Visible expression of culture and religion
Zimatlán de Álvarez
It is your entrance passport to the Route of Faith. The feast is endless when the Guelaguetza comes to life on the Yavego hill; if you want to spend a day with ritual included “Ojito de agua” is the right place to live it
San Pablo Huixtepec
It is a community adorned by Catholic devotion and faith with its six chapels. Visit the Agricultural and Livestock Expo Fair dedicated to the Lord of the “Jacal”, there you can make different activities.
Ayoquezco de Aldama
You are at the top when you visit “el Chocó” hill, a representative residential complex of the Zapotec civilization. Fell a great spiritual shelter in the Temple of the Nativity where pilgrims meet in their way to the Virgin Sanctuary.
San Sebastián de las Grutas
Welcome to the entrails of the earth; discover a magical place carved by nature for millions of years. An endless number of stalactites and stalagmites of different sizes create different capricious shapes.
Villa Sola de Vega
You came to the cradle of the “Chilena” and the land of the Tobalá mezcal, know the traditional process of this millenary drink. Do not leave without visiting the parish of San Miguel Arcángel, or if you want something refreshing visit “los Reyes” pool .
San Pedro Juchatengo
You are partying in a community that boasts its folklore, when you witness the celebration in honor of the Lord of Miracles in the third week of February. Eating and drinking well in Juchatengo means a great experience that everyone has to live.
Santa Catarina Juquila
Here the fervor motivates you. A community full of religion, color and tradition, palpable in each of its streets and hills. Share the joy of parishioners by coming into contact with one of the most venerated Marian images throughout the country.
ROUTE OF FAITH - JUQUILA
You are about to share a rich cultural and religious heritage with great natural beauty, this is truly a land of a dazzling variety: Welcome to the Touristic Route of Faith - Juquila!
Catholic religion is a strong influence in the daily life of the region, provides social cohesion and offers a spiritual support to its people.
If fervor motivates you, you are in one of the best places in the world to spend your vacations.
In the Route of Faith there are two colors that accompany your journey: the green, which is part of the incomparable scenery of its mountains and valleys, and the blue of its rivers and streams.
The route is part of three regions of the state of Oaxaca; starts in the Central Valleys, continues in the Sierra Sur and ends in the region of the Coast, a route that allows us a diversification of natural attractions that are not exploited, colonial attractions and especially the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Virgin of Juquila.
The touristic Route of Faith – Juquila is composed by 7 communities:
- Zimatlán de Álvarez
- San Pablo Huixtepec
- Ayoquezco de Aldama
- San Sebastián de las Grutas
- Villa Sola de Vega
- San Pedro Juchatengo
- Santa Catarina Juquila
Zimatlán de Álvarez
Admire its agricultural vocation; it is one of the most important corn regions in the state.
Visit the place called “Ojito de agua”, there, on the last day of the year, the people of the town light a candle and ask that the water do not be scarce.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Cerro Yavego
The second “Lunes del Cerro”, which is celebrated in the city of Oaxaca during the festivities of the Guelaguetza, is celebrated as the first in Zimatlan. On this date start your journey on a route with allegorical floats of the participating delegations, attend the athletic and cycling race; at the end, enjoy the great popular dance party held in front of the Municipal Palace.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
- January 15
Patronal Feast, the Sweet Name of Jesus.
- March 19
Feast of the "barrio de San José".
- June 13
Anual celebration of the "barrio de San Antonio".
- June 24
Feast of the "Barrio de San Juan".
- October 30 and 31
Comparsa de muertos.
San Pablo Huixtepec
Know the elaboration of dairy products distinctive of the region, admire the architecture of the temple of San Pablo, it keeps inside valuable altarpieces of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. The name of this community was designated by Dominican friars, when they came to evangelize the natives.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Dam "el Cerrito del Carmen"
Live a unique and natural moment practicing fishing, admire the fall of water at the time you attempt its preservation.
- Cerro Yaguy
Visit these wonderful grottos that have fascinating rock formations created millions of years ago.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Temple of San Pablo
Religious center located in front of the Municipal Palace, built in the seventeenth century.
- Train Station
Building of great architectural style, ideal to to walk throughout it all.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
- 25 de enero
Patronal Feast of San Pablo.
- Mayo o junio
Agricultural and Livestock Expo Fair.
- 15 de mayo
Festivity of San Isidro Labrador.
- Julio
Guelaguetza in the "Cerrito del Carmen".
- 28 de diciembre
Festivity in the "barrio del Calvario" remembering the Holy Innocents.
Ayoquezco de Aldama
Walk this community located in the basin of the Atoyac River. Walk on the heights when you visit Cerro el Choco, there are remains of a housing complex that housed the Zapotec ceremonial center.
Its gastronomy makes you come back again and again, you can not leave without trying the organic corn "tlayudas" and "tostadas", as well as the "Piernas de Vieja" (typical dish of the rgion).
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Cerro el Choco
Surprise yourself by its elevation of 2,500 meters above sea level, on top of which are vestiges of an archaeological site.
- Cerro Cabo de Hacha
Feel at the top when you look at the population at an altitude of 2,650 meters above sea level. Get into the entrails of the community when you are in the caves el Campanario and the Chifladora.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Temple of the Nativity
Walk the sanctuary in honor of the Virgin of the Nativity, built in the sixteenth century.
- Plazuela de Guegoxiche
You have an appointment with its inhabitants to appreciate the dances of the different delegations that participate in the Guelaguetza in the month of July.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
- January 15
Feast of the Lord of Esquipulas.
- July
Lunes del cerro in Guegoxiche.
- September 8
Celebration of the Virgin of the Nativity.
San Sebastián de las Grutas
Its name was acquired because of the patron saint San Sebastián Mártir. This ecotourism center offers a walk through the most important grotto in the region that has a length of 400 meters with several ramifications. Know its 5 rooms with heights from 20 to 70 meters and marvel at the calcareous formations that resemble baroque constructions of great refinement.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Grottos
Live a fascinating experience entering the bowels of the earth in a journey that amazes you at every step.
- Underground River
Reach the depths of the earth furrowing in calm waters.
- Agave nursery
Learn about the cultivation and conservation of these species.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Temple of San Sebastián de las Grutas
Built in the nineteenth century and restored en the 90s, it presumes you the protection of high quality sacred art works.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
- January 18 to 24
Anual Feast of San Sebastián.
- February 1 and 2
Celebration in honorto the "Ojo de Agua".
- July 14 to 16
Celebración en honor a la Virgen del Carmen.
- First week of November
Viejitos dance.
Villa Sola de Vega
Savor its unique cuisine that welcomes you in any of its establishments located at the entrance of the community. Discover why it is known as the land of the Tobalá mezcal, visit its palenques and participate in the process of making this millenary drink.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Ojo de Agua and pool "los Reyes"
A place that should not be missed on your trip, this crystal clear water spring invites you to understand nature in a peculiar way.
- Botanical Garden Agavetum
Know the 18 types of agave of this region.
- Ojo de Agua El Pocito
Iconic place of pilgrimages and offerings, where many claim to have seen the Immaculate Virgin of Juquila, located in the community of Lazo.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Parish of San Miguel Arcángel
Move to centuries ago when you visit this Catholic building, its main altarpiece sure calls your religious curiosity.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
- May 27
Celebration in honor to the Lord of the Miracles.
- September 27
Celebration of the patronal feast with processions and calendas.
San Pedro Juchatengo
Contemplate its 15 beautiful water sources, the most important is Barranca del Zapote, walk along the banks of the Atoyac River and enjoy its exquisite cuisine when you choose any of the mojarras of the hatchery.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Banks of the Atoyac River
You will be captivated by the tranquility of its course while you do the fishing of the Chacal, a distinctive dish of the population that is offered in the month of May.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Carnaval
Be part of the folklore of this community, when you witness the celebration in commemoration of the Lord of Miracles in the third week of February.
- Tourist Market
Enjoy a cultural mosaic as you appreciate each one of the crafts that this market offers, such as the mats made with palm.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
- Third week of February
Celebration of the Lord of Miracles.
- June 29
Patronal feast of San Pedro Apóstol.
Santa Catarina Juquila
Here the identity of Catholicism comes to you. If your historical curiosity seeks the origins of such great devotion, this is the right place. Visit the Shrine of the Immaculate Virgin of Juquila, frequented by thousands of parishioners per year.
NATURAL ATTRACTIONS
- Santa María Amialtepec
Admire this magical place nestled in the mountain where the sun first hits; stands out its temple of Santa Maria, monument of meditation and inner peace, descend to the wateerfall and to the cave where it appears the silhouette of the Virgin in a stone.
- Waterfall Siete Honduras
A mystical origin floods this places, where customs related with life and death are carried out.
- Waterfall Chorro Conejo
Contemplate a waterfall of 30 meters high, natural beauty formed by the currents that spread throughout Juquila.
- Faith Trail
Walk through the Faith Trail between vegetation and streams of clean water to reach Santa Catarina Juquila, traveling a distance of 3.5 kilometers.
CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
- The Virgin Sanctuary
Place that keeps the image of the Immaculate Virgin of Juquila, visited all the year by the faithful.
- Pedimento
You came to a resting place for walkers, considered sacred by pilgrims.
- Delight in its gastronomy
Participate in the artisanal elaboration of bread and jamoncillo, authentic products of this region.
FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS
- July 25
Horseback riding from Juquila to Santiago Yaitepec.
- November 8
Celebration of the Virgin of Juquila in the community of Amialtepec.
- November 25
Anual Feast of Santa Catarina Virgin and Martyr.
- December 8
Celebration of the Virgin of Juquila.
...and what are you wating for?
Get closer to its history and discover how one of the destinations most visited by parishioners throughout the Republic has been brewing.
When the trip is over, your desire to return again and again will arise.
Its inhabitants, with an intense and fervent religious vocation to the Virgin of Juquila, wish to share their festivities, blend in with their traditions...
