How to get to San José del Pacífico by car, the paradise of hallucinogenic mushrooms?
San José del Pacífico is a small village in the municipality of San Mateo de Río Hondo, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, at an elevation of 2500m (8,202ft) above sea level.
Why is San José del Pacífico famous?
San José del Pacífico is a small village in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, famous for two things: its abundant harvest of mushrooms known as "derrumbes" and the formation of a vast carpet of clouds that creates one of the most amazing landscapes in the region.
How to get to San José del Pacífico?
The road to the village is the iconic Mexico 175 (Carretera de Puchutla). Although it is fully paved, it is a very winding, narrow road with steep inclines.
How long is the road to San José del Pacífico?
The road to the village is 125 km (77 miles), running south to north from Copalita to Barranca Larga. Located in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, it is a must-pass for travelers heading to Zipolite and Mazunte. It is one of the most beautiful – and challenging – roads in the country.
What are the hallucinogenic mushrooms of San José del Pacífico?
The small locality of San José was not well known until the 60s or 70s when hippies began to arrive to explore the mushrooms and other entheogenic plants that local cultures used for their mystical rituals due to their psychotropic properties. The consumption of mushrooms in the region dates back to ancient times: the Zapotecs used them for self-knowledge and religious revelation rituals. Nowadays, during the rainy months from June to September, San José fills with visitors who wish to delve into the world of the spirit. Since the region is governed by local customs and traditions, their consumption within the locality is allowed.