A Honest Review of Cabañas Rancho Viejo in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca
San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca is a special village nestled in the forest-covered Sierra Sur Mountains. This picturesque mountain village is in a cloud forest and is located between the culturally rich city of Oaxaca and the Oaxaca coastline on the Pacifico Ocean of Mexico.
San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca is the perfect place to relax or go for a hike. The small village is also a popular place to take a spiritual journey by consuming magic mushrooms or breathing through a cleansing temazcal sweat lodge. San Jose del Pacifico is very much a spiritual hub.
In my time visiting San Jose del Pacifico, I set up base at Cabañas Rancho Viejo. These cabins are a little outside of the village but offer plenty of activities in their own right. This accommodation review includes the pros and cons of staying at Cabañas Rancho Viejo and if they are indeed worth staying at.
This is my honest review of the Cabañas Rancho Viejo, cabins that are found right outside of San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca.
Table of Contents
- Overview of Cabañas Rancho Viejo Accommodation
- Where is San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca and Cabañas Rancho Viejo?
- How to Get to San Jose del Pacifico and the Cabañas Rancho Viejo
- Honest Review of Cabañas Rancho Viejo San Jose del Pacifico (Pros & Cons)
- The New Budget-Friendly Bostel Rancho Viejo
- Are the Cabañas Rancho Viejo Worth Staying at in San Jose del Pacifico?
- Tips for Visiting San Jose del Pacifico
- Things to Do in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca
- Overview of What it’s Like to Stay at Cabañas Rancho Viejo in San Jose del Pacifico
Overview of Cabañas Rancho Viejo Accommodation
The Cabañas Rancho Viejo are charming cabins found less than a mile from the small village of San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca. These popular San Jose del Pacifico accommodation options offer 13 cabins and include nine main cabins, one rustic cabin, a forest cabin, Cabaña Leo, and one fully equipped large cabin (Cabaña Hernandez). Accommodations range from open hotel-like rooms with double beds to private bedrooms in a large mountain-like retreat.
Each of the cabins has a fireplace (with wood) and its own terraces with outdoor seating. The main grounds of Cabañas Rancho Viejo have tons of viewpoints with unique wood sculptures. There is a small tienda onsite that sells snacks and beverages. Recently, a small cafe opened that sells pastries and prepared drinks like coffee and tea.
There is Wifi available throughout the grounds, but be mindful that San Jose del Pacifico is in a cloud forest and weather can affect the signal. Wifi in general is not great in the mountains.
The Cabañas Racho Viejo is expanding since it is such a highly rated place to stay in San Jose del Pacifico. Cabañas Rancho Viejo has added a brand new hostel, Bostel Rancho Viejo.
If looking to stay a little outside of San Jose del Pacifico and disconnect, the Cabañas Racho Viejo cabins are the perfect place to stay.
➜ Book Cabañas Racho Viejo in San Jose del Pacifico
Where is San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca and Cabañas Rancho Viejo?
San Jose del Pacifico is a small mountain village tucked away in a cloud forest in the diverse state of Oaxaca Mexico. This small community is found between Oaxaca City and the Pacific Ocean coastal Oaxaca beach town of Puerto Angel (next to the famous nude beach of Zipolite).
Many travelers opt to spend a night or two in San Jose del Paicifo to break up the long journey from Oaxaca to the coastline. The route follows Federal Highway 175, which twists and turns through the mountains.
Highway 175 is narrow, has elevation gains and drops, and is not well suited for those who suffer from motion sickness. Be mindful that San Jose del Pacifico village sits at an elevation of 8,360 ft (2,548 m).
The Cabañas Rancho Viejo are found off the main highway (175) that connects Oaxaca to Pochutla or Zipolite. Cabañas Rancho Viejo are found less than a mile before San Jose del Pacifico. Here’s where to find Cabañas Rancho Viejo on Google Maps.
How to Get to San Jose del Pacifico and the Cabañas Rancho Viejo
San Jose del Pacifico is about 90 miles from Oaxaca City, but the road twists through the Sierra Sur mountains, so the time in the collectivo is longer than you may think. Those travelers that have their own personal vehicle can drive right to the cabins of Rancho Viejo. There is free parking onsite!
Alternatively, there are collectivos, or small vans that connect Oaxaca to San Jose del Pacifico. The two prominent bus companies that run from Oaxaca to San Jose del Pacifico are Lineas Unidas and Línea Eclipse 70.
Both collective services stop in San Jose del Pacifico. The ride takes an average of three and a half hours. Every time I visited San Jose del Pacifico I utilized Lindeas Unidas bus services.
🚐 Oaxaca to San Jose del Pacifico Collectivos | Catch Líneas Unidas in the direction of Pochutla in Oaxaca here: Bustamante 601, Centro | Departure: Every 30 minutes from 3:00 a.m. | One-Way Ticket: 180 pesos per person($10 USD) | Duration: 3.5 hours | Verify Lineas Unidas Bus Schedule here on Facebook
Once in San Jose del Pacifico, Cabañas Rancho Viejo is around a 20-minute walk from the bus stop in town. Alternatively, ask the collective driver if it’s possible to stop at the road (Av. Rancho Viejo) as you approach San Jose del Pacifico.
From Highway 175 and Av. Rancho Viejo, the Cabañas Rancho Viejo are a quarter of a mile. This is only about a 5-minute walk on a dirt road.
San Jose del Pacifico to Cabañas Rancho Viejo Accomodation
If you take the collectivo all the way to the main bus stop in San Jose del Pacifico, it’s best to call a moto to San Jose del Pacifico.
San Jose del Pacifico to Cabañas Rancho Viejo is a 5-minute drive via mototaxi. The typical fare is around 15 pesos (under $1). It’s best to use a verified moto who can be contacted via Whatsapp. Remember, the Wifi and phone service are not always the best in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca.
Here are four Mototaxis contacts in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca. The most up-to-date list can be found next to the bus station.
| Mototaxi Driver | Contact Number |
| Luis | 951 582 35 02 |
| Rogelio | 951 392 18 07 |
| Ivan | 951 563 71 16 |
| Dario | 951 398 7019 |
An Honest Review of Cabañas Rancho Viejo San Jose del Pacifico
I booked and slept at Cabañas Rancho Viejo when my mom and I visited San Jose del Pacifico. We paid for the accommodation, so this review is not sponsored in any way. All of the opinions and photos of Cabañas Rancho Viejo are my own!
In short, I can honestly say we loved our time at Cabañas Rancho Viejo. These cabins may not be for everyone. However, Cabañas Rancho Viejo is highly well-ranked on booking.com with a score of 9/10.
➜ Here’s the official website for Cabañas Rancho Viejo.
Pros of Staying at Cabañas Rancho Viejo
✔ Cabañas Rancho Viejo is outside a bit of San Jose del Pacifico, which is one of the main reasons why I booked it. The terraces and viewpoints of the surrounding Sierra Sur mountains are truly spectacular.
✔ The cabins are clean, and simple, and offer ample outdoor space. Each cabin has a chimenea (fireplace) and a private bathroom with plenty of hot water.
✔ One of the perks of staying at Cabañas Rancho Viejo is the possibility to disconnect and enjoy the grounds. The grounds are free to explore for those staying at the cabins.
✔ The Cabañas Rancho Viejo is constantly expanding and now they offer activities onsite. The cabins are becoming a point of interest and have everything from bicycle rentals, temazcal ceremonies, hiking trails, zip lining, yoga classes, and even mushroom ceremonies.
✔ Owners can help arrange food delivery to the cabins since there are no restaurants onsite. Cabaña Hernandez is the only cabin with a fully stocked kitchen.
✔ Cabañas Rancho Viejo is super close to the authentic Temazcal Yo’o Be’en. Sitting in a temazcal is a cleansing ceremony and is similar to a sacred sweat lodge. This ancient ceremony honors the four elements, four directions, and our ancestors. Temazcal Yo’o Be’en does the ceremony authentically and provides tea and cold water at the end of the session.
✔ Free onsite parking is available near the main cabins.
✔ Cabañas Rancho Viejo can be reserved and online booking is possible.
Cons of Staying at Cabañas Rancho Viejo
✔ For those looking to stay in town, Cabañas Rancho Viejo may not be the best option as it is a 20-minute walk from the center of town on a main highway.
✔ Access to food can be a little tough. There is no restaurant onsite, but the owners are in the process of building one. The main cabins also do not have kitchens. The Cabaña Hernandez is the only cabin with a fully stocked kitchen. Psst… There is a great local restaurant that sits at the end of the dirt road right next to Highway 175 (El Molcajete).
✔ Cabañas Rancho Viejo is a continued work in progress so there can be construction during the day. Construction can start early, at 8:00, and can go until 18:00. There was construction while we visited but it did not take away from my experience here.
The Brand-New Budget-Friendly Bostel Rancho Viejo
Solo travelers may not wish to rent an entire cabin, so there is a more budget-friendly option: Bostel Rancho Viejo Hostel. The hostel is located on the ground right by the main cabins and just opened at the end of 2022.
The Bostel Rancho Viejo hostel has 6 beds in a shared space. Find outdoor terraces with a cozy outdoor firepit. The Bostel Rancho Viejo has a dining room, kitchen, an inviting common area with a fireplace, a designated work area, and shared bathroom space. Be mindful that you’ll have to bring your own travel towel, or rent one.
The hostel includes a complementary Yoga class on Monday and Thursday mornings at 9:00.
It’s possible to book on Hostelworld, but you’ll have to pay cash on arrival. It’s worth a note that there is no ATM in San Jose del Pacifico, so come prepared… especially if you fall in love with the area. The average rate per night is $25 (450 pesos) before taxes and fees.
Are the Cabañas Rancho Viejo Worth Staying at in San Jose del Pacifico?
Yes, the Cabañas Rancho Viejo are awesome accommodation options in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca. The cabins are especially worth staying at for those looking to disconnect, relax, and unplug.
Tips for Visiting San Jose del Pacifico
Here are some important tips before visiting San Jose del Pacifico Mexico.
✔ There are absolutely NO ATMs in San Jose del Pacifico. You’ll have to plan how many days you wish to stay so that you carry enough cash. A few eateries and places accept credit cards, but many charge an additional fee for processing, so it’s more expensive
✔ Opt to book your San Jose del Pacifico accommodation online before arrival. The town is becoming more and more popular, so make it’s better to have a place to sleep beforehand. The weekends are busier than the weekdays.
✔ The internet can be really unstable, especially since San Jose del Pacifico is in a cloud forest. Those travelers that rely on the internet may run into connectivity problems in the village.
Things to Do in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca
San Jose del Pacifico is a dream for those who love nature and hiking, but there are plenty of things to do here for all types of travelers.
San Jose del Pacifico is most famous for being a hub to dabble in magic mushrooms. The hallucinogenic mushrooms grow best during the rainy months of July to October. Magic mushrooms are still illegal in Mexico, but in the village, taking mushrooms is considered more of a “gray area.“
If planning on consuming magic mushrooms in San Jose del Pacifico, always respect the ancient wisdom and powers of this sacred medicine. With magic mushrooms, temazcal ceremonies, and the natural medicine of mother nature, San Jose del Pacifico is very much a spiritual hub.
Even if you don’t want to try the famous Oaxaca magic mushrooms, there are plenty of alternative things to do in San Jose del Pacifico. There are endless hiking trails, beautiful viewpoints, and delicious local restaurants.
One of the best things to do in San Jose del Pacifico is simply to relax and enjoy the healing powers of nature.
If spending a few days in the mountains, it’s easy to visit the adorable villages of San Sebastian Rio Hondo and San Mateo Río Hondo. Hiking trails connect many of the nearby villages to San Jose del Pacifico.
San Jose del Pacifico is worth a visit and oftentimes becomes a highlight for those visiting Oaxaca Mexico.
More Oaxaca Travel Guides
Oaxaca State is definitely a special place to visit. Most travelers start in Oaxaca City and if their Oaxaca itinerary allows, will head to the charming Oaxaca beach towns on the rugged Pacific Coast.
In Oaxaca, don’t miss the chance to eat at the best Oaxaca markets and indulge in the region’s spectacular gastronomy. Oaxaca is a foodie haven and boasts incredible restaurants and cafes!
Make sure to visit the culturally rich East Oaxaca Valley. The weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle and the officially registered Oaxaca Pueblo Magico of Mitla are always favorites among visitors. There are also endless day trips from Oaxaca to experience the surrounding natural beauty and cultural villages.
Those looking to get off the beaten path in Oaxaca should visit Santiago Apoala, with its beautiful waterfall and hiking trails, or head to Tamazulapam del Progreso to sit in the natural cold springs. One of the most rustic beaches in Oaxaca is Lagunas de Chacahua.
Overview of What it’s Like to Stay at Cabañas Rancho Viejo in San Jose del Pacifico
In short, this is an honest review of the Cabañas Rancho Viejo in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca. These cabins were the perfect base to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the Sierra Sur Mountains of Oaxaca Mexico.
The cabins were simple and clean, and we loved the wood-burning fireplace that we utilized every night. The grounds were well-kept, inviting, and super creative.
I will stay again at the Cabanas Rancho Viejo in San Jose del Pacifoc Oaxaca and recommend these cabins to fellow travelers!
Did you stay at the Cabañas Rancho Viejo in San Jose del Pacifico Oaxaca? What did you think?
Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.
