7 Best Things to Do in San Pedro Pochutla

Authentic Mexican street markets and a central commercial and transport hub: San Pedro Pochutla (or short: Pochutla) is certainly not a tourist hot spot. The town of 14.000 inhabitants and the municipality of the same name lie a half-hour drive from Oaxaca’s southern coastline, at the crossing of federal highways 200 and 175. Tourists mainly pass through Pochutla to get a bus to Oaxaca from the beach towns of Mazunte and Zipolite.

But Pochutla’s narrow and busy streets have more to offer: Walk over its crowded markets where street vendors sell fresh produce from the region, buy artisanal leather sandals at its indoor market, or admire the Municipal Palace’s murals. Be ready for an overload of all senses, however: It’s the complete opposite of the laid-back beach life at the coast. Let’s look at what Pochutla has to offer!

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At a Glance: TOP 7 Highlights of San Pedro Pochutla

1. Stroll Through Pochutla’s Vibrant Street Market
2. Buy Artisanal Products at the Mercado de Pochutla
3. Relax at the Main Square Parque Las Golondrinas
4. Take a Picture of the Giant Letters of Pochutla
5. Admire the Murals at the Municipal Palace
6. Visit the San Pedro Pochutla Parish
7. Enjoy Beach Life

1. Stroll Through Pochutla’s Vibrant Street Market

One of the main reasons locals and tourists alike visit Pochutla (apart from its use as a transport hub) is to buy goods at the vibrant street market. Be it fruit, vegetables, fresh and smoked fish, or clothes and sandals: A greater variety and better prices await you here than in the beach towns. Especially if you stay for a longer time at the beach like me, it might be economically wise to replenish your supplies here.

All week long you can find street vendors here, but it gets busiest on Mondays and Thursdays. Then traffic along the narrow main road (México 175) gets pretty packed; keep that in mind when arriving by car.

I’d say the main bustle is along the main street from Calle Juárez up to Lázaro Cardenas as well as the parallel Constitución Street, and at the weekends and on Mondays also on the main square Parque Las Golondrinas.

Here’s where to find the busiest street markets:

• Calle Francisco I. Madera: This short pedestrians-only alley isn’t listed on Google Maps; it begins next to the Oxxo. Here you find fruit vendors, but mostly clothes, bags, and such.
• Calle Allende: In this short street you find mainly food stalls that sell fresh and smoked fish, and other types of food.
• Main Street México 175: Here you find mainly fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish.

2. Buy Artisanal Products at the Mercado de Pochutla

On the main street in the city center, you’ll find an indoor market with lots of tiny stalls selling products like artisanal footwear, vegetables, spices, and more. I can recommend the artisanal leather sandals at the tiny store in the center of the Mercado, they’re of great quality.

The entrance is a bit hidden, especially when the streets are packed over the weekend – I added a picture of it below so you don’t miss it. You have to pass through the arch, enter the tiny street, and climb some stairs to enter the indoor market.

Opening hours: 7 AM – 6 PM

Address: Mercado de Pochutla, México 175, Centro

3. Relax at the Main Square Parque Las Golondrinas

After all the busy markets, recharge your batteries at Pochutla’s main square which has only recently been renovated. Surrounded by the Municipal Palace and the San Pedro Pochutla Parish Church, you can buy fresh coconut water or tamales from the street vendors and relax on a bench. Or enjoy the view from one of the restaurant’s terraces while having a refreshing beverage.

4. Take a Picture of the Letters of Pochutla

Do as the Mexicans do and take a selfie in front of the colorful letters of Pochutla! You find them on the main square’s northern side. A great picture opportunity and proof that you’ve been there:-)

Address: Constitución 39, Centro

4. Admire the Murals in the Municipal Palace

Mexican town halls and municipal palaces are always worth a visit, as many of them have murals or paintings inside their halls. And Pochutla doesn’t disappoint in this regard: When you climb the stairs at the Municipal Palace’s center, you find a colorful mural of what defines this region. Plus, from the terrace, you’ll have a great view of the gazebo on the main square.

Address: Municipal Palace of Pochutla (Ayuntamiento Municipal de San Pedro Pochutla), C. Progreso 2, Centro

5. Visit the San Pedro Pochutla Parish Church

This nice little red-and-white church In its atrium surrounding the church, you can find benches to relax, and on its northern side paintings of the nearby towns’ churches and the beaches of the region.

Address: Parroquía San Pedro Pochutla, CLL. Ignacio Allende, 115 Letra D, Centro

7. Enjoy Beach Life

Last but not least: Visit the nearby beaches that you can reach from Pochutla by public transport or by taxi. Zipolite is known for its nudist beach (it’s actually clothing-optional, so no worries if you don’t like going naked), Mazunte for its turtle center and its natural cosmetics, and San Augustinillo for its calmer beaches.

Where to Stay in Pochutla

I’d honestly recommend staying in one of the nearby beach towns which aren’t far away, and making a day trip to Pochutla. See my recommendations for hotels in Mazunte.

Where to Eat in Pochutla

The cuisine you can find in Pochutla is more down-to-earth and authentic. Here are some recommendations.

Antojitos Perlita’s

This small place has the typical plastic chair vibe of a comedor and is located on the main square’s south side. Here, you can find economical Mexican dishes. Try the tlayuda (Oaxacan corn pizza), it’s really good!

Vidita Negra

From this little cafe’s terrace at the main square’s northern side, you have a nice view of the Parque Las Golondrinas. Prices are ok for the breakfasts, but a bit higher for the main dishes. While you’re enjoying the view, some locals might pass by selling fruits and veggies from their gardens at affordable prices. A great way to practice your Spanish:-)

El Fogoncito

If you’re looking for affordable and delicious tacos, try El Fogoncito. It’s a 6-minute walk from the main square, but the service is excellent and the food tasty.

How to Get to San Pedro Pochutla

San Pedro Pochutla lies at the intersection of Highways 175 and 200. You might pass through it when coming from Oaxaca de Juárez by bus or car. However, at the beginning of 2024, a new and much faster highway opened which takes you from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido in only 3.5 hours (instead of formerly 6 hours), so you won’t pass Pochutla anymore. Google Maps will lead you on this faster route automatically (there might still be some construction going on, however, it’s still much faster and more comfortable than the serpentine route on Highway 175).

By Car:

Take the new highway from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, and from there follow Highway 200 to Pochutla.

By Plane:

From Mexico City, you can fly to the airports in Huatulco (HUX) or Puerto Escondido (PXM), two beach towns on Oaxaca’s Pacific coast. 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 Pochutla, or the bus.

By Bus:

A bus from Mexico City would take almost 20 hours to Pochutla. A bus from Oaxaca to Pochutla takes about 4 hours.

If you’re staying in one of the nearby beach towns like Mazunte or Zipolite, you can take the camioneta (a pick-up van with benches on the back for passengers) to Pochutla.

So…Is It for Me?

If you want to experience a small but vibrant Mexican town, then you should definitely visit Pochutla for a half-day or one-day trip. It’s a great change of scenery especially if you’re staying longer in the closeby small beachtowns. And it’s a great opportunity to get supplies and services that those beach towns don’t offer. However, if you’re stressed out and looking for a relaxing day trip, you might feel overwhelmed.

Read Next:

• 9 Best Things to Do in Mazunte – Oaxaca’s Eco-Friendly Beach Town
• 18 Best Things to Do in Mexico City – And How to Plan Your Stay
• Driving in Mexico: How to Prepare and Stay Safe