San José del Pacífico
Understand
San José del Pacífico is a beautiful hillside town high in the mountains (about 2440 m/8000ft) on the Pochutla-Oaxaca highway (175) and makes a good overnight stopover when driving between Oaxaca City and the Pacific Coast. San José del Pacífico is also known for its psychedelic mushrooms. Mushroom season runs from about July to October but they may be found at other times preserved in honey.
Get in
By car
San José del Pacífico can be accessed from either Oaxaxa city or the Pacific coast. The roads from either directions are long, windy and slow. From Oaxaxa, expect a 3-hour drive to travel 140 km of road.
By bus
Buses go from Oaxaca to San José del Pacífico for M$95 per person.
By colectivo
Colectivos also travel across the mountain.
Get around
The town is very compact and can be accessed by foot.
See
- The natural surroundings are amazing - take a walk around the town and enjoy views of the village nestled into the mountains.
Do
- Take a hike - there are several trails that take you up the mountains and into the forest.
Buy
- There are plenty of interesting arts and crafts for sale in the town. The Taberna de los Duendes offers authentic italian and a large selection of mezcal. infusions.
Drink
Sleep
- Hostal de Doña Catalina - the most famous hostal in town, the Hostal de Doña Catalina is a beautiful hippie hostel. Here you can camp or stay in a private or dorm room.
Connect
Go next
If heading north, visit Oaxaca, the historical town. If heading south to the coast, be sure to visit Mazunte, a hippy beach town or Puerto Escondido, the famous surf beach.