What kind of clothes should I pack?
Oaxaca has mild weather; therefore, the right thing to do is to pack light clothes for your morning excursions. However, it is never an excess to bring some warm clothes to protect you from the night air. Regarding footwear, opt for trekking shoes, sneakers or similar that will allow you to walk comfortably.
If your travelling itinerary includes the beaches of Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, save some room for the bathing suits, the short pants, the cotton t-shirts, the towels, the sandals and the shades. You will want to bring a good sunscreen as well.
The situation varies if your destinations are the mountainous zones of Oaxaca. Here cold is king, so you need to bring warm clothes yes or yes.
On the other hand, bear in mind that the rainy season goes from June to October. Raincoats or waterproof ponchos are indispensable if you travel in these months.

Where can I ask for tourist information?
At the State's Office of Tourism, located on Garcia Vigil Street, corner with Juarez Avenue, telephone (52-951) 516-0123; or at the Municipal's Module of Tourism, on 517 Garcia Vigil Street, telephone (52-951) 514-6633.
You will also find information offices and modules at the International Airport of Oaxaca.

What are the people like in Oaxaca?
Oaxaca is one of the states with the largest percentage of autochthonous population in the country, and up to 16 ethno linguistic groups have been identified in here, among them the Mixtecas and the Zapotecas.
It is said that 6 out of every 10 people in Oaxaca belong to a native group, and that at least half of its population speaks a tongue of Mexican roots. These peculiarities explain the rich traditions and customs of the state, which are expressed through colourful celebrations such as the famous feast of La Guelaguetza.
Be tolerant during your visit and do not expect to find a mirror of your own country. People in Mexico and in Oaxaca in particular, are part of a millenarian culture with their own habits and customs. Be respectful, and wear a smile in your face and try to speak some words in Spanish in order to break the ice.

Which are the working hours at offices and shopping centres?
Public offices work Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 hours up till 16:00 hours. Only a few open on Saturdays from 10:00 hours up till 14:00 hours.
Working hours at the shopping centres are from 10:00 hours up till 20:00 hours; while shops open Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00 hours up till 17:00 hours.
Bank and exchange offices open their doors from 9:00 hours up till 17:00 hours, although there are some offices stretching their working hours up till 19:00 hours; they open until midday on Saturdays as well.

Will I have any problem in communicating with my country?
No, the City of Oaxaca has numerous public phone booths from which it is very easy to make local and long distance calls (both national and international). The phone booths are usually in different commercial establishments and on the city's streets and avenues. They operate with phone cards, which can be purchased at a vast web of selling points. If you wish to save a few pesos try and call collect.
You can also call from your hotel room; in this way you will have more privacy but take into account that the rates are higher than at the public phone booths. Disregard this option if you are travelling on a tight budget.
An ever more popular way of communicating abroad is on the cyber cafes or public Internet cabins, whose rates are quite accessible.

Is it easy to drive in the city?
As is the case in every state capital, traffic in Oaxaca turns complicated during the so-called rush hours, mostly on its main streets and avenues. Avoid driving between 7:00 and 9:00 hours and between 20:00 and 21:00 hours if possible.
They are pretty clear during the rest of the day; either way, it is advisable to respect traffic signs and to drive defensively; in this way you will avert problems with the authorities.
What do I need to produce in order to rent a car?
A valid driver license, a passport and a credit card accepted in Oaxaca, are the documents you need to present in order to rent a vehicle. Besides, applicants must be over 21 years of age.
Verify that the car is in good conditions and that it is insured before signing the contract.
The following car rentals operate in Oaxaca:

• Budget Car Rental: International Airport of Santa Cruz Xoxocotlan; phone number (52-951) 511-5252. They also have an office on 315-A, 5 de Mayo Street, Historic Centre of Oaxaca.
  
• Hertz: 115-9 La Bastida Street, Historic Centre of Oaxaca; phone number (51-951) 516-2434.
  
• Economica Rent a Car: 1818 International Highway, Santa Maria Ixcotel, Oaxaca; phone numbers: (51-951) 503-0842 / 502-5288 *Alamo Oaxaca: 203-A, 5 de Mayo Street, Historic Centre of Oaxaca; phone number: (51-951) 514-8534

Where can I purchase handicrafts?
Oaxaca is one of the most prolific states regarding expressions of popular art. Its main manifestations are channelled through pottery, textiles, basketworks, leatherworks, wooden carvings, jewellery, stone works and metallurgy.

In Oaxaca you will be able to visit towns specialised in one of these art forms, such as:

• Atzompa: at 8 kilometres from the city, here you will find a great variety of pottery objects made with glassed green clay.
• San Bartolo Coyotepec: at 16 kilometres from Oaxaca, it stands out for its famous ceramics made of black clay, which have gone beyond the borders due to their quality.
• San Antonio Arrazola: located 10 kilometres southwest of Oaxaca, it is the cradle of the alebrijes, a traditional art form consisting on carving wooden figures of very colourful imaginary animals. Each piece is unique and unrepeatable.
• *Etla: at 15 kilometres from Oaxaca, they offer basketworks, both decorative and everyday use objects elaborated with reed. Similar pieces are made in Ocotlan de Morelos (35 kilometres south) and Tlacolula de Matamoros (33 kilometres).
• Tlaxiaco: in order to visit it you need to follow Highway 190; here they make machetes, knives, daggas and other utensils beautifully decorated.
• Tlacolula de Matamoros: at 33 kilometres from Oaxaca, its artisans produce forged ironworks.
• Tehuantepec: it is located 253 kilometres southeast of Oaxaca, following Highway 190. It is renowned for its delicate reproductions of pre Hispanic gold and silverworks and for its handmade filigrees.
• Teotitlan del Valle: at 28 kilometres from Oaxaca, textiles and clothes made with pre Hispanic techniques are manufactured in this town.

You need to visit the following places in the City of Oaxaca: Chimali Handicrafts, on Garcia Vigil Street, Market of Handicrafts, on J. P. Garcia Street corner with Zaragoza, Market 20 de Noviembre, on the homonymous street, and the Market Benito Juarez, on 20 de Noviembre Street corner with Ignacio Aldama Street.
Another place of interest is the Central of Supplies or Saturday Market, to which artisans go to offer their products. It is regarded as one of the best markets in Mexico. It is located in the west part of the city.

What voltage is the power output?
Power output in Oaxaca is of 110 volts and 60 cycles.