The rugged southern Mexico state of Oaxaca (wah-HAH-kah) reaches within 150 miles of Mexico City, but is a world away from the metropolis. Barriers of sparsely populated mountains have always permitted Oaxaca to pursue, to a large extent, its own destiny. It enjoys a slower, sunnier existence and a magical quality that is largely due to its dry, rocky landscape, remoteness, bright southern light and its large indigenous population.

The lack of industry in the area contributes to the relative lack of affluence, the indigenous people contribute to its cultural richness. Oaxaca has stunningly varied landscapes, including cloud forests with stands of oak and pine in the inland highlands and tropical forest in the coastal areas. Santa Cruz is among the newest tourist resorts, and has a spectacular, though unique, beauty.