There is an awesome website all about Oaxaca www-3.eden.com/~tomzap/index.html maybe it can help. We went to Huatulco which is in Oaxaca. But there is also a city called Oaxaca. Can't help with that. Let me know if you're interested in Huatulco.

Oaxaca is in interesting place to visit for several reasons:
one, it is the location of various sites of importance in Pre-Columbian history, with most of these located within an hour by bus from Oaxaca City. These include Monte Alban, Mitla, and others. Two, the coastal areas of Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel and Huatulco are popular, with Huatulco being the new 'mega-resort, and P. Escondido and P. Angel more laid back.
Also, all tequila made in Mexico comes from Oaxaca for the most part.
It is a mountainous region, with the capital city located approx 6 huors inland by bus. I hear it is extremely friendly city, interesting for it's architecture, arts, cafes, and meeting of the colonial and the indigenous. I am preparing for a two month trip this summer to extreme southern Mexico, incl the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, and the states of the Yucatan.
A word of caution: the remote areas of Oaxaca, including hwy 200 along the coast, can present potential danger from robbery, assault, or worse. Be on gaurd; if you do not speak spanish well, then do not venture too far off the 'tourist track,' but have fun. It would be safer to take along a companion if you are not an experienced, individual traveller.
I recommend travelling by bus, if you choose, for they are convenient, reliableand one more way to really get in touch with people.
First class usually runs non-stop to a particular city, while second class is cheaper, and makes frequent stops not unlike buses by Greyhound, etc.
The beauty is, you could go from the coast to Oaxaca city by first class, then to the ruins areas by second class from Oaxaca City.
First -class buses can also have movies, in either English with Spanish subtitles, or vice versa, and can even have drinks, etc.
GOOD LUCK!

GOOD LUCK! I recommend bus travel while in Mexico. Use first class from major destinations, and use second class to travel from city areas to outlying ruins areas, etc.
Visit Oaxaca City, the coastal regions, incl huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel.
Be careful if you do not speak spanish or are travelling alone. Oaxaca has seen more than it's share of crimes against tourists, incl robbery, assault, or worse.
Wherever you go in any third world country it is a good idea to keep your eyes and ears open at all times.
Basically, all the tequila is made in Oaxaca, and it is an interesting area of Pre-Columbian history as well. Monte Alban, Mitla, and others are only an hour away from Oaxaca City by bus.
It will rain almost daily from June to October, with this being a light to moderate afternoon shower for the most part.
Just the thing to cool you off while you are tromping around the ruins or the city.
Hope I have been of some help. I am looking forward r to a trip of my own this summer,
where I will visit the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Tabasco, and the states of the Yucatan peninsula.
Good Luck...

I'm going to Oaxaca in two weeks on a great tour that I've taken before with La Brujita Tours, licensed out of San Diego (phone #619-484-8646). La Brujita is a woman from San Diego who has lived in Oaxaca, Oaxaca (as in New York, New York) for several years. She knows the city & surrounding villages, and many of the local artisans and will take you to their homes to view & purchase their wonderful wares . She can arrange for you to meet a Zapotec shaman & experience a temescal (sweat lodge) cleansing if you wish. I've taken La Brujita's Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tour, a spectacular annual event. Check it out. It's fun, it's relaxing, it's reasonably priced, it's always an adventure.

Thank you all for the interesting and useful information about Oaxaca. The tour sounds great.

We were in Oaxaca City in Jan. We stayed at Mission Los Angeles which is about a 20 minute walk from city center. We felt comfortable walking even at 10:00p.m. The hotel has lovely grounds and a pool. The only other hotel I would consider is the former convent, El Convento. It is beautiful. Definetly
go for dinner in the courtyard.

Tours are easy to arrange to places like Mitla or Monte Alban. Cabs are plelntiful and cheap - as is just about everythilng. Food was generally wonderful, with no intestional problelms. We ate lots of fruit - all peeled. Be sure and see the markets. The crafts are wonderful and well priced. Silver is a bargain. The people were very friendly. I'd go back in a minute. Next time I'd consider renting a car for a day trip through the mountains.

Thanks, Everyone. Oaxaca sounds like a great trip.

If I'm flying in directly from Los Angeles, how many days should I devote to this trip?

I would love to see both the city and some more natural areas.

No tequilla is made in Oaxaca State. Try Jalisco for that. There is abundant Mezcal however. As far as rain- well yes the rainy season does begin mid may, but rain every day- depends. I have been there when it is sweltering in June and other years it is cool. I have been there some years when there have been torrential rains, but it had been trending toward drought. For instance in two weeks there last June, nary a drop of rain. Likewsie I have gone all of August without rain and its been sweltering. So the point it you never know. As far as time there for the first time, all you can get. Years ago we went for a week and it was enough to see Monte Alban, Mitla, Tule, Yagul, Oaxaca City itself and also to hit market day in Ocotlan. However there is much more to do. In recent years we have gone up to Guelatao, and a couple of years ago we headed further noth to Coixtlahuaca via Nochitlan. No tourists and really interesting ex-convento. Anyway, I think to get a really good introduction to the area 10 days. More if you want to bus down to the beach. The more the better.