San Felipe Jalapa de Díaz is a Mazatec town in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca. It is located at the foot of Cerro Rabón (Tailles Hill), which offers a postcard-worthy view of the town. It is one hour and 15 minutes from Tuxtepec, or one hour and a half from the Pueblo Mágico of Huautla de Jiménez.
90% of the population speaks Mazatec and they still preserve their customs and traditions. Just walk around the streets to see many abuelitas with their typical huipils. It is beautiful.
Jalapa de Díaz is a small town, and everything is located in the center. But it is at the entrance of the town where the colorful letters of Jalapa de Díaz are found with the Cerro Rabón in the background. The streets are very narrow and even look like labyrinths, so it is very easy to get lost. In the center there is a small square that is part of the municipal palace. Inside the municipal palace there is a very beautiful mural that captures the history of Mexico from the Independence to the Revolution.
You must visit the parish of the apostles Felipe and Santiago, which is located on a hill about 100 meters from the Municipal Palace. From here you can have a panoramic view of the town with the Cerro Rabón in the background.
There are many legends and stories about the Cerro Rabón. For example, the locals say that they have seen UFOs above the Hill. It is also said that in the revolutionary times, when General Porfirio Díaz left the presidency of Mexico, he went to hide on Cerro Rabón and then escaped to Veracruz to embark to France, where he would die four years later.
It is possible to climb the hill but it is a climb that requires will and physical condition.
As happens throughout the Chinantla region, here you will find waterfalls, rivers and streams with crystal clear waters that are ideal to cool off in the hottest months of the year.
If you want to stay overnight there are some options. We stayed in a very nice hotel that has a view of Cerro Rabón. The sunrise with the magnificent Cerro Rabón is spectacular.
Jalapa de Díaz is undoubtedly the most beautiful town in La Chinantla. People are very friendly, and it is a very clean little town that is worth visiting.
How to get there:
Jalapa de Díaz is 60 km from Tuxtepec. Taking the federal highway 182 Jalapa de Díaz-Tuxtepec you arrive in an hour and 15 minutes. There is public transport that can bring here as well.
