Santa Cruz Papalutla is a town and municipality located in the state of Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. It is situated within the Tlacolula District, which lies in the eastern portion of the Valles Centrales Region.
The municipality serves as a local administrative division within this region of Oaxaca. While it occupies a specific area within the district, its geographical identity is defined by its placement in the heart of the state's central valleys.