Oaxaca de Juárez

Oaxaca de Juárez needs 3 days: the Zapotec archaeological site of Monte Albán, atop a mountain with valley views, on one, the Benito Juárez market to try mezcal and the seven Oaxacan moles on another, and touring the Santo Domingo Temple and its colonial streets on the third. October-April is best. It's mid-priced for Mexico. Recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy, it holds the country's greatest diversity of moles, Mexico's largest artisanal mezcal production, and a living Zapotec and Mixtec textile tradition in its surrounding villages.