Casa DaviLinda guidebook
Nearby towns of interest
The pretty and verdant town of San Agustín Etla is just a short drive up the carretera (highway) and has swimming pools, a fascinating artisan paper factory with a gallery and guided tours, a wonderful art gallery, a golf course, many good restaurants, and more.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Agustín Etla
The pretty and verdant town of San Agustín Etla is just a short drive up the carretera (highway) and has swimming pools, a fascinating artisan paper factory with a gallery and guided tours, a wonderful art gallery, a golf course, many good restaurants, and more.
Santa Maria Atzompa, located between our village and Oaxaca City, is the local center of truly inventive ceramics, both functional and decorative. You can explore the artists' cooperatives and plenty of individual family studios, each with its style or specialty. For a nearby meal, we like the restaurant Como En El Pueblo. (We can recommend their black bean soup and their fried mojarra, a white fish.)
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santa María Atzompa
Santa Maria Atzompa, located between our village and Oaxaca City, is the local center of truly inventive ceramics, both functional and decorative. You can explore the artists' cooperatives and plenty of individual family studios, each with its style or specialty. For a nearby meal, we like the restaurant Como En El Pueblo. (We can recommend their black bean soup and their fried mojarra, a white fish.)
Pueblo Nuevo, just a few ridges over from Santa Cruz, is home to families of artisan weavers -- of tablecloths, clothes, curtains, whimsical stuffed animals, and much more.
Pueblo Nuevo
Pueblo Nuevo, just a few ridges over from Santa Cruz, is home to families of artisan weavers -- of tablecloths, clothes, curtains, whimsical stuffed animals, and much more.
Historically a Zapotec indigenous community, this charming small town is famous for its hand-carved, hand-painted alebrijes (wooden animals both real and fantastic). Recently most of the walls in the center of town were painted with fantastical murals, as well.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Martín Tilcajete
Historically a Zapotec indigenous community, this charming small town is famous for its hand-carved, hand-painted alebrijes (wooden animals both real and fantastic). Recently most of the walls in the center of town were painted with fantastical murals, as well.
As Wikipedia says, Teotitlán del Valle is known "for its textiles, especially rugs, which are woven on hand-operated looms, from wool obtained from local sheep and dyed mainly with local, natural dyes. They combine historical Zapotec designs with contemporary designs."
101 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Teotitlan Del Valle
Km 2 De JuárezAs Wikipedia says, Teotitlán del Valle is known "for its textiles, especially rugs, which are woven on hand-operated looms, from wool obtained from local sheep and dyed mainly with local, natural dyes. They combine historical Zapotec designs with contemporary designs."
Excursions, archaeology, & other adventures
There are hikes, guided tours, a butterfly garden, art by local artisans, and beautiful vistas from this community-managed eco-preserve in the hills above Santa Cruz and San Pablo Etla. Entrance fees are inexpensive (in September of 2022, they were 30 pesos for adults and older kids; younger kids get in free).
If you look for "La Mesita San Pablo Etla" you can find their FB and IG accounts.
La mesita
Sin Número Número 3There are hikes, guided tours, a butterfly garden, art by local artisans, and beautiful vistas from this community-managed eco-preserve in the hills above Santa Cruz and San Pablo Etla. Entrance fees are inexpensive (in September of 2022, they were 30 pesos for adults and older kids; younger kids get in free).
If you look for "La Mesita San Pablo Etla" you can find their FB and IG accounts.
Monte Albán isn't the only amazing ruined city in the valley, not by a long shot! Atzompa is another of the biggest, and a fascinating place to hike around.
(Keep your eyes peeled as you drive around the valley -- see those trapezoidal humps along the spines of many hills? Yep -- unexcavated pyramids!)
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zona Arqueologica de Atzompa
Cerro de La CampañaMonte Albán isn't the only amazing ruined city in the valley, not by a long shot! Atzompa is another of the biggest, and a fascinating place to hike around.
(Keep your eyes peeled as you drive around the valley -- see those trapezoidal humps along the spines of many hills? Yep -- unexcavated pyramids!)
You won't want to miss this spectacular pre-Columbian archaeological site, a former Zapotec city-state. Go early to miss the heat, and wear sunblock! You can buy a hat at the gate, and definitely get some gourmet nieves (Mexican sorbet) from the cart outside the gates on your way out!
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán
S/N Ignacio BernalYou won't want to miss this spectacular pre-Columbian archaeological site, a former Zapotec city-state. Go early to miss the heat, and wear sunblock! You can buy a hat at the gate, and definitely get some gourmet nieves (Mexican sorbet) from the cart outside the gates on your way out!
This former textile factory turned art gallery has fabulous exhibits and is itself a fascinating building to explore.
95 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Centro de Arte de St. Augustine
s/n Av. IndependenciaThis former textile factory turned art gallery has fabulous exhibits and is itself a fascinating building to explore.
This cool paper artists' co-op is housed in a former hydroelectric plant. You can have a tour and watch a demo of how to make paper out local natural materials like bark, berries, and mica. Handmade paper products from earrings to prints to kites are on display and can be bought. The grounds and buildings are fascinating to look at, too. Near CASA.
Arte Papel Vista Hermosa
s/n Calle de la SoledadThis cool paper artists' co-op is housed in a former hydroelectric plant. You can have a tour and watch a demo of how to make paper out local natural materials like bark, berries, and mica. Handmade paper products from earrings to prints to kites are on display and can be bought. The grounds and buildings are fascinating to look at, too. Near CASA.
Gorgeous travertine rock formations with huge views.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hierve el Agua
Hierve el AguaGorgeous travertine rock formations with huge views.
A significant complex of excavated Zapotec and Mixtec ruins, about 45 km southeast of Oaxaca City. This is out the same general direction as the Tule tree, Teotitlán del Valle, and Mitla, if you feel like combining excursions.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mitla Archaeological Zone
Camino NacionalA significant complex of excavated Zapotec and Mixtec ruins, about 45 km southeast of Oaxaca City. This is out the same general direction as the Tule tree, Teotitlán del Valle, and Mitla, if you feel like combining excursions.
This fabulous, ancient, huge tree is just a few km east of Oaxaca City, on the way to Teotitlán del Valle or Mitla. Nobody knows exactly how old it is, but probably at least 1,500 years! It's a joy to behold. And their are great nieves (Mexican sorbet) at the stands outside the fence, and good huaraches in the restaurants on the square.
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Árbol del Tule
2 de AbrilThis fabulous, ancient, huge tree is just a few km east of Oaxaca City, on the way to Teotitlán del Valle or Mitla. Nobody knows exactly how old it is, but probably at least 1,500 years! It's a joy to behold. And their are great nieves (Mexican sorbet) at the stands outside the fence, and good huaraches in the restaurants on the square.
A giant rooster came to a local man in a dream and demanded he build this castle. It's almost indescribable and well worth the 50 peso price for a tour of this Villa de Etla mystery attraction. The artisanry is impressive, while the aesthetic marries Mexican roadside garden statuary with the Keebler elves, tattoo fairies, and the everyday reverence of a pilgrim shrine. Highly recommended, and near the yummy restaurant Lumbre!
El Castillo De Los Duendes
A giant rooster came to a local man in a dream and demanded he build this castle. It's almost indescribable and well worth the 50 peso price for a tour of this Villa de Etla mystery attraction. The artisanry is impressive, while the aesthetic marries Mexican roadside garden statuary with the Keebler elves, tattoo fairies, and the everyday reverence of a pilgrim shrine. Highly recommended, and near the yummy restaurant Lumbre!
Eating out in the city
A convenient downtown restaurant that has a pleasant ambience (including a nice cozy courtyard) and yummy food. The salads are quite good.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cabuche
1017 Miguel HidalgoA convenient downtown restaurant that has a pleasant ambience (including a nice cozy courtyard) and yummy food. The salads are quite good.
This looks like an understated, modern little café, but the food is nuanced and delicious. From recent experience we can speak highly of the avocado tomato salad, the complex and flavorful lentil soup, the pollo enchipotlado, and the chile en nogada, but I'm sure everything else is good, too.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa Taviche
1111 Miguel HidalgoThis looks like an understated, modern little café, but the food is nuanced and delicious. From recent experience we can speak highly of the avocado tomato salad, the complex and flavorful lentil soup, the pollo enchipotlado, and the chile en nogada, but I'm sure everything else is good, too.
Here's where you get your local multigrain bread and flavorful pastries. We especially like the little corn cakes, and recently enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie that was sweetened with banana.
132 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Boulenc
207 C. Porfirio DíazHere's where you get your local multigrain bread and flavorful pastries. We especially like the little corn cakes, and recently enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie that was sweetened with banana.
High end, scrumptious food. The botanas platter is a nice chance to try lots of flavors. The building includes a small, well-curated store of artesanías (handicrafts), too.
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zandunga
#512 C. de Manuel García VigilHigh end, scrumptious food. The botanas platter is a nice chance to try lots of flavors. The building includes a small, well-curated store of artesanías (handicrafts), too.
UPDATE: SEEMS TO BE CLOSED FOR NOW.
Reliably mellow ambience and delicious food, close to Parque Llano (a good place for people-watching afterward) and to the Oaxaca Lending Library. I'm a fan of the portobello dish and the salads are always good. The patio is pleasant (in the rainy season you may want insecticide to keep the no-see-'ems from your ankles - just ask for some at the bar).
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Biznaga
907 Av Benito JuárezUPDATE: SEEMS TO BE CLOSED FOR NOW.
Reliably mellow ambience and delicious food, close to Parque Llano (a good place for people-watching afterward) and to the Oaxaca Lending Library. I'm a fan of the portobello dish and the salads are always good. The patio is pleasant (in the rainy season you may want insecticide to keep the no-see-'ems from your ankles - just ask for some at the bar).
Scrumptious tortilla soup, good salads (you can get the grasshoppers on the side if you prefer), good moles. Can be hot on a warm day but you can ask for the giant fan to be turned on. If you get there a little before the lunch rush you can get the window seat with the fabulous view of life in the street and the mountains behind!
El Escapulario
617 C. de Manuel García VigilScrumptious tortilla soup, good salads (you can get the grasshoppers on the side if you prefer), good moles. Can be hot on a warm day but you can ask for the giant fan to be turned on. If you get there a little before the lunch rush you can get the window seat with the fabulous view of life in the street and the mountains behind!
La Red
Great seafood.
Organizations
A great spot to borrow books, practice your English or your Spanish, and get info on all kinds of events going on, from mountain bike excursions to zumba classes to lectures. The nonprofit Libros Para Pueblos is home-based here, too. The OLL is a longstanding ex-pat hub.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oaxaca Lending Library
519 Calle de José María Pino SuárezA great spot to borrow books, practice your English or your Spanish, and get info on all kinds of events going on, from mountain bike excursions to zumba classes to lectures. The nonprofit Libros Para Pueblos is home-based here, too. The OLL is a longstanding ex-pat hub.
Libros Para Pueblos is a nonprofit that helps rural villages found and sustain lending libraries for children and families. Check them out!
Libros para Pueblos
519 Calle de José María Pino SuárezLibros Para Pueblos is a nonprofit that helps rural villages found and sustain lending libraries for children and families. Check them out!
Out & about in the city
An elegant, early-1900s theater and center for performance and other cultural events, including livestreaming opera from the NY Met.
86 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Teatro Macedonio de Alcalá
900 Av. de la IndependenciaAn elegant, early-1900s theater and center for performance and other cultural events, including livestreaming opera from the NY Met.
This small gem of a museum houses (in a colonial mansion) artist Rufino Tamayo's personal collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts, selected and presented for their aesthetic attributes.
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Arte Prehispánico de México Rufino Tamayo
503 Av. José María MorelosThis small gem of a museum houses (in a colonial mansion) artist Rufino Tamayo's personal collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts, selected and presented for their aesthetic attributes.
A cultural center in a renovated exconvento in the center of downtown Oaxaca. It's worth walking through to admire the building, have a look at any art exhibits, or sit in the cafe or in the courtyard just to rest somewhere pretty and tranquil.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ex convento de San Pablo
907 Miguel HidalgoA cultural center in a renovated exconvento in the center of downtown Oaxaca. It's worth walking through to admire the building, have a look at any art exhibits, or sit in the cafe or in the courtyard just to rest somewhere pretty and tranquil.
Eating out in the valley
The most amazing (and huge) buffet restaurant, with endless crocks of typical Oaxacan food, a grill, strange and fabulous salads and desserts, sometimes live music, and an actual vintage airplane in the enormous yard/play area.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hacienda Santa Martha
68259 De Las FloresThe most amazing (and huge) buffet restaurant, with endless crocks of typical Oaxacan food, a grill, strange and fabulous salads and desserts, sometimes live music, and an actual vintage airplane in the enormous yard/play area.
A relaxing place to eat delicious bean soup or fried mojarra (white fish) after you visit all the ceramics artists in Santa Maria Atzompa.
Como en el Pueblo
3 EncinoA relaxing place to eat delicious bean soup or fried mojarra (white fish) after you visit all the ceramics artists in Santa Maria Atzompa.
Lumbre Restaurante. Delicious, locally sourced food in the nearby town of Villa de Etla, north of Santa Cruz Etla by about 20 minutes.
LumbreOaxaca on FB.
Morelos 57, Villa de Etla, 68200 Villa de Etla, Oax.
Morelos 57
Lumbre Restaurante. Delicious, locally sourced food in the nearby town of Villa de Etla, north of Santa Cruz Etla by about 20 minutes.
LumbreOaxaca on FB.
Morelos 57, Villa de Etla, 68200 Villa de Etla, Oax.
Mia Arroz
Scrumptious Chinese-Oaxacan food in an open-sided building of striking architecture.
Friends have been telling us this new restaurant is delicious! It also has vegetarian options.
Frida Libre
Friends have been telling us this new restaurant is delicious! It also has vegetarian options.