I will be writing about the many places visited in the three and a half weeks while traveling in the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico. We begin our trip in the city of Oaxaca de Juarez.
Oaxaca the city
The city called Oaxaca de Juarez in the state of Oaxaca Mexico is a culturally beautiful, colorful, historic colonial city full of wonderful restaurants and many wonderful sites. The Mercado's, markets are not to be missed while in this glorious city. The Mercado de Artesanias is an indoor crafts market where you may see many of the vendors plying their crafts such as weaving or embroidering while selling, stamped tinware, embroidered textiles, tablecloths, and much more. The Mercado Juarez is another near the Zocalo, selling a diverse mixture of food, flowers, and clothes. Sometimes while walking through this maze of vendors one can easily lose someone and walk around in circles, it happened to me. Baskets and baskets of
Chapulines which are grasshoppers are seasoned with red chilies a delicacy, different types of chilies, mole (will write more later) , and mezcal, are in abundance at this Mercado and a host of other items. 
They also have comedores, counter restaurants where fresh caldos and sopas are among a few of the menu items served.
Oaxaca the city
The city called Oaxaca de Juarez in the state of Oaxaca Mexico is a culturally beautiful, colorful, historic colonial city full of wonderful restaurants and many wonderful sites. The Mercado's, markets are not to be missed while in this glorious city. The Mercado de Artesanias is an indoor crafts market where you may see many of the vendors plying their crafts such as weaving or embroidering while selling, stamped tinware, embroidered textiles, tablecloths, and much more. The Mercado Juarez is another near the Zocalo, selling a diverse mixture of food, flowers, and clothes. Sometimes while walking through this maze of vendors one can easily lose someone and walk around in circles, it happened to me. Baskets and baskets of
Chapulines which are grasshoppers are seasoned with red chilies a delicacy, different types of chilies, mole (will write more later) , and mezcal, are in abundance at this Mercado and a host of other items. 
They also have comedores, counter restaurants where fresh caldos and sopas are among a few of the menu items served. In addition, there is the Central de Abastos an enormous main market about eight blocks outside of the Zocalo selling almost anything from Cd's to an overwhelming quantity of goodies. This market is large, a maze of 
vendor stalls and is a hive of activity on the weekends where the locals shop. It is worth a visit.
vendor stalls and is a hive of activity on the weekends where the locals shop. It is worth a visit.Sightseeing
Zocalo
A Zocalo in Mexico is the main square of a city. It is the place where people congregate for fun or arrange protest demonstrations. The Zocalo is traffic-free, and shaded by tall trees. During my visit, Oaxaca’s Zocalo was the main place for families and visitors to congregate whether sitting on the many benches available, dining, or sipping a beverage at one of the many restaurants with outdoor seating facing the Zocalo. These are the best seats to watch children and parents excitedly play together or couples strolling around the Zocalo arm in arm, vendors selling their crafts, reading a newspaper while having your shoes shined for 20 pesos. Of course, another attraction is listening to the strolling musicians. It is most the entertaining place to rest after shopping in the Mercado or a long walk.
Museums and Galleries
There are six museums worth visiting. The Palacio de Gobierno is an interactive museum about the history of Oaxaca and is free. There are many art museums and galleries within walking from each other. One is the Museo Rufino Tamayo a top class pre-historic art museum donated by Oaxaca's most famous artist who was Zapotec. His collection is in a 17-century building, focusing on the aesthetic qualities of ancient artifacts, and traces artistic developments in preconquest times.
Santo Domingo Church
The churches in the city are gorgeous such as the Iglesia de Santo Domingo
the most splendid of Oaxaca’s churches. Built in 1570 and 1608 as part of the city’s Dominican monastery, the finest artisans from Puebla and elsewhere helped in its construction. Santo Domingo de Guzman (1172-1221), is the Spanish monk who founded the Dominican order. The Dominicans observed strict vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and in Mexico, they protected the indigenous people from other colonists’ excesses.
A Zocalo in Mexico is the main square of a city. It is the place where people congregate for fun or arrange protest demonstrations. The Zocalo is traffic-free, and shaded by tall trees. During my visit, Oaxaca’s Zocalo was the main place for families and visitors to congregate whether sitting on the many benches available, dining, or sipping a beverage at one of the many restaurants with outdoor seating facing the Zocalo. These are the best seats to watch children and parents excitedly play together or couples strolling around the Zocalo arm in arm, vendors selling their crafts, reading a newspaper while having your shoes shined for 20 pesos. Of course, another attraction is listening to the strolling musicians. It is most the entertaining place to rest after shopping in the Mercado or a long walk.
Museums and Galleries
There are six museums worth visiting. The Palacio de Gobierno is an interactive museum about the history of Oaxaca and is free. There are many art museums and galleries within walking from each other. One is the Museo Rufino Tamayo a top class pre-historic art museum donated by Oaxaca's most famous artist who was Zapotec. His collection is in a 17-century building, focusing on the aesthetic qualities of ancient artifacts, and traces artistic developments in preconquest times.
Santo Domingo Church
The churches in the city are gorgeous such as the Iglesia de Santo Domingo
the most splendid of Oaxaca’s churches. Built in 1570 and 1608 as part of the city’s Dominican monastery, the finest artisans from Puebla and elsewhere helped in its construction. Santo Domingo de Guzman (1172-1221), is the Spanish monk who founded the Dominican order. The Dominicans observed strict vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and in Mexico, they protected the indigenous people from other colonists’ excesses.
Crafts
The state of Oaxaca has the richest, most inventive folk-art scene in Mexico, and the city is its chief marketplace. You will find the highest-quality crafts mostly in the high-end stores, but prices are lower in the markets.
Oaxacan artisans remain very traditional – black strap and pedal looms, hand-turning pottery – but new products frequently appear in response to the big demand for Oaxacan crafts. I will write more on villages famous for their crafts located outside of the city.
Haggling
Renting a car for the last two weeks of the journey made it possible to visit areas that may have been difficult to visit otherwise. Renting a car is easy but the least expensive car to rent is a stick shift. By all means DO NOT take the first price haggle some and go to other car rental places. Do not fall for the gringo price. “Only” a rental car office located on 5 de Mayo has a good rate at 330 pesos a day. Another suggestion do not rent a car at the airport it is very expensive, more than 200 pesos higher. If you are on a budget, do the same at moderately priced hotels. Ask for a lower rate they may lower it 50-100 pesos something else let the receptionist, know you will pay in cash or the amount of days you plan on staying at the hotel may lower the rate, and especially during the low season. Understanding and speaking Spanish does help a lot when haggling and of course keep your cool. Of course when shopping in the craft markets or stores always ask for a lower price even at the airport.
The state of Oaxaca has the richest, most inventive folk-art scene in Mexico, and the city is its chief marketplace. You will find the highest-quality crafts mostly in the high-end stores, but prices are lower in the markets.
Oaxacan artisans remain very traditional – black strap and pedal looms, hand-turning pottery – but new products frequently appear in response to the big demand for Oaxacan crafts. I will write more on villages famous for their crafts located outside of the city.
HagglingRenting a car for the last two weeks of the journey made it possible to visit areas that may have been difficult to visit otherwise. Renting a car is easy but the least expensive car to rent is a stick shift. By all means DO NOT take the first price haggle some and go to other car rental places. Do not fall for the gringo price. “Only” a rental car office located on 5 de Mayo has a good rate at 330 pesos a day. Another suggestion do not rent a car at the airport it is very expensive, more than 200 pesos higher. If you are on a budget, do the same at moderately priced hotels. Ask for a lower rate they may lower it 50-100 pesos something else let the receptionist, know you will pay in cash or the amount of days you plan on staying at the hotel may lower the rate, and especially during the low season. Understanding and speaking Spanish does help a lot when haggling and of course keep your cool. Of course when shopping in the craft markets or stores always ask for a lower price even at the airport.
Oaxaca the state
Oaxaca's towns and villages still retain the spirit of Old Mexico, with fiestas, music and laughter in the air. The name of the state comes from the Náhuatl (the language of the Aztecs) word Hauxyacac, which means "on the top of the guaje tree." The guaje tree is common throughout the state. Oaxaca de Juárez (wah-HAH-kah deh HWAH-rehs), named for the former president Benito Juárez (1806–1872).
Oaxaca's towns and villages still retain the spirit of Old Mexico, with fiestas, music and laughter in the air. The name of the state comes from the Náhuatl (the language of the Aztecs) word Hauxyacac, which means "on the top of the guaje tree." The guaje tree is common throughout the state. Oaxaca de Juárez (wah-HAH-kah deh HWAH-rehs), named for the former president Benito Juárez (1806–1872).
The three Oaxacan valleys are subtropical, with breathtaking natural beauty, ecological diversity and rich cultural history. Trips into the mountains take you into world famous ecological zones. 
Oaxaca City is located at 5,500 feet above sea level. This high mountain tropical location creates a nearly perfect year round climate, with low humidity and cool nights. Oaxaca is located on the southern coast of Mexico and is the fifth-largest state with an area of 95,364 square kilometers (36,820 square miles), which is a little larger than the US state of Indiana. Oaxaca bordered on the north by the Mexican states of Puebla and Veracruz; on the east by the Mexican state of Chiapas; on the south by the Pacific Ocean; and on the west by the Mexican state of Guerrero. Oaxaca divides into 570 municipalities.
Oaxaca City is located at 5,500 feet above sea level. This high mountain tropical location creates a nearly perfect year round climate, with low humidity and cool nights. Oaxaca is located on the southern coast of Mexico and is the fifth-largest state with an area of 95,364 square kilometers (36,820 square miles), which is a little larger than the US state of Indiana. Oaxaca bordered on the north by the Mexican states of Puebla and Veracruz; on the east by the Mexican state of Chiapas; on the south by the Pacific Ocean; and on the west by the Mexican state of Guerrero. Oaxaca divides into 570 municipalities. 
Indigenous people of Oaxaca
Sixteen different indigenous (native) groups have formally registered within the state. They include the Zapotec, Amuzgos, Chochos, Huaves, and others. There is also a group known as the Afromixtecas, who represent an ethnic mix of the Mixteca and the African slaves were brought to Mexico by the Spanish. Most citizens speak Spanish as their first language. About 37.2% of the population speaks indigenous languages. This is the second highest percentage in the country (after Yucatan). When I visited some areas in Oaxaca or even in the city Zapotec was spoken by the Zapotecos.
The climate is moderate all year. The average winter temperature is 17°c (63°f) in November, December, and January. From May to August, the average temperature is 22°c (72°f). The average rainfall in Oaxaca de Juárez is 69.5 centimeters (27.4 inches) per year. Rainfall for the entire state ranges from a minimum average of about 42.7 centimeters (16.8 inches) to a maximum average of about 375 centimeters (147 inches).
In general, Oaxaca has a mild weather during the year:
- Spring 25°C.
- Summer 22°C.
- Autumn 22°C.
- Winter 16°C.
Read More -
I will keep writing more about my travels through Oaxaca and Chiapas, such as the Day of the Dead an awesome four day event in Oaxaca and throughoput Mexico. I hope you continue reading and check back within the next few days for more tales. 
Explore-Discover-Dream..
Explore-Discover-Dream..
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