This blog is a long work in progress. If you would like to read further or want to add comments for edits, please check out the link below.
Pata de Perro Lugares - Google Doc
A few important facts about me, so we don’t get off on the wrong foot. I do not like sugar, I do not like mole, and I generally don’t stay up late. I AM obsessed with Mexican crafts and mezcal, but I really don’t like to shop. I LOVE to eat and drink. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE to drive rental cars all over Mexico. And I am basically self sufficient and fearless to a fault.
Where to start…where to start?!? Saturday is a fine place I guess.
Rental Car
One of the first things you should understand about Mexico is that it is NOT the United States. This is actually one of the things I love about living in Mexico. There is no use complaining or trying to force Mexico not to be Mexico. You will only get your feelings hurt. Avis Mexico is my GO TO car rental company hands down, although Avis is definitely not my favorite Rental company in the US.
That said, there is no Avis MX that I could find in Oaxaca City. Google Maps to the rescue. You really don’t see many 5 star reviewed rental car companies in Mexico, but I found one and rolled the dice. To my utter surprise and delight. Insurance was included and the total for 2 days rental was $2,400 pesos. There was also a $5,000 peso hold that was refunded about 24 hours after I returned the car. I actually just checked my statement, and the original hold was never posted to my card.
All in all a pretty great deal at $133.11 USD. My friend, Sangi, and I just walked into the car rental office the Friday afternoon before picking up the car to make the reservation. I made the reservation in Spanish but believe they can accommodate English. The one caveat was they only had manual transmission cars at that point. Totally cool with me but you might opt to make the reservation in advance if you cannot drive a stick shift.
Ñuu Kava Renta de Autos, Miguel Hidalgo 1003, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
WhatApp +52 951 647 6634
Highly Recommended
Black Clay Village
It might come as a surprise since I am an interior designer, but I’m going to let you in on a secret. I absolutely hate shopping as briefly mentioned above. I don’t actually own many things and when I do shop for myself or clients, I am an in and out/intuitive kind of guy. The temperature is actually cooler in Oaxaca than Guadalajara at the moment, but the sun is BRUTAL.
More about San Bartolo Coyotepec
The black clay village, also known as San Bartolo Coyotepec, is a picturesque artisan community located just a few miles south of Oaxaca City in southern Mexico. This village is renowned for its traditional craftsmanship and has been the epicenter of black pottery production for centuries. San Bartolo Coyotepec's pottery, known as "barro negro," is a unique form of earthenware that is both visually stunning and culturally significant. The distinctive dark color and polished finish of the pottery are achieved through a labor-intensive process that has been passed down through generations.
Visitors to the black clay village can witness the intricate production process, as skilled artisans mold, shape, and fire the clay to create exquisite pieces of art. Each piece of barro negro pottery is a testament to the creativity, skill, and heritage of the local craftspeople. From functional items like pots and vases to intricate decorative sculptures, the black pottery of San Bartolo Coyotepec is a beautiful representation of Oaxacan culture. The village also boasts several local workshops and galleries where visitors can learn more about the history of the craft, see live demonstrations, and purchase unique, handcrafted souvenirs to take home.
Sangi found a breakfast place that was pretty tasty. We both got ridiculously bloated later, but we ate different things although I did finish off her breakfast for her so who knows.
Zaragoza 9-Núm 9, 1ra Secc, 71294 San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oax.
After breakfast, we did way too much detailed shopping. I could have run through 5 or 7 shops in 30 minutes and jumped back on the road to the things I really wanted to see. It was nice to see the wide variety of designs they had in all the different shops, and I would have been more likely to purchase something if we had been quicker, earlier during the day, and without the sun beating down.
Mercado De Artesanias De Barro Negro
Benito Juárez 37, 1ra Secc, 71256 San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oax.
Benito Juárez 24, 1a Sección, 71256 San Bartolo Coyotepec, Oax.
Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My! ¡¡¡Mas ALEBRIJES Por Favor!!!
All together now class: “Ah-lay-brie-heyyyyyys” This is a really hard word for me as well and I just learned it correctly two days ago. I had always wanted to visit the land of the alebrijes, and I finally got there. I was a little surprised at how close the actual town was to Oaxaca City, located about 45 minutes when you drive directly.
Alebrijes are my favorite Mexican craft with the woolen embroidered stuffed animals from Chiapas coming in a fairly close second. I usually allow myself to purchase 2 or 3 alebrijes per year depending on their size. I tend to prefer the larger to
Molcajete de Meh
Hubo un putero de tráfico
I’m not sure if it was because it was the beginning of Semana Santa or just that I drove back into Oaxaca city at the worst time on a Saturday afternoon, but the traffic in front of my hotel was awful and there were several close off streets.
Estacionamiento Real Abasolo
Abasolo 212, Centro, Oaxaca, Oaxaca
Craft Market
Singing from the Rooftops (Sad Gays and GOOD food)
C. de Manuel García Vigil 509, RUTA INDEPENDENCIA, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
Welcome to Wonderland
Volaris
AeroMexico
Transport
Hotel CasaAntica
Fancy Food
Otra! Otra! Otra! Despues ‘Que sueñas con los angelitos’ (i.e. Night b¡tches!)
Up and At’Em
Cafe de Hoy
People are strange when you're a stranger
Breaky, Breaky…Eggs and Bakey
Who da fck you think I am? (es broma)
Fire in the Hole
Who would
Beep, Beep…Bitch!
Casi Cielo
De hoy
Coffee, coffee everywhere and NOT a drop to drink
Market Grub
On the Road Again
Ruins
Caminos del Mezcal
I’m in Shambles
Cheap Eats and An Angelita de New Zealand
Party, Party, Party, Party
El Ultimo Lunes
Mas Cafe
I really wanted to visit Agua, but woke up with a huge hangover and went to Cafe Brújula to work on the travel report a bit more. I am trying to become most disciplined with writing these travel blogs before I forget everything since clients and friends are actively asking for this information. This cafe really is one of the nicest places to work in quiet (as a helicopter buzzes around and around overhead) with other digital nomads and visitors quietly chatting in the beautiful interior courtyard. I just finished my Spanish homework for the week and thinking I should eat soon, visit a few museums and galleries, and maybe take a quick dip in the heated pool at CasAntica
Thank you, Next (Things on my list for next time)
Centro Gastronómico de Oaxaca
Hierve el Agua, Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
I have no idea where the following information about Hierve de Agua came from, but it was forwarded to me.
• What is Hierve el Agua and how to get there
o Set of natural pools and rock formations that resemble a cascade
o You can swim, it is cold water however, and do a little hike (approx 35 minutes). To do the hike you go all the way to the right and follow the stairs that go down.
o To get there by public transport you need to get a bus to Mitla, The buses stop next to the baseball stadium Eduardo Vasconcelos on the main Road. Tell the bus driver that you are going to hierve el agua. To get to hierve el agua you have to step off in Mitla. In Mitla you take a pickup truck that takes you to hierve el agua. The Price for the first bus is approx 30 pesos, and the Price of the second Bus/Pickup is approx. 80 pesos.
o The last pick up down from hierve el agua to Mitla leaves at 6pm.
o The entrance to the park has to be paid in cash as well. So guests should take enough cash for transport, entrance to the park (50 pesos approx), and food.
o Suggest to text in the group chat to see if other people are joining
o Cabanas available on site to sleep overnight.
Price : 600 pesos for one. (1 double bed + 1 single bed)
How to go to Mitla ? : https://maps.app.goo.gl/ou8epD6FDgU7PeqC9
