Mazunte Oaxaca: The Ultimate Guide

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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.

Mazunte-Oaxaca-little-beach-town-on-Mexico’s-Pacific-Coast

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.

We always travel with a filter water bottle. Not only does it stop us getting ill, but it means we’re not killing the planet or wasting money on plastic bottles. The GRAYL Geopress is hands down the best on the market & makes water from virtually any source safe to drink.

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 Oaxaca Mexico

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.

sunset at Punta Cometa

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.

Sunset at El Copal Oaxaca drinking beer

The food here is a little pricey at around 150MXN (£6.50GBP, $8.80USD) for a main dish. However the portions are huge and it’s of a high quality, particularly the delicious seafood.

If you don’t want to eat then just head up for drinks. Beers are around $25MXN (£1GBP, $1.35USD) and they’re fine with you not eating.

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.

boat on the shore of Mazunte Beach

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.

Mermejita beach Mazunte Oaxaca

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.

We paid $250MXN (£10GBP, $13.50USD) per person for a tour that 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.

James and Sarah dolphin spotting on a boat Mazunte Oaxaca

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.

rock formation

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.

dolphins mazunte oaxaca

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.

mural painting

You can find classes for virtually any brand of yoga that you like and prices start at around $60MXN (£2.40GBP, $3.25USD). 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.

Where to Stay in Mazunte Mexico – The Best Mazunte Hotels & Other Options

Wherever you are in Mazunte will be within walking distance of the beaches and town so don’t worry too much about the specific area.

You’ll find everything from beach cabanas and hostels to high end hotels in Mazunte. Although getting somewhere on an extremely tight budget is unlikely.

cabanas mazunte oaxaca

Mazunte Hotels

Because Mazunte Oaxaca is so small, the range of hotels isn’t extensive. However, there are Mazunte hotels to suit most budgets and comfort levels.

It’s highly recommended to book hotels in Mazunte in advance as they do tend to get busy, particularly during peak season and around public holidays.

Here’s our choice of the best Mazunte hotels:

Affordable Luxury: Hotel Casa Pan de Miel is hands down Mazunte’s best hotel meaning it’s often booked up far in advance, so if you’re looking for a slice of luxury in paradise don’t delay.

Just a few minutes from San Agustinillo Beach, each room at this 5* hotel has a private terrace overlooking the Pacific. The piece de resistance is undoubtedly the infinity pool with stunning views over the Mazunte beaches.

Midrange: If you’re looking to switch off and totally relax in your own space, consider taking one of these instagrammable private cabins at Cabañas Amaia. They’re totally secluded, peaceful, and reflect what Mazunte is all about.

Tastefully decorated and immaculately clean, you’re just a stone’s throw away from both the beach and the town. A choice of delicious, freshly prepared breakfasts is provided every day.

Cheap & Cheerful: Cozy, rustic and spotlessly clean, Casa Verde provides a whole load of bang for your buck. Located virtually on the beach you can enjoy lovely views lying in a hammock on its patio.

The rooms are spacious and bright and the owners are friendly and welcoming. This is an awesome place to relax and get away from it all.

Airbnb Mazunte

There are also some unbelievable Airbnbs available in Mazunte like this incredible place which are probably more suitable if you’re looking for a home away from home.

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:

How to Get to Mazunte from Oaxaca City by Bus

The quickest way to get to Mazunte from Oaxaca City is to catch one of the small buses that run multiple times daily. There are a few companies that service the route, but the one we went with is called Atlantida and the terminal address is Atlantida La Noria 101, Colonia, Centro, Oaxaca.

We didn’t pre book, we simply turned up about 15 minutes early and bought our tickets there and then for $240MXN (£9.60GBP, $12.50USD).

The Atlantida bus schedule is as follows:

7:00am, 9:00am, 11:00am, 15:00pm, 23:00pm

The journey takes around 6 to 7 hours and there are stops for toilet breaks and refreshments. The bus we went on was brand new, had air con, was comfortable, and was in great condition.

We read some info on the web suggesting that this route was a bad journey with winding roads that make everyone who braves them sick. While the roads are definitely winding as the route goes through a vast mountain range, we had no issues with sickness and really enjoyed the scenic drive.

We also read that you can’t go direct but have to go to Pochutla and get another bus from there, but Atlantida go all the way to Mazunte with a stop in Pochutla.

How to Get to Mazunte from Oaxaca City by Coach

An alternative to the bus is to get a larger coach run by the national provider ADO. They take a slightly different, less windy route, which is also longer, taking anywhere between 9 to 11 hours.

You can also get an overnight bus with ADO, but we’ve travelled overnight on these coaches and didn’t get a great night’s sleep so opted against it.

Note ADO coaches don’t go all the way through to Mazunte, but stop in Pochutla. From here you will need to catch another bus or a pasajero to your final destination which will add another half hour or so to your journey. Check out times and prices for ADO coaches here.

How to Get to Mazunte Oaxaca by Plane

While we didn’t arrive in Mazunte Oaxaca by plane, we did leave on a flight to La Paz, Baja California. The best nearby airport is Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX) where you can catch flights both internationally and to numerous airports within Mexico.

ahías-de-Huatulco-International-Airport

The airport itself is newly built/refurbished and is really beautiful and easy to navigate. To get from Huatulco Airport to Mazunte Oaxaca you should get a taxi which will cost you around $550MXN (£22.25GBP, $29.50USD) and take around an hour at most.

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.

pasajero mazunte oaxaca

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 cost between around $7-15MXN (£0.30-£0.60GBP, $0.40-$0.80USD) 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.

beach-with-palm-trees

Puerto Angel – Probably the least touristy town along this stretch, 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

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.

James-eating-and-drinking-beer at La Pizzeria mazunte oaxaca

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 between $80 to $130MXN (£3.25-£5.25GBP, $4.30-$7USD) per pizza, but really who cares 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.

Siddharta

This has got a really nice location at the cut off end of Mazunte Beach, and has something of a reputation for producing “life changing” breakfast sandwiches. Admittedly they’re pretty good, although I personally wouldn’t put them into this category (that’s reserved for the pizzas at La Pizzeria).

They also do tasty natural juices and decent coffee at Siddharta, and sometimes the WiFi is OK. Sometimes.

Estrella Fugaz

This is next door and upstairs to Siddharta, so shares a similar vantage point but from a floor up.

The food here is solid Mexican fare, and breakfast in particular is outstanding. They do an $80MXN (£3.45GBP, $4.30USD) package which includes a breakfast dish, a fresh juice and a coffee and the portions are mammoth.

 James-walking-around mazunte oaxaca

There’s a happy hour which runs from 3pm to 11pm where you can get two cocktails for the price of one, but they’re very much below average so don’t be tempted. WiFi also works here from time to time.

Sahuaro

This is probably where you get the most bang for your buck in Mazunte in terms of price versus quality. The bowls are delicious and you can get deconstructed sushi bowls or yakimeshi bowls for a good price of around $50-80MXN (£2-£3.45 , $2.70-$4.30USD).

They also do a good line in fish tacos here (go for the prawn over the white fish ones which were a little overcooked) and also churn out burgers and fries if you’re craving that kind of thing.

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.

restaurant

Don’t expect your mind to be blown, but you can get a ham torta for just $20MXN (£0.80GBP, $1.10USD) which is good value anywhere.

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.

Travel towels are insanely versatile, doubling up as everything from a beach rug or yoga mat to a sarong. This one’s lightweight, super absorbent, quick-drying & soft on your skin, don’t hit the road without one.

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.

National Mexican Turtle Center

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.

tanks at the National Mexican Turtle Center

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.

 swimming-turtle

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.

Other Useful Info on Mazunte

ATMs – Despite what you may read elsewhere, there are three cash machines in Mazunte Oaxaca. One is a Santander ATM and the other two are private.

It’s still advisable to take cash with you in the event that they are out of order. Two of them were down when we were there and we had to pay a large fee to withdraw a lower amount than we wanted from one of the private machines.

hammock-by-the-beach

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.

If you’re planning a backpacking route around Mexico you may find these posts helpful:

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

While Mazunte Mexico is overwhelmingly safe, accidents and unexpected occurrences do happen. It’s always best to make sure you have a good quality travel insurance in place.

Our go to travel insurance provider is World Nomads. They have a no bullshit approach to travel insurance policies & are perfect for adventurous travellers like us. Get a quick no obligation quote here:

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