Mexico Guide
Oaxaca
Ixtlan
Ixtlan, a pretty village near San Pablo Guelatao (the birthplace of Benito Juárez), is in an area of great natural beauty, and its cloud forests and pine and oak woodlands are claimed to be home to five hundred bird varieties and six thousand species of plants. As such, the place is dedicated to ecotourism, and on the main plaza you'll find the Museo de la Bioversidad (Mon– Fri 9am–5pm; free), which has information on the local environment and related ecoprojects, as well as examples of butterflies and animals, including ten local species of rat. Several companies offer ecotours of the region; try Viajes Ecoturisticos Shiaa Rua Via ( 
951/553-6075, 
www.oaxacamex.info/ixtlan ). Like the other villages nearby, Ixtlan has basic cabin accommodation (Price: M$150-200), as well as the simple Yu Yeeva Posada (Price: M$200-250). Everyone will tell you, quite rightly, that the best place to eat is Las Truchas, a trout farm just outside town serving fresh fish. Ixtlan is accessible either by direct bus from Oaxaca's second-class station (2 daily), or by colectivo.