Planning a trip to Zipolite, Mexico?

Our guide’s got you covered, whatever your travel style or state of undress.

Zipolite will always be special to us.

It was the first place, four months into our epic two year Latin American adventure, which we truly fell in love with.

A place where we arrived to spend a few days, and begrudgingly left more than three weeks later.

It is the place of people, and bays, and tacos that we thought of often in the years to come.

It is the place that many others around the world were compared to, but few could hit the mark.

It is the place we returned to seven years later, where Andrew bent down on one knee in front of the setting sun and asked me to marry him.

It is the place that means we can be one of few couples who can say their first post-engagement photo was taken by a drunk, naked Mexican man.

And whilst this little coastal village has changed a lot in the intervening years, from a place of dusty streets and $1 tacos that attracted the waifs and the strays, the hippies and the backpackers, into an increasingly popular LGBTQ-friendly vacation destination for North Americans and many, many more nudists from all over the place, it will always have a place in our heart for two very different reasons from two very different trips at two very different stages in our lives.

In our love story, Zipolite is very much a main character.

Mexico’s first and only legally recognised nudist beach, it’s important to note three things at the outset:

You will see (and possibly show) all manner of bums, boobs, willies, and lady-bits
You do not have to be a nudist to visit, stay, or enjoy Zipolite - but you may be by the end of it!
This is most definitely not an exclusively nudist resort, and there as many people in bikinis and swimming shorts staying here and sharing the beaches with naturists.

For some of you, roaming around in your birthday suit may be the main reason you’re currently planning a trip to Zipolite, but for others the above may have made you reconsider or piqued your curiosity.

This guide, by the non-nudist-but-will-occassionaly-dabble Along Dusty Roads, will give all of you the honest and useful insights you really need to know.

It will, pun intended, bare all.

As well as letting you know all the best beaches and things to do in Zipolite, we’ve also shared personal tips on where to eat, the best places to stay, transport connections, and useful travel tips to make the most of your time in this unique place on the coast of Oaxaca.

All you need to do is work out just how many bikinis or swimming trunks you really need to pack…

This is our guide to Zipolite, Oaxaca.

the zipolite essentials

Naked / Mexico’s only legal nudist beach
Vibe / Mix of hippy backpackers and holidaying North Americans. Very LGBTQ-friendly.
Do / Absolutely nothing! Sunbathe, party, surf, relax.
Eat / Our very favourite taco place, El Delfin Taqueria
Rip / Strong current and waves limits swimming
Drink / Enjoy great cocktails, and lively entertainment at Nue La Maxima Cafeteria, a great late night bar
Stay / Splurge at El Alquimista or go rustic (with a view) at Lo Cosmico. We also love this little Airbnb.

Things to Do in Zipolite, Mexico

Although we'd like to pretend that we were a hive of activity and exploration during our two trips here, that’s not what Zipolite is about.

The must do things here usually involve mostly doing nothing: all you'll need is a good book, good company, a cold beer and bare feet.

Get Naked

The vast majority of the village and its businesses require clothing to be worn at all times, but you can happily roam around as naked as the day you were born on all its beaches.

There are however a couple of clothing-optional hotels - the imaginatively-named Hotel Nude and fully nudist hotel Casa Nudista - and the annual Festival Nudista Zipolite takes places the first weekend of February.

This is a place where naturists will be embraced and find their happy place.

You do not have to be a nudist or get your clothes off at any point to fall in for Zipolite, but you do have to be aware of the quite remarkable number of appendages you’ll see on a daily basis and be totally respectful of it. And whilst you absolutely don’t have to strip down (we remained clothed for most of our time there this last visit), you do need to feel comfortable being surrounded by a lot of nudity. Specifically male nudity. Honestly, I’ve not seen that many dangly parts since working on a urology ward!

We felt that Zipolite had changed from being a beach where you can go nude in certain sections into a place where there is now much more nudity, much more often across the entire 1.5km stretch*. This may be due to its official legal recognition in 2016 (it was had been operating unofficially as a nudist beach for four decades), but it may also simply be a reflection Zipolite’s growth trajectory as a whole: it was markedly more popular and busier than 10 years ago, particularly on the weekends, with more domestic tourists as well as international.

Despite this, it will always remain 'niche' and its growth ringfenced to an extent because its identity a beach-bum town for bare bums on the beach is so carved out and clear, and so will thankfully never become a Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. However, the more it develops in the coming decade, there is a chance that it loses some of the rustic elements that make it so special.

One interesting thing to note for the sceptical or cycnical non-nudist is that certain travellers either immediately or gradually embrace it over their stay - so don’t count out getting it out!

Lastly, and this is really important, it’s vital that all nudist and non-nudists keep this as a safe, respectful shared space. Don’t be a creep and, if you see someone acting in a suspicious, threatening or pervy way, do not hesitate to call them out or report them to one of the lifeguards. We saw this happen once, and they were very quick to stop the guy, seize his phone, and escort him off the beach (hopefully to a police station).

*Long-timer readers of Along Dusty Roads may note that there are maybe fewer photos than you might expect in this blog post, or photos that don’t necessarily correspond to what is written above or below for the beaches. Except from the cover shot that we simply couldn’t pass on, we took our cameras out far less often than normal and couldn’t take photos of certain sections of beach or establishments due to the presence of so many willies!

Hang Out at the Beach

Zipolite has three defined beaches across the whole1.5km stretch of sand: Playa Zipolite, Playa del Amor, and a small cove on the other side of the rocks at the far western end (we’ll call it ‘Engagement Beach’).

Each has quite a distinctive character or appeal though.

Before we get into it, you need to know that Zipolite's sea has a justifiably notorious reputation. The waves are strong, the current unpredictable, and the undertow can be overpowering, so much so that the beach is also known by some as the 'beach of the dead'.

There have been several drownings over the years and the water here should be treated with utmost respect and an appreciation of the dangers posed.

Volunteer lifeguards are a common sight in busier sections, and red or yellow flags will indicate the state of the ocean each day; it is rarely calm though.

We did enjoy swimming and splashing around in the sea, with the crashing waves being a lot of fun to battle and jump into in shallow water, but this is not the place practice your swimming or to take unnecessary risks. If the lifeguards on quad bikes whistle you to come closer to shore or exit, do it.

If calmer waters are important, then a day trip to Estacahuite or Puerto Angel should scratch that itch!

Playa Zipolite | This long, wide section of sand accounts for the majority of beach in Zipolite, but has quite different vibes as you head from the west to the east.

The righthand side of the beach (the western section) is backed by the bulk of businesses, and the village itself. It is by far the most developed section of beach, with lots of beach bars, restaurants and hotels. It’s where you’ll also find the majority of Zipolite’s brightly-coloured parasols and sunbeds.

That’s where you’ll find Hotel Nude.

As you continue along Playa Zipolite, the beach becomes a little more like it used to be. There are various places that offer camping, the vibe shifts somewhat from groups of naked holidaying North Americans, Europeans, and Mexicans to the traditional clientele of Zipolite i.e. hippies and budget backpackers.

Lots of nudity still though!

Playa Del Amor | As mentioned, Zipolite is well-established as a welcoming, safe, and inclusive holiday destination for LGBTQ+ travellers in Mexico (naked and clothed!) This is obviously a great thing, and is probably one of the core reasons for its increasing popularity amongst foreign and domestic tourists.

Back on our first trip, the secluded, small cove called Playa del Amor - accessed by steps up and over a narrow rocky cliff - was Zipolite’s most gay-friendly beach, with a bit of a reputation as the place to go to hook up or cruise.

The cove remains the most popular spot today with gay travellers in Zipolite, and you’ll mostly find men (almost all naked) sunning themselves on the sand during the day. The vibe is quite chilled, and there’s now at least one permanent bar / restaurant that rents sunbeds and parasols, but it’s not a bad idea to bring some snacks/drinks over with you.

According to stories we’ve been told, things got a little out of hand in recent years with frequent open-air sex taking place on what remains very much a public beach. Due to this, there’s now a strict closing time of 9pm and apparently even fines for those found getting a little too frisky…

Note that there’s no accommodation on Playa del Amor, and you need to go up and down some roughly hewn-out steep stairs to reach it from the far end of Playa Zipolite- find it here on Google Maps.

If you’d like to stay close by, consider Hostal Maracuyá or Casa Acalli

Engagement Beach | Obviously, this isn’t the name of this section of the beach: it’s just an extension of Playa Zipolite visibly separated by the presence of some large rocks. It is however, where Andrew got down on one knee, and so, forever and a day, this will be its new name.

Back in the day, there was literally nothing here expect the sand and the waves.

On our most recent trip, it was backed by some of the nicest places to stay in Zipolite including El Alquimista, as well as number of excellent options for those on a bit of a tighter budget (like Lo Cosmico and La Loma Linda).

More sheltered and intimate than the long, wide stretch of Playa Zipolite, this is a lovely spot to spend the day. There are also a couple of beachfront restaurants, so it’s a lovely spot for lunch or dinner by the water.

Find it here on Google Maps.

Go Surfing & Swimming

Despite the super strong current, Zipolite is actually a popular place to surf and you’ll find a couple places along the beach renting out boards and offering surf lessons.

Our recommendation is 4 Brothers Surf, found at the righthand side of the beach, near Hotel Nude.

Expect to pay:

M$700 for an hour and a half surf lesson, including your wetsuit
M$250 for an hour’s surf board rental
M$150 for an hour’s boogie board rental

If you’re a beginner, you’re much better sticking to morning classes but if you’re a beginner who also happens to not be a terribly strong swimmer, given wheat we’ve already discussed about the currents, this may not be the best place for you to learn to surf.

Instead, consider nearby San Agustinillo.

Wander The Main Street

The main street of Zipolite village (officially ‘Avenida Roca Blanca’, but known as El Adoquin to the locals) runs parallel and just behind the beach.

It’s a lot less dusty than our first visit, with many more bars, restaurants and shops to the sides of the new stone walkways.

Despite the growth and development, the vibe remains not too dissimilar. In fact, the atmosphere can still be really chilled and quiet during the week once the partying Mexican and North American weekenders have left.

When not on the beachfront bars and restaurants, this street is where most of you will eat or have a few drinks in the evening. It’s home to our favourite taco place, and we’ve shared several recommendations for where to eat in Zipolite later in the post.

There’s also an artisanal + hippy market held most evenings from 5pm to midnight, full of handmade jewellery, clothing and decorative pieces. This is where Andrew splurged on a $2 engagement ring (temporary he promises me…), and there are some particularly lovely pieces sold by the Italian man who’s settled here, so do make a point of browsing.

Keep an eye out for the various large scale pieces of street art dotted about.

Find Avenida Roca Blanca here on Google Maps.

Take a Yoga Class

Whilst the majority of yogi’s and alternative, spiritual travellers choose to base themselves in Mazunte (a small beach town a little further along the coast), Zipolite isn’t exactly struggling when it comes to that crowd.

Young bohemian Latin American travellers selling their jewellery, empanadas or biscuits on the beach is a common sight, as well as the Emily-triggering troupes of hula-hooping, fire-breathing, jobbie-wearing free-spirited freeloaders.

Sorry, what were we talking about?

There are a handful of places offering yoga classes, esoteric dance and alternative healing workshop, and you’ll see signs for businesses and classes dotted along the beach.

Three specific places to check out are:

Jungle Studio (maps)
Pura Yoga Zipolite, located above the gorgeous El Alquimista boutique hotel, offers daily yoga classes from 8.30am - 9.45am. Find it here.
La Loma Linda offers bungalows and basic rooms along side yoga retreats and classes. Find it here.
Offering more budget-friendly classes, Shambala - located at the very far west of Playa Zipolite, here on Google Maps - runs daily yoga classes with a voluntary donation of at least M$100. They also offer incredible massages!

Catch an Incredible Sunset

The sun sets behind the rocks at the far right hand side of Playa Zipolite, illuminating the sea spray from the crashing waves and turning the sky fiery orange. It reminded us a lot if the sunsets we encountered at Playa Maderas in Nicaragua and is special enough that you should try and witness it at least a couple of time during your time here.

Most of the restaurants along the beach have happy hour cocktails, but our favourite golden hour drinks spot is Posada Mexico (maps). Alternatively, a couple of cold beers from the local shop enjoyed on a sandy beach towel are just as wonderful!

More of an early bird? The best sunrises can be found on Playa del Amor.

Take a Day Trip

The wonderful thing about the Oaxacan coast is that there’s an abundance of diverse beach towns and villages all just a short truck ride away.

So, if you’re choosing to base yourself in Zipolite for at least a few days, consider taking a day trip to Mazunte, Puerto Angel, San Agustinillo or Estacahuite.

The above are all smaller and less developed than Zipolite, and offer a different sort of beach day vibe and calmer seas too.

Plan | The Best Beaches in Oaxaca

Where To Stay in Zipolite

A big part of why we stayed so long in Zipolite the first time we visited was the very special hostel we picked when we first arrived.

Very basic, with a kitchen that barely deserved the name and rudimentary shared bathroom facilities, it did however offer us a pulped roofed, raised room above the kitchen with views out over the sea for $5 USD a night. We made good friends there, kept on extending our time, and still struggled to leave just over three weeks later.

It was a big part of why this place held such a place in our hearts for so long.

That hostel was El Carrizo, and it still exists (although you can’t book it online). It still offers super cheap dorms and rooms a short walk from the beach, and it’s still popular (though the configurations have changed quite a lot).

Those glory days of turning up in our backpacks and wandering around for two hours to get a good deal at a super basic hostel are behind us now, but if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind living without some luxuries, it may still be perfect for you.

And let them know we said hello!

Accommodation is actually one of the biggest areas of change in Zipolite, with countless new properties having opened up in the intervening years, many with a much more ‘Conde Nast Traveller vibe’, and catering to more modern tastes and aesthetics.

Its increasing popularity as a vacation destination, rather than simply a backpacker one, has changed the vibe slightly, and there were several more hotels under construction on our last visit. In comparison to other smaller beaches on the Oaxaca Coast, the size and and width of the beach means it’s primed to grow further, and we do hope this is done in as slow and sensible a way as possible.

Beyond that, some accommodations are nudist-only, some are LGBTQ-focussed, some are backpacker-friendly, and some are just a decent place to lay your head near the beach.

To help you find the best place for your own stay - whether it’s a few nights on a budget, a couple’s vacation, or something else entirely - we’ve done the hard work and shared the best places to stay in Zipolite, with something for every budget and travel style.

*Due to new places being constructed each year, and the proximity of some to half-dozen or so loud late-night beach bars, it is always important to check recent reviews to make sure there isn’t a place next door that may cause noise/enjoyment issues.

boutique Hotels in zipolite

The hotel that best signifies the changes and trends is probably El Alquimista, a beautiful beachfront hotel that’s opted for a minimalist, back-to-nature vibe with a contemporary twist. Its on-site restaurant is considered one of Zipolite’s best, there’s a hidden away private garden pool, and they offer morning yoga classes. Find out more here.

Nearby you’ll also find Hotel Noga, which looks really lovely, with contemporary treehouse vibes. However, whilst the reviews are overall very positive, lots of people note that the rooms are not quite worth the high prices charged.

If you don’t mind being a 10-minute walk away from Playa Zipolite, another spot to consider is Casa Sol. It’s reached via a steep flight of stairs, but is an ideal place for those that want to enjoy Zipolite but have a secret refuge to return to for a good night’s sleep. The rooms are modern and comfortable, there’s a pool, access to a private beach and an excellent breakfast is served in the morning!

If this sounds perfect, consider the apartments at Maquil, the sister resort that shares facilities with Casa Sol - their rooms are just as beautiful. Check out this gorgeous and super popular villa they have.

Hotel Nude | A stalwart of the Zipolite hotel scene, Nude is beachfront, with just the right level of bouji, and offers comfortable and stylish rooms. They also have a pool. Despite its name, it’s not obligatory to be naked here (and nudism is actually forbidden in the restaurant and lobby) but it’s definitely encouraged. Find out more here.

If you’d prefer a fully nudist hotel, take a look at Casa Nudista.

Casa Mixteca | If you don’t mind not being on the beach, this charming boutique guest house is an excellent option! The large rooms are uniquely decorated with traditional Oaxacan accents and bright colours, and previous guests have wonderful things to say about the owner. Find out more here.

Other places to consider include Soirée (which also offers beautiful apartments on Airbnb), Hotel Estrella de Mar and Posada Mexico.

guest houses, basic hotels & Hostels

It’s important to note - especially for backpackers on a budget - that there are lots of accommodations in Zipolite, particularly those on the more rustic/basic side, that are not on any booking platform and are therefore impossible to book in advance. If you fall into this category, we’d recommend seeking out your accommodation upon arrival. Alternatively, book your first night somewhere in advance, and then check out the hostels without your big backpack. This is also a good idea if you plan on being in town for a while as you’ll almost always get a long-term discount if staying for a week or more.

If you’re keen to book in advance, but aren’t looking for anything particularly stylish or fancy, the following are good options:

Hotel Playa Zipolite | Our route changed slightly, so we only sorted our Zipolite hotel out a couple of days before we arrived. There weren’t many good options left for our budget, which is how we ended up here. It’s on the beachfront, has a pool, the staff are helpful, the rooms are large with hot showers and AC - but our stay probably cost a bit more than it should have for what is a relatively basic room (a common theme in Zipolite). It’s still a good middle-of-the-road and last-minute shout though if you’re just looking for a convenient base - the two entrances open out on to main street and the beach! Find out more here.

Lo Cosmico | This place may be a little too rustic for some, but its stunning beach front location and chilled vibes make it a longstanding popular choice in Zipolite. Doubles are also really reasonably priced. Find out more here.

La Loma Linda | Another property that has been here for years, La Loma Linda is set on the hills of Zipolite, 20-metres from the beach and offers basic rooms and rustic cabañas. It features stunning sea views, homemade breakfast, yoga sessions and retreats, and Feldenkrais classes. Find out more here.

Posada Brisa Marina | Sea-facing and located on Zipolite’s main street, this property is a decent no-frills, cheap option and one of the few truly budget-friendly options that can be booked online, in advance. Find out more here.

Ballelita | This lovely little guest house is located right on the beach, and offers free sunbeds to guests. They have a number of different rooms (including a great value budget double), a bar and fantastic reviews. Find out more here.

Hostal Maracuyá | This relatively small hostel caters particularly for solo digital nomads, although all types of travellers are welcome. There’s a kitchen lots of communal space, but note it only offers dorms. Find out more here.

Hostel Casa Moringa | Located at the far end of Playa Zipolite (right next to Playa del Amor), this small hostel is just a few steps from the sand, offers decent doubles and dorms, is well priced and has a kitchen for guests. Find out more here.

La Habana Hostal y Camping | This basic accommodation offers rooms, but most people that stay here chose to camp at a cost of M$150 per person, per night. Not available to book in advance.

Coco’s Hotel is one of Zipolite’s newest hostels, and whilst it is drop-dead gorgeous, it’s quite a distance from the centre of the village (and quite pricey). For some this won’t be a problem, but its location means we can’t consider it one our top picks.

Airbnbs in Zipolite

Dream Villa | Hidden amongst the hills at the west of Playa Zipolite, this house is ideal for those that want to enjoy everything Zipolite has to offer, but crave their own sanctuary in nature to rest and recharge. Find out more here.

La Tortuga | This little cottage has a wonderful rustic vibe. Located metres from the sea in the middle of a garden, it has a decent little kitchen, a charming outdoor area, a good-sized bedroom and is really reasonably priced. It won’t suit everyone but we think it’s just lovely (and previous guests agree). Find out more here.

They also have another property, El Cactus, which has two bedrooms and is equally well-reviewed.

Domo Grecas del Mar | Ever fancied staying in a dome? Well now you can, and it comes with incredible views out over the ocean to boot! Definitely one of the most unique places to stay in Zipolite. Find out more here.

Casa Felipa | Sea view terraces really don’t get much better than this! Throw in the modern and elegant decor, quality furnishings and location just a few minutes from the beach and it’s easy to see why this new apartment is so popular! Find out more here.

Spacious Apartment | Our final Airbnb recommendation is the cute little one-bedroom apartment. Decorated with colour, attention to detail and a nod to Oaxaca, it’s got a great kitchen and a gorgeous little terrace area. Find out more here.

Where to Eat / Drink in Zipolite

El Delfin Taqueria (maps) | Those tacos we mentioned ealier? We weren’t joking when we said how many times we’ve thought about them in the intervening years. Even in Mexico it can sometimes be difficult to get good meat-free tacos, especially from small ma m’ pa restaurants like this. But I kid you not, their veggie tacos are life changing (and great value - four for M$80)! Carnivores are particularly well catered for here as well, so don’t worry.

If you’re looking for some other affordable, local food spots, we recommend Antojitos El Dani (maps) and Cafeteria y crepería San Cristobal (maps) for breakfast.

One local place we did have a bad experience with however was Lupita’s Comedor (maps). Set on the quieter street a couple of rows back from the beach, we ordered our staple of veggie chilaquiles, only for it to turn up with chicken. Unfortunately, rather than fixing a new plate, they just scraped some of the chicken off and served it back to us. Andrew ate around it, but to top it off, it wasn’t even very good (and we ate a lot of chilaquiles). This place does have lots of positive reviews, so it may have been a one-off, but it’s important for use to share our negative experiences alongside the positive.

Nue La Maxima Cafeteria (maps) | Excellent cocktails, fun drag queen / king entertainment and a great vibe in the evenings. A very popular choice (and somewhere we ended up most nights one way or another). Very LGBTQ-friendly.

Xhuba (maps) | Excellent restaurant that’s reasonably priced and has some really great veggie options (although their camarones al diabla were particularly good!) . You can also use their sunbeds for free if you spend at least M$300 per person, which is a pretty standard arrangement here and elsewhere on the coast (though amounts + consumption requirements vary).

The place next to it had a good menu, but only opened later in the mornings, so wasn’t a good pick for a full beach day. The staff were also quite rude.

Posada Mexico (maps) | A slightly more upmarket vibe than elsewhere in Zipolite, it offers decent pizzas in the evening. The cocktails are really good, they sell some decent wines (a rarity here) and the pizzas are some of the best in the village. A nice place for a sunset drink too (just be warned though that service can be pretty slow).

Trigo (maps) | This hole in the wall bakery does the best baked goods in town. We can highly recommend the cinnamon and cardamom buns (but they sometimes get the cardamom in the cinammon…).

CAFÉ '84 (maps) | Serves the best coffee in Zipolite, and has a nice setting for those that need to get some laptop work done and a huge outdoor space. Note that there aren’t many ‘digital nomad’ type coffee shops in Zipolite, and the coffee scene generally isn’t too great (Mazunte’s is better).

Kellyko (maps) | This cute little cafe is a great spot for breakfast, offering different ‘meal deal’ options. They also served the best chilaquiles we had in Zipolite (as mentioned, that was our go to breakfast in these parts).

Alma Verde (maps) | A big favourite of ours. This small veggie / vegan restaurant is super cute and serves up meat-free versions of many Mexican favourites plus lots of healthy treats and fresh juices. If you’ve been going hard on the fried carbs and queso, this is a great place to detox.

Entropia (maps) | We only stopped here for a cocktail (which was excellent by the way), but the food looked amazing and the reviews are excellent. Great setting to boot!

ChiZme Café + BAR (maps)| Great little gay-friendly bar, perfect for after-dinner drinks.

If you’re looking for some comfort food that isn’t Mexican, the burgers at Marvina Natural Fast Food (maps) the poutine at Zipoutine (maps) and the falafel wraps at Falafel Shalom (maps) looked particularly good and have great reviews.

Additionally, there are a surprisingly large number of Italian restaurants in Zipolite. Some had questionable looking menus and bowls of pasta, but one that did catch our eye was El Mare (maps). We didn’t get around to eating there but the food reviews are excellent and having spoken to some people that ate there, they confirmed it’s pretty damn good.

Back in the day, there were just a few shack bars and the late-night party on the beach, but one of the biggest shifts we felt were the presence of several more larger, louder, and more permanent party places at night. Drag-queen ensembles are quite common, and the action can go on until the small hours sometimes. It can be quite hit-and-miss about what’s on and where’s good, with the weekends obviously busier, so amble along the sand and see where takes your fancy.

As mentioned, Nue La Maxima Cafeteria (maps) was our favourite but really depended on the music.

A word of warning about Delfina Beach Club - don’t go there. We were drawn in by the music and that it was relatively busy for a drag-led karaoke night, but the drinks are mostly devoid of alcohol despite the relatively high cost (100% a scam as they top up no questions asked for several different groups). Google Maps states it’s now shut but do let us know in the comments!

Another to perhaps skip is Cabañas Cañada. The reviews are dreadful and the clientele could all genuinely do with a good wash (we’re not joking).

How To Get To Zipolite | Transport & Connections

The coastal towns and communities along this part of the Oaxaca's Pacific coastline are collectively known as 'La Costa Chica Oaxaqueña' or the 'Riviera Oaxaqueña'. Most travellers will visit several of them on the same trip - with Zipolite, Mazunte, and Puerto Escondido the ususal suspects, though there are more enclaves than that - and they're all relatively well-connected by colectivos, minibuses, and private transfers that run along Highway 175 and Highway 200.

We explain the transport options more generally in our best beaches in Oaxaca post

For Zipolite, you'll most likely be travelling in from Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, or one of the beach towns nearby.

To help you plan ahead, we've broken down the main options, routes, and costs below.

OAXACA TO zipolite

To reach Zipolite from the city of Oaxaca, you have a few transport options :

1. Take a regular bus through the winding road through the mountains, via San José del Pacifico, directly to Zipolite.

The Lineas Unidas minibuses leave frequently (five departures per day) from its terminal just outside the city centre - find it here on Google Maps. A taxi there from the centre will be about 80 pesos, the bus journey takes 7-8 hours, and costs MX$350 per person.

To find full details of the timetable, we recommend checking out the Lineas Unidas Facebook page. Note that it is not not a terribly fun bus journey due to the road conditions and often cramped minivans.

2. Alternatively, if you’ve just missed the Zipolite service and can’t be bothered to wait for the next one, jump instead on any Lineas Unidas service to the inland transport hub town of Pochutla (maps).

These minivans from the same terminal, the journey to Pochutla takes 6-8 hours, and costs MX$250 per person.

From Pochutla, you can jump in a colectivo pick-up truck (approx MX$40 pp, 30 mins) or shared blue + yellow taxi (MX$40 pp) to Zipolite. A private taxi will cost in the region of MX$200 but offers the quickest, most comfortable and convenient onward transport if you've got lots of people or luggage.

3. Alternatively, make your way from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, and then travel onward from there.

A new highway, scheduled to ope in late 2023/early 2024 is going to transform (for good and bad) the coastline here, cutting out the mountain roads and cutting journey times to 2-3 hours from the city to the coast. Once this opens, we'll update the post with the relevant information on bus companies and costs, or feel free to let us know you experience and recommendations in the comments.

If there’s a bunch of you or cost isn’t an issue, you could opt for this private transfer to Puerto Escondido, and travel on from there.

We don't recommend internal flights, but there are two companies running small plane flights from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Airport.

PUERTO ESCONDIDO TO zipolite

· Walk, taxi, or take a colectivo to to the Transportes Delfin terminal (here on Google Maps) and take one of the regular minivans heading along Highway 200.

Depending on where you stay in Puerto Escondido, you may be better hailing this at the side of the road rather than going to the terminal.

Tell the driver you're going to ‘El Cruce’ or 'para Zipolite', and they should drop you off about 35-45 minutes later at the side of the road at this spot (maps), outside the Oxxo supermarket. This is a common drop-off point, but just keep an eye on your blue dot to make sure you don't get forgotten.

From there, you’ll first need to jump on a colectivo truck that will take you, via Mazunte , to Zipolite (25 minutes, MX$25-30).

· If there are a few of you, or for a quicker, more convenient day trip, you'll be able to find a taxi in Puerto who will happily run you to Mazunte in around 80-90 minutes. Unfortunately, we don't know the costs as we did the above options, so let us know in the comments if you do!

· If flying into Puerto Escondido Airport, then you can travel with one of the official taxis. They have kiosks inside, and the rate will be around $1,200+ for the whole taxi. If you want to save a bit of cash, you can try to get others to share it with you or walk out of the airport for a few minutes and you'll find a bunch of official taxis (but not airport official taxis) who will take you for cheaper.

Alternatively, if time-rich, money-poor, you can take a taxi to the Transportes Delfin terminal and carry on from there.

Plan ahead with 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Puerto Escondido

OAXACA BEACH TOWNS

It’s easy enough to access Zipolite from elsewhere along the Oaxaca coast, with the colectivo camioneta, colectivo/shared taxis*, and private taxis too.

· From Estacahuite or Puerto Angel, your best bet is to wait on the main road for a passing colectivo. It'll cost about 10 pesos per person to Zipolite, whilst a taxi would be in the region of M$150-200 in total.

· From San Agustinillo, just flag a passing camioneta and you'll be in Zipolite in less than 15-minutes. The fare will be 10-15 pesos each.

· From Mazunte, it’s 20-25 minutes / 15 pesos with the colectivo.

Taxi drivers are pretty adept at overcharging for small distances, so you'll need to negotiate slightly to get a fairer fare. They’ll often stop and ask if you want a lift too, with or without the horn.

*Colectivo / shared taxis are a really goo way to get around, but less predictable in terms of where + when they’ll arrive; we got lucky a few times when walking along the side of the road.

Travel Tip // There aren’t many tours online for this part of the world, but if you’re basing yourself in Puerto Escondido, don’t have time to spend a few nights on the coast but still want to check out its highlights, consider joining this full-day tour that includes a boat ride through the mangroves of Laguna Ventanilla ecological park, a visit to Playa Zipolite, time in Mazunte, and lunch in Estacahuite.

Find out more here.

Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Zipolite

· There is a single ATM in the village outside Hotel Playa Zipolite but it is notoriously unreliable; we were able to get money from it one of the three times we tried, but we’ve heard of some US cards not being accepted at all. It also has the tendency to run out of money, especially on the weekend when visitor numbers swell.

We’d therefore recommend stocking up on cash before arriving, but many restaurants and bars do now accept card (sometimes incurring an extra 5% charge). However, you’ll only be able to pay in cash at the small tiendas, and ma & pa type restaurants.

If need a top up, then do an ATM run in a colectivo to Puerto Angel.

· Whilst nearby Mazunte is more known for its turtles, it’s not uncommon for the odd one to lay her eggs in the sands here. In fact, returning to our hotel late one night we saw a large momma turtle do just that - it was hands down one of the most incredible wild life experiences we’ve had to date. If you’re fortunate enough to witness the same thing, be sure to give her plenty of space, don’t take flash photography or shine a light, and warn others that she’s nearby so they can do the same. Don’t be afraid to shout at any drunk people that are doing anything that may cause the turtle to become distressed.

· Despite its increased popularity and more hedonistic tilt, Zipolite still felt incredibly safe. However, given that drugs are offered all over, and this town sees a lot of drunk people late at night, be sure to use your common sense to minimise potentially dangerous situations. And definitely avoid walking back along the beach late at night by yourself.

And it should go without saying, given how dangerous the rip tides are here, do not swim late at night, especially if you’ve had a drink and fancy a skinny dip.

· There are several shops selling amazing fresh fruit and veggies, alongside a couple of small tiendas to get snacks and drinks. Our favourite spot is on the main street, with a friendly but perenially grumpy lady at the till sometimes (make sure you have small change for her). However, if you’re in Zipolite for a while and plan on doing lots of cooking, you’ll be better off heading into Puerto Angel where there are a couple of supermarkets that will work out much more economical.