Pluma Hidalgo GPS: 15°55.5'N 96°25.2'W Elevation: 4265' (1300 meters) to the north Oaxaca, Oaxaca San José del Pacífico San Mateo Río Hondo to the south Pochutla, Oaxaca to the east Salina Cruz, Oaxaca Xanica, Oaxaca to the southwest Huatulco, Oaxaca Piedra de los Moros Santa María Huatulco, Oaxaca to the west San Miguel del Puerto, Oaxaca   Main Index Aerial Photos Land Photos City Map A Trip to the Mountains Hwy 175 Hwy 200 Coffee-Growing La Casita Indigenous Language Map Visitors' Comments About • Home • Search What's New?

Pluma Hidalgo is located in the upper left quadrant of this map. Coffee may be grown in this region beginning at about 500 meters elevation (first contour interval on this map).

Pluma Hidalgo is a small mountain community located northeast of Chacalapa, Oaxaca, in a coffee-growing region. Pluma means feather and comes from the shape created by a cloud forming at the top of the nearby hilltop. Hidalgo honors the priest by that name who played a role in securing Mexico's independence. Pluma Hidalgo is a hub for coffee and chocolate production and you can certainly get a good cup of coffee or chocolate here as well as purchase excellent coffee beans to take home. If you order chocolate to drink, you will be asked if you want it prepared with milk leche or in the traditional indigenous style.

The altitude makes for pleasantly mild daytime temperatures and cool nights, requiring some warm clothing at night, in sharp contrast to the hot climate of the nearby coast. From its hillside perch on a clear day you can see the Pacific Ocean 15 miles away.

There is a new highway to Pluma Hidalgo, which makes access easy. The new highway is not seen on my city map as it is well to the east, but it is on the topographic map at right. I don't show street names on the city map, but there are no street signs anyway. The highway passes Pluma Hildalgo just to the east of town and a sharp right turnoff brings you in to town from the north. The highway intersects Hwy 200 just east of the Huatulco Airport. 10 km takes you first to Santa María Huatulco where you will take a 90° left just before the main road splits off in a "V" in town (see map). Stay on the pavement and follow the road out of town and across an interesting one-lane bridge and then up into the mountains for another 26 km (16 miles) to the Pluma Hidalgo turnoff. Mountain roads are damaged every year during the rainy season and it typically takes the remainder of the year to make repairs. Use caution when driving mountain roads and do not drive at night because washouts and landslides are usually unmarked.

See Aerial Photos of Pluma Hidalgo.

See Land Photos of Pluma Hidalgo.

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Hotels and Accommodations • Hoteles y Alojamientos

There appear to be about 4 hotels in this small community. All are budget. The nicest is Isabel's place behind the church facing south. The hotel has no name and there is no sign, but Isabel is the owner. It is a new building with beautiful wood trim. All rooms have a view of the ocean, when the weather is clear. Isabel's prices are quite reasonable and I expect the others are even less. If you stay in Pluma Hidalgo, use the link at the bottom of the Hotel section and give me a report.

Additional accommodations are available in Santa María Huatulco, 26 km down the mountain and in Huatulco, about 46 km away on the coast. Easter week and Christmas week are the busiest holiday periods and Mexico and hotels often fill up during these times.

Budget • Económico
• Posada Isabel Behind the church facing south (no sign). (958) 525-8113, 525-8003 (Ochilon Silva Méndez). US$18.50 for a double. Photos (11/21)

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Restaurants • Restaurantes

There are several small restaurants in Pluma Hidalgo. Use the link below to report your favorites.
• Comedor Raquel Southwest corner of the zócalo. Very small.
• La Flor del Café Southeast corner of the zócalo. We stopped here for coffee, chocolate, and truffles.

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Celebrations • Celebraciones

• Día de Independencia September 15 and 16. On the 15th, Father Hidalgo's (namesake of the town) Grito de Delores is reenacted. On the 16th a parade and other festivities occur.
• Virgen de Guadalupe December 12. Includes religious events, a parade through town, native dances, sports tournaments, and a pilgrimage from neighboring towns.

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Transportation • Transportación

The new highway makes access to this remote mountain village easy. We arrived in a rental car from Económica. Taxis are another option--there are taxis available in town for the return trip.
• Huatulco International Airport The airport is 28 km (17.5 mi.) away.
• Taxi East end of the zócalo. The town is so small, you don't need a taxi to get across town. Taxis are available to take you to neighboring towns.

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Tour Operators • Operadores Turísticos

• Carlos Francisco Lopez Alcantara (958) 585-0201. Speaks English. Guides an ATV tour from Santa María Huatulco to Pluma Hidalgo and back. eflalcantara@hotmail.com. (3/09)

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Medical • Médico

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Real Estate • Bienes Raices

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Miscellaneous • Misceláneo

• Expendio de Café Southeast corner of the zócalo. Coffee (beans and ground) is for sale. We paid $100 pesos for a kilo here. Compare that to $75/kilo at La Casita in Puerto Escondido with a choice of roast. (3/09)

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Pluma Hidalgo with highway in background.   See more Aerial Photos of Pluma Hidalgo. See More Land Photos.

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