El Barrio de La Soledad: Landscape and Culture on the Isthmus

El Barrio de La Soledad is located in the Isthmus region of the state of Oaxaca. Therefore, compare the location stated in the hotel listing with the place you plan to use as your point of reference. This will help you choose accommodation based on your own travel plans.

Location and Getting There

The municipal seat is 12 km from the turnoff to Lagunas on the Transístmica highway between Salina Cruz and Coatzacoalcos. A municipal travel guide from 2008–2010 describes the connection as being via a road open to traffic. Check the route and road conditions locally before setting out so that your travel plans reflect current conditions.

Landscape Between Rivers and Lowlands

For orientation, it is helpful to distinguish between the two rivers. The Río Almoloya is a river that flows year-round in the Municipality of El Barrio de La Soledad. The Río Chiquito, by contrast, runs through the town of El Barrio de La Soledad in the southern part of the municipality and comes from the neighboring Municipality of Santa María Petapa. The information thus refers to two distinct geographical features: a river within the municipality and a watercourse running through the named town.

The municipality’s landscape includes areas with the typical features of lowland jungle. A historical description of the landscape mentions areas in the west and east that have been less affected by agriculture and livestock farming. Wild mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians continued to be observed there. At the same time, natural resources and wildlife overall are under pressure.

Culture, History, and Festivals

The Semillero Creativo “Danza afro” is associated with El Barrio de La Soledad; María Guadalupe Castillo Cruz is named as its instructor. In 2022, the Semillero Creativo for dance, photography, and video organized a photo session in El Barrio for people who identified as Afro-descendant in the municipality and the town of Almoloya. The group representing El Barrio de La Soledad at the Guelaguetza also identifies as Afro-descendant. Traditional Sones Istmeños are danced at saints’ festivals and celebrations organized by the municipal government.

The town’s history also has an economic connection: a historic hacienda in El Barrio de La Soledad was linked to other estates where indigo, cinnamon, and cotton, among other products, were cultivated or harvested.

A municipal plan from 2008–2010 describes the November celebration honoring the deceased in the municipal seat, with traditional offerings and visits to cemeteries; the celebration also includes a dance. For the celebration in honor of the Virgen de la Soledad, the plan gives December 17 as the start date and mentions a thanksgiving Mass on December 18. In this description, the Vela Aurora includes a procession through the town’s main streets on January 24 and a distribution of fruit in front of the church. A vigil is listed for the Santa Cruz celebration on May 2. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these festivals, check the current dates and arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Niza Limón, Santa María del Tule, Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, San Pablo Etla, San Pablo Etla, Santos Reyes Nopala, San Agustín Etla.

For the broader travel overview: Oaxaca.