FLORA AND FAUNA
Wildflowers -- espina, espina de botón, siempreviva,
mano de león and cabeza de bruja -- dot the landscape.
Local fauna include small mammals such as squirrels, raccoons to
larger badgers and deer. There are also numerous bird species and
reptiles.
HISTORY
This is a fairly new town. It was established in 1929 after serving
as a look-out point during the revolution and named after Mexican
President Benito
Juárez.
PATHS WELL TRAVELED
Rustic paths cross the forests and range from narrow tracks to
the wide reales, used for centuries to link the communities.
Many of these paths are bordered with gigantic magueys, characteristic
of this region and connect to other towns.
Mountain bikers will find a mix of challenging arduous slopes
and long downhill grades. There are also numerous gentle countryside
trails.
Nearby Los Pinavetes is a grove of 300 year-old pine trees, some
reaching 30 meters in height.
LOCAL FOOD
Local bakers show visitors the process of making pan serrano
(mountain bread). Specialties of the region include chichilo and
atole de espuma roja or guiche water, made from red gourds. There's
also Oaxaca's famous hot chocolate and café de olla (coffee
boiled with cinnamon in a clay pot).
Want something really special? Try the poleo tea!
EXCURSIONS
A short bike ride or hike takes travelers along the crest of the
mountain to the town of La Nevería. The 16-kilometer trek
takes about two hours on bike. Other popular destinations include
sister towns of the Pueblos
Mancomunados: Latuvi, Lachatao
and San
Antonio Cuajimoloyas.
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