Oaxaca: Mountain Craft Regions, Archaeological Sites, and Coastal Resorts

B. Whipperman really knows Oaxaca. The book is with me at all times when in Oaxaca, and helps me to investigate more places to explore in the towns around the city of Oaxaca. This book was written by a person who loves that area.

(Planeta.com Journal) The book is perfect for those planning to spend at least a week in Oaxaca. Coverage is first rate and includes many tips for visiting archaeological sites, out-of-the way resorts and mountain communities.

I travel more than most people and buy several guidebooks each year. This has been the most helpful book that I have ever bought. Of course, you could have a great trip to Oaxaca with no guidebook at all, just staying in Oaxaca city and hanging out around the zocolo. However, we wanted to see Oaxaca state beyond the city and made a side trips to both Puerto Escondido and the Sierra Madre mountains. This book was helpful in planninng our excursions. Since I know little about Mexican history, I also found the book helpful in giving me background on what I was actually seeing. The next time I travel I will definitely check out a Moon handbook.

I know of no better guide book to Oaxaca: not the Moon Mexico Guide, not the Lonely Planet guide. This book is simply the best book on Oaxaca in English. The problem with the other books is that Mexico is simply too big and rich: you can't fit the entire country in one volume without skimping on something great. That is where Oaxaca and Moon Handbooks' other regional publications come in. This book takes its time, reports on every single corner of the state, and tries to be as thorugh as possible. I only wish there were guidebooks as detailed and complete for Mexico's other states.There are a few complaints I have though: there is no mention of Santiago Matatlan, the world's Mezcal capital, even though the town is full of Mezcal stores selling an amazing variety of local distills. Also, the road from Oaxaca to Salina Cruz is long and dreary, about 5 hours of driving... and the few small towns along the way often only offer very suspect dining and rest options. It would be nice if there were mention of a place or two where pitstops could be done. (Also the book makes no effort to identify where gas stations are located on Oaxaca's long and lonely highways) I ended up finding a good spot to eat in El Camaron, but not with the guidebook's help. Also, readers of the guidebook would think that there are only two ways to drive to Huatulco: via the Oaxaca-Pochutla highway or via the Oaxaca-Salina Cruz highway. There is no acknowledgement that the safest route from Mexico City to Huatulco actually circumvents the high and rugged Oaxaca mountains (Sierra Madre Sur) altogether, passing through flat Veracruz state before heading south across the equally flat Tehuantepec isthmus.All in all, though, this is the very best source of info on Oaxaca state in English!

Even after 15 years of traveling to the region I learned many new things about the state and the city. A most thorough, complete and honest opinion of one of Mexico's most delightful and complicated regions; not only from a historical view point but also shopping, driving,and siteseeing the out of the way places. Makes me want to grab two months and a van and hit the road! The ONLY book you need to take with you...