Oaxaca, Mexico

Capital City

Despite its charming colonial architecture and vibrant cultural scene, Oaxaca's population of just 300,050 faces a persistent bureaucratic headache. The tax burden is heavy, and the city's tropical savanna climate can be oppressive, with average high temperatures reaching a sweltering 33.3°C (91.9°F) in April. Still, heritage tourism remains a crucial 77% of the local economy. For those willing to navigate Oaxaca's challenges, it offers a rich tapestry of Zapotec and Mixtec history and cuisine that make it an alluring destination for the culturally curious.