If you’re considering a trip into the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca to visit the Pueblos Mancomunados then you’re going to need to plan well as getting from the city of Oaxaca to these remote Zapotec villages is not as easy as it might be. This is going to be a proper adventure so read on, and then buckle up!

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What are the Pueblos Mancomunados?

📌 In English, “Pueblos Mancomunados” means “Commonwealth of Villages” and that’s essentially what this is. It’s a group of small villages nestled in the pine forests of the Sierra Norte highlands that work together to bring people interested in ecotourism to them.

In 1990, the Oaxaca State Secretary of Tourism decided to create ecotourism opportunities in rural areas of the state in order to create employment in the remote villages and to ensure diverse income streams. 

➡️ There are eight villages in this commonwealth:  Amatlán, Benito Juárez, Caujimoloyas, La Nevería, Lachahtao, Llano Grande, Latuvi and Yavesía.

Some have more activities available to visitors than others so read on to figure out which village(s) you want to visit.

The village of Benito Juárez (Named after one of the most important presidents of Mexico), was the first village to benefit from this project. Cabins were built here first as it’s one of the easiest villages to reach from Oaxaca. 

📌 If you’re wondering about visiting the pueblos mancomunados with kids, we took our kids to the Sierra Norte village of Latuvi when they were 2 and 4 years old and it was absolutely wonderful. They loved every second of their experience – from trying new foods to walking in the forest and meeting people, it was an experience none of us will ever forget.

Where are the Pueblos Mancomunados?

One of the first things everyone visiting Oaxaca notices is that you’re basically surrounded by mountains. As you descend into Oaxaca’s airport you fly over them, holding your breath and gripping the armrests as your teeny plane is buffeted around by the colliding air currents and if you’re anything like me, immediately planning how on earth you’re going to get yourself out of town and into the Sierra Norte.

The villages in this area are Zapotec and all of them are located high in the hills, over 3000m above sea level. Between all eight villages there are fewer than 3,000 people.

Even to reach the closest of all the villages it is still a good two hours of winding roads, some tarred, some dirt roads. We had to stop to give both our children travel sickness medicine it was so winding. The views, as you might imagine though, are outstanding. 

The best way to get yourself to the Pueblos Mancomunados is via the company, Expediciones Sierra Norte. They’ll help you figure out which village(s) to visit, provide transport, book your accommodation and even activities. 

Why visit the Pueblos Mancomunados?

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Getting out of the city and into nature is always a good option in my opinion. A visit to this group of small villages is a perfect opportunity to relax, explore a new area that is never full of tourists. By visiting the pueblos mancomunados you are directly supporting local initiatives and helping invest in a worthwhile ecotourism project and in local experts in their own villages.

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What to pack when visiting the Pueblos Mancomunados

🧤 We had been told that it was chilly in the Sierra Norte and that certainly wasn’t wrong. We took all our warm clothes when we visited for the first time in October. So if you are planning on heading into the Sierra Norte outside of peak summer, I do recommend packing sweaters, a jacket, hat and good shoes. 

☔️ Note that visiting these villages, high up in the mountains, can be somewhat like visiting the inside of a cloud. Take a rain coat.

What is there to do in the Pueblos Mancomunados?

Up in these villages there are opportunities to go mountain biking, go on different hikes (with or without a local guide), horseback riding on a forested trail, go rock-climbing or zip-lining, eat in local restaurants, learn about medicinal herbs and even try a temazcal (a kind of traditional ritual bath / sauna from pre-hispanic times).

Highlights of each village

Benito Jaurez

Beautiful forests, different hiking routes to enjoy on foot, bike or horse. Visit, truchas (traditional trout farms), waterfalls, miradors and enjoy a 300m zipline and an incredible suspension bridge with views over the valley. This is the closest village to Oaxaca and the most visited of all eight.

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La Nevería (Latzi Belli in Zapotec)

Located in a valley, this tiny village has a cloudy and fresh climate and is only accessed by dirt road from Benito Juárez.

Note that winters here are as cold as its name suggests. In fact, the name comes from the fact that people here would sell ice.

It is one of the best preserved areas of nature in all of Mexico. There are 5 trekking routes, 3 bike trails and gorgeous pine forests full of orchids and more. It’s also possible (with pre-booking) to join a local family in their daily activities.

Cuajimoloyas

Visit here to learn about traditional medicine, medicinal plants and their benefits on guided tours and at the traditional medicine center. Take walks in the ancient forests, visit the Coyote Canyon (cañón del coyote) and miradors. There is a 1km zip line for visitors to enjoy.

🍄 The last week of July sees a wild mushroom festival held in  Cuajimoloyas that people love to visit. There are mushroom hunting trips organised from here.

Llano Grande (full name San Isidro Llano Grande)

Completely hidden by huge trees, this small community was formed by people fleeing the Mexican revolution in the 19th century. This small village is located in one of the 17 most important areas of the world for its biodiversity. Check out the nearby Mirador de las Torres and the waterfall, El Pinabete. 

Latuvi (full name Santa Martha Latuvi)

From Latuvi it’s possible to walk in the jungle, visit a waterfall, miradors, relax in a temazcal (although when I did this here it was far from relaxing). It’s also possible to learn about pulque and tepache production in Latuvi.

➕ It’s possible to visit one or two villages or to even hike the complete camino between them all – around 100km in total.

Amatlán

The tiny village of Amatlán (400 residents) offers visitors a historical view of the region and Zapotec culture. Here there is a small museum with copies of historic maps. Visitors can take a temazcal (traditional steam bath) and have a massage.

A note on facilities in the Pueblos Mancomunados villages

​As you might expect when you’re well off the main road and up in the hills, natural resources are fewer and facilities are more basic than in town. Don’t expect oodles of choice or michelin star quality food but know you will find local and delicious food. Embrace the opportunity to eat hearty local food in comedores (canteens) that might as well be someone’s front room. 

❌ You won’t find banks or wifi

✅ you will find small convenience stores to buy bread, fruit and snacks

➕ You may find people selling tepache (a prehispanic drink made from the heart of the maguey), and atole de maís, which, by the way, is a very popular Día de los Muertos drink.

Where will you sleep in the Pueblos Mancomunados?

There are cabins available – with open fires, bunks, and oodles of blankets. Best to pre-book.

What other outdoorsy activities are there in Oaxaca State?

Hierve el Agua

This seriously beautiful place in the hills is a petrified waterfall that is easily visited as a part of one of the  many day tours offered from Oaxaca. Take your swimming stuff as it’s possible to bathe in the pools at the top of the waterfall.

Visit the awesome archaeological sites

There are many sites. Most people will visit Monte Alban and maybe Mitla but there’s also Atzompa, Yagul, Zaachila, Dainzú, Lambityeco, and Huamelulpan near enough to Oaxaca City.

➡️ Check tours to Monte Alban now

Visit the Oaxaca Coast (on the Pacific Ocean)

The Oaxaca coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico as well as the only official nude beach in all of Mexico, Zipolite. The main beach towns in Oaxaca are Puerto Escondido and Mazunte.