The Zocalo is lined on 3 sides with loggia-type restaurants, a bandstand, vivd lighting and has loads and loads of things to do, see, eat, and hear. A great garbage collection program and manual street sweepers with giant brooms help keep the area very clean. The square is filled year-round with buskers, marimba bands, and other live music acts. Beautiful giant trees run through out the square and offer visitors shade. Everyone runs beneath the loggias during brief rain storms. It is a very happy place to be.

The plaza serves as the main anchor for a pedestrian loop that can be followed around a wide are, connecting the main Cathedral plaza to the main restaurant plaza. All along the way shops, beggars and small markets enliven the place.

Lots and lots of garbage containers help keep the park extremely clean. No cars are allowed in the square! Beautiful park benches and seating-height walls throughout the park encourage people to stop and sit. The square is easy to enter and comfortable to navigate.

The square is filled with restaurants, shoeshine stands, buskers, vendors, balloon sellers and is generally very active. It is self-policed by the business owners and visitors alike. People relax, eat, play games and take in live music.

People are happy to be there whether they are eating, resting, or simply people watching. There is always a good mix of locals and people from out-of-town. It is a major meeting place in the City. As a place of festivals and demonstrations, it is THE place to be in Oaxaca.