Leely2

Looks like I am finally returning to Mexico, with a friend or two later this summer. I definitely want to spend at least five days in the capital. We are debating what to do with our other 4/5/6 days. Puebla looks great. So does Oaxaca. Guanajuato? I'm sure we can't do it all, and I'm struggling to come up with a route that makes sense, minimizes backtracking, etc.

Not looking for beach and prefer milder weather if possible. Love museums (art, including contemporary), ruins, architecture. Pretty much run-of-the-mill sightseeing: churches, historic sites, etc. We definitely appreciate good food and are not opposed to high-end, low-end, middle-part dining. Not big shoppers.

What would you recommend and is there anything we should avoid? I realize this is vague, but right now I'm trying to choose flights: into where and out of where. Into Oaxaca out of MEX. Into Guanajuato out of MEX. Seems there are too many appealing choices.

Christina

Last year I did DF plus Guanajuato, it was great, I loved it. From Guanajuato I did a day tour which visited San Miguel de Allende and Hidalgo, it was very enjoyable. It stopped at a few other sites, also, the tourist office has info on some day bus trips, they are very reasonable. It was in Spanish, which I can sort of understand although I'm not fluent, but I mainly wanted an easy way to get around to those sites, anyway.

I took one of those nice luxury buses from Guanajuato to DF, they have very good bus routes in Mexico. So I flew into Guanajuato (last year there was a nonstop from Atlanta on Delta) and home from DF direct.

You could go to Puebla, also, I am thinking of doing that this Fall, although I think I'm going to do Oaxaca and Puebla . Oaxaca is not easy to get to for me (from Wash DC). Flights are poorly timed so you can't do it in one day very well. Maybe you have better luck.

I didn't realize that July was the rainy season in that area. I was worried it would spoil my trip, but it didn't really bother me that much. It really only rained hard a couple times, and that was in the evenings or alte at night. It didn't really rain that much during the day times and a couple days it was perfectly sunny all day. And the temps were very nice, probably in the 70s, down to maybe 55-60 at night.

baldone

Can't go wrong either way. If you go north-ish, to Guanjuato, San Miguel, and Queretaro, you'll have somewhat cooler weather than you'll find in Oaxaca, though Oaxaca will still be pleasant. But Oaxaca/Puebla will definitely have more unique food choices, plus the ruins of Cholula, Monte Alban, and Mitla. There are few worthy ruin sites here in the Bajio, the region of Guanajuato & San Miguel. Plus, while there is plenty of good food, it's nothing like that of Oaxaca/Puebla. Oaxaca's Museum of Oaxacan Culture is top-notch, located in a restored convent next to Santo Domingo Church and the Botanical Gardens. Oaxaca certainly has a more diverse culture, with more of an indigenous influence; handicrafts, rug weaving, etc. And then there's mezcal and chocolate. And coffee. All of the above destinations have their own unique architectural style. The scenery between Oaxaca and Puebla is striking. The downside of Oaxaca are the lingering affects of the teacher's strike, with graffiti and such. And Oaxaca and Puebla are bigger cities than GTO and San Miguel, although Queretaro is big, too.
so, if it were me, I'd fly into Oaxaca, do at least 3 days, 4 if you can, and then bus to Puebla for a night or 2 then on to DF.

suze

I'm no expert, but if I ever can drag myself away from going to Puerto Vallarta every year... Guanajuato & San Miguel de Allende both look really good to me.

Christina

I forgot about the issue of Oaxaca in July. If you want milder weather, it's a whole lot hotter there than around the central area, I know because I was researching that some years ago and that's why I'm going in November. I wouldn't call it mild from what I've read, I thought it was around 8-90 in the daytime? I think the worst of the rainy season is over if you go in August, though (supposed to be April-July).

I had a friend who went then and there is a very big famous dance/folkloric festival in July in Oaxaca, so you might want to look into that if you are interested. The Guelaguetza. Which I'm sure may affect prices and lodging, also. My friend went and said it sounded great in theory but she got a bit bored during it as some stuff went on too long. But it sounds good to me. http://www.mexonline.com/history-guelaguetza.htm

baldone

Actually, Oaxaca's rainy season pretty much corresponds with the rest of central Mexico, that is to say from the first part of June through October. Likewise with the hot season, it typically starts the latter part of April and lasts through most of May. That said, May this year here in San Miguel has been cooler and wetter than in the past. As far as summer highs in Oaxaca go, *mild* I guess is in the eye of the beholder. Historical averages for July and August are only about 83, while November's is 82, not that big of a difference. But being a Midwesterner that's used to 90 and high humidity, Oaxaca in the summer is quite doable, at least for me. We celebrated our 25th anniversary there a few years ago in July, and it was quite pleasant. The OP doesn't say where they're from, so who knows what mild is to them. But apart from Oaxaca, Puebla and DF are both 7000 ft +, so quite cool. Weather averages for Oaxaca:http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=57767
PS, the Quinta Real has a "mini Guelaguetza" that I found quite boring. But it's a beautiful hotel.

Leely2

Thanks for the helpful responses. For what it's worth, I live in San Francisco so everything feels hot to me! I'm leaning toward Oaxaca anyway, along with Puebla and DF, if my friends are on board. I will try to add a day or so to the trip.

Does it matter if we start in Mexico City or depart from there?

baldone

Gosh, I don't know if it matters where you arrive or depart from; there are so many variables. But maybe check Volaris and Interjet, 2 discount carriers that serve MEX. Oaxaca has a tiny airport, FWIW, about a 10 minute cab ride to centro, if that.

ekscrunchy

I had about two weeks and visited DF, Puebla, Oaxaca, traveling between the cities by bus. Last October. You could do the same. I did not finish this report but am more than happy to answer questions:

http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...bla-oaxaca.cfm

ekscrunchy

About climate: Oaxaca city in late October 2014 offered me some of the most pleasant climate I have ever ahd the fortune to experience. It was nowhere near hot, just clear, mild and sunny during the day with no humidity. We kept exclaiming how lovely it was, day after day.

I do not believe it ever gets uncomfortably hot there due to the altitude; I do not like boiling hot weather and have been to the city even in summer and not suffered.

The coast is a different story.

Foro where to arrive and depart, consider flights and also, if you want to shop in Oaxaca, think about having to drag all those carpets and clay on the bus back to DF. Doable, but easier not to have to.

Leely2

Well, bit the bullet and bought the tix, into DF and out of OAX. Now for the planning! I don't have much time--hoping everything falls into place.

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement.

ekscrunchy

Perfect! Keep coming back and asking lots of questions. Choosing a hotel in DF is tricky because the city is so spread out and it takes time to travel around. Whilel I liked Las Alcobas very much, I think I would prefer to stay in an area other than Polanco next time.

Leely2

I was looking at Condesa DF but it seems to get many negative reviews: poorly sound proofed, in need of renovations, etc. I wanted something a bit more upmarket than La Casona, but maybe it's fine? Want to be in a good, walkable location with some charm, but as we're staying six nights I'd like something comfortable.

Any recs? Budget is flexible.

baldone

Red Tree House is very popular in Condesa. We usually go the budget route in Condesa with Hotel Roosevelt, but it's definitely not upmarket.
But I'm really posting just to give you a heads up about Oaxaca, the teachers have been behaving badly recently. Blocking the airport and Pemex terminal has caused gas shortages and of course other disruptions.
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/in-eng...rt-106608.html
However, one of the Spanish language papers reports that the teachers will stop their blockades after the elections Sunday. This didn't start until after your original posting, and hopefully it will pretty much be over by the time you arrive. WE celebrated our 25th anniversary there in '06 during one of the more disruptive and violent strikes, and even at that we were still able to get around with few problems. The teachers did pretty much take over the zocalo, but let us as tourists move around freely.

Leely2

Wow, thanks, baldone. I do hope this is settled peacefully and soon. I don't typically think of teachers' protests as at all violent. In fact, one of the friends I'm traveling with is a teacher.

Leely2

Hi, everyone. In Oaxaca now, just about to head out for comida. Trip has been excellent, everything terribly interesting. We ended up staying six nights in DF, two in Puebla, five in Oaxaca. If I were to change anything, I might have taken one night from Oaxaca and added it to DF--just so much to see and do there; I missed some things I really wanted to see.

I'll try to do a brief report when I get home.

Thanks for all the terrific advice!