La ciudad de Oaxaca, the gem of Mexican cities, featured as the premier urban destination in Mexico and Latin America by the World Travel Awards in 2020, has a scarcity of gringos and tourists in the time of Covid – 19. Oaxaca is not deserted, not busy, perhaps reminiscent of time prior to the infiltration of world tourists and expats.
Quit a contrast from my last visit in Jan/Feb 2020 (pre-covid) when the streets were full of colorful, indigenous merchants and wares and a plethora of tourists.
The local businesses are open, while the tourist attractions and destinations remain closed including the museums, botanical gardens, archeological sites, cooking classes and most tours. The pueblos, which normally draw unprecedented numbers of tourists to engage with and aid commerce with local artisans, are closed to prohibit the spread of Covid-19 to the small pueblos with limited health care and facilities.
Restaurants are opening, with take-out and street food popular with locals and the expats that have stayed on.
Most recurring three- and six-month US and Canadian citizens and part time expats have opted out of their annual trek to the city. The tourist economy is hurting, yet local commerce is gearing up to a more normal pace.
Currently the state of Covid-19 in Oaxaca is yellow, having vacillated between yellow and orange the past several months. Masks are mandatory and there are reports of induvial being arrested or fined for not wearing cubrebocas (masks). The government recommends to “Quedate en casa” (stay home).
We avoid large crowds, gyms (which have opened), the larger and busy mercados, and other guests at the Band B. Our days involve daily errands (food, laundry, essentials), exercise (walks, stair climbing and swimming), socializing within a small bubble of residents at the BandB, exploring barrios and murals, enjoying street performers and musicians (at a distance), writing and reading. Nothing overly exciting, yet it feels refreshing to be out of the US and immersed in a different culture during a time when it is impossible to travel to most international destinations.
Salude and stay well amigos.
