Sierra Norte and the Pueblos Mancomunados

A Community Owned Ecotourism Network Of Eight Zapotec Villages Across Pine And Cloud Forest In The Sierra Norte, Linked By Marked Trails Of Several Days With Cabins, A Zip Line, Mountain Biking And Viewpoints. Run By The Communities, With Set Prices, So Walkers Can Arrange A Trip Without A Tour Operator. Cold At Night And Misty At Altitude · Ixtlan de Juarez, Oaxaca

The Pueblos Mancomunados are eight Zapotec mountain villages in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca - Benito Juarez, La Neveria, Latuvi, Amatlan, Llano Grande, Lachatao, Yavesia and Cuajimoloyas - that share land and run a community ecotourism network. Marked trails of 2 to 3 days link the villages through pine, oak and cloud forest, with simple cabins, meals and local guides in each. Cuajimoloyas, the best known, has viewpoints, a zip-line and mountain biking near a forest at about 3,000 m. Prices are set by the communities, and bookings can be made through Expediciones Sierra Norte in Oaxaca city or directly at the villages. It is cold at night, misty at altitude, and quiet. Oaxaca city is 1 to 2 hours away by shared vans, so a day trip is possible, though staying a night is much better. It suits walkers, families and anyone who wants real mountain air and village life. It is worth the detour for a night or more, and less so as a rushed day trip in rain.

Pueblos Mancomunados, a network of eight Zapotec villages in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, reached from Oaxaca city by road to Ixtlan or Benito Juarez; coordinates approximate, Ixtlan de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico

There are no gate hours for the network as a whole. Each village runs its own ecotourism office, cabins and kitchen, usually open every day in daylight, with check-in in the afternoon. The booking office in Oaxaca city keeps business hours and is often CLOSED on Sundays and holidays, so confirm days by phone or message. Walking the public village streets and the open forest road is FREE, but trails, cabins, guides, the zip-line and bike rental are paid at set community prices. Zip-line and bike hours depend on weather, and they can be CLOSED in storms or low cloud. Shared vans from Oaxaca city run mostly by day and fewer on Sundays, so ask about the last return. All times change, so confirm them.

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