Mazunte Oaxaca: The Complete Guide (2026)

We love it when we get recommended places to go by people we meet, and often find that they’re the ones we end up loving the most. Mazunte Oaxaca is the perfect example of that.

Though it’s extremely tempting to keep this town our little secret, instead we’re gonna let you in on just why it’s so magical.

We’re also gonna spill the beans on all of the best things to see and do in Mazunte Oaxaca during your visit.

We had a vague plan to spend Day of the Dead in Oaxaca City before heading to the coast to hit up some of the famous Oaxaca beaches.

During our time spent in and around Oaxaca City, we kept hearing whispers of this enchanting, laid back hippy haven called Mazunte.

Jump to:

• Mazunte Pueblo Mágico
• Things to do in Mazunte Oaxaca
• Where to Stay in Mazunte: The Best Hotels and Accommodation for Every Budget
• Mazunte Hotels
• How to Get to Mazunte Oaxaca
• Nearby Oaxaca Beaches and How to Get to Them
• Mazunte Oaxaca Restaurants - The Best Places to Eat & Drink
• Mazunte Weather Guide
• The National Mexican Turtle Center
• Other Useful Info on Mazunte

Mazunte Pueblo Mágico

This sleepy little beach town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is actually one of the country's Pueblo Mágicos (Magical Towns). And yet it’s still relatively unknown.

It’s got a laid back, welcoming vibe and you quickly come to understand that it’s the kind of town where people come to visit and just never leave. In fact the very first guy that we met was a shirtless, shoeless Italian dude walking his two dogs down to the beach.

We were trying to find our Airbnb and obviously lost, and as he walked past he asked us where we were trying to get to. As soon as we told him the name of our host he said “follow me, I know Nico” and began marching off down the red dirt road in the direction we’d just come from.

Along the way he told us how he’d been living there for almost 20 years. He explained that he used to travel a lot way back when but didn’t bother anymore. After finding Mazunte, he'd never felt the desire to move on again, and cheerily remarked that he'd probably die there.

We soon found out that far from being unique, his story was pretty standard here. That’s just the kind of place it is.

Things to do in Mazunte Oaxaca

Part of the beauty of Mazunte Mexico is that you’re not overrun with things to do. It’s more of a “horizontal” town, so definitely don’t come here if you’re looking to party and go wild.

Just to give you an idea, you could probably walk around the whole place in little more than half an hour.

The WiFi is notoriously patchy at best, there are very few street lamps so when it gets dark it’s pitch black. And opening times are more of a general guide than a reliable guarantee.

All of this makes Mazunte Oaxaca the perfect place to totally unplug and properly chill out, but there are some things you definitely shouldn’t miss.

Head to Punta Cometa Mazunte for Sunset

Punta Cometa is probably Mazunte’s most famous landmark. This mini peninsula extends out into the Pacific Ocean and is the southernmost point of Oaxaca State. It provides unrivaled and uninterrupted views of the surrounding scenery.

Punta Cometa is hands down the best vantage point in Mazunte, and each evening people make the pilgrimage out to witness the spectacular sunset. Golds, purples, oranges and yellows flood the sky as the sun makes its remarkably rapid descent below the shoreline.

Getting to the end of Punta Cometa is a 15 to 20 minute hike along a rocky, and in parts steep trail. Make sure you time it right to allow for how long it takes to walk there as we saw a number of people arriving after the sun had already set.

The trail is well marked out so you can’t get lost. But remember to bring a torch or have a charged phone with a bright light on it for the walk back as, unsurprisingly, it’s dark.

Punta Cometa is also a great place to watch the sunrise in Mazunte which is equally as spectacular.

Drinks at El Copal Mazunte for Sunset

El Copal Mazunte is one of the more well known restaurants and hotels in the town, and that’s largely down to the spectacular views it has out over Mermejita Beach. It’s located a little way up into the hills and is a bit out of town, but it’s definitely worth the walk.

To find it, head towards Mermejita Beach and take the last road to the left before you arrive. It’s signposted from there and you may even be met by a security guard or member of staff who will guide you up to the restaurant.

The food here is a little pricey however the portions are huge and the seafood tacos are particularly delicious. If you don’t want to eat then just head up for drinks, just beware that there's a minimum per person spend.

At sunset you get a wonderful panorama over the largely undeveloped Mermejita Beach. You’ll spot people doing yoga, meditating, and frolicking in the surf while taking in the last of the light.

Hit the Stunning Mazunte Beaches

All along the Oaxaca coastline you’ll find arresting beaches. Each has their own charm, and Mazunte has a couple of the finest along this stretch.

Overlooked by green mountains, and facing towards craggy outcrops of rocks that pepper the rough Pacific Ocean, they’re covered in soft golden sand.

The main beach here is the imaginatively named Mazunte Beach and is almost split into two. The larger part is lined with bars, restaurants and cabanas. You can easily while away your time lounging around and playing in the sun.

At the far end of Mazunte Beach is a smaller, even quieter alcove. Here you’ll find fishing and tour boats and a few restaurants and places to stay set back slightly from the beach.

The other main stretch of sand is Mermejita Beach. A more secluded, undeveloped part of the coast, it’s as pretty as it is peaceful. Don’t expect bars or shops nearby. Come here prepared with everything you need otherwise you’ll face a steep walk back into town for supplies.

A word of caution, take care when you’re swimming in the sea in Mazunte Oaxaca. The waves are huge and the current is strong. There are lifeguards on at peak times of year, but take care at all times and don’t go out of your depth.

Go Dolphin, Whale, and Tortoise Spotting in Mazunte Mexico

There are lots of incredible tours that run from Mazunte Beach. If you’re there at the right time of year you can jump on the dolphin, whale and tortoise spotting excursions that run daily. These go from around November to March.

Outside of peak season, our tour started at 7.00am (although we were given various start times between 7 to 7.30 - as I said earlier, Mazunte works on its own time zone) and finished at 10.30am to avoid the midday heat.

The captain took us around a few local landmarks, explaining about the colonies of birds that made their home there. The views back towards the shore from here were absolutely breathtaking. We then headed out to sea to look for the dolphins, whales and turtles.

It started slowly, and after about half an hour of seemingly aimlessly drifting towards the horizon we were getting a little disheartened. We'd not seen a single fish, let alone the other sea animals we’d been promised.

Then out of nowhere we spotted a manta ray on the surface, and some huge turtles lazily coming up for air.

Shortly afterwards the boat was surrounded by scores of dolphins, effortlessly flying in and out of the water and playfully swimming alongside us. It was nothing short of magical, and we’d highly recommend this tour as one of the best things to do in Mazunte.

The captain explained to us that he used to be involved in the business of catching turtles but had changed to running tours once the ban on turtle hunting came in (more on that later). This gives another reason to support these tours. You’re directly helping with the conservation effort by providing turtle hunters with an alternative income.

Top tip - if you get sea sickness, take some pills before you set off. Sarah gets it real bad, but due to the early start time didn’t have a chance to take any. Big mistake! She spent most of the time vomiting over the side of the boat, and she wasn’t alone. Another lady was also chundering over the opposite side of the vessel, so their mornings were somewhat tarnished.

Get Involved in Some Yoga in Mazunte Mexico

Yoga is everywhere in Mazunte Oaxaca. You can’t go 5 yards without stumbling across a yoga school, bumping into someone with a yoga mat slung over their shoulder, or seeing someone doing a downward facing dog on the beach.

You can find classes for virtually any brand of yoga that you like and prices start from just a few dollars. Even if you’re not a yoga enthusiast, this is a great place to give it a go as many classes accommodate beginners as well, so when in Rome!

Alternatively if you’re an experienced practitioner, just head down to the beach and crack on with your own routine. This is a popular thing to do at sunset on Mermejita Beach. We saw plenty of people doing their own thing here, from deep meditation to late afternoon sun salutes.

There's also some more alternative spiritual practices and therapies on offer in Mazunte, so if any of that is your bag you'll likely find your tribe amongst the international spirituality community here.

Where to Stay in Mazunte: The Best Hotels and Accommodation for Every Budget

One of the great things about Mazunte is that wherever you stay, you are never far from anything. The town is small enough that every hotel, hostel and cabana is within easy walking distance of the beaches, restaurants and main street. So don't sweat the exact location too much.

The range of accommodation in Mazunte spans beach cabanas, budget hostels and boutique hotels, though it is worth knowing that rock bottom budget options are limited. Mazunte is not a backpacker bargain destination in the way some other Mexican towns are.

Mazunte Hotels

One thing we would strongly recommend regardless of your budget is to book in advance. Mazunte hotels fill up quickly during peak season (November to March), Mexican public holidays and Semana Santa. The best places, particularly Zoa Hotel, are often fully booked weeks ahead. Do not leave it to chance.

Here are the best places to stay in Mazunte for every budget:

Budget: La Playa Hostel

Cozy, rustic and spotlessly clean, Hotel La Playa is one of the best value places to stay in Mazunte. Located virtually on the beach, you can enjoy lovely views from a hammock on the patio, which is exactly the Mazunte experience you came for.

Rooms are spacious and bright, the owners are genuinely welcoming, and the beachside location means you are perfectly placed to make the most of everything the town has to offer.

Perfect for: Solo travellers and budget-conscious couples who want a great location without overspending

Midrange: Cabañas Amaia

If you are looking to properly switch off in your own private space, Cabañas Amaia is one of the most special places to stay in Mazunte. These beautifully designed private cabins are secluded, peaceful and feel completely in keeping with the spirit of the town.

Tastefully decorated and immaculately clean, you are just a short walk from both the beach and the main street. A choice of delicious freshly prepared breakfasts is included every morning, which is a lovely touch.

Perfect for: Couples or anyone wanting privacy, tranquility and a bit of style without the luxury price tag.

Luxury: Zoa Hotel

Zoa Hotel is hands down the best hotel in Mazunte, and it gets booked up fast so if you are considering it, do not delay. Each room at this stunning five star property has a private terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and the infinity pool with its panoramic views of the coastline is genuinely one of the most beautiful spots in town.

Just a few minutes from the beach and central Mazunte, Zoa manages to feel like a world away from everything while keeping you close to it all.

Perfect for: Honeymoons, special occasions or anyone who wants a genuine luxury experience in one of Mexico's most beautiful coastal settings.

Can't find availability at these properties? Mazunte has a small but well reviewed selection of hotels, hostels and cabanas. Search all available accommodation in Mazunte on Booking.com to find what works for your dates and budget.

How to Get to Mazunte Oaxaca

Getting to Mazunte obviously depends on where you’re coming from, but this should cover it for the majority of visitors:

What is the Closest Airport to Mazunte?

The closest airport to Mazunte is Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX), located around 30 miles / 50km away and approximately one hour by road. This is the airport we recommend for most visitors and it serves both domestic routes within Mexico and a small number of international connections. We actually left from this airport to go to La Paz, Baja California and had a great experience there.

The second closest option is Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM), which is a similar distance in the opposite direction and takes a similar amount of time by road. Puerto Escondido has good domestic connections and is worth considering depending on where you are flying from.

Both airports are manageable in size, easy to navigate, and well connected to Mazunte by road.

Getting from Huatulco Airport to Mazunte

The most straightforward way to get from Huatulco Airport to Mazunte is by taxi or hire car. A taxi will take approximately one hour depending on traffic, be sure to agree a price before setting off.

If you are travelling as a couple or group, or plan to explore the Oaxaca coastline beyond Mazunte itself, hiring a car at Huatulco Airport is well worth considering. It gives you the freedom to visit nearby beach towns like Zipolite, San Agustinillo and Puerto Angel at your own pace, without relying on pasajeros or negotiating taxis each time.

Search car hire at Huatulco Airport on Discover Cars to compare rates and find the best deal for your dates.

Getting from Puerto Escondido Airport to Mazunte

Puerto Escondido Airport is a similar distance from Mazunte to Huatulco, about 30 miles / 50KM, and is a perfectly good option if it works better for your flights. Journey time by road is around one hour as well.

Again, hiring a car here gives you excellent flexibility for exploring the coast. Search car hire at Puerto Escondido Airport on Discover Cars

Alternatively, local buses and collectivos connect Puerto Escondido to Mazunte. You'll first need to take a local bus to Pochutla - but not all the way there.

You either get on at the ADO bus station or flag one down on the highway. Then get off in San Antonio when you see the OXO shop.

From here take a collectivo (shared taxi) into Mazunte. They arrive about every 15 minutes or so, so you won't be waiting long.

Then to get back to Puerto Escondido simply do the journey in reverse.

How to Get to Mazunte from Oaxaca City by Bus

The main bus service is Linea Unidas and you need to take the route running from Oaxaca to Zipolite. It passes through Mazunte so you can ask the driver to drop you off there. But just be aware that on the way back from Mazunte to Oaxaca you will need to go into Zipolite to get on the bus.

There are usually around five departures per day in each direction, though times change seasonally so we recommend checking the current schedule directly with Lineas Unidas at the bus station before you travel. And as far as we are aware you have to go to the bus stations in person to buy them, at time of writing there isn't a way of purchasing them online.

You can also take a bus into Pochutla and then get onwards travel from there in a taxi or collectivo. But the only real reason to do this would be that the buses between Oaxaca and Pochutla run more frequently and leave every hour during the day.

Nearby Oaxaca Beaches and How to Get to Them

How to Get Beyond Mazunte Beach

Mazunte is just one of a whole string of magnificent beach towns along this part of the Oaxaca coastline, many of which are easily reached. The best way to get from town to town is by a bus type vehicle called a pasajero.

They’re basically pickup trucks with a large tent on the back that do endless loops along the Oaxaca coast, transporting mainly Mexican locals. But they’re far cheaper than taxis and are also a fun way to get around.

There’s no need to wait at a bus stop, just head to the main road and wait for something that looks like a pasajero. You can hail them down from anywhere and they’re quite frequent, going at around every 15 minutes (but remember this is Mazunte time).

Journeys are extremely cheap and depending on how many people they pick up and drop off take virtually the same as a taxi to get from place to place.

Beaches and Towns to Visit Nearby Mazunte Oaxaca

Zipolite - Famous for being home to Mexico’s only nudist beach, it’s also got a great reputation as a surfer’s haven thanks to the big waves. Another hippie stronghold with a chilled out atmosphere.

San Agustinillo - Based around one main road and a long, wide stretch of beach with cabanas and bars built onto it. Many people stay here rather than Mazunte which is just a 5 minute pasajero trip or twenty minute walk away. You’ll find some nice restaurants and cafes to make it worth the short trip from Mazunte Oaxaca.

Puerto Angel - Despite being larger in size, this is probably the least touristy town along this stretch. At heart, it’s a sleepy fishing village with a couple of beaches and some stunning scenery but not much else. Come here for a complete escape and some great, rustic seafood restaurants.

Mazunte Oaxaca Restaurants - The Best Places to Eat & Drink

La Pizzeria

Listen up, if you eat in just one place in Mazunte, please, please, please let it be La Pizzeria. Now I know you’re probably thinking “But pizza is Italian and you’re in Mexico you douche?!”.

But trust me on this one, this is easily the best pizza I’ve eaten. Full stop. And yes, I’ve been to Italy before you start.

The owner is Italian, he lovingly hand makes each pizza right in front of your eyes before using his long pole to place them into his dizzyingly hot wood fired oven.

Watching him at work is part of the fun, but the pizza that arrives in front of you after just a few minutes of cooking to perfection is nothing short of mind blowing. Prices are very reasonable, but really who cares about cost when you’re getting a taste of heaven?

Please, go there, try the pizza, and come back here and leave me a thank you note in the comments. I’m waiting.

El Copal Mazunte

I’ve covered this earlier in the post so I’m not gonna go over it again, but it’s best to time your visit for sunset.

La Tertulia Mazunte

This has got a really nice location at the cut off end of Mazunte Beach. The sweet combination of being right on the beach, excellent service and great food makes it well deserving of it's high rating.

The fish tacos, shrimp ceviche and pineapple shrimp are favourites. The fruit smoothies and cocktails are particularly decent too. The WiFi is okay sometimes too.

Estrella Fugaz

This is just a couple of doors up from La Tertuila, so shares a similar vantage point right by the beach.

The food here is solid Mexican fare, and breakfast in particular is outstanding. There's a huge range and the portions mammoth.

There’s a happy hour which runs from 3pm to 11pm where you can get two cocktails for the price of one, but unfortunately they weren't great the night we went. WiFi also works here from time to time.

La Colmena

Simple but creative, this place has the reputation as one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the area. It's just a small place set well back from the beach so the prices are really affordable. Everything is made fresh and the cook is also the server, but it's worth the wait.

The chilaquiles and huevos divorciado are both super tasty.

Tadeo

This is a popular restaurant in a prime location at the corner of the two main streets in Mazunte Oaxaca. They back it up with good food though and it’s also reasonably priced.

Don’t expect your mind to be blown, but you can get a ham torta for virtually pennies. The chilaquiles are also great.

La Bodega

This bar is really chill place with a lovely atmosphere to either grab a morning coffee or a few cocktails later in the day. It's open 8am - 11pm every day except Sunday and there's live music on an evening.

There isn't a huge menu choice but what this place does, it does well. The margaritas and the passion fruit mezcalita are very good.

Mazunte Weather Guide

Mazunte weather is hot all year round with an average temperature of about 30°C (86°F) and very little fluctuation. It experiences higher rainfall from around May to September though it’s usually limited to an hour or two per day in the late afternoon.

It’s also hot and humid at this time of year and has occasional tropical storms during this period as well. The rest of the year is hot and generally dry so be sure to pack accordingly.

The National Mexican Turtle Center

This may be slightly controversial, but we actually regret going to the National Mexican Turtle Center. We’d heard that it was one of the best things to do in Mazunte, and the reason behind its existence can’t be argued with. And yet we left sorely disappointed.

Mazunte Oaxaca used to be the turtle hunting capital of Mexico, where turtle meat was a common delicacy and thanks to the prevalence of turtles around here, they were able to supply the demand. However, by the late 1980’s, thanks to chronic overhunting there weren’t a huge amount of turtles left.

Come 1991, in response to the rapidly diminishing numbers of turtles the Mexican government banned turtle hunting altogether. And in a symbolic move established the National Mexican Turtle Center near to where the main slaughterhouse was in Mazunte Oaxaca.

Conservation was introduced to replace the hunting industry. Many hunters switched from hunting to helping to grow turtle numbers, profiting from the increased tourism.

So far, so good. However, the National Mexican Turtle Center in my view is now a bit of a relic. Rather than a center for conservation, it seems like a money spinning tourist trap where the turtles in captivity aren’t kept in the best conditions.

We were really excited about our visit as we were keen to learn about the conservation effort and see what the center’s involvement was. In reality it’s little more than an aquarium where the various turtles are displayed in tiny glass fronted tanks, many of which seem far too small for their size.

I don’t want to lay into the place too heavily, but in hindsight we wouldn’t have visited at all, and our excitement quickly turned into dismay at what we saw. We hurriedly made our way around the center and left feeling deflated.

60,00 people go through the National Mexican Turtle Center’s doors each year, and no doubt it does some good. So by all means go and make up your own mind, but don’t expect to be blown over with details of the conservation project.

There's a small entrance cost and it's open from 10am to 4:30pm Wednesday to Saturday and from 10am to 2pm on Sundays. Closed Monday and Tuesdays.

Other Useful Info on Mazunte

ATMs - Despite what you may read elsewhere, there are two cash machines in Mazunte Oaxaca, although both are private and therefore subject to high withdrawal fees.

It’s therefore advisable to take cash with you to avoid these fees or not being able to withdraw anything in the event that they are out of order. When we were there we had to pay a large fee to withdraw a lower amount than we wanted from one of the private machines, the other was out of order.

Connectivity - WiFi in Mazunte is unreliable throughout the town, so if you need data for navigation or staying in touch while travelling between the coastal towns, we'd recommend sorting a travel eSIM before you arrive. We use Holafly, which gives you data coverage across Mexico without needing to hunt down a local SIM card.

Other Amenities- There are a number of reasonably priced shops in Mazunte Oaxaca so if you’re planning on cooking for yourself you can pick up fresh vegetables etc from these. There is also a bakery, a few pharmacies and a couple of medical centres in the event that you need one.

Safety in Mazunte - While Mazunte Mexico is overwhelmingly safe, accidents and unexpected occurrences do happen. One thing worth sorting before any trip to Mexico is travel insurance. We use and recommend HeyMondo, which covers you for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage and more. You can get a quote and buy a policy online in minutes, and claims can be made directly through their app from anywhere in the world. Get your HeyMondo quote here.

Mazunte Oaxaca FAQ's

Mazunte might just be one of the most special places we have ever visited, and we hope this guide helps you experience it the same way we did. If you are planning a broader trip around Mexico, we have plenty more to help you out. Check out our guide to the magical Bacalar Lagoon, one of Mexico's most breathtaking and underrated destinations, or head over to our Mexico travel hub for inspiration, guides and practical advice to help you make the most of this incredible country.

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