Hola Mexico-loving friends,

Welcome to the Mexico Spotlight newsletter. You are receiving this because you are already subscribed to my monthly Mexico newsletter.

This newsletter highlights specific destinations around Mexico. I hope to shine a spotlight on lesser-known destinations or slightly off-the-beaten-path towns and cities that are close to places that you may already have on your Mexico bucket list.

Why Jalatlaco?

If you have traveled Mexico a little bit before, you may be familiar with the designation of Pueblo Magico or Magic Town. These are titles given to towns and cities around Mexico by the federal government usually based on a town with a unique history or cultural asset that needs to be protected.

But have you ever heard of a Barrio Magico or a Magic Neighborhood?

Jalatlaco is a Barrio Magico in Oaxaca. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city and although it is quite central, it feels more like a small town in its own right than a neighborhood in a city as large as Oaxaca.

Before the Spanish arrived, Jalatlaco was a Zapotec village. The name Jalatlaco means sand canyon.

I stayed here on my recent trip to Oaxaca and I loved the neighborhood vibe. There is street art around every single corner, on almost every building. I was told that during Dia de Muertos, this neighborhood is one of the most colorful. There are also fantastic local restaurants, cute cafes, and some great nightlife.

How to Get to Jalatlaco

You can walk to the neighborhood from downtown Oaxaca in about 5-10 minutes depending on where you are coming from. You can easily hop in a taxi if you don't want to walk and be here in just a few minutes (although with the traffic in Oaxaca Centro, walking is usually quicker!).

Things to Do in Jalatlaco

This neighborhood isn't the place to come for tons of activities or museums. Rather, it's about getting lost along the cobbled streets and stopping into the local shops, cafes, and restaurants.

• Explore the Street Art: It is truly around every corner, you can't miss it. This is one of the coolest things about this neighborhood!
• ​Visit the Templo de San Matias: Located at the heart of Jalatlaco, this church is a popular gathering place for locals. It is a particularly bustling place on a Sunday after church or in the evenings when the temperatures have cooled enough to be outside. Head to this nearby restaurant in the daytime for a refreshing cup of Tejate, a local masa drink or come in the evening for some of the best tlayudas in the area.
• Shop local: Oaxaca is packed to the brim with artists and small stores where they sell their work. Jalatlaco has a large concentration of these shops that you won't want to miss out on. Some of my favorites were Alma Raiz, Alebrijes Blas Workshop, and Amate Books.
• Explore the Cafe Scene: Another reason to come to Oaxaca is for its locally produced coffee and Jalatlaco has a ton of roasters making seriously good beans. Two of my favorites were Mujer de Cafe and Cocuche.

Where to Stay in Jalatlaco

There are a ton of hotels of varying prices in Veracruz. Most sit well within the midrange budget. Even the more expensive ones don't tend to cost much more than $100 per night.

Most of the hotels on this list are close to the centro historico, which is where the majority of the action is in the city. I added a few that are close to the beach as well, but the quality of those hotels isn't as high as those in the center.

Budget

• ​Casa Arnel​
• ​Posada Mi Rosita​
• ​La Cochinilla Hotel Boutique​

Mid Range

• ​Paraje la Huerta​
• ​El City Centro​

Luxury

• ​Hotel Tabaa​

Where to Eat in Jalatlaco

There are so many wonderful places to eat all over Oaxaca, but I found the food in Jalatlaco, especially the local spots, to be pretty fantastic. There are a few restaurants in this neighborhood that are in the Michelin Guide, but if you've been around for a while, you know I prefer to focus on the mom & pop spots that are serving up traditional eats at a reasonable price.

• ​Tacos Chayito: Over the last decade I have eaten a lot of guisado tacos, and I can say with confidence that the guisados or stews that they are making here are some of the most delicious I have had anywhere in Mexico. This is a breakfast/brunch option so come hungry around 10 or 11am to have the best selection. Alternatively, they turn into a comida corrida spot for lunch around 1pm where you can get a simple appetizer, main, and dessert for a set price. But don't miss the guisados for at least one of the days you're here.
• ​De Maiz y Cacao: Unbelievable handmade tortillas, tetelas stuffed with cheese or mushrooms or meat were all good. The hot chocolate here is made traditionally, very frothy and light and so rich and delicious.
• ​Taqueria El Primo: I'm not sure if this is just on the cusp of Jalatlaco or if it is classed as the Centro, but it is right on the border with this neighborhood and regardless, you need to eat the pastor tacos here.

Watch My Oaxaca Video

The Oaxaca video showing the beautiful Jalatlaco neighborhood will go live this Saturday, so be sure that you're subscribed and have notifications turned on so that you don't miss it! In the meantime, watch my video where I make chicken Mezcal in a small town outside of Oaxaca called Matatlan, the World Capital of Mezcal!

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I hope this made you want to book a trip to this magical part of Mexico! If you have any questions, as always, feel free to hit reply and ask away!

Laura