Why This Untouched Mexican Beach Is About to Become Your New Obsession
Though you’ve probably never heard of it, this small Oaxaca beach town and Mexico pueblo magico (magic town) offers plenty to do and see.
Mazunte is ideal for travelers seeking nature, rest, and relaxation.
If you’re looking for a laid-back, bohemian town with friendly locals, gorgeous beaches, and turtles 🐢 (we’ll get to this), look no further than Mazunte.
This article will help you discover all the best Mazunte attractions and sites and provide some information on the town itself.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get to it!
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1. Playa Mermejita: Best Beach in Mazunte
🏝 Understanding Mazunte Beaches
Mazunte has relatively untouched beaches, so they are all beautiful and peaceful — and you can’t go wrong with any of them!
There are four beaches in Mazunte: Playa Mazunte, Playa Cometa, Playa Rinconcito, and Playa Mermejita.
The beaches are divided by Punta Cometa, a hillside precipice, and the southernmost point in Oaxaca.
The most famous of all Mazunte beaches is Playa Mermejita, one of the best beaches in Mexico.
☀️ Things to do at Playa Mermejita
Look for the rock formation at the west end of the beach, La Ventana, which means “the window” in Spanish.
On the east end, Toron Rock is a great place to look for dolphins, orcas, or whales.
It is also one of the only two places in Oaxaca where you can glimpse the rare leatherback turtle nests.
Mazunte is one of the most popular turtle nesting grounds in all Mexico, especially nearby Playa La Escobilla.
Playa Mermejita is perfect for leisurely, long walks on the beach, playing ball, and seeing a stunning Pacific Coast sunset.
It’s not ideal for swimming, as the waves are usually huge and strong, but some people swim anyway.
Playa Mermejita has become a nudist beach in recent years, though it’s not technically legal.
The only legal nude beach in Mexico is in Zipolite, located about 20 minutes from Mazunte.
2. See the Sunrise or Sunset at Punta Cometa
WHAT IS PUNTA COMETA?
Punta Cometa (AKA Cerro Sagrada, or Sacred Hill) was used in pre-Hispanic times as a ceremonial center. Today, it is a gathering place by Mazunte visitors and locals alike, and the best spot in town to see the epic Mazunte sunsets.
Punta Cometa is a point of land that juts into the Pacific Ocean.
Given its unique geographic position at the southernmost point in Oaxaca state, visitors enjoy 180° views of the Pacific Ocean just below you.
🥾 Hiking the Punta Cometa Trail
The hike to Punta Cometa can be challenging, but it’s only about a 15 minute walk. Once you reach the Punta Cometa viewpoint, you’ll see it was totally worth it.
🐋 Visiting in winter? You’ll likely see some whales from here.
While some people who do this hike in beach sandals or even barefoot, you’ll want to opt for sneakers or hiking sandals.
The trail to Punta Cometa is completely unpaved, so footwear really does come in handy.
The trail is not lit at all. If you’re going for sunset, a flashlight or headlamp will come in handy, or just make sure your phone is fully charged so you can use the flashlight.
Oh, and don’t forget the eco-friendly bug spray 🦟
3. Playa Rinconcito: Main Beach in Mazunte
Playa Rinconcito is the best beach in Mazunte for swimming.
It has calm waters, making it the perfect place for a dip in the Pacific Ocean, even if you aren’t a strong swimmer. The beach has lifeguards, though not at all times.
🤿 Note: Even though this is the best swimming beach in Mazunte, be careful when swimming in Mazunte — anywhere. The Pacific Ocean waves can get huge, and there’s often a strong current.
This is the main beach in town, and also the most lively. It is located at the end of Calle Rinconcito, where you’ll find all the best Mazunte restaurants, bars and tour operators.
You can rent chairs and umbrellas here besides beachfront restaurants right in the sand. 🏖 Prices vary, but plan for about $200 pesos ($10 USD).
In the evenings, locals head here to play beach volleyball as the sun sets.
4. Playa Zipolite: Visit the Mexico Nude Beach
Of the four Oaxaca Riviera towns, Zipolite is the most famous (or, infamous) as it has Mexico’s only legal public nude beach.
While nudity is tolerated at other beaches in Mexico, it’s only legal here in Zipolite.
Though all Zipolite beaches are nude beaches, many beach-goers in Zipolite remain clothed.
If you want to bare it all without stares, head to the area known locally as Playa Desnudo (Nude Beach), outside the Naked Hotel Zipolite.
There’s also Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach), small beach cove popular with LGBTQ+ travelers.
This is a lively place, both day and night, and if you’re looking for things to do in Zipolite at night, head here.
🤔 Zipolite vs Mazunte: Which is better?
If you don’t want tan lines, opt for Zipolite! All kidding aside, Mazunte looks a lot like Zipolite, and they both have similar bohemian vibes, so if you like one you’ll probably like the other.
Mazunte is a bit more zen, while Zipolite can be a bit more lively, especially within the local LGBTQ+ scene.
As they are located just 20 minutes apart, you can always visit them and see which suits you best.
5. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Mazunte
When in doubt, one of the best things to do in Mazunte is eat! In Mazunte, you’ll want to try traditional Oaxaca food, but there are plenty of other options.
🌮 What is Oaxaca food?
Oaxacan cuisine fuses indigenous traditions and local ingredients.
This sets it apart from other regional cuisines, and for many, this is not the food you know as traditional Mexican food.
Today, Oaxaca state is known for having some of the best cuisine in Mexico.
The capital city, Oaxaca de Juarez (AKA Oaxaca City), is known as the “Foodie Capital of Mexico,” and you’ll also find tasty food in Mazunte.
Whether you’re craving traditional Oaxacan cuisine or something a little closer to home, there are many types of restaurants in Mazunte.
6. Eco-Tours of Laguna Ventanilla Nature Sanctuary
Laguna Ventanilla is a lagoon that 20 families have taken up conservation efforts to protect.
They are known as the Ventanilla Ecotourism Cooperative. As Ventanilla Lagoon is accessible only by boat, you must go with a tour.
You can catch a tour in Mazunte from the guys in the red shirts, who usually hang out near the entrance to Playa Rinconcito.
If you don’t see them, just ask a local — in Mazunte, everyone knows everyone else.
Laguna Ventanilla offers a chance to get out into nature and see another side of Mazunte, away from the beaches.
While boating through the mangroves, be on the lookout for iguanas, spider monkeys, deer and crocodiles.
7. Boat Tour to Laguna Manialtepec (Bioluminescent Lagoon)
Located one hour and 15 minutes northwest of Mazunte, you’ll find Laguna Manialtepec.
This is a 3.7-mile-long (6 km) coastal lagoon near Puerto Escondido that’s popular with visitors, both by day and night.
Visiting Manialtepec Lagoon is one of the top things to do in Mazunte at night — as Laguna de Manialtepec is one of the few places in the world where you can swim in the water with bioluminescent plankton.
The plankton in the lagoon only emit light when disturbed, so if you want to see them glow in the dark, get ready to jump into the water!
Also, the bioluminescence is strongest in the lake’s center, so you must go by boat.
🤔 how to book Mazunte tours
This is one of the most popular and best tours in Mazunte. To book, head to the Playa Rinconcito Beach entrance at the end of Calle Rinconcito.
All the tour operators hang out here, so it’s the best place to book tours in Mazunte.
📆 Best time to see bioluminescence in Mazunte
The best months to see these phosphorescent (aka glowing) plankton are July, August, November and December — although you can see it year-round.
However, skip this tour if it’s raining or there’s a Full Moon.
To see the glow of the plankton in all its glory, you’ll need to be in complete darkness.
This is why you don’t want to go during the Full Moon, as you won’t see as much if moonlight is strong.
Last but not least, if you plan on heading to Laguna Manialtepec, remember to pack a swimsuit, quick-dry towel, flashlight or headlamp, insect repellent, and some long-sleeved pants and a shirt to ward off insect bites.
8. Playa La Escobilla: Turtle Sanctuary Beach
Oaxaca is home to several major turtle nesting beaches, including La Escobilla, a waterfront sanctuary for sea turtles.
It is also among the world’s most significant nesting grounds for the Olive Ridley turtle.
One of the most extraordinary things about this endangered turtle species is its nesting habits.
During the nesting season, large groups of turtles gather together offshore and then come ashore together in vast numbers.
🐢 La Arribada (The Arrival)
This event is known as La Arribada, which means “the arrival” in Spanish.
Sometimes, you’ll see it called Gran Arribada, or “great arrival,” as they come in such vast numbers.
Fun Fact: Mazunte means “let me see you spawn” in Náhuatl (Aztec language). This refers to the fact that Mazunte beaches are such popular turtle nesting sites.
The nesting season at La Escobilla Sanctuary runs July to January, peaking during September and October.
During this time, up to 90,000 turtles come ashore over a 3-5 day period. Each will lay about 85-150 eggs.
Military guards protect La Escobilla beach, and you can only visit with a guide.
The guides are usually volunteers who know how to keep the turtles’ safety a priority — like making sure people don’t use flash photography.
Visitors to La Escobilla Sanctuary can also help release baby turtles into the Pacific Ocean.
The best place to check and see if there are tours available is through the Mexico Turtle Center in Mazunte.
9. Visit the Oaxaca Beaches Near Mazunte
Mazunte, Zipolite, San Agustinillio and Puerto Angel make up the Riviera Oaxaqueña (Oaxacan Riviera).
These beaches are located on what’s called Oaxaca Emerald Coast because of their blue-green waters.
They’re all within 10-30 minutes of one another, so if you’re renting a car in Oaxaca, you can easily go on your own.
If not, head to the main road in Mazunte, and wait for a pasajero (taxi truck) to arrive.
Pasajeros pickup trucks are the cheapest way to get around. When you see one, jump in the back and head to your next Oaxaca beach town.
A pasajero will cost about $10-20 pesos per person ($0.50-$1 USD), depending where you’re going.
🏝️ Playa San Agustinillo
San Agustinillo is located just one town over from Mazunte.
These two towns are said to have the best beaches in Oaxaca Mexico — but many say Playa San Agustinillo is the absolute best beach in Oaxaca.
Playa San Agustinillo is a long stretch of beach, which makes it perfect for long walks on the beach!
Enjoy some time just strolling along the soft golden sand, admiring the gorgeous rock formation, and lush, wild foliage.
🤔 Mazunte vs San Agustinillo: Which is better?
While Mazunte attracts a younger, bohemian crowd, San Agustinillo’s vibe skews older and more posh.
They are located about 20 minutes from one another on foot, and five minutes by car, so you can visit both and see for yourself.
For nice accommodations, opt for these San Agustinillo hotels — Casa Bagus, Zoa Hotel, Casa Cometa and Casa la Ola.
You can always walk over to Mazunte for the fun bars and restaurants, but San Agustinillo has nicer hotels.
🏝️ Playa Puerto Angel
Puerto Angel is a Oaxaca Riviera beach town about 20 minutes west of San Agustinillo, closer to Zipolite.
Of all beaches listed thus far, Puerto Ángel is the least visited, and you might just have some beaches all to yourself.
The best beaches in Puerto Angel Oaxaca are Playa Estacahuite (AKA Bahía Estacahuite Bay), Playa Panteon and Playa Principal.
There’s also the gorgeous and relatively-untouched Playa la Tijera (Scissors Beach), which is about 20 minutes outside of town.
10. Sunset Drinks at El Copal Mazunte
El Copal is one of the more well known hotels in Mazunte because of its amazing vistas.
It is the best place for sunset drinks, as it has the most epic views of Playa Mermejita Beach.
Some say the drinks and the views are better than the food, and it’s a bit more pricey than other places.
If you prefer, visit one of these best Mazunte restaurants instead, and stick to just cocktails at El Copal.
If you do want to eat at El Copal Mazunte, try some of the traditional Oaxaca foods, like mole negro and tlayudas.
11. Mexican National Turtle Center in Mazunte
The Mexican National Turtle Center is a museum, aquarium, research institute and sanctuary dedicated to sea turtles preservation.
They house the four sea turtle species found in Mexico, two land species, and 16 freshwater species.
The Mexican National Turtle Center is located here, and open Wednesday through Sunday, from morning until early afternoon.
Admission is just $40 MXN pesos ($2 USD), and proceeds go to a good cause.
🐢 baby turtle release in Mazunte
One of their most popular activities is the Liberación de Tortugas Marinas, which means sea turtle liberation, or sea turtle release.
This is an event where you can release baby sea turtles into the Pacific Ocean for the first time.
If you want to participate as a volunteer, contact the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga via Facebook.
Their Mazunte sea turtle releases aren’t held with any regularity, as it involves wild animals.
12. Go Whitewater Rafting in Mazunte
There are more things to do in Mazunte than just the beach. The Sierra Madre mountain range is one of the world’s largest.
It passes through Mexico in the northwest, going all the way south into Guatemala.
The Sierra Madre also has several smaller ranges, like the Sierra Madre del Sur, in the south.
The Sierra del Sur is a low-lying mountain range with peaks that reach an average elevation of 7,500-feet (2,286 m).
The Río Copalita River flows down from the Sierra Madre del Sur, and into the ocean at Playa la Bocana Beach.
With giant boulders in the river and a fast-moving current, this is the ideal place for whitewater rafting.
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush in Mazunte, consider going whitewater rafting on the Copalita River.
The Río Copalita is one of the best rivers in Mexico for whitewater rafting.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert rafter, this river has options for different skill levels.
There is a section with smaller Class II-III rapids, and a section with large Class III-IV rapids.
13. Boat Tours in Mazunte
Mazunte is a nature lover’s paradise, especially if you love being on or in the water.
If you want to explore virgin beaches and spot wildlife, many boat tours cater to those specific needs.
To book Mazunte boat tours, head to the Playa Rinconcito Beach entrance at the end of Calle Rinconcito.
All the tour operators hang out here, so it’s the best place to book any local tours.
🎣 Mazunte Fishing Tours
If you’re into sport fishing, the waters off the coast of San Agustinillo (located next to Mazunte) are ideal.
Here, you can try catching fish like tuna, mahi mahi, sailfish, and marlin. There are also plenty of smaller fish to catch.
🐬 Mazunte Dolphin Tours
Dolphin and turtle boat tours leave every day from Playa Mazunte Beach.
You’re sure to spot large pods of dolphins (sometimes hundreds!) as well as sea turtles all around your boat.
If you’re lucky, you can spot a whale or two.
The best time to see whales in Mazunte is from December to March, though you may get lucky and see some in November and April.
Final Thoughts: Best Things to Do in Mazunte
While most think of Mazunte as little more than a hippie beach town, it has so much more to offer visitors.
Though small, it is one of the best beach towns in Oaxaca and is becoming more popular each year.
Make sure you visit soon — because this Mexico hidden gem won’t stay hidden for long.
In the meantime, I hope this ultimate guide to the top things to do in Mazunte Mexico will help you plan an epic Mazunte itinerary.
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
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