Mexican Minister of Tourism Josefina Rodríguez Zamora participated in the first Lunes del Cerro of the Guelaguetza 2025, highlighting the cultural significance of this celebration and its role in boosting tourism in Oaxaca.
Accompanied by Oaxaca Governor Salomón Jara Cruz and the state’s Secretary of Tourism Saymi Pineda Velasco, Rodríguez Zamora emphasized that the Guelaguetza brings together the cultural richness of the state’s eight regions and increases the arrival of both domestic and international visitors.
“It’s the greatest celebration in Mexico, and it must be shared around the world. It reflects who we are as Mexicans: our colors, our joy, and our people. So, Oaxaca is celebrating. Long live the Guelaguetza, and truly long live our villages, our cultures! Sixteen cultures in one state. I’ve always said it is the melting pot of cultures,” she declared.
According to estimates by the Oaxaca State Government, hotel occupancy during the festival is expected to reach 83%, with over 138,000 visitors, whose spending is expected to top 614 million pesos (32.90 USD), positively impacting the more than 181,000 people who live in the area and work in tourism.
Throughout the celebration, 58 delegations from Oaxaca’s eight regions, as well as representatives of the state’s 16 Indigenous and Afro-Mexican cultures, presented traditional dances, costumes, choreographies, and offerings at the Cerro del Fortín Auditorium—showcasing heritage, music, cuisine, and folklore.
The Lunes del Cerro events are held annually on the last two Mondays of July in Oaxaca City and are considered among the most important cultural and artistic festivals in Latin America.
Rodríguez Zamora invited all tourists to enjoy the July program, which features more than 140 cultural activities, including the Mezcal Fair, the Mushroom Fair, the Oaxaca of a Thousand Flavors Gastronomic Festival, the Huarache Fair, and the Oaxacan Textile Fair.
She also encouraged visitors not to miss the upcoming Desfile de las Delegaciones (Parade of the Delegations), which will take place on July 26 and promises music, traditional apparel, and the vibrant culture of Oaxaca.
“Oaxaca has it all. It is a tourism powerhouse that must be increasingly shown to the world: it has culinary wonders, beaches, culture—so come to Oaxaca this whole month,” she urged.
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