NATURAL WORLD
Nature enthusiasts enjoy the guided treks through the mesófilo
forests in the region well-known for its biodiversity. From the
center of town, you are never more than just a few blocks from the
forest. You'll find plants here that exist nowhere else in the world.
The community conserves more than 19,500 hectares of wilderness.
Shiaa Rua-Via -- the local ecotourism office -- provides maps
and guides. Hike on prehispanic roads used for centures as commercial
exchange route between the Central Valleys of Oaxaca and the towns
along the Gulf
of Mexico during the Zapotec
Empire.
LOS POZUELOS
Hike uphill to Los Pozuelos (3,159 meters), a scenic vista where
you can see the mangificent mesófilo forest as well as the
Río Grande river basin and El Zempoaltépetl (sacred
hill of the Mixe). On clear days, you can spot the Orizaba volcano
in the state of Puebla.
SHOO-BETOO
Head toward Unidad Pisícola Shoo Betto. There's a great
meal at the end of the road! Delicious rainbow trout is served in
the community dining room.
ARCO DE YA-HELA
This hike follows an ancient path through an encino forest loaded
with orchids, lichens, mosses, ferns and mushrooms. In the pool
of the cave of Arco de Ya-Hela, you can swim or simply to wet you
under the cascade. These hikes are great any time of year, though
the prime time is the winter, particularly between November and
February.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
Ixtlán de Juárez boasts a colonial church (Santo
Tomas) completed in 1734 and built in the Churrigueresque
style. The portico is constructed of rosy quarry stone.
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