Juchitán is an incredibly famous little Zapotec town on the Isthmus de Tehuantepec. Right now some 26 kms east of the train station in Tehuantepec, there are plans afoot right now to extend another branch of the train this way. There's also an important part of the population that speaks Huave languages associated with the lagoons region to the south of the city.
Juchitán is so famous because the friendly population here is basically run by women. An important number of families still run the local economy with a matrifocal interest, meaning the women make the most important economic decisions.
There are also an important number of Muxe people who call Juchitán home. They make up the Zapotec third gender and contribute heavily to the culture and well-being of the town. The name of the town could be interpreted as among the flowers, although that name comes from the Nahuatl language. Zapotec speakers will call it Xabizende.
But one only has to visit to see why the town is still among the flowers. They seem to be in bloom here all year round. The economy moves with mostly agricultural production, but the local artisan population plays a fair hand, too. Weaving, pottery, goldsmithing, and embroidery are everywhere.
Las Velas de Juchitán de Zaragoza are a series of street fairs and festivals that happen in April, August and September. The highlight of the year is the Feast of San Vicente Ferrer in May. Festivals include lots of dancing and music and of course, the candles for which they're named. These have been going on for more than a century and each year they seem to get more imporessive.
On September 5, each year, people come from all over the state and the region for a giant market too. Vendors pull out all the stops and it often takes over most of the center of town.
- Playa Azul, located in Juchitán de Zaragoza: It is a wide beach with a bay shape. Its sand is fine-grained, the slope is moderate, and the water has blue tones, being temperate and with moderate waves. To get there, you must travel a dirt road, which offers a more adventurous and authentic experience.
- Playa San Vicente is a charming and quiet tourist destination in Juchitán de Zaragoza. It offers an authentic experience, ideal for those looking to enjoy nature and local culture, as well as enjoy the freshness of seafood, fish, delicious drinks and more.
