san jose del pacifico: Where Tranquility Meets Stunning Mountain Scenery
Are you making your travel capsule wardrobe for the visit to Oaxaca’s san jose del pacifico? It is a little mountain town that is a hidden gem in Mexico. It is well-known for its delicious cuisine, real culture, and the hallucinogenic mushrooms that thrive there due to the alpine climate. San José del Pacifico, located halfway between Oaxaca City and the Oaxacan Coast, is ideal for a night to break up the drive or as a peaceful getaway location.
Situated more than 2300 meters above sea level, San José del PacÃfico is currently gaining popularity as a travel destination, particularly due to the fresh psychedelic mushrooms that can be purchased nearby. But there’s more to this little village tucked away in Oaxaca’s mountains. The village depends heavily on the tourism that psychedelic mushrooms provide; very few people would come without them.
But this unusual town has more things to do than consume magic mushrooms. Naturalists will find the breathtaking vistas to be pleasing. Whatever your reason for going, our comprehensive travel guide will assist you in getting to San José Oaxaca, Mexico, organizing some activities, selecting the ideal lodging, and much more.
Where is San José del Pacifico?
San José del Pacifico is a small mountain town in Oaxaca, Mexico, on the edge of the Sierra Madre Sur mountains. A US journalist who participated in a sacred mushroom ceremony was the one who initially marked it on the map as a magical mushroom haven. Since then, travelers have gathered in large numbers to participate in the town’s customary celebrations.
San José del Pacifico is located precisely halfway between Oaxaca City and the coastal communities of Puerto Escondido and Huatulco regarding travel time. But in terms of geography, it is significantly nearer the coast. It is so because Highway 175—which runs directly through the mountains from Oaxaca City to the coast—is the sole route that leads to San José del Pacifico. Although the 175 is officially designated as a “highway,” a tiny road winds endlessly over mountainous terrain.
Just over 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) is the elevation of San José del Pacifico, or Sanjo as the locals call it. That’s high! Particularly if you are traveling from a coastal resort town in Oaxaca. Remember that altitude sickness symptoms can appear as early as 1,500 meters, so remain hydrated and watch out for them!
Things to do in José del Pacifico, Mexico
Are mushrooms in nature around them?
I’m not usually the kind of person to do drugs, aside from alcohol, but in the Mexican capital of mushrooms, it almost seems like a crime not to take some. Although purchased for personal use and may be found all over town, magic mushrooms are considered sacred in this area and utilized in some Temazcal ceremonies. You may ask the locals where to find them; they are not hard to find.
To prevent falling into a scam, I would advise enquiring about rates multiple times. When purchasing magic mushrooms, it is best to go to a Shaman who has harvested them himself, as they are growing wild in the town. The Shamans will personally choose your dose based on your desired effects and body size. The question of whether to wash the mushrooms is up for dispute. The actual crap they grow in can be removed with a fast water rinse, but it won’t impact the hallucinogenic effects.
Hiking to San Mateo Rio Hondo
When purchasing magic mushrooms, it is best to go to a Shaman who has harvested them himself, as they are growing wild in the town. The Shamans will personally choose your dose based on your desired effects and body size. The ascent to the viewpoint will be difficult due to the altitude, but the breathtaking views quickly make any discomfort go! It’s a sweaty trek to the summit, but the views from the Mirador are amazing for a little admission cost. I could have taken pictures, enjoyed the scenery, and watched the clouds for hours.
The Mirador has several observation platforms. First, it’s directly beneath the Mirador sign. However, if you proceed up the steps chiseled into the slope, you’ll reach two additional wooden platforms above with even more breathtaking views. When visiting San José, this is a must-do experience. You can hike on several different paths in the vicinity.
Following our host’s advice, we went with the one that leads through the woods to the San Mateo Rio Hondo village, and we really liked it! We loved it so much that we took our host’s advice and went through the woods to the San Mateo Rio Hondo village. A Mexican shepherdess and a few Mexican families enjoying a late-afternoon lunch by the river were the highlights of our trip, which we saw unoccupied by other tourists.
Temazcal
The Temazcal ritual is among the top three things to do while visiting the area. Since I had just participated in a Temazcal ritual in the borders of Oaxaca de Juárez, I didn’t attend any in San José del PacÃfico. However, I heartily suggest the experience. The usual cost in San José del PacÃfico is approximately 150 million pesos.
In San José del Pacifico, how may one obtain mushrooms?
In this mushroom village in Mexico, fresh mushrooms can be purchased practically anywhere from July through October. However, travelers may praise Rubi’s the most. Fresh mushrooms are harder to find but still obtainable outside of the mushroom season, which runs from November to June. The ones that are for sale can be regular mushrooms or ones that have been preserved. Now that the season is off, you should use considerably greater caution. If you want to buy any, it’s generally better to inquire around town for advice from other people.
Slow down and Observe the clouds. Settle down with a book, a beverage, headphones, or something similar, and observe the passing scenery. I could never stay engaged in this exercise for longer than five minutes, as I become bored rapidly. However, this place has such rapid landscape changes. Clouds descend from higher elevations and fill the lowlands, only to vanish within minutes. Plus, you can now and then see the clouds form thanks to the vast surrounding forest.
Additionally, you can see for miles in all directions whenever there is a break in the clouds! It’s a really special location. At a high altitude in San Jose, large white letters spelling out Mirador are encircled by plants and trees.
Go to the SAN JOSE DEL PACIFICO Mirador.
The ascent to the viewpoint will be difficult due to the altitude, but the breathtaking views quickly make any discomfort go! It’s a sweaty trek to the summit, but the views from the Mirador are amazing for a little admission cost. I could have taken pictures, enjoyed the scenery, and watched the clouds for hours. The Mirador has several observation platforms.
First, it’s directly beneath the Mirador sign. However, if you proceed up the steps chiseled into the slope, you’ll reach two additional wooden platforms above with even more breathtaking views. When visiting San José, this is a must-do experience. Then, for kilometers around, you would see mountain after mountain if you blinked. To locate it, use Los Altos del Golan as your search term on Google Maps.
Where in SAN JOSE DEL PACIFICO can I See the sunset?
It would help if you ascended to one of the town’s highest points for the finest view. Worthwhile spots include:
- The La Cumbre hostel (you can visit the restaurant and outdoor seating area even if you are not staying there).
- The Mirador sign.
- The Mirador in the trees.
Zoe stood surveying the entire SAN JOSE DEL PACIFICO town with her back to the camera.
Instructions For SAN JOSE DEL PACIFICO Via OAXACA
Buses travel nonstop for three hours from Oaxaca City to San José del Pacifico, Mexico, with a short stop at Miahuatlán. The two bus companies in Oaxaca City, Lineas Unidas & Eclipse 70, are around one block apart. A ticket from Lineas Unidas costs 140 pesos one way. As for Eclipse 70, the cost is 150 pesos (return tickets are not saved). Most of the day, both firms’ buses depart every thirty to forty-five minutes.
Both businesses also work late into the night but on less consistent schedules. Purchase tickets at either company’s office; ask to speak with San José del Pacifico. The simplest method, though, is to purchase tickets online for the desired date and time of travel from Oaxaca City to San José. After that, all you need to do is arrive and board at the appropriate time. It has only been available to purchase tickets online for the past year. And for those who want to reserve their transportation in advance and ensure a seat, this will be a major difference.
Does San José del Pacifico have taxis?
You can be transported across the town for predetermined rates in tiny motorized taxis, similar to tuk-tuks. You can expect them to hold one person and luggage or two persons. I only brought a 20-liter foldable rucksack with enough (warm) clothing for my three nights there and my day pack of valuables. It’s difficult to walk uphill to the accommodation because of the altitude. Don’t add to the difficulty by toting around 15 or 20 kg of backpack for men!
Where can you stay in SAN JOSE DEL PACIFICO, Mexico’s Oaxaca?
There are three alternatives available for lodging in San José del Pacifico. The options include hostels, private homes within the town, and cabanas beyond the town.
Cabans in The velliage
With all the modern amenities and free water, fruits, and snacks all day, Alto de la Sierra is an opulent choice for lodging in San José del Pacifico. With workstations and TVs, the rooms are contemporary. In addition, there is a lawn, patio, and bar on the property; the town center is only a ten-minute stroll away.
You’ll adore this home if weak walls, damp rooms, and rudimentary amenities seem like your worst nightmare. Verify the availability, rates, and room types for Alto de la Sierra online. San José del Pacifico Camino al Cielo is a fantastic choice if you want more seclusion. In addition to a private bathroom, fireplace, TV, balcony, and garden, this one-bedroom apartment also features hot water and an outdoor kitchen.
SAN JOSE , MEXICO Hostel Options
Rancho Viejo is divided into two sections: a hostel with communal rooms and private cabanas that may accommodate up to three beds. However, everyone may take advantage of the common areas since everything is in one place. The town is only a short distance away, but you can get there on foot in 25 minutes or by tuk-tuk in 10 minutes. The six-person dorms provide bright, spacious rooms with under-bed lockers. Free yoga sessions and use of the kitchen, living room, and patios are additional benefits.
Conversely, the private rooms are among the most luxurious that can be found. Each has great views, an outside area, and a private bathroom. It’s very gorgeous! Most rooms have wood-burning fireplaces, ideal for keeping you warm on chilly mountain evenings. If I return to this town—which I hopefully will—I will remain here. Rancho Viejo is a great example of how staying in a town doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort, privacy, or quality amenities.
Situated at the town’s peak, the hostel offers breathtaking views of the hills and valleys below. Although twin, triple, and quadruple rooms are available, beds in the hostel start at about 300 pesos. When in San José Oaxaca, make a direct reservation on the La Cumbre website or ask questions at the front desk. In addition, they have magic mushrooms for sale at the front desk and can arrange for a Temazcal ceremony.
Restaurants in San José del Pacifico.
There’s a good selection of delicious cuisine alternatives for a little town. La Taberna de Los Duendes, on the main road, is one of the nicest restaurants in town. It is for you if you’ve worked up an appetite from sitting around all day or strolling.
Anticipate substantial servings of freshly made pasta—certainly enough to serve two adults. Tatsu, an Asian restaurant with many vegetarian and vegan dishes, is another well-liked choice. Sushi, dumplings, and Pad Thai are among them.Try the pizza at La Chusmita. It is a friendly place high up in the mountains and even serves vegan alternatives like half-and-half pizza.
ALTITUDE in OAXACA, SAN JOSÉ
San José del Pacifico, Oaxaca, Mexico, is situated in the highlands at a height of 2,500 meters. Additionally, this is where most people begin to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Especially those making a quick ascent or those who have never previously spent time at this altitude. Headache, nausea, lightheadedness, and fatigue are among the symptoms.
These typically begin six to twenty-four hours following altitude. I would suggest extending your stay one day if you are traveling from the coast to give yourself time to adjust and for any symptoms to go away. Since Oaxaca City is already 1500 meters above sea level, altitude sickness is less likely to occur if you travel from there. Any physical exercise will still, however, likely require a lot more work.
Additionally, you’ll probably run out of breath far more quickly. I felt like I had just completed a marathon after climbing only one flight of stairs! Gazing up at the village perched on a hillside, encircled by lush green trees featuring painted buildings and barrel-roofed roofs.
WHAT HAS MADE SAN JOSE DEL PACIFICO WORLD FAMOUS?
Though the town’s hiking routes and mountain views are highly regarded, magic mushrooms are the main reason for its fame. Known as Mexico’s mushroom capital, the town welcomes hundreds of monthly tourists who experience the hallucinogenic Hongos. Nevertheless, the town is not very well-known. It’s rather well-known among tourists and backpackers who stay in the nation for several months.
However, the town has few visitors due to its isolated position and considerable distance from well-known destinations like Cancun and Tulum. Still, the reputation of this mushroom hamlet in Oaxaca is rising. It is partly due to Mexico’s rise in popularity during the pandemic as a safe sanctuary for travelers trying to avoid border closures and lockdowns. It remains to be seen if it can support this level of drug usage and tourism without intervention from the government. From the observation deck atop the Mirador sign, a view over San Jose
THE IDEAL TIME TO GO
Since I don’t believe there is a single optimal time to visit, this title may be misleading. The synchronicity of the timing of San José Oaxaca’s mushroom season and Mexico’s rainy season is not accidental. There will be a lot of clouds, poor visibility, and, of course, a lot of rain during the rainy season, which runs from May to October. If you travel outside of the mushroom season, which runs from July to October, you risk purchasing ordinary mushrooms from a person looking to make fast cash.
Alternatively, you might have to pay a lot more for the mushrooms you want because there will be a shortage compared to the availability. In the end, July through October is the ideal period to go if you want to ingest magic mushrooms. Be prepared to dress warmly during this time of year; daytime highs of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) are uncommon, while nighttime lows are usually around 6 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit).
On the other hand, try to visit outside of the wet season if you’re there for hiking, views, or the outdoors. San José normally experiences mid-thirties Celsius (93 F) to low-twenties Celsius (72 F) overnight between November and April. Of course, many travelers only visit San José in Puerto Escondido or on their way to or from Oaxaca City. They also don’t mind the season.
