Day trip to the Sierra Norte

Many residents and visitors love to leave the hustle and bustle of Oaxaca to experience the crystal-clear air and tranquility of the Sierra Norte, the mountain range north of the city. The region is dotted with indigenous pueblos, including Gueletao, where Mexico's only indigenous president, Benito Juarez, was born. The region supports a lot of eco-tourism, with simple cabins to rent, hiking trails, zip lines and other nature-oriented activities. It's also home to a number of trout-raising enterprises and rustic restaurants specializing in fresh trout.

Here's a quick log of a recent visit to the area:

Statue of Juarez, Gueletao, Oaxaca

Brigida Garcia, Benito Juarez's mother

Death mask of Juarez, Museum, Gueletao, Oaxaca

Charming pond next to Juarez museum, Gueletao, Oaxaca

Farmed trout at Truchas Cuachirindoo, above Ixtlan

Lunch on its way--could not be fresher!

                                                              Side view of the Church of Santo Tomas, 1734,  Ixtlan, Oaxaca    

Altar, Santo Tomas, Ixtlan, Oaxaca

The church is full of fascinating religious iconograpy

Photos by Robert Adler. use with attribution per Creative Commons