2025 Santa Maria Atzompa Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

#timetotravel Monte Albán is a set of ruins located in Oaxaca Mexico and it's believed that the name of this place came because when the Spaniards arrive the mountain was full of white trees so they called it Monte alban. After some exploration they realize that they were a lot of ruins of an ancient city under the trees and they called the site by that name the place is beautiful there is a ticket to buy and it's not easy to get there but usually when you take a tour they will take you there and they will show you around there is a lot of history a lot of centuries all constructions also you can see some very interesting paintings and designs that are craved on the stones. #tripblazers

[SakuraShokudou | Discover the comforting flavors of Japan in Oaxaca] — Gentle flavors handmade by a Japanese owner. A small, famous restaurant that also caters to vegetarians and vegans — SakuraShokudou, which has a good reputation among locals, is a small, homey Japanese restaurant. They have a variety of dishes such as handmade ramen, rice bowls, and vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes, making it the perfect place to relax during your trip🍜✨ The owner's warm hospitality conveyed his passion, and I think it gave me a sense of relief during my trip😊 ⸻ 📍[Location] C. Porfirio Díaz 507, Centro, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca *Easy access to the center of Oaxaca 🕰[Business hours] Monday-Friday 13:30-19:00 Saturday 13:30-20:00 Sunday Closed  💰[Payment] Cash only. Don't forget to bring cash! ⸻ ✨【Recommended points】 •The handmade ramen is said to be the best vegan ramen in the area •A wide variety of vegetarian and vegan menu items (ramen, sushi, teriyaki, etc.) •The polite service of the Japanese staff and the warm atmosphere will soothe your travel fatigue •Free Wi-Fi and a clean, cozy interior make for a comfortable atmosphere ⸻ 🎒【Tips】 •Lunchtime tends to be busy, so avoid peak times for a relaxed atmosphere◎ •Vegans can rest easy by telling them "I'm vegan" when ordering •If you want to add a little more flavor, you can adjust the taste by using chili flakes or seasonings •Payment is cash only, so have coins or bills ready in front of the register for a smoother experience #AbsolutelyFreeTravel #Oaxaca #Mexico

Leaving Mexico City, I arrived in another city—Oaxaca. The moment I set foot in Oaxaca, I fell in love with this colorful little town. Tourism here seems to be well-developed. While waiting for my luggage at the airport, I tried to book a ride-share service but couldn’t find any available cars. It turns out that the local area has a convenient “shared shuttle service.” You can buy tickets directly at the airport, with fares based on your destination zone. They’ll take you to your specified location, and it’s even cheaper than ride-hailing apps. Earlier, I had seen online posts about the atmospheric Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, such as cemetery visits and concerts, which are held in Oaxaca. Although the festival period had already passed, the vibrant ribbons were still fluttering in the air, and Día de los Muertos figurine installations stood at almost every street corner in the old town. Strolling through the town during the day, you can still feel the lingering festive spirit. Monte Albán is one of Oaxaca’s key tourist attractions. It is a massive city ruin from the classical period of the Zapotec civilization in Mesoamerica. Both the historic center of Oaxaca and the Monte Albán archaeological site are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The name "Monte Albán" was given by the Spanish when they first arrived in Oaxaca, and the original name of the hill where the ancient city is located has been lost to history. Located on a hill 10 kilometers southwest of Oaxaca, Monte Albán was founded in the 5th century BCE and flourished around the 1st century CE. The current site covers an area of 4 square kilometers and includes terraces, dams, canals, pyramids, and artificial mounds, all carved and constructed on the hill. The central plaza features temples. Over the years, archaeologists have unearthed many valuable artifacts, some of which are displayed in a small exhibition hall at the entrance, while many others are housed in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Around 750 CE, after thriving for over a millennium, the Monte Albán complex was suddenly abandoned, and the reason remains a mystery. The tour guide explained that the people of that time believed in divine will and chose to establish their capital at Monte Albán, a central high point overlooking surrounding tribes. After centuries of prosperity, they gradually abandoned the city according to divine guidance. They believed that human life is cyclical, like the sun rising and setting each day. This cyclical view of life is perhaps what draws me so much to Inca culture. 🎈Monte Albán I joined a local tour group, which was decent. Most of the group members were from Europe or America. Be sure to specify an English-speaking tour; if you know Spanish, joining a Spanish-speaking group is even cheaper. 🎈For a day trip that includes Hierve el Agua, the itinerary often features a visit to a cenote where tourists can swim. Remember to bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat. The archaeological site has many mosquitoes, so it’s best to buy local mosquito repellents for better effectiveness. 🎈The day tour also includes a visit to traditional craft workshops. For Monte Albán, we visited a workshop for the colorful alebrijes (spirit animal figurines) often seen during Día de los Muertos, as well as a traditional textile workshop.

I was planning a 4-night, 5-day trip for the Easter holiday and was wondering where to go when I heard that Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca was good, so I decided right away!!! When I looked into flights, the airline ticket prices were double the usual price because it was the Easter holiday season ㅜㅠ On top of that, if there were 4 people... It wasn't a long-term trip, and it was too much of a burden to spend 4 nights and 5 days in a short period, so I decided to go by car after thinking about it. I checked the route on Google Map (9 hours and 30 minutes away!!!) and decided that it would be difficult to go there right away, so I packed my bags after work the day before and left right away~ Because of the long-distance overland trip, it ended up being 5 nights and 6 days. Since it's Mexico, they say driving at night is dangerous, so I decided to spend a day in Tehuacan, a city in the middle of the country, which is 3 hours away (it took over 4 hours because of rush hour) and leave early the next morning. But when I opened my eyes, it was 8 am!! Our plan to wake up early was to just give up and have breakfast and take our time. We packed our bags and went downstairs to find a simple American breakfast buffet. It was very simple, consisting of coffee, juice, salad, fruit, scrambled bread, but the hotel didn't say that meals were included, but when we checked in, we heard that breakfast was included, so it seemed like we were getting free breakfast, which was nice. After a leisurely meal, we even had two cups of coffee and left~ On the way, we saw the scenery of the mountains covered with cacti stretching out, and imagined ourselves becoming a cactus tycoon by selling them in Korea, and played games with the kids who were bored, and except for one bathroom stop, we drove for over 6 hours and finally arrived at Puerto Escondido. Unlike Mexico City, the humid and hot ocean weather made us realize that we were on vacation. We arrived at our accommodation at 4pm, dropped our bags off, and headed straight to Playa Carrizalillo, a beach near our accommodation. For a quick late lunch, we went to a street stall on the sandy beach that was embarrassing to call a restaurant. We ordered shrimp and seafood dishes and went back to the hotel and ate at the pool. * Let me add a little bit. From my experience, Mexico is not always a place with fresh or cheap seafood because it is a coastal area. Of course, since it is vacation season, there are also tourist attractions(?). So I felt this time too, but I just eat seafood in the city~ From the 3rd to the 5th day, we only went to Coral Beach, which was recommended by a local, as a place to snorkel. Here, you can enter by paying an entrance fee of 50 pesos per person or a package including a hamburger and a drink of 140 pesos (about 10,000 won), but we bought a good value hamburger package. Another good thing about this hamburger package was that we could also use the hotel pool. Since it is Coral Beach, I expected there to be a lot of coral reefs, but there weren't as many as I thought. Still, there were schools of tropical fish and sea turtles. We regretfully had to leave behind the days of snorkeling and rolling around without any worries and return to Mexico City. Ah... How can I go back in 10 hours? We decided to leave early on our way back and stop by Oaxaca City on the way, but we overslept again and left after 11 o'clock. When I go to work, my eyes are wide open, but why do I sleep in so late when I'm on vacation~ Since we're already late, let's eat breakfast and leave, so we packed some cereal and left~ On the way, my husband said that since we came this far, we should stop by Monte Albán, a famous ruin in Oaxaca. The kids said that I'm a freelancer during the vacation and you're the only one going to work tomorrow, but he said he'd make the sacrificeㅋㅋ Monte Albán, the center city of the Zapoteca civilization that flourished in the Oaxaca region, is said to have flourished between 500 BC and 800 AD. There's a small museum inside the ruins that exhibits artifacts discovered at Monte Albán, and the pyramids are very well-preserved, so it was great to visit with the kids. Of course, the kids quickly got used to it and were more interested in the souvenir shop outside ㅎㅎ A little after 3 o'clock in the afternoon We arrived at Monte Alban, but the staff kept chasing us around saying that it would close at 5:30. ㅜㅠ Still, as a Korean with determination, we quickly looked around every nook and cranny and left before 5:00 to go to Oaxaca City. We ordered tlayuda and Mole, traditional Oaxaca dishes, at Taniperla, a restaurant with many reviews and high ratings on Google Maps. They were both delicious~ My husband said that since it had come to this, he was okay with it, so we went for a spin around downtown Oaxaca, so we went shopping at a famous Oaxaca hot chocolate brand (Mayordomo) and a mezcal store made from cactus, and also looked around Centro. Before we knew it, it was 9:30 PM. Even if we left now, we would arrive at 3:30 AM. Is my husband okay? The kids passed out as soon as we left, and my husband, who doesn't like driving at night, was worried that he would fall asleep, but he chatted away until we got home, and he said that 6 hours went by quickly and that it was worth it. My husband had a hard time~ But next time, let's take a van~ ㅎㅎ #May Travel Support Fund

In the south of Mexico, there is a city that is gently caressed by time - Oaxaca. It is like an ancient book, with every page filled with stories, waiting for travelers to open it. The Monte Alban ruins are the beginning of the profound history of Oaxaca. This ancient Zapotec civilization center, surrounded by mountains, quietly tells of its past glory. When you step onto this land, huge pyramids and mysterious ball court ruins come into view. They have witnessed the changes of the world over thousands of years, and every stone carries the wisdom and beliefs of the ancients. When the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the ruins, the golden light outlines a sacred outline for it, as if one can hear the echoes of history, making people indulge in this dialogue across time and space. Oaxaca's central square is the vibrant heart of the city. Here, colors and passion are interwoven into a moving melody. The buildings around the square are colorful, with pink, yellow and blue walls setting off each other, like a fairy tale world. The street performer played the guitar and the cheerful melody floated in the air. Local residents and tourists stroll leisurely or sit in street cafes, enjoying fragrant coffee and special delicacies. The fountain in the square sparkled with crystal water under the sunlight, adding a bit of liveliness to the lively scene. The Church of Santo Domingo is undoubtedly the artistic pearl of Oaxaca. This Baroque-style building has a solemn exterior and extremely luxurious interior. Exquisite wood carvings, magnificent altars, every detail demonstrates the craftsmanship of the craftsmen. The sunlight shines through the stained glass windows onto the ground, forming colorful light and shadows, creating a mysterious and solemn atmosphere. Here, religion and art are perfectly integrated, allowing people to appreciate the beauty while feeling the shock of their souls. When you come to Oaxaca, you can't miss the bustling Sunday market. This is a paradise for food and handicrafts, with a dazzling array of stalls that are dizzying. The freshly baked tacos are fragrant, and the sauces of various flavors add a rich layer to them. Hand-woven blankets and colorful pottery, each one embodies the creativity and love of life of the local people. Walking through the market, feeling the rich atmosphere of life, it is a double feast for taste buds and vision. Oaxaca, this charming city, leaves indelible memories for every traveler who visits with its unique history, culture and enthusiasm.

🌮Oaxaca, Mexico | Complete Guide to a Hidden Gem Today, we're sharing a hidden gem in Mexico - Oaxaca! It's like a hidden pearl in Latin America, full of unique culture, art, and food. Let's take a look👇 🌆Attractions 1. Oaxaca Historic Center: This is the soul of the city. Stroll through the ancient streets and experience the perfect blend of colonial architecture and local culture. The colorful houses and ancient churches are perfect photo spots. Don't forget to visit the bustling central square to experience the local lifestyle. 2. Monte Alban Archaeological Site: This ancient Zapotec civilization site is located on a hilltop overlooking a stunning valley. Standing next to the giant pyramids and ancient ball courts, you'll feel like you've traveled back in time. Be sure to learn some history beforehand for a better experience! 3. Santo Domingo Church: The Baroque decorations inside the church are stunning, with a golden altar and exquisite murals. Here, you can feel the charm of religious art and the atmosphere of devout faith. 🍽Food 1. Oaxaca Cheese: This is a local specialty with a rich taste and many ways to eat it. You can eat it directly, with bread and jam, or in a tortilla. Every bite is satisfying. 2. Mole Sauce: The soul sauce of Oaxaca, with a unique taste made from chili peppers, chocolate, nuts, and more. Pour it over chicken or pork for a rich flavor. You must try it! 3. Tacos: A national dish of Mexico, with more unique fillings in Oaxaca, such as cactus and fried grasshoppers (for the brave😜). With fresh salsa, every bite is full of Mexican flavor. 🛍Shopping 1. Market 20: This is the largest market in Oaxaca, with everything you need. From colorful handicrafts and traditional clothing to spices and snacks, you can find it all here. Remember to bargain! 2. Handicraft Shops: There are many handicraft shops along the street, with wood carvings, pottery, and woven items made by local artisans. They make great souvenirs. 🚗Transportation 1. External Transportation: You can fly to Mexico City and then transfer to Oaxaca. There are also long-distance buses, but they take longer. We recommend flying. 2. City Transportation: You can take a taxi or bus. Buses are cheap but may be crowded. If you want more freedom, renting a motorcycle is a good option. 💡Travel Tips 1. Oaxaca is hot, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated. Bring light clothing. 2. Most locals speak Spanish, so learning a few basic phrases will make communication easier. 3. Respect local culture and customs, especially when visiting churches and archaeological sites. Come to Oaxaca for a unique trip! Everything here will leave you with unforgettable memories~

Monte Albán was amazing! I Ruins are located on top of the hill, and the views were incredible. I could see the whole valley below me. I spent over four hours there, exploring every corner and imagining what life must have been like all those years ago. I went early to avoid crowds, which was perfect. The place felt so peaceful. I'm happy that I had my comfy hiking shoes on because there’s a lot of walking. Tip: sunscreen and a hat are a must because there not much shadow. It's better to bring water and some snack with you. #northamericatrip #oaxaca #mexico

Felt the majestic spectacle of the Aztec civilization🪨 It's like the cover of National Geographic magazine slapped on my face As the last character on the stage of ancient Mexican culture The Aztecs created the brilliant Aztec civilization Started the most prosperous period of the Aztec tribe Seeing one of the three ancient civilizations in America The past glory to the present ruins I can't help but sigh that humans are too insignificant in the face of historical changes