San Sebastián Río Hondo · Oaxaca

Welcome to the edge
of the forest

You've found a quiet corner of the Sierra Sur. Here's everything you need for a beautiful stay.

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A note from your host

"My front yard is the forest, and a few steps away is the trail to the river. I've lived here thirteen years. Many guests say it feels like stepping into a National Geographic special. I hope you feel held here."

J
Janet · Superhost
5.0 ★ · 85 reviews · 5 years hosting
Getting here

Finding your way to the village

We're remote, high in the mountains. The trip is part of the magic. Tap your route below.

From the coast · by public transportBus + taxi›
  1. Take Hwy 175 toward San José del Pacífico.
  2. From there, grab a taxi or moto-taxi to San Sebastián.
  3. Ask the driver for Tienda de Mari in El Centro.
  4. I'm on the road just below the store. Pass through the second gate on the right, and it leads to my house.
From the coast · by carDriving›
  1. Hwy 175 to La Venta, the first village past San José del Pacífico.
  2. Follow the sign pointing up to San Sebastián. Drive about 20 minutes.
  3. Turn right at the second arch (not the green one) into El Centro.
  4. Turn right at the second street, follow it to Tienda de Mari. Paid parking is across from the store.
  5. Follow the road down from the Tienda on foot to the second gate on your right.
From Oaxaca CityColectivo›
  1. Take Líneas Unidos toward Miahuatlán or San José del Pacífico (they run every 20 min).
  2. From Miahuatlán, find a local taxi to the San Sebastián base.
  3. Take a colectivo from there into the village.
  4. Ask for Tienda de Mari, then follow the road down to the second gate on the right.
📍
Lost or arriving? Message me or my co-host on WhatsApp and we'll meet you at Tienda de Mari to walk you in. [Add WhatsApp link]
The essentials

Good to know

📶
WiFi · Starlink
Network[network name]
Password[password]
🕑
Check-in
2:00 – 6:00 PM
🌙
Check-out
Before 11 AM
🔕
Quiet hours
From 8 PMWe rise and sleep with the birds
👥
Guests
2 maximum
The home

How we live here

A few things that make this place special, and a little different from what you may be used to.

🚿
Shared, composting bathroomWe don't have plumbing in the village. The bathroom is shared and composting. It's clean, simple, and part of the way of life here.
⛈️
Electricity & WiFi can pauseIn heavy mountain storms, power and internet may drop briefly. It always returns. Bring a little patience.
♻️
Pack out your plasticThere's no recycling nearby, so please take any plastic trash with you when you go. 🙏
🌅
An early-rising villageThis is an authentic Zapotec community. Mornings start with the birds, evenings wind down by 8 PM.
While you're here

Experiences in the village

These aren't tourist add-ons, they're the real life of this place. All must be arranged in advance, just message me.

🍄

Mushroom foraging

In rainy season (June–October), take a guide into the forest to hunt mushrooms, then bring them back for Ana or Margarita to cook up.

Arrange in advance · seasonal
🔥

Temazcal sweat lodge

Just above us is a traditional Temazcal. Reserve it on your own, or with a local curandera when she's available.

Arrange in advance
🌽

Cooking with Ana

My neighbor Ana cooks on a wood stove and grinds her own organic corn. Her Oaxacan menu is extensive. Try the pozole with mushrooms.

Arrange in advance
🧵

Back-strap loom weaving

Learn weaving with a local family. A small project needs a 3-day commitment, about 3–4 hours daily.

Min. 3-day stay
🌿

Soap making · Qigong · herb walks

Cold-process soap with Heber (min. 2 days), Qigong by the river, and medicinal herb walks with our bilingual herbalist.

Arrange in advance
Eat & drink

Where to eat

Four local spots, all within reach. Some need a little notice.

01

Ana's Kitchen · veg options

Local Zapotec cuisine with flair, whatever's on the wood-burning comal. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Very reasonable.

02

Casa Maitri · vegetarian

A retreat center just above me serving Indian food with a Zapotec twist. Needs 12 hours' notice.

03

Comedor de Juanna

Local Zapotec and Mexican cooking, at "the triangle."

04

La Montaña

Traditional food with beautiful views, also at "the triangle."

★

Farmers Market

The first Sunday of every month. Worth planning around if your dates line up.

Plan ahead

A few practical things

💵
Bring cashNo ATMs or banks in the area. The closest bank is an hour away in Miahuatlán. Plan accordingly.
📱
Reaching meI'm on WhatsApp and email. If I don't reply within 24 hours, it's usually the electricity or connection, not you. It'll come back.
🥾
Day hikesYou can hike to San José del Pacífico or San Mateo Río Hondo for lunch, then take a moto-taxi back if you're tired.
🛖
You're in San SebastiánNot San José del Pacífico or San Mateo. This is a quieter, more authentic village, new to tourism.
Before you go

Check-out by 11 AM

A simple list to leave the casita as you found it.

Take any plastic trash with you
[Where to leave the key]
Close windows and the patio gate
Turn off lights and any fans
Message me to say you're off safely 🙏
Here for you

Anything you need

Don't hesitate to reach out. We love sharing this place.

💬 Message Janet on WhatsApp 📞 Call the co-host

A translator is available on request for any activity. Just ask.

Buen viaje, and welcome home.
Casa Janet · San Sebastián Río Hondo · Sierra Sur, Oaxaca