Chiapas & Oaxaca

Oaxaca and Chiapas are the southernmost states in Mexico and contain the highest concentrations of Indians in Mexico. In Oaxaca you’ll find the Zapotec and Mixtec Indians flourishing in large bustling communities, prevelant and forming the basis of local culture for centuries now. Chiapas has more highland Maya, who also hold on tightly to their native culture. Both states have lots of agriculture and local crafts and of course in the Mayan areas there are ruins and more history than you could ever absorb. The area attracts many anthropologists and archaeologists for this reason, who amongst other finds, have learned much about King Pacal and his pyramid tomb.

You may have heard about Chiapas in the news in the past ten years or so, as there’s been a local uprising led by the Zapatista Liberation Arma. Their army captured San Cristobal, the center of Chiapas, forcing attention on the economic problems in the area. There are still unresolved problems in this area, so check with the US State Department before you go, to find out what the conditions are.

Oaxaca

There are three main areas in Oaxaca to see: Oaxaca City, Resorts, and Ruins. Ruins are usually day trips from Oaxaca City and include Monte Alban and Mitla, niether of which is more than an hour away. There are things to see and do along the road to both areas, like stopping in interesting local villages and visiting rug weavers. You can take bus tours or rent a car. Renting a car means you can stop anywhere you like along the Pan American Highway (Hwy. 190) to see smaller archaeological sites and local craft markets.

Oaxaca City offers festivals, museums, beautiful churches and markets and you could easily spend days and days exploring this city of 380,000. Here’s a short list of the highlites of Oaxaca City and surrounding areas:

• December Festivals:
  • Night of the Radishes
  • Fiesta de la Soledad
  • festival of the Virgin de Guadalupe
• Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Oaxaca
• other museums
• Arrazola for woodcarving.
• Cuilapan’s 1500’s Monastery

Chiapas and Palenque

San Cristobal de las Casa is the main town in Chiapas, and it’s a beautiful example of colonial “urban planning”, with tile roofs, cobblestone streets and large town squares for public activity. In the outlying areas around this town there are lots of little Mayan villages with residents who live very much like the way their ancestors did in previous centuries. They come into San Cristobal for market activities, which makes for wonderful buzz of local energy and enterprise. There are a few local indigenous groups who stand out: the Zinacantecan, Tenejapa and the Chamula.

Visit the casa No-Bolom to learn about anthropology of the region. Visit the Catedral, a 1500s building, to see lovely example of colonial church, San Cristobal’s main cathedral. The Amber Museum is fascinating, and you can learn about the region’s main export here. In the nearby village of Chamula, the annual Carnaval celebration is a unique blend of Christianity and Mayan traditions, and you’ll never forget it.

Visit outlying villages for local crafts, pottery, embroider, weavers, and horseback riding.