San José del Pacífico
Understand
San José del Pacífico is a beautiful hillside town located 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 140km of road.
By bus
Buses go from Oaxaca to San José del Pacífico for M$95 per person.
By colectivo
Colectivo's 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
- Try the psychedelic mushrooms - these can be purchased at the stores along the main road.
- Take a hike - there are several trails that take you up the mountains and into the forest.
Buy
- Besides the mushrooms, there are plenty of interesting arts and crafts for sale in the town.
Besides mushrooms, 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.