🌿 Oaxaca's Must-See Spots: Where History Meets Hype 🌿🏟️

📍 Fig 1-2: Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca 🌵 Botanical garden vibes meets Instagram bait! But here’s the catch: no solo wandering. Tours are mandatory—English only on Thursdays (Spanish daily). 💵 Cost: 50 MXN/person ⏰ Hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM Rating: Pretty, but pricey for a guided stroll. 📍 Fig 3: Jalatlaco 🎨 Oaxaca’s OG “cool kid” neighborhood, ranked by Time Out as one of the world’s hippest zones. Think pastel houses + street art so good, you’ll question if Banksy lives here. Rating: Coffee shops, boutiques, and murals = photo op goldmine. 📍 Fig 4: Monte Albán 🏛️ UNESCO-listed “America’s First Planned City”—Zapotec genius from 500 BCE! The 20-peso bill features its pyramid. 💵 Cost: 90 MXN/person (+50 MXN for camera access) ⏰ Hours: 9:00 AM–3:30 PM Rating: Arrive at 8:00 AM to dodge crowds. Spend half a day (or more!) exploring tombs and museums. 📍 Fig 5: Expo Venta Artesanal 🛍️ Artisan heaven! Hand-painted alebrijes (spirit animals), textiles, and pottery—no two pieces alike. Rating: If you see it, BUY IT. These one-off treasures vanish fast. 📍 Fig 6-7: Mercado 20 de Noviembre 🌶️ Split into two zones: Front: Souvenirs, Mezcal bottles, and artisanal crafts. Back: Foodie paradise! Mole, tlayudas, and chapulines (grasshoppers!) under iron roofs dating to 1894. ⏰ Hours: 7:00 AM–7:00 PM (stays open till 11:00 PM during Día de Muertos!) 🌑 Rating: Smells like adventure, tastes like Oaxaca. #OaxacaTravel #MexicoMagic #BucketList 🇲🇽🌵