**Humocaro Alto** is the most emblematic Andean town of Morán Municipality. Founded on **June 6, 1620** as an indigenous reduction by the magistrate Diego de Maldonado, it was a center of evangelization and an early producer of arabica coffee. Today it is an essential destination to discover **the high-altitude coffee of Lara**, the colonial-Andean architecture, and the Marian traditions of southern Lara.
About Humocaro Alto
Emblematic Andean town of Morán Municipality, located in the heart of the mountains. Famous for its **high-altitude coffee**, its church with Marian traditions, its landscapes, and its cool climate. Cradle of deep musical and religious traditions of southern Lara.
History of the Humocaro Alto parish
Humocaro Alto was established on **June 6, 1620** as a doctrine town for the Coyon and Jirajara indigenous peoples. The name **Humocaro** comes from the original language and, according to local tradition, refers to a chief or to a pre-Hispanic toponym. During the colonial era it was a religious center for the upper towns of the southern Tocuyo region. After the 1950 earthquake it preserved part of its layout and traditional architecture, which distinguishes it as one of the few towns in the municipality with a surviving colonial-Andean appearance.
Geography, terrain and climate
Set between **1,700 and 2,300 m above sea level** in the Lara Andean range, Humocaro Alto features strongly mountainous terrain. Its surroundings combine **cloud forests**, shade coffee plantations, potato lowlands, and páramo areas in the higher sectors. Because of its altitude, minimum temperatures can drop to 6–8 °C in the early morning. Rains fall between April and November, peaking in August–September.
Culture, religion and traditions
A deeply Catholic and musical town. It stands out for its **Holy Week processions**, its **Cross of May vigils**, its **patron saint festival of Our Lady of Mount Carmel** (July 16), the **Paraduras del Niño** in January, and Andean aguinaldos in December. It preserves traditions of weaving, leatherwork, and artisanal coffee threshing.
Economy and production
**High-altitude arabica coffee** (caturra, catuaí, típica, and bourbon varieties) recognized nationally; **potatoes**, **cold-land vegetables** (scallions, cabbage, cilantro, leek), **strawberries, blackberries, and peaches**, dairy cattle farming, and local handicrafts.
Main crops
This parish stands out for the production of: coffee, potatoes, temperate fruit trees, vegetables.