Day of the Dead Amusement Park
Ah, the joys of international travel, with the freedom to sit in cafes all day watching life pass you by, meandering through village markets and museums, and dancing the night away in salsa clubs. Admittedly, having children along for the ride may put a damper on some of a traveler's more extreme itineraries, but travel in Oaxaca has plenty of family-friendly options for those with an adventurous soul. With a little planning and a lot of flexibility, parents and children can find some common ground for enjoyment in this historic city.
Instructions
1. Plan your trip with convenience in mind. Remember that Oaxaca is not a desert island and will have most of the food and supplies that your children love and need. Bring comfort items, but leave room in the luggage for newfound treasures. Choose a place to stay that is relatively close to amenities such as public transportation, markets and restaurants. Villas, suites and apartments give families space to relax and the option of cooking. Many places have swimming pools, including shallow pools appropriate for toddlers.
2. Read guidebooks and websites as research tools, but remember that they tend to be one-size-fits-all. Consider your children's tastes, energy level and ages before committing to a long itinerary. Plan one key activity per day, and fit ancillary activities around it. For example, a day in the zocalo, the center of town, is ideal for everyone. Adults can sip coffee while watching their children play with balloons in the pedestrian-only square. Musicians roam from corner to corner, and clowns stop to do tricks and tell jokes. Nearby, the Museum of Oaxaca Painters offers a chance for a quick injection of culture.
3. Eat safely, but try a variety of spots. So your son only likes spaghetti without sauce, or your daughter has decided to be a vegetarian. Oaxaca's restaurants, markets and street stalls have something to satisfy every taste. The ideal time for eating well on a budget is from 1 to 4 p.m., when many restaurants offer "comida," the main meal of the day. For a fixed price that is typically under $6, patrons get a beverage, soup, main course and, sometimes, dessert. Look for signboards announcing the restaurant's menu of the day. Markets and street food are more of a gamble. It pays to inspect the stall for cleanliness. Chances are that if a crowd is there, the food has a good reputation.
4. Visit archaeological ruins. Most children love visiting these sites. The Zapotec center of Monte Albán is situated on the outskirts of the city, covering a flattened mountaintop that seems to blend into the clouds. The site’s ingenious design included a sophisticated aqueduct system among grandiose structures, and set against the backdrop of rolling hills are steep precipices. If your child likes climbing down into tombs, the sites of Mitla and Yagul are better bets, because the tombs of Monte Albán are usually closed. Bring bottled water and, if you like, a picnic.
5. Venture out to Oaxacan villages. San Agustin Etla offers an incredible art center with waterfalls and fountains integrated into the architecture. Ocotlan de Morelos has a Friday market filled with toys, crafts, sweets and sights, and is near San Bartolo Coyotepec, the home of the black pottery tradition. Teotitlan de Valle has a church and public square that often hosts public performances of indigenous folk dances. Its known for the weavers who use all-natural dyes in their rugs and are happy to engage in a child-friendly demonstration of their craft. Hierve el Agua consists of natural mineral springs that are chilly but refreshing and offer striking views of calcified waterfalls. Many tour companies in town offer excursions to these and other sites.
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