The Sierra Norte of Oaxaca has the most elevated mountains within the state orography, some of them higher than three thousand meters (9800 feet) above sea level, which makes it one of the best places in Mexico to adventure in nature.
In the town of Benito Juárez Lachatao you will find many attractions, such as the exuberant forests of conifers such as the oyamel (Abies religiosa), the ocote pine and oaks. You can visit an area called "pinabetes" with 300 year- old pine trees, almost 40 mt (130 ft) tall. You can travel on its rural roads and royal roads either walking, horseback riding or mountain bicycling.
Calpulálpam de Méndez has a Dominican Temple from the sixteenth century dedicated to San Mateo - patron saint of the village- with an impressive architecture of quarry stone and retables made out of precious woods that is the admiration of locals and visitors. In this place you will find a Traditional Medicine Center where folk healers share their ancient knowledge and experience through "limpias" (ritual cleansings), massages, the temascal (ritual steam bath) and locally made natural medicine.
Either walking or riding your mountain bicycle, you can enjoy the special attractions of the lookout named "The Calvary" (El Calvario), the Grotto called Cave of the Creek (Gruta Cueva del Arroyo) and the Site (paraje) of the Y, where two creeks join to form that letter.
Another site you can visit is Ixtlán de Juárez, place where the beauty of its temple will surprise you. The Temple of Santo Tomás Apóstol, of Churrigueresque style, has a lovely portal of pink quarry stone, and the main door and altarpiece, of carved precious woods, as well as a carved stone baptismal font where Benito Juárez was baptized.
Guelatao de Juárez is a historical town where our Meritorious Person of the Americas, Lawyer Benito Pablo Juárez Garcia was born on March 21st, 1806. The exact place of his birth is indicated by a huge statue of him seated on the Presidential Chair.
A few yards away from this monument is the Enchanted Lagoon. It is said that Juarez, as a young child, was standing on its bank when part of it became detached, forming a small island in the middle. Benito stayed there all night, showing no fear whatsoever.
The sierra with its natural richness has many beautiful landscapes to show you; its vast biodiversity and the cheerful hospitality of its people give the tourist an enchanted place where the adventure never ends.
Surrounded by marvelous views, you can observe the local Flora and Fauna while practicing mountain climbing, rappel, zip-lining, kayak, rafting and recreational fishing. Here you will also have the chance to witness the daily life of the communities with their ancient customs and traditions; to enjoy handicraft shops, gastronomy and traditional medicine to purify your soul; to feel the air and touch heaven in the mountains. In a word: enjoy to the full the treasure that the Sierra of Oaxaca is keeping for you.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
The following rules apply to all the communities and natural areas of the state of Oaxaca, not only to restrict the negative effects of the activity of tourism but to accent the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of our communities.
* Respect the local regulations of each site you visit.
* For your safety, at your arrival present yourself to local authorities or local tourism representative.
* Follow carefully every indication given by the guides. If there is any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask them about.
* Use properly the equipment and facilities.
* When going around in any area, always follow only authorized routes, roads and paths.
* Respect the Flora and the Fauna and their habitat.
* Don?t litter; dispose of garbage only in the places designated for this.
* Respect private property as well as the culture and tradition of each community.
* Any lack of observation to these regulations will be sanctioned according to existing dispositions of each community and site visited.
* We suggest you to contribute to the economical welfare of the communities by buying their products and using their facilities.
Services Offered
Location: North of Oaxaca City.
Ways to reach:
Automobile
From the Oaxaca City Zócalo, follow Independencia St.; make a left turn at the cemetery circle into Boulevard Eduardo Vasconcelos, keep going straight until you arrive at the Baseball Park, where you make a right turn into Federal Highway 190 (Oaxaca-Tehuantepec) all the way to the intersection with Federal Highway 175, which communicates Oaxaca City with the Sierra Norte. |
Sierra
Now that you are here...
Now that you are here...
