Teotitlán del Valle

Information

Teotitlán del Valle is a town located in the central part of the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, just about 24 km from Oaxaca de Juárez. It has Zapotec origins and traditions, in fact it's common to hear some of its residents speaking Zapotec among themselves.

To get there by public transportation, there's a bus that departs from the city of Oaxaca and drops you off right in the center of Teotitlán. The town offers services for visitors such as restaurants, grocery shops, craft stalls and a few lodging options. One of its most distinctive features is the presence of shops that sell handmade textile items crafted by local artisans including rugs, bags, hammocks, blankets and tablecloths.

One of its attractions is the Preciosa Sangre de Cristo church, which dates back to the 16th century and features elaborate interior decoration. It was built by the Spanish over an ancient Zapotec site they destroyed, and to this day you can still see remnants of the original structure, such as at the base of its façade. Next to it there's what could be considered a small archaeological area with visible remains of some structures.

About 2 km from the town following a secondary dirt and gravel road, you'll find the Piedra Azul dam and its reservoir, which is a good spot for observing native birds of the region.