Santiago Quiotepec - Santa Maria Tecomavaca
A visit to the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere and its green macaws
Ruta: Tehuacan-Cuicatlan
This journey takes us into the heart of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, one of Mexico’s most extraordinary landscapes, known for its dramatic canyons, giant cacti, and rich biodiversity.
Our destination is the small village of Santiago Quiotepec, where we spend the night. Once connected to the outside world by railway, the village slipped into quiet obscurity when the trains stopped running in 2000. With its adobe houses, dusty streets, and timeless atmosphere, it feels like the Mexico of another era.
From here, we visit the ancient Zapotec fortress of Cerro Viejo and walk along sections of the old railway before cooling off with a swim in the Río Grande.
The next morning, before sunrise, we hike into the Canyon de Sabinos to observe the endangered green macaws. Between May and August, during their nesting season, these magnificent birds can often be seen soaring above the canyon walls.
A unique journey combining archaeology, nature, wildlife, and authentic rural life in one of Oaxaca’s hidden treasures.
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