9 Best Things to Do in Mazunte – Oaxaca’s Eco-Friendly Beach Town
A small beach town on the Oaxacan coastline of the Pacific Ocean: Mazunte has a special spell to it. A Magical Town since 2015, and once only a tiny fishing village, the town has evolved over the past years to become a tourist attraction for new-age and yoga lovers.
It’s also known for the turtles that nest here from June to December, and whose well-being is taken care of by the local Mexican Turtle Center. Luckily, the area hasn’t been flooded by the typical tourist hotel chains with their cement blocks. Due to strict building rules, you can find thatch-roofed palapas and hotels and restaurants that use mainly natural materials instead, like wood, adobe, and palm leaves.
Nature lovers who care for ecological sustainability will love the locally produced natural cosmetics and that several restaurants offer refill stations for drinking water for free to avoid plastic garbage. Enjoy the laid-back hippie vibe in Mazunte!
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At a Glance: TOP 9 Highlights of Mazunte
- Go Swimming at Mazunte’s Beaches
- Visit the Mexican Turtle Center
- Buy Natural Cosmetic at Mazunte’s Natural Cosmetics Factory
- Practice Yoga and Meditation
- Enjoy Sunset or Sunrise at Punta Cometa (Comet Point)
- Enjoy a Night Out in Rinconcito Street
- Visit the Crocodile Preserve at La Ventanilla
- Enjoy Jazz at the International Jazz Festival in November
- Visit the Elephant Beach in San Augustinillo
1. Go Swimming at Mazunte’s Beaches
To get to Playa Mazunte, Mazunte’s main beach, follow Rinconcito Street from the main street to its end. This street is also known for its many restaurants and bars. Another way to get to the beach is by following Golfina Street close to the Mexican Turtle Center all the way to the shore. Both parts of the beach are separated by some rocks that you can climb over, or walk around on a thin stretch of sand at low tide to get from one part of the beach to the other.
Another beach is Playa Mermejita on the other side of Comet Point. To reach this beach, you’d need to take the Camino Mermejita Street that branches off Rinconcito Street. A 10-minute walk will get you to this beach. This beach is long and perfect for taking a walk. However, it’s not protected by bays and the waves and currents could be intimidating.
For swimming, I personally prefer Elephant Beach in San Augustinillo with its bays where you can also relax on sunbeds at restaurants against consumption.
Pro Tip
Be aware of the Pacific Ocean’s stronger currents and bigger waves. Swim only where others swim and stay close to the beach. Watch the wave pattern, as bigger waves can unexpectedly follow smaller waves.
2. Visit the Mexican Turtle Center
How times are changing: Because many sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches of Mazunte, a sea turtle meat-and-egg industry developed in the second half of the 20th century. However, when this led to a decrease in the turtle population, the local economy banned it and switched to ecotourism and natural cosmetics instead.
Nowadays, the Mexican Turtle Center cares for the protection of sea turtles. It’s a zoological museum, aquarium, and research institute. It provides explanations of the turtles in Mexico and you can see live species of the five sea turtles that exist in Mexico, plus two land species and 16 more that live in freshwater. You enter into a hall with explanations of the turtles in Mexico. Most signboards are in Spanish only, and some offer a QR Code to audios in English and Spanish that give more explanation to the various exhibits or turtles you see along your way through the museum.
Opening hours: Wed-Sat 10 AM – 4.30 PM, Sun 10 AM – 2 PM. The entrance fee is 46 pesos (2.50 USD).
Pro Tip
Download the SoundCloud app (for iOS or Android) before visiting the museum to listen to the audio explanations provided by the QR codes.
If you want to read the various signboards, I also suggest downloading the offline version of a translation app beforehand.
3. Buy Natural Cosmetic at Mazunte’s Natural Cosmetics Factory
Shortly after entering Mazunte, you pass the Tienda de Cosmeticos Mazunte shop. This local business that’s woman-owned and operated produces high-quality natural, organic cosmetics. Be it shampoos, repellents, or wrinkle creams: Here you can find a sustainable and locally produced product.
Fun fact: Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, visited Mazunte in 1993. Her visit inspired the locals to produce cosmetics with local ingredients as a new source of income for the families that could no longer live on hunting sea turtles after this was banned.
Pro Tip
Their lemon-scent repellent is a bestseller. It’s a great way to protect yourself from mosquito bites in a natural, non-toxic way while supporting the local community.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9 AM – 4 PM, Sun 10 AM – 2 PM.
Official website: https://tiendacosmeticosmazunte.com/
Address: Tienda De Cosmeticos Mazunte, Carretera Federal 175, Mazunte, Oaxaca, México
4. Practice Yoga and Meditation
Mazunte is a haven for yoga practitioners and open-minded spiritual people alike. There are various yoga schools, among them the Hridaya Yoga Center which offers not just yoga classes but also silent meditation retreats, workshops, and teacher training courses.
Official website: http://www.hridaya-yoga.com/
Address: Hridaya Yoga Center, 70949 Mazunte, Oax., Mexico
5. Enjoy Sunset or Sunrise at Punta Cometa (Comet Point)
At Oaxaca’s southernmost point, a small peninsula called Punta Cometa stretches out into the sea. You have a 180-degree view over the sea from this point, which is why it was used by Spanish forces and pirates as a stronghold. Now it’s a famous lookout for watching the sun rise and set.
There are several ways to get to Punta Cometa:
- From Mazunte Beach/Rinconcito: When leaving Rinconcito Street, walk to the right along the beach until you reach a flight of stairs leading up the hill (before the Lifeguard tower).
- By car/quad: You can also walk or drive along Camino Mermejita Street, and turn left into Camino a Punta Cometa Street. Here you can park and walk the rest out to Punta Cometa.
- From Mermejita Beach: At its southern end, a footpath leads up to Punta Cometa.
Pro Tip
Wear good footwear for the walk, and take a bottle of water with you to stay hydrated. When you want to visit Punta Cometa for the sunset, have a torch or your fully charged mobile phone with you as it can get pretty dark on your way back.
6. Enjoy a Night Out in Rinconcito Street
Rinconcito Street is the perfect place to go out in the evening. Here you find various restaurants and cafes, shops, and bars. The street leads from the main street in Mazunte’s center to the beach. Enjoy fish tacos, the Oaxacan tlayudas (big fried corn tortillas with beans, meat, avocado, and cheese topping), cocktails, or vegan ice cream – and mingle with locals as well as other tourists.
7. Enjoy Jazz at the International Jazz Festival in November
Every third week of November, Mazunte gets flooded with Jazz lovers who enjoy pure and fusion jazz at the local Jazz festival. This festival is part of the Semana Nacional por la Conservación (National Conservation Week), and it lasts for three days. In addition to the music, there are also various activities for environmental conservation taking place.
8. Visit the Crocodile Preserve at La Ventanilla
The Crocodile Preserve is part of the Centro Ecoturístico La Ventanilla (La Ventanilla Ecotourism Center), and offers possibilities to go on boat trips through the mangroves to see crocodiles, birds, and more. The preserve takes care of young crocodiles until they’re old enough to be released into freedom.
La Ventanilla is about an 8-minute drive from Mazunte’s center.
Official website: https://www.laventanilla.com.mx/servicios
9. Visit the Elephant Beach in San Augustinillo
Just a 15-minute walk from Mazunte’s center, you get to the Elephant Beach in San Augustinillo, the adjacent village seamlessly connected with Mazunte. At this beach sheltered by bays, a large rock formation looks like a sleeping elephant, therefore its name is Playa Elefante (Elephant Beach). At the western part of this rock formation, the beach is less shallow and you can snorkel around to watch yellow-tailed fish.
At its eastern part, the beach is so shallow that you can walk out about 75 m (246 ft) with the water still reaching only to your knees or hips. This beach is also frequented by surfing disciples, especially in the afternoon. Here you’ll also find several restaurants offering sunbeds against consumption. My recommendation is La Ola (the quesadilla with prawns al pastor is delicious!).
Pro Tip
While this beach is suitable for swimming, watch out for the flags posted by the lifeguards to know if you need to watch out for stronger waves or currents. Stay closer to the beach and don’t get too close to the rocks, as the waves might push you against them.
What Else Can You Do in Mazunte?
Not directly in Mazunte, but close by, there are several towns you can visit.
Experience Mexican Street Market Life in Pochutla
If you need a break from the quiet relaxing beach life in Mazunte, take a 40-minute drive inland to San Pedro Pochutla. Here you can experience a less touristy and more Mexican-typical town. Pochutla is the center for commerce and transport, and you find many market stalls and vendors along the main street selling their goods. From fresh fruit and vegetables to fish: Here you can buy anything you need. On the weekends, the streets are even more packed because of the local market taking place. Be ready for lots of traffic, crowded streets, and lots of produce to buy!
Visit the Nudity Beach in Zipolite
Only a 13-minute drive from Mazunte, you can go to the nudity beach in the small hippie beach town of Zipolite. It’s a laid-back and family-friendly beach, so not creepy at all – and clothing-optional, so you don’t have to strip down if you don’t feel like it. On the first weekend of February, Zipolite celebrates its annual naturist festival, Festival Nudista Zipolite.
However, please be careful: The entire beach in Zipolite is also known as the “Beach of the Dead”, as its underwater currents lead to about 50 dead swimmers each year. The situation has improved in the past years due to the solid lifeguard system. However, please stay close to the shore, don’t underestimate the currents, and adhere to the flag system the lifeguards administer.
Visit the Top Oaxacan Beach Town of Puerto Escondido
A 1-hour drive from Mazunte to its west, you reach the larger beach town of Puerto Escondido. It’s one of the most important tourist destinations in Oaxaca. Go surfing on Zicatela Beach which also hosts major surfing competitions in November, or go swimming on its Playa Marinero beach. From its Playa Principal beach, you can hire a boat to get to less accessible beaches or to see marine turtles.
Where to Eat in Mazunte
Jalilh Restaurante & Bar
Directly at the beach, this restaurant offers seafood dishes as well as pasta, chicken, and salads. They also have some vegetarian options.
Address: Andador carey Playa, 70947 Mazunte, Oax., Mexico
La Empanada
At the entrance to the town, this thatch-roofed restaurant offers pizza, pasta, salads, fish, and delicious baked potatoes with various toppings. A nice atmosphere, and great staff – to be recommended!
Address: México 175, 70946 Mazunte, Oax., Mexico
Doba
This restaurant lies on the main street between Mazunte and San Augustinillo. They have delicious bread for breakfast and smoothie bowls, as well as main dishes for lunch. Be prepared for modern, healthy options and a relaxing atmosphere.
Address: Av. Paseo del Mazunte SN, 70946 Mazunte, Oax., Mexico
Where to Stay in Mazunte
Casa Lu Hotel Boutique
This 4-star hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, and a bar and thatch-roofed restaurant. The rooms are air-conditioned and have a terrace with a sea view. The Playa Mazunte beach is less than a minute away, and you’re within walking distance of the town center. And not to mention the lovely staff!
Casa Mazunte Tierra Viva
If you prefer to stay in a fully equipped bungalow, then Casa Mazunte Tierra Viva is the right place for you. It’s in a side alley to Rinconcito Street with its bars and restaurants, and just a short walk from the beach. Each air-conditioned bungalow comes with a seating area and a fully equipped kitchenette. The internet is also working well.
Casa Bagus (in San Augustinillo)
Directly at the beachfront of the San Augustinillo beach and next to Elephant Beach, Casa Bagus offers air-conditioned rooms and an on-site restaurant (cash only) with sun lounges. The hotel is small with just a couple of rooms, and thus more private.
How to Get to Mazunte
By Plane:
From Mexico City, you can fly to the airports in Huatulco (HUX) or Puerto Escondido (PXM), two beach towns about an hour to the east and west of Mazunte. Or you fly to Oaxaca de Juárez (OAX), the capital of the Oaxaca state about a 3-hour drive from Mazunte. From each town, you can rent a car to get to Mazunte, or a private shuttle service from the latter two (Puerto Escondido-Mazunte, Oaxaca-Mazunte).
By Bus:
A bus from Mexico City would take 10.30 hours to Puerto Escondido, and a bus from Puebla 8.30 hours.
You can also fly to Oaxaca de Juárez and take a bus to Puerto Escondido, and then a shuttle service to Mazunte.
By Car:
The newly opened highway between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido saves you several hours. From Mexico City, it takes about 11-12 hours, and from Puebla, it takes about 8 hours. Either way, you’ll be passing Tehuacán and Oaxaca on your way, both great places to spend a night or two and visit the city. You’ll have to pay a toll of about 400 pesos (21 USD) from Puebla, and 650 pesos (34 USD) from Mexico City.
So…Is It for Me?
If you’re a nature-loving yogi or only long for a relaxed beach getaway: Mazunte is a great destination for a laid-back beach vacation. It’s Drink a cocktail in a palapa (palm leave-roofed terrace), take a quad to the beach, and enjoy seafood or vegan options – there’s something for every taste!
Plan and Book Your Trip
– Where to find cheap flights: Skyscanner.com
– Get compensation for delayed or canceled flights: AirHelp
– Which Travel Insurance to use: safetywing.com
– Where to book accommodation: booking.com, hostelworld.com
– Where to book rental cars: Discover Cars
– Where to book tours: Get Your Guide, Tripadvisor, Viator
– Transportation: Busbud for sustainable travel by bus, inDrive for city-to-city transportation service
Read More About Mexican Beach Getaways:
- Best Things to Do in Sisal – The Perfect Beach Getaway
- 5 Best Things to Do in Villa Rica
- Best Things to Do in Progreso
- Best Things to Do in Bacalar
