Santiago Apoala

From the otherworldly high Mixtec plains, Santiago Apoala, nestled in a deep canyon valley, evokes a Shangri-la frozen in time. In a Mixtec creation myth, the first people were born in Apoala. Fertile farmlands, semi-tropical fruit trees and grazing livestock that testify to the land’s abundance play in dramatic contrast to the canyon’s soaring walls punctuated by clinging agaves and bromeliads.

Two days and one night make for an interesting getaway from a Oaxaca City centered stay.

Ecotourism Lodging

There are several choices for lodging in the town but I prefer the cabins at the far end of the village that look out over the crystaline stream lined with massive Moctezuma Bald Cypress. There are a couple of good restaurants open from breakfast through dinner.

Be sure to ask that the hot water heater in the cabin has been turned on.

hiking

Hike down to a trio of waterfalls complete with natural pools to swim in the very refreshing water. Just beyond the ecotourism complex of cabins and riverside restaurants, a trail leads to the narrowest part of the canyon. See the attached file for the ancient trail to hike down into the canyon or for a more cardio experience hike up and out of Apoala. The tricky part in how to get to the starting point from the altiplano.