Guest Videos: Here are a few guest videos about Oaxaca that OVG has collected for our visitors. Hope you like them. If you want to suggest a video to us for it's inclusion in our guest video section, contact us here and put the URL of the video in the comments box. Thank you.

Oaxaca - The Guelaguetza: "Guelaguetza" is not only the annual dance of the 7 regions of Oaxaca that so many tourist come to see but actually refers to the tradition in the small towns of Oaxaca of the returning of a favor or gifts that a person or a family gives to another. I didn't know this until living in Tlacolula for 4 years and attending weddings there.

The Guelaguetza tradition, in this case, consists of gifting a couple with a contribution to their wedding party, (which can sometimes last for more than three days), of cases of beer, turkeys, music, or any other element of a typical wedding party. The family of the ones getting married make a list of what one contributes to the wedding party and when the time comes for someone in the other family to get married, they call upon those who they have given to in the past and ask for their Guelaguetza. The family that once received is now obligated to give and, in most cases, to give more. So if you took 6 cases of beer and 3 turkeys to their son's wedding a year ago then they would come to your wedding party with 8 cases of beer and 5 turkeys.

And this is what the Guelaguetza truly is but in Oaxaca they gave the name to the yearly gathering of folkloric dance groups from the 7 regions of Oaxaca which fill the Guelaguetza auditorium with the color and music... watch video

Oaxaca - Dance of the "Flor de piña": When I first saw the Guelaguetza back in 2000, out of all the folkloric dances that I watched, my favorite was a dance called the "Flor de piña", "Pineapple Flower". Little did I know at the time that this dance was the favorite of many. Here's an OVG guest video of it. Enjoy.... watch video

Oaxaca - Day of the Dead: The Day of the Dead, which is Halloween in the U.S.A., is by far my favorite time of the year in Oaxaca. The smells of the marigolds, the delicious food, the cool weather and the elaborate traditions all come together to create an unforgettable experience that despite being the same every year, carries with it a fresh and exhilirating excitement everytime..... watch video

Oaxaca - Making Mole: Mole is almost synonymous with Oaxaca. This famous, chocolate based sauce was created centuries ago and is still going strong. With it's over 30 different ingredients, Mole tantilizes the taste buds like no other dish. This is a little video that shows you how mole is made. Buen provecho!!!..... watch video

Oaxaca - Mezcal Making Process: What is the difference between mezcal and tequila? Besides the strength and the smell, the only difference is in how it is made. Mezcal is made by hand and tequila is made by machines. Check out this video to see a bit of the mezcal making process but if you want to see it for yourself, join us on our tour to Mitla where we stop by Rancho Zapata for a complete Mezcal making tour, (and taste testing of course!)...... watch video

Oaxaca - Zapotec Rug Making: Teotitlan del Valle is the capital of the Zapotec wool rug making here in Oaxaca with over 1500 families of weavers all in this one small town. Created mostly with natural dyes derived from plants, flowers, seeds and insects such as the cochinilla, Zapotec rugs are world reknowned for the beauty of their elaborate designs and colors. Take a tour to Teotitlan and see a complete demonstration of zapotec rug making....... watch video

Oaxaca - The Tule Tree Figures: If you already checked out our video on how to get to the Tule Tree but just didn't have time to make the trip, here's a nice video that will show you the famous 2000 year old tree and the many, naturally occuring figures that can be found on it...... watch video

Oaxaca - Zaachila Market Tour: What day is it? Well, if it's Thursday and your in Oaxaca, you should definitely visit the Zaachila Indigenous Market. Lots of color, interesting things to buy and, of course, delicious food, makes Zaachila a favorite tourist destination on here in Oaxaca...... watch video

Oaxacan Beaches: Tired of those tourist filled beaches in Cancun and Acapulco? Come and visit Oaxaca's Pacific coast and enjoy the white sand and turquoise waters of Huatulco, the waves and surf of Puerto Escondido and the tranquility of Puerto Angel, Mazunte and Zipolite...... watch video