This beautiful historic city in Mexico is one of the most sought-after destinations this year

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If the prospect of sipping margaritas by the pool and treating yourself to a week of tax-free shopping in downtown Cancun doesn’t generate as much excitement as it used to, chances are you’ve been bitten by what we like to call the Real Mexico creature.

In other words, maybe it’s time to try something different.

Mexico is an incredibly vast country, home to world-class coastal resorts, of course, but also an abundance of historic colonial towns that leave nothing to be desired compared to their European counterparts. This year, one in particular seems to be popular with travelers.

As reported by local media, Oaxaca is one of the most sought-after Mexican destinations this year, and it’s time we take a look at some of the reasons why:

A colonial gem frozen in time

Oaxaca, the capital and largest city of the state of the same name, is one of the oldest cities in Mexico, along with Mexico City and Mérida.

Although it has pre-Columbian habitation dating back to about 500 BCE, when nearby Monte Albán emerged as the cultural heart of the Zapotec civilization, Oaxaca itself was born and flourished as an urban center following the Spanish colonization of the area.

The modern city, whose full name is Oaxaca de Juárez, was founded by the colonists in 1532and it soon collided with the Zapotec strongholds.

As the former civilization declined, the Spanish continued to reuse stones from abandoned Zapotec settlements, including at Monte Albán and Mitla, to build churches, monasteries and official buildings, and this is how it turned out:

Authentic Mexico like you’ve never experienced before

Oaxaca is a typical Spanish colonial city, centered around a lively Zócalo, or main square, where a stone-carved cathedral stands. Built with thick walls to withstandand earthquakes and a distinctive green cantera facade, it is a breathtaking baroque masterpiece.

In the vicinity of the cathedral, Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán is another Baroque gem and a former monastery famous for its ornate gold-leaf interior.

Carefully restored with a mix of original Dominican stonework and modern elements Former Convento de San Pablo doesn’t get half the praise, yet it has a peaceful courtyard and the contrast between old and new is downright striking.

As you can imagine, Oaxaca is packaged not only full of sights of religious importance, but also a number of historic mansions. In fact, the home of Oaxaca-born Benito Juárezthe most important Mexican figure of the 19th century, is now open as a museum.

There are also charming little parks to relax in all over the city. Notable examples of this include Jardin de Pañuelito, just behind the cathedral, surrounded by colonial houses and cafes, and the leafy Jardín San Francisco, dotted with wrought-iron benches and crisscrossed by cobblestone paths.

Don’t Come on a diet here

It’s not a trip to Mexico until you visit the local market. After all, it is the center of local life, where natives gather, do their daily shopping and where the best food can usually be found, and there’s really nowhere better to sample Oaxacan delicacies than Mercado Benito Juarez.

About a 5 minute walk from Andador Turisticothe main pedestrian street in Oaxaca, lined with historic buildings, this market is known for its fresh produce (the freshest fruits and vegetables anywhere in the state!), Mezcal stalls and traditional dishes.

Think unusually big tortillasspecial tlayudastopped with baked beans, ask, and shredded meat, their smaller, bite-sized version, memelasan open-faced tortilla pizza and delicious, generously filled tamales.

In that respect, Oaxaca is certainly on the cheaper side of Mexico: takeaway meals here cost an average of $2-4, or the equivalent in Mexican pesos, if you order them from a street vendor.

In general, casual tourists can get by about $200-250 if they stay in the city for 3 nights:

Average prices in Oaxaca, Mexico

Nearby must-visits

• Zona Arqueológica de Monte Albán: one of the most impressive pre-Columbian sites in Mexico, just outside Oaxaca
• Hierve el Agua: naturally petrified waterfalls and pools, within easy access of the city

Tips for a visit

• Walk on foot center to explore more charming streets, hidden cafes and local boutiques
• Be sure to try local specialtieslike tlayudasOaxaca mole, and Mezcal from local markets
• Avoid suburban areas where police levels are lower than in areas with many tourists

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.