be a World Heritage site.
Oaxaca boasts some of the most beautiful coastline in the country, and the beaches of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are easily accessible by bus and plane. For those who prefer a more active experience, there are many ecotourism opportunities in the mountainous regions of the state. Activities include rappel, rock climbing, fishing, participating in practices of traditional medicine such as temazcal (a kind of sauna with herbs) or limpias (natural healing), paragliding and horseback riding to name a few.