Benito Juárez Overnight Trip
Not scheduled this season.
Benito Juárez is the village in the Pueblos Mancomunados closest to Oaxaca city. It is usually reached via the dirt road that climbs nearly 5,000 feet (1524 meters) in the 11 miles (17.7 km) from Teotitlan del Valle. There is an ecotourism camp with cozy cabins for overnight visitors. Meals can be had at a restaurant next to the tourism office. Benito Juárez is a great staging area for hikes to other nearby villages, such as La Neveria, Latuvi or Cuajimoloyas (read more about these places by looking them up on this web site). At an elevation of 9638 feet(2937 meters), you can expect notably cooler temperatures, especially at night, so be sure to bring a jacket, hat, gloves and layered clothing. It is not unusual for the area to have fog and light rain, even in the dry season.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Sunday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the forest to nearby villages or the scenic overlook above the town / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult
(Click here for more information about this outing)
Capulálpam Overnight Trip
Not scheduled this season
Capulálpam is a charming mountain village in the Sierra Norte well deserving of its designation as a “Pueblo Magico”. The town is kept scrupulously clean, with no trash or graffiti, and the buildings always look freshly painted. There are scenic mountain vistas from the plaza in front of the church or the mirador higher up the hill. The ecotourism camp is within walking distance of the village, which has several restaurants where meals can be obtained. The mining museum and refurbished gold mine in the nearby village of Natividad are local attractions. There are a number of hiking trails in the vicinity. Participants might also enjoy visiting the mine ruins at Cinco Señores, located on the other side of the Rio Papaloapam valley near Lachatao.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Sunday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the forest to nearby villages or the scenic overlook above the town / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult
Cuajimoloyas Overnight Trip
Not scheduled this season.
The village of Cuajimoloyas has a pleasant ecotourism camp with ten cabañas tucked in the woods 4.0 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the center of town. It is a delightful refuge for those looking for some peace and quiet in a mountain hideaway. The camp includes a large meeting / dining room with kitchen facilities for group meals. There are also several small restaurants in town where simple meals can be obtained. The highest point on the unpaved road to the camp tips the altimeter at 10,560 feet (3219 meters), while the camp itself is the low point at 10,129 feet (3087 meters). Those hiking between town and camp will climb 325 feet and descend 585 feet along the way. The walk takes an hour each way. There are numerous other hiking trails in the vicinity, including a relatively easy path through the woods to Llano Grande, just over 5 miles distant. Cuajimoloyas also boasts the longest and highest zip line in the area. Motion sickness alert! The ride to and from Cuajimoloyas may induce dizzyness.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Sunday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the forest to nearby villages / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult
El Carrizal – Weekend trip Overnight
Not scheduled this season.
El Carrizal sits in one of the loveliest high-mountain valleys around. The community recently built a new ecotourism camp. There are miles of footpaths and forest roads in the area to explore on foot or by bicycle. The staff at the ecotourism camp will be happy to help you enjoy your weekend stay in the village. Motion sickness alert! The ride to and from El Carrizal may induce dizzyness.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Sunday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the lush forest and to a mirador overlooking the Tlacolula valley / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult
(Click here for more information about this outing)
Ixtlan de Juárez Overnight Trip
Not scheduled this season.
The ecotourism camp at Ixtlan de Juárez is located deep in the woods several kilometers from the town. There are eight cabins widely spread out over a very large and inviting area. Each cabin has two apartments which are variously furnished to sleep from two to six people apiece. There is a large meeting / dining hall on the property and group meals can be contracted for with the local staff. There are several hiking trails nearby. Attractions include visits to Ixtlan and/or Calpulálpam and the mining museum in Natividad, just a few kilometers away. Both Ixtlan and Calpulálpam have scenic overlooks above the towns which offer great views of the villages and the deep valley of the Rio Papaloapam in the distance. Trip participants may well want to feast on trout dinners at the Shoo Betts restaurant two kilometers from Ixtlan on Highway 175 on the way to Tuxtepec.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Monday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the forest / Visit mining museum & restored gold mine in nearby town of Natividad / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult
Lachatao Overnight
Not scheduled this season.
The ecotourism camp in Lachatao in the Sierra Norte mountains north of Oaxaca city is a pleasant place to spend a quiet weekend. There are opportunities to hike, mountain bike or go horseback riding. The most interesting place to visit is the extensive ruins of the gold mines of the Cinco Señores and Socorro haciendas, where you will find the remains of numerous buildings, aqueducts and both vertical and horizontal water wheels which once powered the mine operations. There is also a significant unexcavated temple site on a nearby mountaintop, which is said to predate Monte Alban and is used by villagers for ceremonies marking the spring and autumnal equinoxes. Lastly, the hiking trail linking Lachatao to Latuvi is perhaps the loveliest of all the trails in the Pueblos Mancomunados. Lachatao sits at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet and so has notably cooler temperatures. Be sure to dress appropriately. Motion sickness alert! The ride to and from Lachatao may induce dizzyness.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Monday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the forest to nearby villages or the scenic ruins of old mines / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult
Llano Grande Overnight Trip
Not scheduled this season.
Of all the places in the Pueblos Mancomunados, Llano Grande has the most rustic feel and the lushest rain forest. At over 10,000 feet (3046 meters) in altitutude, it is also the highest. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are the chief outlets for those looking for some exercise; reading or wandering about the village are occupations that appeal to the more sedentary visitor. The staff at the ecotourism camp will be happy to help you enjoy your weekend stay in the community. Motion sickness alert! The ride to and from Llano Grande may induce dizzyness.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Sunday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the lush forest, along creeks and to a scenic mountaintop overlook or a cascada / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult
San Jose del Pacifico Overnight Trip
Not scheduled this season.
San Jose del Pacifico, population 800, sits at over 8200 feet elevation in the Sierra del Sur mountains a three-hour drive south of Oaxaca city. It is sometimes called the magic mushroom capital of the state and attracts a good number of hippies looking to get high on something more than the altitude. The mountains are densely forested and incredibly steep. From some vantage points you can see the Pacific ocean in the distance – when the view is not obscured by clouds, which is most of the time. San Jose tends to be cold, with lots of fog and rain, so visitors should pack warm clothes and rain gear. There are numerous logging roads and hiking trails in the area. Group lodging is available at the Puesta del Sol or Rancho Viejo resorts just a short distance down the highway. There are lots of eateries and curio shops in town.
Time frame: 8 am Saturday through 5 pm on Monday / Hikes along dirt roads or on footpaths through the forest / Hike distances vary, as does the difficulty of the terrain / Exposure: mix of sun & shade / Rating: moderate to difficult