Parque Juarez El Llano (Juarez El Llano Park), Oaxaca

Juárez El Llano Park occupies a storied patch of ground in the Historic Center-once known as the Llano de Guadalupe, named for the nearby colonial-era shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the late 17th century, this flat plain hosted the Hospital de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, where friar-bookbinder Manuel Fernández Fiallo and Prelate Alonso Cuevas Dávalos oversaw the care of the sick until its decline and closure in 1820.

Two years later, José María Morelos repurposed the space as military drill grounds during the Independence War, even commissioning a stone fountain for the troops to salute.

Over time, the site evolved through many guises-a tree-lined promenade in early 19th-century maps, a city zoo complete with eight stone lions flanking its gates, and, in 1894, the proud installation of a monument to Benito Juárez, who once passed through these very streets.

Today, El Llano Park offers a delightful blend of serenity and surprise. Recent renovations have refreshed its four distinctive fountains, winding walkways, and lush gardens, all framed by graceful colonial buildings like the Chapel of Bethlehem and the Shrine of Guadalupe.

Weekday mornings you’ll find locals practicing dance steps or Tai Chi; Fridays transform the lawns into a bustling market where vendors hawk everything from candied limes stuffed with coconut (a Frida Kahlo favorite) to handcrafted souvenirs.

Year-round, the park’s bandstand and open spaces host book fairs, live music, and cultural festivals, making Juárez El Llano Park not just a tranquil retreat, but the beating heart of Oaxaca’s community life.