Into the mountains, above the clouds, and off the grid in San Jose del Pacifico
if this sunset alone doesn’t convince you to go to San Jose del Pacifico, with all due respect, you are loco.
after i finished stuffing my face in Oaxaca, (as in like i needed to leave in order to ensure my pants would still fit), i was bound for puerto escondido, but i got word of a magical place in the mountains (it’s actually known for its magic mushrooms)… and there is no other way to describe that sunset. the sunset gods blessed us that day — m a g i c.
San Jose del Pacifico is a 150 peso, 3-hour colectivo ride with Eclipse from Oaxaca, they leave about every half hour, just show up there is no need to book. the ride is beautiful but it is V WINDY, especially on the way out of san jose towards PE.
the town is up in the mountains so it is soo cold at night but it is STUNNING. you’re literally above the clouds, they just sit floating in the mountain range which is so so majestic.
stay at La Cumbre, they have “dorm rooms” (which are actually private rooms with a shared bathroom) for 150 pesos a night. that is so cheap you guys, it’s like $10 CAD for a room and that view. they have nicer privates with their own bathrooms as well for like 800 pesos i think. you can try and message them on whatsapp or just show up. it’s about a 15-minute uphill (v v uphill) walk from the colectivo drop-off, or you can take a tuktuk.
i walked up planning on having a quiet off-the-grid 24 hours to myself, but ended up meeting new friends Dottie and Lenzo right away and having the best time with the other guests speaking a mix of english and spanish, chillin on the terraces, soaking in the views, taking photos, having a quesadilla and tea and mezcal, and making smores by the fire. it was one of my fave nights of this trip and fave parts of travelling in general.
once you arrive, you will be able to stare at this view forever — it’s just layers and layers of mountains descending into the distance, and it is absolutely breathtaking. it’s a super social setting with rooms stacked up on the cliff and everyone chills on the balconies taking in the view. La Cumbre reminded me of Santorini but like with colours and Mexican flavour, cause it is all stacked up with different levels on the hillside. they do have wifi here by the way it is just spotty, and i was in need of an off-the-grid recharge so i purposely didn’t get the password.
that’s about it because my time here was short and sweet and cold and I needed to get to la playa lol. deets on puerto escondido to come!! adios <3
