9 Best Things to do in Pluma Hidalgo
One of the many brilliant things about Huatulco is that the surrounding area is incredibly diverse. Within 100km in nearly any direction (you know, except the ocean) you can be in a completely different climate, culture, and region of Oaxaca. Pluma Hidalgo is one such destination and can be enjoyed as a day or weekend excursion from Huatulco. Here are the 9 Best Things to do in Pluma Hidalgo!
I’ve included a lot of information in this post, so here is a handy Table of Contents if you’d like to skip ahead.
About Pluma Hidalgo
Pluma Hidalgo is a small mountain town about 50km North-East of La Crucecita Huatulco. Despite its proximity to the sea, Pluma sits at 1350m above sea level in the Sierra Madre Mountains. While the town of Pluma Hidalgo is exceptionally small, it is the hub for the region and the home base for its famous black gold – coffee!
Pluma is the Spanish word for feather (think plumage). Legend has it, that as Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the father of the Mexican War of Independence, rode through this small mountain village a flock of birds rose around him and feathers fell from the sky. The town was then named to commemorate this event – Pluma Hidalgo.
Climate in Pluma Hidalgo
Because of its location in the mountains, the climate in Pluma is drastically different from that of Huatulco’s coastal ambiance. As you drive up the winding roads you will notice the drastic and fascinating change in landscape from Oaxaca’s deserty coast, to the luscious and dense rainforest of the mountains.
The rainy season starts about 6-8 weeks earlier in Pluma than it does in Huatulco, and stays longer, keeping the area fresh and green. But despite the extra rain, you will find it much less humid. The days are not as hot and the nights can be quite cool – unlike the coastal temps. This can be a great relief in the height of winter when the Huatulco heat feels relentless.
The rain shows itself not only in the forest but also on the roads. The road from Santa Maria Huatulco to Pluma is prone to waterfalls, landslides, and large puddles. It is not a drive for the inexperienced!
The most important thing to remember about Pluma Hidalgo is that it is a mountain town, the elevation means that the days can still be quite hot if you are not in the shade, but the nights can get very cold!
9 Best Things to do in Pluma Hidalgo
#1 Visit a coffee plantation
Alright, let’s get this one out of the way first. Coffee is Pluma’s claim to fame and the pride of Oaxaca. From Oaxaca City to the most remote village, you will probably be able to find coffee from Pluma anywhere across this Mexican state!
And for good reason! Pluma has unique growing conditions and the perfect elevation to grow Arabica beans. Even if you are not a coffee drinker, a visit to a coffee plantation is like visiting an outdoor museum. You walk through the property, learn all about the process, sample the beans, and if you’re lucky you can sample some of the other products they make!
Well, to be truthful, the coffee doesn’t actually come from the town of Pluma, the plantations are in the surrounding areas at a higher altitude as the beans need between 1500 and 2200m of elevation for optimal growing. Pluma Hidalgo serves as the centre of operations, a tourist destination, and the location of some of the roasters and headquarters for the surrounding coffee farms.
I like to visit Cafe Oro del Sur, a gorgeous facility run by a small family, only a short moto-taxi ride from the main square. This experience went above and beyond my expectations. We were treated to a full tour of the grounds and a description of the entire process, tastings, cakes, cookies, and food if we wanted it. And to top it all off I was able to purchase a bag of beans roasted to my preference at the end of the tour.
First, we were shown different types of coffee beans. Pluma is known for the Arabica bean, which has a slight curve that sets it apart from other beans.- The coffee bean is the pit inside these berries that grow on the trees. When the berries are ripe they are sweet and delicious, closer to candy than a fruit!
- Raw beans, ready to be roasted!
- The storage and roasting room at Cafe Pluma Oro del Sur.
It can be difficult to find fresh whole-bean coffee in Huatulco, so getting a kilo roasted to my liking was quite the treat!
Not into coffee? That’s ok! Don’t let the incessant coffee advertisements fool you, this quaint mountain town is chock full of adventures beyond the beans.
Other Coffee Experiences from Huatulco
#2 Explore the town of Pluma Hidalgo
The town of Pluma appears tiny, especially the town square. But in truth the town of Pluma sprawls into the hills for miles in any direction, connecting all the Fincas and farms in the area with well-sheltered houses built into the forest.
First things first, take a stroll around the square, get your picture with the Pluma Hidalgo sign, and explore the shops surrounding. There are shops, restaurants, and of course cafés. Fila Diamante has a café here where you can taste their coffee and arrange for a tour of their farm.
From the centre square, you can go to the Inglesia Avé María, or head down one of the connecting streets. Just a short walk from the town square you will find colourful produce stands, mouthwatering bakeries, mezcalarias, and any other Oaxacan delight you can dream of.
You might recognize some of the stores and sellers from Huatulco’s Organic Market, like my friend Cata and her new cafe and store Cafe Semilla.
Just being in Pluma is enjoyable, the mountain air and cool breezes are a stark contrast to the humidity of the Bahías de Huatulco!
#3 Visit the Church
Some people (myself included) enjoy experiencing the architecture and history that often comes with the presence of churches in a community. México was largely settled by Spanish Catholics, so iconography and liturgy are deeply rooted in even the smallest Spanish communities.
Iglesia Ave María sits adjacent to the centre square and is open to tourists when there are no functions occurring. When I visited, there was a funeral taking place. Even though we did not get to visit inside the church, I got to witness the pure joy and fiesta that is a funeral procession and it was marvelous!
#4 Take a moto taxi
While not common in Huatulco, moto taxi is a very common form of transport in other parts of Huatulco as they are smaller, use less fuel, and can navigate rough roads easier than a regular taxi.
If you don’t do the coffee tour, I still highly recommend taking a moto-taxi at some point during your visit.
The experience alone is fun, but the drivers are great and will take you to little spots along the way. Many also offer their own tours and experiences.
Once you have wandered the square, hop in one of the moto-taxis outside the church and let them drive you through town. You can ask the driver for recommendations for lunch, mezcal, bread, or head to one of the waterfalls, whatever you are in the mood for.
Our driver stopped a few times on our way to Oro del Sur to show us some of the incredible viewpoints. From the stop where this photo was taken, you could see the town of Pluma, Huatulco and the ocean to the left, and Mazunte/Zipolite to the right.
#5 Visit some of Pluma’s Waterfalls
That’s right, not the waterfall or a waterfall, some waterfalls – for Pluma and the rest of the mountains around Huatulco are home to many waterfalls! The extended rainy season and rocky mountain terrain make Pluma Hidalgo an ideal location for casacadas to form. Some are tucked away on properties like glamping at Finca Margaritas, and others are little road-side clues that you have to keep an eye out for.
The two best ways to visit the waterfalls in Pluma are by booking a tour ahead of time or by asking one of the moto-taxis in the town square to take you. The cost in 2022 for a moto-taxi from Pluma to Cascada Arcoíris is $300 pesos.
If you love Cascada Arcoíris, you might like visiting Las Casacadas Magicas from Huatulco!
Other Coffee and Waterfall Tours from Huatulco
#6 Stay in a Finca
At this point, I´ve given you so many great things to do you are probably going to need another day, so why not stay the night?
After coffee, Fincas are probably the next most famous thing about Pluma. Although the direct translation of Finca means “Farm” in English, colloquially in México Finca refers to a resort, usually luxurious, and located in a remote destination.
The Fincas in Pluma Hidalgo fit this description perfectly. Scattered throughout the countryside around the town, each Finca is constructed in such a way as to make you feel you are in the middle of nowhere while on the grounds. But as I discovered, a simple step outside the doors and you can easily navigate to the main community on foot or by moto-taxi.
Each Finca has its own unique aesthetic and luxury offering. Finca Don Gabriel (where I stayed) focuses on traditional Temezcal spa treatments, has a famous restaurant with fantastic Oaxacan food, and is uniquely positioned on the side of the mountain to watch the sunrise.
#7 Go Glamping
If you are looking for a unique, rustic alternative to the cabanas in Finca Don Gabriel, check out Finca Margaritas. Finca Margaritas is a glamping resort made up of a series of yurts in a gorgeous part of Pluma.
Finca Margaritas is famous for its glamping, naturally, but also for coffee, exceptional food, and one particular special attraction – a guided hike to a waterfall. The best part? Your guide brings your breakfast to enjoy beside the water!
Finca Margaritas is located on the other side of the highway from Don Gabriel and nestled in the forest. This means that you won’t be able to catch the sunrise or see the sunset from their location. But if you like to sleep in and really great food this might be the place for you!
#8 Go for a Hike
Being in the mountains and all, there are plenty of hikes in the area. The mix of rainforest and elevation can reward you with stunning views and relief from the direct sun as you stroll down the trails.
Many of the Fincas are large enough to host hiking trails, and often you can combine this activity with #4, a visit to a waterfall.
Finca La Covindonga and Finca Cafetelara “Dolores” are both Fincas near Pluma boasting easy hiking trails.
#9 Watch the Sunrise
This one feels like cheating because it is one of my favourite things to do pretty much anywhere – I am a sucker for a sunrise.
One of the core reasons I chose Finca Don Gabriel to spend the night was because of its positioning for the sunrise, and I was not disappointed.
- Moonrise
- Pre-Dawn
- Sunrise
For me, sitting in the hammock in the stillness of the early morning (about 6:30am), listening to the birds and crickets and myraid of sounds from the jungle while the sky came to life around me was the best thing I did in Pluma.
Bonus Activity – Hagia Sofia
This is a bonus activity if you are coming from Huatulco to visit Pluma Hidalgo!
If you are driving, you can take a detour before or after your trip to Pluma to explore the exotic gardens at Hagia Sofia.
Or, you might want to set aside a whole day to get the proper Hagia Sofia Experience.
Hagia Sofia is a fairly new addition to Huatulco and is located just outside of the city of Santa María Huatulco. They focus on exotic plants, so you will see hundreds of species not normally found in México and maybe some you have never seen before. Just check out their reviews, this little Garden of Eden is not to be missed.
Be sure to book an appointment over Whatsapp before you go, or book a tour. Like many things in Huatulco, Hagia Sofia is a small, family-run operation and the gates may be closed if they are not expecting you.
The folks from Hagia Sofia can be found at their office in Santa Cruz, or at the Organic Market on Saturdays in Huatulco, where they sell their produce from the gardens!
Hagia Sofia also has a hike, waterfalls, and ziplines on the property, making for a full-day adventure!
How to get to Pluma Hidalgo
Now that you know how much fun it is to be in Pluma, you need to sort out transportation! Unfortunately, Pluma is off of the main road, so the bus services like the Colombo don’t pass through the town. But here are some other options!
From Huatulco
Pluma is only accessible by the mountain pass on which it lies. The road is generally passable (depending on your definition!), but in the rainy season can sometimes be blocked by mudslides or suffer horrendous potholes. Because Pluma Hidalgo lies just off the highway Oaxaca El Zapote-Copalita that connects Santa María Huatulco with Oaxaca City, you must take direct transport.
Taxi
You can hire a taxi to take you from La Crucecita or elsewhere in Huatulco. This might be the most comfortable means, but it is also the most expensive. In 2022, it costs about $1,200 pesos round trip.
I highly recommend Alhair (Ald-ha-ir), he is from Pluma but also drives taxi in Huatulco. He is a fabulous guide and very knowledgeable, though does not speak English.
📞 +52 958 187-6796
Colectivo – The Cheapest Way to get to Pluma Hidalgo
This is typically how I get to Pluma, but it’s not for everyone! gGet
From La Crucecita, take the bus (or taxi, or colectivo) to Santa María Huatulco. Get off at the first stop, outside this Oxxo.
Once off the bus, walk down (literally down, the road slopes steeply downwards and to the west) Guerro street ( the street the Oxxo is on) about 3 blocks. It looks like a small street in the city, but this is actually the highway route through Santa María Huatulco. There’s even a sign for Pluma Hidalgo when you get off the bus.
Turn right onto Galeana Street and you will see the red-roofed taxis sitting under the large mango trees, right at the junction. Let the driver know where you are going (Pluma the town, or to a certain Finca) and wait for the car to fill up! I went at about 6pm on a Saturday night and waited about 20min for the car to be full.
The colectivo from Santa Maria Huatulco to Pluma costs about $50 pesos per person in 2022.
The bus costs ~$20 pesos per person, plus $50 pesos for the colectivo. At $70 pesos per-person this is by far the cheapest way to get to Pluma Hidalgo!
For more details on transportation options, see my post How to Travel in Huatulco here.
Photo: Shev
Note: I stayed at Finca Don Gabriel, which is off the main road. The colectivo wouldn’t take us all the way there, but offered to call a moto taxi for us. Because it was such a gorgeous night, we opted to walk and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset stroll. Many of the other Fincas are very close to the main road.
To return home, the colectivo taxis wait in the main square in Pluma, so it is very easy to find a ride back to Santa María Huatulco.
Drive
If you have rented a car, you can also choose to drive to Pluma, just be sure you are comfortable with a) driving in Mexico, and b) very narrow mountain roads. Also be sure to check the road conditions if travelling between April and December as the rains have a significant impact on the road safety.
Shev’s Summary – Best Things to do in Pluma Hidalgo
Pluma is one of my favourite trips to do from Huatulco, especially when I’m feeling homesick. In the dead of winter when Huatulco is hot and there is no greenery left, a short trip up to the mountains reminds my of my rainy pacific northwest homecountry and always leaves me feeling refreshed. I hope you enjoyed my 9 Best Things to do in Pluma Hidalgo, and maybe discovered some more adventures of your own!
