Villages

Ixtlán de Juárez

Located 65 km north from the City of Oaxaca, one can find the town of Ixtlán de Juárez. With over 2,500 inhabitants, it functions as the municipality head of the Sierra Norte region. The town was settled in the latter half of the 15th century by Zapotec people, before the Spanish arrival, probably to establish a defensive outpost against the Mexican (Aztec) invaders.

Due to its vast and diverse ecosystems, surrounded by more than 19,000 hectares of cloud forests and pine and oak woodlands, Ixtlán is now a centre for eco-tourism.

Apart from its tourism industry, Ixtlán also practices sustainable forestry, taking advantage of 25% (around 4,000 hectares) of their forests, managed by a socially driven community company.

Ixtlán started with sustainable forestry in the '80s, since then it now has seven community companies; a forest management company, a sawmill, a gas station, a furniture factory, a furniture store, a fishery, and an eco-tourism company.

As the Sierra Norte region of Sierra Juárez lacked higher education, in April of 2015 the government of the state of Oaxaca established the Universidad de la Sierra Juárez to help further the development and education of the region. Currently, the university offers degrees in the fields of natural sciences, sociology and humanities. Communality studies were also added as a degree recently.

Capulálpam de Mendéz

Ten kilometres southeast of Ixtlán de Juárez is Capulálpam de Méndez. A town with perfectly aligned houses made of adobe walls and tile roofs, cobbled stone streets and an overall charming ambience. It was because of such reasons, as well as its living traditions and natural attractions that it was called a Pueblo Mágico/Magical Town in 2007. A title given to unique towns by Mexico's Secretariat of Tourism.That initiative, with the support from other federal agencies, promotes a series of towns around the country that offer visitors a "magical" experience because of their natural beauty, the richness of culture and tradition, historical relevance, cuisine, arts and crafts. Until 2015, Capulálpam was the only town with this denomination in the state of Oaxaca.

As of 205, the municipality of Capulálpam had 326 households with a total population of 1,313. The town dates back to the year 1200 when it was founded by the Zapotec. After the Spanish arrival, the town's inhabitants dedicated themselves mostly to mining. After the Spanish left, the mine was in the hands of various companies with foreign capital. However, at the moment, the operation of the mine is limited to its maintenance. Canadian investors wanted to negotiate with the community of Capulálpam permission to survey their territory, but the communal-land authorities categorically rejected it.

Capulálpam has now transitioned its economy from mining to tourism. Though tourism is their main source of income, the town also has other community companies; a sawmill, a forest management company, a water bottling company, a traditional medicine centre, and an eco-tourism company.

San Pablo Guelatao

A few kilometres south of Ixtlán de Juárez is San Pablo Guelatao. The home of the Zapotec intellectual Jaime Martínez Luna and the birthplace of one of Mexico's most beloved presidents, Benito Juárez. At the time Juárez lived, Guelatao had a population of fewer than 100 people and fell under the jurisdiction of Ixtlán. However, Guelatao became an independent municipality in 1824. The village has a small museum dedicated to Juárez, community cabins and the first independent community cinema in Oaxaca - Cine Too.

Guelatao is the base of the first indigenous radio in Oaxaca, XEGLO La Voz de la Sierra, and was also home of the community radio Estéreo Comunal.

The municipality of Guelatao is small and unlike its neighbours has a small forest area. However, you can find a beautiful pond in its centre and a glass lookout in a nearby mountain.

In 2005, San Pablo Guelatao had 111 households with a population of about 480 people.

Santa Catarina Lachatao

The enchanting pre-Columbian village of Santa Catarina Lachatao is located 64 kilometres from the City of Oaxaca. The village does not have its designated area by Mexico's Agrarian law, instead it shares its territories with surrounding villages as Mancomunado villages. It has caused a few issues in the community concerning forest management. As of now, Lachatao does not exploit its forest for commercial uses, taking only what they need for local use.

Lachatao is also running its community school. Unlike many other villages, in Lachatao women have been part of the system of cargos, and at the moment, the village has its second female president.

The only community company established in Lachatao is an eco-tourism company. Charming cabins overlooking the village and the restaurant serving local food, are complemented by the museum with local historical artefacts from the area.

Santa María Yavesía

The quaint village of Yavesía is surrounded by over 9,000 hectares of pristine virgin forests. Unlike many other villages and towns in the region, the community of Yavesía has resisted from exploiting its forests, instead of maintaining it as a healthy source of water supply and dedicating themselves to fruit cultivation and low impact tourism where tourists can stay in the houses of locals and learn about their culture.

Yavesía is located 70 kilometres from the City of Oaxaca. As soon as you enter Yavesía's territory, the concrete road ends, and the dirt road begins. You are greeted by motivational nature signs along the road that appear periodically into the village. A crystal clear river splits the village into its two neighbourhoods of La Asunción and San Miguel. If you happen to be there on the 15th of August, 29th of September, or the 8th of December you can enjoy its fiestas where you might be served its famous deer tamales.

The area was first settled around 600-800 A.D. by Zapotec people, and the village has changed locations three times since then. The community has around 450 inhabitants.