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 Sierra Sur. The trip is part of the magic. Tap your route below, and every one ends at Tienda de Mari, where I'll meet you.

From the coast · by carDriving
  1. From Puerto Escondido, take the new super-highway toward Oaxaca, then follow Catarina Cuixtla / San Pablo Coatlán to Miahuatlán, and on toward San José del Pacífico on Hwy 175.
  2. One town before San José del Pacífico is La Venta (search "La Venta" in maps). In La Venta, a road and sign on the left lead up to San Sebastián Río Hondo.
  3. Call me when you reach Miahuatlán, the only big town on the way. That tells me you're about an hour out, and I'll guide you to parking.
  4. In San Sebastián, turn right under the arch into El Centro, then take your first right and follow the street down to Tienda de Mari, directly in front of you.
  5. Park up by the Tienda (80 pesos/night). Please don't drive down the hill at Tienda de Mari, I'll show you where to leave the car.
From the coast · by vanVan + taxi
  1. From Mazunte or Pochutla, take a Líneas Unidos van to San José del Pacífico. (There may be a pickup point in Zipolite now too.)
  2. From San José, take a moto-taxi to San Sebastián Río Hondo, about $200 pesos.
  3. Ask the driver to drop you at Tienda de Mari.
  4. Text me when you leave San José and I'll meet you at the Tienda.
From Oaxaca City · by carDriving
  1. Take Hwy 175 toward the coast and search La Venta in maps.
  2. In La Venta, a road on the left leads up to San Sebastián Río Hondo.
  3. Call me when you reach Miahuatlán, the only big town on the way, so I know you're about an hour out and can guide you to parking.
  4. In San Sebastián, turn right under the arch into El Centro, then take your first right and follow the street down to Tienda de Mari, directly in front of you.
  5. Park up by the Tienda (80 pesos/night). Please don't drive down the hill at Tienda de Mari, I'll show you where to leave the car.
From Oaxaca City · by vanColectivo
  1. Take a Líneas Unidos van from Calle Bustamante to San José del Pacífico. They leave every 30 minutes, no reservation needed (about 3 hours, ~$150 pesos).
  2. From San José, take a moto-taxi or taxi to San Sebastián Río Hondo, about $200 pesos.
  3. Ask the driver to drop you at Tienda de Mari.
  4. Text me when you leave San José and I'll meet you at the Tienda.
📍 Open in Google Maps
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Lost or arriving? Message me on WhatsApp and I'll meet you at Tienda de Mari to walk you in.
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Two things for every route: bring cash (there are no ATMs in the village, the nearest is an hour away in Miahuatlán), and arrive before dark, the mountain roads are hard to see at night.
The essentials

Good to know

📶
WiFi
NetworkCasa Yani
Password19881955
🕑
Check-in
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM [latest]

Please arrive before dark. There is no proper lighting here in the forest, and the drive in is difficult after sunset. Arriving in daylight makes for a much better first night.

🌙
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 bathroomThe bathroom is shared with me, your host, not other guests. We don't have plumbing in the village, so it's a clean, simple composting bathroom, part of the way of life here.
⛈️
Electricity & WiFi can pauseIn heavy mountain storms, power and internet may drop, sometimes for a while, occasionally for a few days. It always comes back. Come prepared for a little off-grid time.
♻️
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, held by people who actually live here. Every experience is bookable on request, just message me. Prices are shared privately and can shift with the season, but almost anything is possible.

A translator is available on request for any activity. Just let me know in advance and I'll arrange it.

🥾

Day hikes

Hike to San José del Pacífico or San Mateo Río Hondo for lunch, then take a moto-taxi back if you'd rather not walk both ways. No arranging needed, just lace up.

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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
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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
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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
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Qigong

Qigong by the river, in the forest. A quiet, grounding practice in a setting that makes it feel effortless. Ask me about scheduling a session.

Arrange in advance
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Bird watching with Oscar

Head into the forest at first light with Oscar, who knows where the birds are and how to spot them. A slow, quiet morning among the trees.

Book on request
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Cacao making with Sofia

Make cacao from the bean with Sofia, the old way, by hand. You'll taste the difference and take the ritual home with you.

Book on request
💃

Authentic dance with Adria

Every Saturday, Adria holds an authentic dance gathering. Free to join, open to everyone. Come move and meet the village.

Every Saturday · free
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Thai massage with Adria

Adria comes to you, upstairs in your own casita, for a Thai massage. Deep, restorative bodywork without leaving home.

Book on request
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

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Bring cashNo ATMs or banks in the area. The closest bank is an hour away in Miahuatlán. Plan accordingly.
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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.
🛖
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
Leave the key in the room
Close windows and the patio gate
Turn off the lights
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 Janet
Buen viaje, and welcome home.
Casa Yani · San Sebastián Río Hondo · Sierra Sur, Oaxaca