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What’s in a zocalo?

By Jeremy Schwartz | Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 02:25 PM

Here’s a question for frequent visitors to Mexico: What’s your favorite zocalo?

Most people know of the massive, cement plaza in downtown Mexico City (the most used, but probably least attractive of Mexico’s zocalos, or central plazas), but the country is filled with some real gems. Oaxaca’s café-lined zocalo was widely considered the nicest before six months of rebellion turned it into an armed encampment.

Among my votes: the town of Patzcuaro in Michoacan, with its lazy trees and great restaurants and shops; the Yucatecan city of Merida, bustling with dance and music; the colonial city of Morelia with its ornate and stately buildings; the small town of Villa Juarez in San Luis Potosi, where migrants have sent back money to pay for one of the most immaculate central plazas I’ve seen.

What zocalos have caught your eye? I’d especially like to hear about any plazas off the beaten path. And check out a cool zocalo survey at the planeta.com travel Web site run by an Austin ex-pat in Oaxaca.

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Comments

By AnnaLupilla

November 30, 2006 2:18 AM | Link to this

Hey there, I like the zocalo of Veracruz (Puerto) a lot, as there’s almost always some dancing going on, and it’s very pretty besides. The zocalo in OAX … as you have mentioned … :-( The one in Patzcuaro = magico!! Saludos from Germany!