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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Enchanting Streets of Oaxaca, Mexico

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

When visiting Oaxaca, Mexico, guidebooks might point you towards the ancient ruins of Monte Alban or the tempting mezcal distilleries. Mezcal is the pride of Oaxaca, like Tequila is the love and major product of the state of Jalisco. While those are certainly worthy destinations, don't miss out on the magic of the city's walking streets.

A Pedestrian Haven

Unlike many bustling Mexican cities, Oaxaca offers a haven for pedestrians in its car-free thoroughfares. The most famous of these is Andador Macedonio Alcalá, also known simply as "El Andador", which stretches through the heart of the historic center.

Endless Delights

As you stroll along El Andador, you'll be captivated by the vibrant atmosphere. Colorful colonial buildings line the street, their balconies adorned with flowers and wrought-iron railings. Charming shops beckon with local crafts, textiles, and souvenirs. Cozy cafes spill out onto the sidewalks, tempting you with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pastries. Bars, hotels, restaurants, museums, churches and more are all lined up on this street. One can wander from side to side, walking in the wide street at your own pace.

Andador de Macedonia Alcala

To get there, you can follow the foot traffic north of the Zocalo until you arrive at a pedestrian-only, new world styled cobblestone street. (Much easier to meander on than the ankle turning original cobblstones!) The street is actually named Alcala, but people interchangeably use this name as well as the word, "andador" which literally means "walker."

Wide street dotted with casual walkers

It takes more than one time up and down the street in order to absorb all that is here. MACO is located on this street - one of Oaxaca's best museums, and MUPO, which is the Museum of Oaxacan Painters, is just one block off the andador.

Buildings showcasing Oaxaca's beautiful stonework

There are cultural places, parks, bars, mezcalerias, and boutique hotels. This street runs through the heart of Oaxaca City, through the Historico Centro.

Oaxaca has many churches

Walking around the Historico Centro on either side of the long andador you will see other historical buildings and churches.

El Teatro

The stonework in this city is gorgeous. Many buildings were a mixture of pinks and greens, natural colors from the earth.

This stately building is The Theater. 

Stylish and clean

All throughout the City's Center, Oaxaca displays a proud style. Streets are clean, and people are respectful.

Weekend crowds

Here we are back at the andador itself, with the streets a bit more active with the weekend crowds. It's more festive at the end of the week, with street musicians playing for tips, clowns walking around causing mischief, and more vendors selling items like cotton candy and balloons. 

El Jardin Etnobotanico de Oaxaca

Perpendicular to Alcala is the botanical garden, which lies on the property next to the Church of Santo Domingo. The state government administers this garden which contains numerous species of cactus and native plants.

A popular corner

To the left here outside the photo is the Church of Santo Domingo with its broad plaza stretched out front. To the right and outside the photo is a favorite coffee shop, Brujula, where natives and expats alike go to have coffee, pastry, lunch, gourmet beverages and to enjoy the free WiFi.

Straight down the Alcala, with a few twists and turns at the end, is the Zocalo, the main plaza of Oaxaca City.

Women in native Oaxacena costume

Brightly colored embroidery decorates these dresses and blouses that native Oaxacenas wear when celebrating a holiday or a festivity of significance. We spent several weeks in the city, and were able to enjoy wedding parties at the Cathedral, some parades, the Guelaguetza festival, and other colorful displays of folklore and dancing.

Artistic display of birds attached to wires that cross the street

Further down the Alacala, there were silvery wires that went from one side of the andador to the other, with paper birds hanging in a pattern from the wire. Depending on the weather, some days you could not see the wire at all, and the suspended birds created a very whimsical scene.

Signs for the tourists

These signs listing the main attractions of the area were placed throughout the Centro. It was easy to find where you might want to go in relationship to where you were currently.

Here the sign lets you know where the Santo Domingo Cathedral is, where the Government Palace is, and which direction the Museum of Contemporary Art is.

Santo Domingo Church

The Church of Santo Domingo is a large attraction for tourists, and locals dream of having their weddings, anniversaries and their Quinceneras there.

A beautiful display of Baroque architecture, there is great detailed artwork on the ceiling. The church has been fully restored to it's original condition (the complex of church and monastery took over 200 years to complete) and the highly decorated interior includes the use of more than 60,000 sheets of 23.5 karat gold leaf.

Another shot of the church

The andador lies perpendicular to the entrance of this church, with the Zocalo at the end of the walking street to the right about half a kilometer.

This plaza acts as a center for local fiestas and entertainments and is very active on weekends.

If you ever visit Oaxaca, spend some time on the Alcala. Have a cappuccino, get some lunch, stop by a Mezcaleria later in the day, enjoy the musicians of the weekend and generally people-watch. It's quite enjoyable, and a casual way  to spend the day.

For more stories and photos of Oaxaca, click here

For more stories and photos of Mexico, click here

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About the Authors

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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