Going to Oaxaca Oct 25-Nov 2 - what should I know or do before going?
 

I'm going to a photography workshop for a week in Oaxaca - is there anything in particular you'd recommend that I pack? In particular footwear? Would it be too hot to wear a sturdy pair of (waterproof) hiking shoes, or are my regular breathable sneakers okay?
Also, do you recommend I buy the Costco MCI calling card I've read about or just buy the "smart cards" once I get there to make phonecalls to the US? Any other advice? I've read to take yogurt or papaya enzyme tablets before during and after the trip to combat any food troubles. And lastly, currency. Should I bring US$ and change the money there somewhere? I don't need a birth certificate if I have a passport, do I? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you!

As far as footwear, your workshop should have provided some guidance. If there's serious hiking involved, wear proper shoes or boots. I was in Oaxaca in February and it was in the eighties. We didn't do any serious hiking -- I wore walking shoes and wool socks.

Currency is easier. Check with your bank (tell them you'll be in Mexico anyway), but if you have a four digit pin your atm card should work there.

No, you don't need a birth certificate if you have your passport. Make a couple of photocopies, though. Leave one in your luggage. I always leave my passport in a safe place -- usually a room or hotel safe -- and carry the other photocopy, but opinions vary. Do what makes you comfortable.

Have a great time in Oaxaca.

When I go to OAX I usually take some tennis shoes and lightweight hiking boots. With passport birth certificate not necessary. As above use the ATM, I usually bring some cash to change as well. I just buy the ladatel cards for the phone. Foodwise, keep eating yogurt, be careful where you eat and you should be good. I have only been sick there once in many trips and have brought groups twice wityh no one getting sick. Have fun!

It might get cool here at nights at the time you'll be visiting. If you don't want to bring a jacket, nip into the market & buy one of those hooded shirts (http://www.hempjewelryshop.com/index...S&Category=185) The price will be less than half of what's shown on that site.

The best advice about food is from the original People's Guide to Mexico, and it still stands: avoid greasy food. That's good advice wherever you travel. Why lose part of the trip to indigestion?

You're going to have a great time!

Where do you use the hiking boots when you visit Oaxaca?

Bixaorellana - I am going to be in Oaxaca for Day of the Dead and was going to bring a sweater. Thanks so much for the information about the Oaxaca hoodie - I will be leaving the sweater home and buying a hoodie while I am there.

Just a word on Mexico. Call your cellphone provider to find out the best plan for calling back to USA. You can buy calling cards incredibly cheap in Mexico but it only covers your calls on their system. You still will get a huge bill from your own provider for roaming charges. Might be cheaper to use the phone in the hotel your staying at but find out before you go.
Also a word on credit/debit cards. Be very sure to call Visa/Am Ex/Mastercard or whatever card/s you plan on using and let them know where your going and the dates, otherwise you might find your cards denied. Same with your bank if you plan on using your debit card, though credit cards are a better choice. Don't take more cards than you think you will need and be sure to photocopy them and leave a copy with a trusted friend at home in case they are lost or stolen you will know which ones you have to call in.
And for sure...never eat food from street vendors no matter how great it smells. Take some favorite snack bars with you so hunger won't temp you! Use only bottled water for everything from drinking to brushing your teeth. Its worth the extra effort to make sure you don't spend your vacation looking kind of green.
Just be prepared for whatever might come your way and you will have a wonderful trip!!

Thanks, everyone!
I really appreciate your kind help!
Time's getting closer.... I still wonder about why they say hiking shoes, though.. it seems they'd be too hot.
I wonder if there's a lightweight, breathable hiking shoe or if my comfy worn in walking sneaks are good enough?
Happy travels to all!

PS, and I love the Earth Ragz hoodie - I'm going to take your advice on that one too!
Cool and Fun!
:)

Is it really necessary to never eat food from street vendors? I am using Moon's Oaxaca guide, and it recommends some street food. Obviously, I don't want to get sick. On the other hand, I do want to enjoy a variety of the great food.

WEll my opinion on that...we are also going to Oaxaca...i hope to try some street food as we always do...but i would only eat something that has been cooked very well and freshly out of what ever it was cooked in...I have gotten worse sick in Asia in 5 star restaurants than street food thinking it was safe...So i always follow this rule...only eat food that is cooked...no raw veggies, and only eat fruit that u can peel..like a banana...And absolutely no water, no matter what they say, only drink bottled water...and then u can only hope for the best, cause sometimes u just end up sick!!! If the street vendor looks dirty and nobody is there, then i would not eat it!!! Good luck!!

A word about the telephones there. I have an apple phone, AT&T is my service provider. Instead of the MCI card or Smart Card option, I chose to go with AT&T's "Mexico Feature, which can be pro-rated depending if you're staying less than a month in MX - it's 4.99 a month, and each call to the US is 59 cents, incoming or outgoing.
As for texting, it costs nothing to receive texts with this plan, and it costs 50 cents to send texts, but forget sending texts with a photo in it, it's way too much for that - I think it was $1.50 for each one.
The representative suggested that I leave a message on my voicemail of my phone to say "Don't call me while I'm in MX, text me, because incoming texts are free (however I pay 50 cents to reply)
He also said to put the iphone on "AIRPLANE MODE" whenever I'm not in a position to take incoming calls because I'll get charged for any incoming phonecalls even if I don't answer the phone.
Another technical thing is to go to Settings, then Phone then click on International - I guess this means when I'm in MX, I can just dial the US telephone number without having to dial a country code.
He said as for mail, go to the mail setting and put the "Push" on 'OFF'
The number to call while in MX with any questions regarding this is 001 916 843 4685, and if you when I return home from MX I'm supposed to call 1 800 331 0500 to cancel the MX plan. Hope this information is helpful to someone out there.

I'm confused - I live here and wear walking sandals all year long.
I eat street food also. I agree - often the street food and the little comidas do a better job of serving quality food. After all the big place know they will never see you again, the small places look the same people in the face every day.
When eating street food - watch for a while - go where many others go. The food is probably better and fresher.
How much telephoning do you need to do in a week - email or skype - many internet cafes have skype loaded. but email cafes are everywhere and very cheap.
ATMs work the best - much better rate - but there are currency exchanges and banks - MAKE SURE THE BILLS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE - they reject any thing with writing or rips - I agree - leave the passport safe and carry a good copy.
Lately it's been warm even in the evening. You might want a light jacket or buy something here - the locals think it's freezing when it hits 68 so there are many jackets for sale.
At 60 or 65 they will have on hats and perhaps gloves.

Go to Mexico and eat packaged snacks instead of the incredible, delicious variety found everywhere?! Why bother?

Only food that is cooked? So no cilantro & onion on your tacos, right? That would be such a shame!

Drinking & brushing your teeth with bottled water is a very good idea, just to be on the save side. But enjoy street food, simply use common sense. Do wash your hands, or use alcohol gel before eating and stay away from anything really greasy or heavy, such as deep-fried stuff.

About the money -- try to hit the atm machine when the bank is open. That way you can go inside & have them change big bills to smaller ones and perfect bills for torn ones.

Just want to add that during my trip to Mexico last week (Guadalajara, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende), I threw caution to the wind and ate a ton of street food. It was delicious and I didn't get sick at all.

The people on our trip who ate most of their meals at the hotel WERE sick, however. Some kind of lesson there, I think.

I cant help myself.....You are going to a magical place and especially so because of the Day of the Dead. Forget the phone, check an internet cafe if you need to. You are going to another world, leave your home world for a few days & enjoy Oaxaca. My rule for food is eat only where there are a lot of customers. It can be cold at night in the cemetary despite all the candles! Take a warm jacket, always makes good packing material for breakables in your suitcase. Guarantee that you will shop. After all you will be at the source for wonderful folk art. Have fun

Don't drink too much mezcal!! that's my best advise I guess!!!

Chrisaroundtheworld,
please tell me of your time in san miguel de allende.
I am planning first trip there next april.
did you happen to write a trip report?

thanks

jetsetj - I haven't written a San Miguel report yet, but that's next on my list, as I just finished up the reports from my November travels. Look for it on this forum by the weekend! Thanks.

Chris

also can anyone recommend a apt. in oaxaca...

thanks