Mazunte & Zipolite

A cluster of laid-back beach villages on the Oaxaca coast: Mazunte is known for sea turtle conservation and sunsets at Punta Cometa, while Zipolite is a hippie-style nudist beach, with guesthouses and yoga studios everywhere.

Mazunte and Zipolite lie on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, in the San Pedro Pochutla area, part of a string of beach villages along coastal Highway 200. From east to west they are the fishing port of Puerto Ángel, the hippie-style nudist beach of Zipolite, tiny San Agustinillo and the Pueblo Mágico of Mazunte, all within about 10 km of each other, with the La Ventanilla lagoon further west. Mazunte was once a village that hunted sea turtles; after the 1990 ban it turned to ecotourism, and the Mexican Turtle Center showcases many turtle species. Climbing Punta Cometa at dusk to watch the sun sink into the sea is the area's signature experience. Zipolite's beach is about 2 km long and known for its free-spirited vibe, yoga studios and sea-view cabañas; Playa Estacahuite near Puerto Ángel is good for snorkelling. At La Ventanilla you can paddle through the mangroves to see crocodiles, and boat trips offer sea turtles, dolphins and, in winter, humpback whales. The dry season from November to April has the best weather; whale watching runs December–March, and turtles come ashore to nest July–December. May–October is the hot, humid rainy season, so keep an eye on the weather during hurricane season. Getting there: about 1 hour by taxi from Huatulco airport or about 1.5 hours from Puerto Escondido; from Oaxaca City, minibuses take about 6–7 hours to Pochutla, where you change. Between villages, ride the colectivo pickups or taxis. Note: Zipolite has very strong rip currents and most beaches are not safe for swimming; there are few ATMs in the villages, so bring plenty of cash. The area combines well with Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries