7. Take a Temazcal
Oaxaca is a great place to try a traditional baño de temazcal, an ancient Mesoamerican sweat-lodge cleansing. This is not your typical relaxing spa treatment. You are brought to a womb-like steam-filled adobe hut where you are told to sip herbal teas and relax. After some time, a healer will come in and start gently whacking you with large bushels of local herbs, apparently to beat the bad energies out of you. This may be followed up with a massage. Give it a try, as it supposed to have profound mental, physical and spiritual benefits – or at least make a fun story to tell the folks back home.
8. Witness the World’s Widest Tree
About 10km outside of Oaxaca city on the way to Milta is the great Tree of Tule, the most famous tree in all of Mexico. This amazing Montezuma cypress is has the stoutest trunk in the world with a circumference of 54 meters. It is estimated to be anywhere from 1200 to 3000 years old. Scientists used to think it was a conglomeration of multiple trees, but DNA testing has concluded that it is indeed one individual tree. The impressive girth of this World Heritage Site is well worth checking out.
