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Municipality and town in Oaxaca, Mexico
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Capulalpam de Méndez, usually known as simply Capulalpam, is a small village in the rugged mountains of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. The village is tiny with less than 1,500 residents, yet it was the first town in Oaxaca to be designated a Pueblo Magico. Travelers come for the town's reputation for mystical health treatments where shaman healing methods from the town's Zapotec past are embodied in the town's Indigenous Medicine Center. There's also a cool cave to explore, rock climbing, mountain biking, and a super chill zocalo to hang out at in the afternoon or evening.
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St Matthew's Church
16th century baroque style church built by the Dominican missionaries in the center of town. Known for its 15 carved wood religious scenes. Excellent views of the valley.
Traditional Zapotec healers provide medicinal plant therapy, massages, temazcal, and herbal baths. A herbal pharmacy is available and seminars are conducted to educate visitors on the variety of medicinal plants used in traditional Zapotec and Mixtec healing. The temazcal is a sweat lodge that leverages the elements of fire, water, earth, and air to heal both body and soul.
Natural forest area with towering old-growth cypress trees, paved paths, boardwalks, picnic tables and grills. Dogs allowed. Zipline 30 meters over a mountain stream. Rappeling (extra cost).
Cockteleria Bar Anddor
Bar and restaurant with excellent cocktails, cold beer, micheladas, light food and great views from the outdoor deck. Recommend the caldo Tlalpeño.
Casual restaurant with traditional Mexican food, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Beer, micheladas and cocktails made with local mescal.
Excellent coffee and hot chocolate with desserts and light fare. Crepes, tlayudas, cheesecakes, etc. They also have a campground.
Very clean and inexpensive rooms. 300 pesos a night. Patty the owner, maintains the premises beautifully. Strong wifi.
Quiet, cozy small hotel with off-street parking, good hot water but weak Wi-Fi.
Cozy, private cabins, excellent service from owners. Good choice for couples or family.
Basic rustic cabins with fireplaces on the edge of town.
By car
From Oaxaca, take federal highway MEX 175 north to Ixtlan de Juarez, then follow the signs east to Capulalpam. It's about an hour and a half drive on scenic mountain roads.
The town itself is compact and easily walkable, but taxis are available for places further afield.
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Oaxaca · International · OAX
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