San Jose Chacalapa is a quiet little village on the foothills of the mountain range Sierra Madre del Sur to the south of Mexico. It is located approximately 14 km (8.7 miles) north of Pochutla in the direction of Oaxaca and can be reached by taxi or Pasajera.
The village's livelihood is attained mainly through agriculture and to some extent cattle breeding. Crops grown include maize, beans and pumpkin. Apart from that this is the region where the cultivation of coffee begins. As a result of the price of coffee falling steeply within the last few years and agricultural means non-lucrative, many inhabitants are compelled to leave Chacalapa to seek their fortune as seasonal workers in the USA. This has a further influence on the circumstances that many coffee plantations lie fallow as farming proves to be unprofitable.
Chacalapas vegetation is much more luxuriant and its climate more humid in contrary to the coastal region. Here you'll find forest and a nature that is almost unspoiled despite the impact of unauthorized woodcutting over the last century and the destruction caused by the hurricane "Paulina" in 1997.
The village offers a significant amount in relation to excursions. In the midst of the estate Rancho El Riego similar to a botanical garden, you will encounter El Paraíso a spring water swimming pool and before that just about a stone throw away at almost 50 m Rancho Alegre. Here is the home of German native Tom who creates and sells outstanding works of art and handicraft.
On the other side of Chacalapa in the direction of the village Los Reyes you will come across the waterfall Los Reyes, whereby the rainy season June to October and the following few months is the only period where water flows.
    If it stinks like rotten eggs on the way to Toms place through the woods, or on route to El Riego ranch alongside a small stream, then this is not because you have discovered a sewage depository but because you have reached an area where sulphur springs are to be found !

Just take a look at the city map if a better orientation is required.

The village's public holiday in honour of the patron saint St. Jose is on the 19th of March.