The enchanting city of Oaxaca, 440 kilometres south of Mexico City, is situated in the middle of spectacular rocky deserts of towering cacti. Encircled by protective mountains, this sophisticated city boasts some of the finest Spanish colonial architecture in Mexico. Oaxaca, which is one of the country’s major arts and crafts centres, also has numerous pre-Hispanic ruins nearby and a large Zapotec and Mixtec indigenous population.

Many of Oaxaca's delightful colonial buildings were constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Central Oaxaca, with its cobblestone streets and ornate facades, has a strong sense of history. At its heart lies the zocalo, a large shady pedestrian central plaza that is the focus of much of the city's traditional activity.