Planning a trip along Mexico’s beautiful Pacific coast? You’ll be wanting to know the best Oaxaca beaches?
We’ve found them all for you.
We absolutely adore the coastline of Oaxaca.
The state in southern Mexico has long been a favourite of surfers, hippies, and backpackers, but has more recently emerged as a great choice for standalone beach breaks and vacations too.
Thankfully, it’s still a very long way away from the overdevelopment and ‘spring break’ or mass tourism vibes you’ll find over in the Yucatan Peninsula or up north. Instead, here on the Pacific Ocean, the tropical atmosphere is (generally) more rustic and laid back, and much closer to the sort of travel experience many of us yearn for in Mexico.
The sub-tropical climate also means that it’s generally good to visit year-round, with November to March being the peak season travel months.
There are however a few important distinctions in the character, crowd, connections, and amenities of certain Oaxacan beaches and beach towns, and it’s a good idea to get your head around these before you choose your base, finalise your itinerary, or decide on tomorrow’s day trip!
Over two trips, we’ve visited and re-visited many beaches in Oaxaca, and even got engaged on one this year! In this post, we’ve shared our favourite travelling from west to east along the coastline from Estacahuite to Lagunas de Chacahua - with everything you need to know before you go and choose the best coastal base too.
Some places you’ll know of already, others you definitely won’t, and some may just see you changing your plans entirely…
At the end of the post, we’ve also shared a bunch of travel better tips from our own experiences to help you plan ahead, avoid mistakes, get around the coast with transport, and make the absolute most of your time in this wonderful part of Mexico.
These are the 12 best beaches in Oaxaca.
p.s. note that the gorgeous colonial city of Oaxaca shares its name with the state, but that’s on the coast. However, most travellers will pair the city and the beaches on the same trip. Check out our Oaxaca City guide for more inspiration!
Estacahuite
Unlike larger, more popular options further west, the village of Estacahuite is composed of just three sheltered little sandy beaches, a handful of simple restaurants serving up fresh seafood and thick micheladas, a collection of accommodations overlooking the Pacific, a dusty car park, and not much else at all.
For a blissful base to swim, snorkel, relax - and perhaps rustle up the energy to visit the rest of the coast on a day trip or two - it's pretty much perfect. For some of you, the fact that it’s much quieter than elsewhere will make it the best choice for a romantic, chilled out escape by the sea.
If you require more action and amenities, then Estacahuite will probably be a better option as a day trip beach from a base elsewhere.
Best For | Blissed out, quiet beach days, and a non-commercialised base.
The Oaxacan coastline is great for surfing, but not so great for swimming. Several of its most famous beaches have quite rough waves and a strong (fatal) riptide, and so any traveller looking for a place to swim without too much concern in calm waters has to pick and choose accordingly.
We’ve done the hard work for you and let you know conditions in each of our beach overviews, and we’re happy to tell you that Estacahuite is one the very best for swimming and snorkelling!
Facilities | A few beach restaurants and little shops with snorkel gear for rent, but very little else. You can use the chairs and tables at the places you eat/drink at, whilst there’s also plenty space for laying your towel down. A few ladies sell snacks on the beach, but it’s a good idea to bring your own if not planning on eating lunch here.
In the evening, there is usually only one place open - the excellent Restaurant Yuly.
Transport | Arrive by private or shared taxi from the nearby beach towns, or take the coastal colectivo and walk in from the highway (we’ve explained how the coastal colectivos works in the ‘Travel Tips’ section at the end of the post).
Stay | We strongly recommend staying somewhere on the seafront. It’s a huge part of Estacahuite’s draw, affordable enough, and most places offer fantastic views of the bay and water from rooms, balconies and/or rooftops.
We stayed at Cabañas Los Colibríes - a great options for couples and travellers - whilst Casa Roni is the pick of the bunch for more of a splurge.
If Estacahuite fits the bill, you may also enjoy staying at nearby Bahia de Luna, which is even quieter and more exclusive with a (practically) private beach for guests.
Keep Reading // Our Estacahuite Travel Guide
Playa Panteón
With supermarkets, banks, and much more reliable ATMs than elsewhere, the small port town of Puerto Ángel is a hub for locals and travellers alike.
When we stayed in Zipolite for three weeks in 2014, it was a lifeline!
Most people will only pass through though, and it isn’t a place we’d recommend travellers base themselves on this part of the coast.
However, tucked away in the bay, you can find Playa Panteón - a wonderful, lesser-known option if you’re looking for a change of scene, fewer gringos, and a beach day set-up that is much more authentically Mexican.
Best For | Swimming and families, and quieter Mexican beach vibes.
Facilities | There are several restaurants on the beach, which are a great pick for fresh fish and prawn dishes at lunch. They’ll also keep you hydrated with cold beers and cocktails, whilst you can avail yourself of their tables & chairs if you consume with them.
There’s also loads of space to lay your towel down for free.
Transport | The coastal colectivos frequently pass through, and the beach is just a short walk from the highway and port. If you arrive by private or shared taxi from the nearby beach towns, you will also have to walk that short distance to the main beach.
Stay | As mentioned, this isn’t our pick for a base, but there’s a trio of larger hotels overlooking the bay that could be worth checking out if you’re interested: Hotel Pasión de Luna, Hotel Cordelia's, and Hotel Casa Justina.
Keep Reading // A Short Guide To Puerto Angel, Oaxaca (published soon)
Zipolite
Zipolite is very 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.
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.
Mexico’s first and only legally recognised nudist beach (wait - don’t go!), you absolutely don’t have to be a nudist to come here and fall in love with it - we explain more in our Zipolite travel guide
The small town has three sandy beaches across its1.5km stretch of sand: Playa Zipolite, Playa del Amor, and a small cove on the other side of the rocks at the far western end.
Best For | Nudists, backpackers, surfers, and LGBTQ travellers. Whilst not a party town, Zipolite does also have more nightlife on the beach than elsewhere on the Oaxacan coast, and the main change in a decade we saw was how many more people are specifically choosing it for a vacation destination, rather than just a stop on their Mexican backpacking route.
Zipolite's sea does however have a justifiably notorious reputation. The waves are strong, the current unpredictable, and the undertow can be overpowering - unlike the Estacahuite and Puerto Angel, it’s not one you arrive at for gentle swimming.
A decent surfer’s pick.
Facilities | Lots of restaurants, beach bars, cafes, shops, and a few surf schools. Loads of free beach areas, as well as plenty places you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas for the day.
Transport | You can arrive directly to Zipolite from Oaxaca by colectivo, or connect to the colectivos and taxis in Pochutla. From Puerto Escondido airport, it’s better to take a taxi transfer.
Find out the routes + costs in our Zipolite guide.
Stay | There are options for all budgets and travel styles, with an increasing number of stylish, boujie options on and off the beach.
El Alquimista is a beautiful beachfront hotel that’s opted for a minimalist, back-to-nature vibe with a contemporary twist. Nearby Hotel Noga contemporary treehouse vibes, whilst Hotel Nude is a specialist clothing-optional stalwart of the Zipolite hotel scene.
Hotel Playa Zipolite, where we stayed, is a dependable basic option in an excellent central location for a room. Casa Felipa is a highly-rated recent Airbnb addition.
Keep Reading // The Best Things To Do In Zipolite
San Agustinillo
In traveller conversations about the coastal trio of Zipolite, Mazunte, and San Agustinillo, it's the latter that gets least attention.
San Agustinillo sort of flies under the radar as it's really just a quiet fishing village without as much to keep you entertained as Zipolite and none of the barefoot, breathwork 'vibes' of Mazunte.
But that's exactly why we recommend it as a beach base to some travellers over the other two.
Situated within a double crescent bay, it's idyllic, photogenic, and blissfully uncommercialised. There are a half dozen or so unpretentious places to eat on or overlooking the beach, local fishermen to buy from in the morning, and a laid-back pace that's infectious.
For us, it’s absolutely one of the best Oaxaca beaches.
Best For | For couples, families, or individuals looking to just chill out at a really beautiful sandy beach for a few days, stay in a nice accommodation that opens out right on to the sand, not have to be involved in any scene or nightlife, and wake to the sounds of the Pacific each morning, this is the pick. Great for swimming, particularly in the Playa Elefante enclave.
Elefante merges with Playa San Agustinillo, but the two are really just the same beach.
The further east you go from Elefant, the quieter, less developed, and more rugged it becomes: you won't struggle to find a gorgeous, relatively isolated spot but note that the water is more temperamental there.
Facilities | The advantage of choosing San Agustinillo over Estacahuite and Bahia de Luna is that you're less beholden to the opening hours and limited number of restaurants in those two.
Though small, it’s got a few grocery shops, a couple surf schools, as well as whale-watching boat tours. On and off the beach there’s plenty of restaurants, including one of the best veggie places on the whole coast, as well as some new, higher-end picks. Things are quieter in the evening, but you’re always just a short walk or quick pick-up truck ride to Mazunte for more action.
On both beaches, you can usually have sun beds and umbrellas for free from the restaurants if you're consuming there. If your accommodation is on the beach, it's usually got private areas set up for guests.
Transport | The coastal colectivo from Zipolite to Mazunte passes through San Agustinillo, whilst you can opt for private or shared taxis for day trips or onward bus connections to Puerto Escondido.
Stay | Splurge at Casa Bagus or Ukiyo Beach House, or pick backpacker’s favourite Chicatana Hostel. The highly-rated Un Sueño Cabañas del Pacifico is in a great spot.
Note that some of you will prefer to be based down the hill in Mazunte, with San Agustinillo saved for a beach day.
Keep Reading // Our Guide To San Agustinillo
Playa Mazunte & Rinconcito
Mazunte is the place in Oaxaca where you'll find a sizeable spiritual community of travellers, long-termers, and practitioners who are wholeheartedly immersed within the 'tribe', or curious to dip their toes in its sacred waters.
This reputation is probably why, when speaking to several young-ish backpackers before we arrived, Mazunte seemed to be the most marmite place on the Oaxacan Coast.
It’s certainly grown and developed since our first visit, really carving itself out as a hub for the alternative-spiritual retreats by the sea, but also evolving into a cool place very much set-up for slow travellers.
For digital nomads, this is the pick of the potential bases on the Oaxacan Coast if you don’t need much in life and not a huge surfer (otherwise, Puerto Escondido will be a better fit).
There are actually four beaches in Mazunte though, and the best for a proper relaxing, lazy day of sunbathing, swimming, and eating are Playa Mazunte and neighbouring Rinconcito.
Best For | Good beaches, good atmosphere, good cocktails, a healthy mix of budget and stylish accommodation, and enough of a blend to avoid the 'tribe' or embrace / be curious about it on your own terms; it’s 100% where we would have picked for a longer stay if on a slower trip than this particular three-week jaunt in CDMX and Oaxaca.
It definitely skews young though, with several and more budget-oriented accommodation very much making it the backpacker hub; due to this, some travel styles may prefer staying in neighbouring San Agustinillo and popping in, or saving it for a day trip from the other Oaxacan nearby beach towns.
Facilities | There are a handful of traditional restaurants on Playa Mazunte, with wooden loungers and tables to rent on the beachfront. These are popular with vacationing Mexicans and weekending locals, and ideal for a full day at the beach.
Beyond the rocks, Playa Rinconcito is where the majority of hippies and the backpackers congregate and hang out around overturned boats. At the end of the main tourist street and sheltered by Punta Cometa, there are no beach clubs, with most people freely laying their own towels down.
This beach will either be your vibe or not, but it's always atmospheric.
Transport | Mazunte is easy to reach by the coastal colectivo from Zipolite, and also from the Highway 200 (connect there if travelling to/from Puerto Escondido). For San Agustinillo, simply walk up and down the hill.
Stay | For a nicer hostel, take a look at Hostal Alma Turquesa. If you’re looking for a place stay right next to the beach, check out Una Posada Mas and Posada La Sabila; we’ve shared more accommodations recommendations in our main guide.
Keep Reading // Our Guide To Mazunte | The Hippy Beach Town
La Punta
Puerto Escondido is the biggest destination on the coast of Oaxaca, and the town acts as a gateway for many travellers arriving from Oaxaca City or a connecting international flight.
It’s fast becoming one of the most popular beach towns in Mexico due to its well-established reputation as world-class surfing site, a digital nomad hub, and the plethora of excellent beaches in and around it (several of which deservedly made it into in this guide).
And so, understandably, for many of you it may constitute the lion’s share of your Oaxaca itinerary: it may even be the reason you’re travelling here in the first place!
Although the 3.5km long Playa Zicatela beach is what put Puerto Escondido on the map as a huge surfing destination, La Punta is the better pick for a chilled out beach day.
Located at the southern end of Zicatela, for us it offers a more tropical and intimate vibe.
‘La Punta’ is also the name for the neighbourhood backing onto the beach, and it’s the area that most travellers and backpackers will want to be based in or near for a few days or longer.
Best For | A base and lazy beach days in Puerto Escondido. It’s got more of a generic international hipster traveller vibe at times, skews younger, and is at that transition point from backpacker-bohemian to boojie.
The beach is impeccably clean, and the sea is calmer than nearby for shallow swimming; it’s also a popular place to learn how to surf.
Facilities | Loads. There are a few beach clubs and palapa restaurants, which are ideal if you want a sun bed and umbrella for a full-on day of sunbathing with drinks and a fresh seafood lunch. However, there’s also loads of space to simply lay your towel down on the soft sand.
The ever-expanding network of dusty streets behind La Punta are home to cool coffee shops, restaurants, artisanal shops, hangouts, and bars one would expect for an increasingly popular enclave. You’ll have no shortage of options before or after your time on the sand.
If you're wanting lunch between sunbathing sessions, we highly recommend the tacos at the Fish Shack (maps)
Transport | How you reach La Punta completely depends upon where you stay in Puerto Escondido, but most of you will reach La Punta with either a taxi or one of the regular colectivos that head back and forth along the highway - you just need to walk down from the stop.
From elsewhere in town, it’s generally a 30-45 minute walk.
Stay |There’s something for every travel style, from stylish Airbnbs to social hostels and boutique hotels. Werecommend Che Puerto Escondido Hostel & Bar for the party crowd, Real Juquilita La Punta if you want to chill (where we stayed) and Néctar: Hotel, Cafe, Cowork if you prefer your hostels a bit more boujie.
For hotels, check out the stunning Casa To or Casa de Olas Boutique Hotel if you’re a surfer.
Alternatively, for those that love an Airbnb you’re spoiled for choice - start with Casa La Baba and Bikini Beach House.
Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things To Do In Puerto Escondido
Playa Zicatela
The unfathomably long, wide stretch of Zicatela beach is the spine around which much of Puerto Escondido's tourism has developed.
A haven for surfers, Zicatela's beach break produces the big, powerful ‘Mexican pipeline’ barrels for which Puerto is famous, but the 3.5km beach and Avenida de Morro is also the main hub of accommodation, restaurants, and nightlife.
For us, it isn’t the top three beaches in Puerto Escondido, but a good number of visitors stay on or near it.
The northern end, which you'll arrive at first if walking from the town centre up the hill or turning off Highway 200, is the busiest part and most like a resort. Head south on the pavement or along the sand, and the buildings and coverage becomes sparser and more low-key, reflecting that it's a bit more of a rugged, wild, and largely empty section of beach. This area - which we call 'Mid Zicatela’ - is however likely to change in the coming years due to the new road linking Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, with several luxurious, boutique hotels recently completed (like Casa Joseph Zicatela).
Best For | Surfers and sunbathers. The beach is nothing but fine sand, but due to the strong currents, the ocean is generally considered too dangerous to swim in.
Whilst the length of Zicatela guarantees that you'll always be able to find a place to yourself in total seclusion, the wide open nature of the beach can mean it lacks some features we like best when choosing where to spend a proper beach day.
Facilities | Most of the northern section has everything you'll need, but amenities are sparser the further east you go. On the beach itself, you'll find restaurants offering sunbeds and parasols for clients.
Transport | On foot, by taxi or with one of the regular colectivos that head back and forth along the highway. However, the important thing to be aware of before planning to visit Zicatela is that this beach is huge; it's a distance of just under 2km from the northern section of Zicatela (where you'll find Selina Hostel) to the area where we've unofficially declared a border with it and La Punta, roughly by Casa Joseph Zicatela where the paved road ends.
Therefore, simply putting Zicatela in Google Maps or asking a taxi driver to take you there doesn't give an accurate picture of how long you may need to walk or what the final fare will be - you need to know which part you actually want head to!
Stay | If you’re a backpacker, our top pick is the new Secret Beach Hostel (the popular chain of Selina Hostels is located nearby but, well, we think they’re kind of overrated).
Older vacationing travellers would likely enjoy Hotel Santa Fe, whereas if you’d prefer an Airbnb, take a look at HippieChic Suites if you want something a little fancier or Casita if you’re watching the pennies.
Playa ManzanillO & Angelito
If you’re looking for a more intimate beach experience in Puerto Escondido, you have to make your way to this duo of pretty little coves in the west of town.
Manzanillo is the more popular and photogenic option, whilst Angelito tends to have more fishing boats up on the sand. Separated by rocks, there’s a walkway to quickly and easily cross between the two.
Due to their proximity to the town centre, they can become quite crowded as the day goes on, but they are particularly lovely at sunset.
The hill overlooking Playa Manzanillo has also become the place for stylish Airbnbs with a Pacific view, so this is somewhere to seriously consider staying if you have the budget.
Best For | With sheltered sandy bays with calm waters, it’s very family-friendly and good for swimming. Neither are for surfers, but everyone will enjoy a chilled out beach day here.
Facilities | There are several traditional Mexican restaurants and beach bars on both sides, but it’s not a bad idea to bring some snacks with you if you’re not planning on lunch here. La Isla Beach Club (maps) is a popular spot with cocktails, sunbeds, and a live DJ playing (shit loud techno when we were there) but others may enjoy the vibe and higher prices.
Transport | It’s just a 10-minute walk from the town centre of Puerto Escondido, but from Zicatela or La Punta, you’ll be best to take a taxi or colectivo. The stairs and the shortcut trail down may be a bit difficult for some, with the easier alternative being to walk in via the road on the Puerto Angelito side.
Stay | This Airbnb is simply stunning, but if you’d prefer a hotel / hostel vibe Casa Cascada is one of our favourites, not just in this area but in Puerto Escondido more generally.
Keep Reading // The Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido
Playa Carrizalillo
A gem of a beach, and one of the most loved in Puerto Escondido, Playa Carrizalillo is somewhere you should absolutely make time to visit!
The gorgeous sheltered bay offers quite the contrast to Playa Zicatela, and the cramped set-up of shack restaurants and sunbathers gives everything a slightly chaotic feel when it's high tide and peak busy.
Requiring a steep trek down seemingly never-ending steps in the cliffside, it’s the least accessible beach in Puerto Escondido, but 100% worth the effort.
The only downside is that it does become quite crowded as the day goes on, particularly at weekends, and it can be difficult to get a good (or any) space on the sand if you turn up in the afternoon and you're not willing to pay for a sunlounger. Even then, the sun loungers are all quite close to each other, so it’s all a bit tightly packed at times.
Due to this, it's a good idea to turn up earlier if you're planning to spend a decent amount of time here.
Best For | Sandy with calm water for paddling and swimming, Playa Carrizalillo is one of the better swimming beaches in Oaxaca. There are a few surf schools/instructors based here and some baby waves, so it's also a good spot to have your first or second lesson.
Facilities | There are half dozen or so palapa restaurants serving up fresh fish, traditional Mexican plates, cold drinks, and snacks. The service can be really slow at lunchtime due to the basic set-up and the number of diners, so be patient, don't arrive at peak hanger levels, and have a look around to see how many people look like they've been waiting a long time before deciding.
You can also buy drinks from the restaurants, but during busier times many not allow you to sit or use any of their tables unless you meet the minimum consumption amount (varies from about M$100 - 250); one restaurant wouldn't even allow us to eat at its (empty) front tables as there were just two of us, which was a bit odd.
You can also rent sunbeds and umbrellas, but be aware that they’re usually not included automatically if you have lunch or drinks there. The rate is about M$300 for the full day in the high season, but there is more flexibility in low season.
Transport | Unless you’re staying in the Bacocho/Rinconda area or the highway side of the town centre - all of which are within walking distance - you’ll either need to opt for a taxi or a combo of colectivo camioneta + walking.
Playa Carrizalillo is accessed via a 160 or so steep steps; travellers with mobility issues will struggle to visit here, and the walk back up takes its toll on most. Don't bother with a pram or pushchair.
Stay | The popular area of Rinconada runs behind Playa Carrizalillo, and you can find lots of accommodation options there. We love the part-hostel, part-boutique hotel Casa Conicarit but if you’d prefer an apartment take a look at this Unique Living Space, or if you’re on a bit more of a budget check out The Garden Casita.
Villas Carrizalillo Hotel is just above the beach, with private access down to it.
Keep Reading // 13 Wonderful Things To Do In Puerto Escondido
Playa Bacocho
On a map, you could easily look at Bacocho beach and its proximity to the airport, and dismiss it as somewhere not worth your time.
However, this is long stretch of fine golden sand is paradise - and relatively off the radar of those staying in Puerto Escondido for shorter periods and more focussed on its better known bays and breaks.
Quiet, uncrowded, undeveloped, romantic and relatively remote - with nothing but a turtle sanctuary and two exclusive beach clubs - this is a fantastic beach to visit for the day.
Best For | The sand is soft and golden, whilst the sea is a bit calmer for swimming than elsewhere.
We’d suggest this is best for couples looking for a more remote, romantic beach, but it’s ideal for everyone really if you don’t mind not having much else around.
Facilities | If you're coming to just lay on the sand, you need to bring absolutely everything with you as there are no restaurants, shops, or vendors here. In peak season, there may be someone renting out umbrellas & sun beds, but don't bank on it.
There are however two exclusive beach resorts here, Club de Playa Villasol (Club Bacocho) and Club de Playa Cocos, which offer accommodation as well as day passes. We didn't try these out as the sand was so lovely, but they may be a good option if you want a full-on relax day with facilities.
A popular pick at sunset, there the small turtle sanctuary does releases at 5 or 6pm (M$150 per person to participate).
Transport | If you're in staying in La Punta, Zicatela, or the town centre, it's best to just hop into a taxi (we paid M$200 from from our hostel in La Punta). From the car park, you’re right on the beach.
Stay | The best place to stay to be within walking distance of this beach are the Rinconada or Bacocho neighbourhoods.
If you’d like daily access to Club de Playa Villas, we recommend staying in the associated hotel - Hotel Suites Villasol (or El Capitan, a super cool Airstream that also provides access to the beach club).
Keep Reading // Where To Stay In Puerto Escondido
Lagunas de Chacahua
Did we save the best ‘til last?
Possibly.
However, you’ve really got to invest in our guides to get the good shit.
Requiring three modes of transportation to reach, this traffic-free village and beach within Lagunas de Chacahua National Park will be too rustic and difficult to reach for some travel styles and shorter trips.
However, the dusty roads between the mangroves and the sea will be exactly what some of you were looking to find on the Oaxacan coast.
Pure heaven for surfers, people in no rush to leave, slow travellers, and those looking to find a special place far away from it all behind the blue mountains. There’s not much to do except surf, hang out on the beach, go on the lagoon, swim in the bioluminescence, and enjoy the moments in between.
But there’s a reason why half the people you met here have stayed much, much longer than they intended…
Best For | Surfers, slow travellers, and backpackers.
The surf is really good here, and much of the travel crowd is based around that. However, travellers interested in ecology and nature will also be drawn here by the protected birdlife, the mangroves, and the lagoons.
Facilities | In total, Chacahua beach is a mind-boggling 12km long, so that hopefully that gives you some sense of perspective; most of your time will be spent in and around the first 3kms.
That ‘busy’ side of the beach is where most of the village amenities and activity is found, with a bunch of surf board rentals.
There’s little to no wifi and no ATM either, with cash still king for the majority of businesses, so you do have to bring in lots of cash from Puerto Escondido.
Transport | Start your journey in Puerto Escondido, and follow the step-by-step instructions in this post: How To Get To Laguna de Chacahua
Stay | Budget backpackers can just turn up and find a hammock, tent or dorm on the beach. There are however now a few guesthouses and cool retreats available to book online if you’re looking for something that’s more stylish and comfortable.
We recommend checking out Porã Chacahua, Casa UwU, and Casa Gitana.
Cabañas La Isla Chacahua and Cabañas Alta Mar are good options for more traditional rooms right on the beach.
Keep Reading // Our Guide To Laguna de Chacahua
Arriving, Getting Around & Transport Connections
To reach the Oaxacan beaches, take any mode of transport that gets you to the main coastal transport hubs of Puerto Escondido, Pochutla, or Huatulco; the merits of each gateway depends on your final destination.
Most of you will travel down by bus, colectivo, or private transfer from the city of Oaxaca, arrive via colectivo from San José del Pacifico in the mountains, or fly into the small airports of Huataulco or Puerto Escondido.
Note that there are presently very few direct international flights to these airports, with most requiring an internal connection in Mexico City or Guadalajara.
The new highway from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is going to transform this part of the Oaxaca state, cutting travel time down from seven hours to three and making it a much easier journey than the current winding mountain roads. It is guaranteed to bring an influx of local and international tourists to this part of Mexico, and we really hope it won’t result in rapid expansion and commercialisation of our favourite places.
When the highway does eventually open (scheduled for late 2023/early 2024), bus and transfer connections between the city and the coast will be much easier and more frequent too.
We’ve shared all the details on routes and costs in this post: How To Get From Oaxaca To Puerto Escondido
In terms of getting around the coast of Oaxaca, there are two important roads to know:
- Highway 200 is the main coastal road, running from Parque Nacional Huatulco in the east to Laguna Chacahua and beyond in the west, and going through the centre of Puerto Escondido.
- Highway 175 branches off this and goes further south in a loop. Starting in the eastern town of San Pedro de Pochutla and ending at San Antonio/’El Cruce’ (maps) further west, this road passes through Estacahuite, Puerto Angel, Zipolite, San Agustinillo, and Mazunte; that area is sometimes referred to as the ‘Riviera Oaxaqueña’ or ‘La Costa Chica Oaxaqueña’.
Taxis (shared and private) and regular colectivos (shared pick-up trucks) are the main mode of transport along Highway 175, linking all those beaches and towns, and will pick up and drop off passengers from the side of the road. You can easily connect to the taxis in Pochutla and El Cruce from Highway 200 or if arriving from elsewhere in Oaxaca.
The colectivos cost M$10-30 per person, paid to the driver, depending on the distance. If you’re a group or have a lot of luggage, it’s easier and sometimes as economical to get a taxi, but you will have to negotiate to get a fair/realistic price.
Alternatively, you can rent scooters and motorbikes to head out on your own and explore. Another option is to get a hire car, with Puerto Escondido airport generally offering some of the best rates: check prices and availability on RentalCars.com
We’ve shared more specific detail on connections and prices in our specific guides for each beach.
Travel Better Tips for The Beaches of Oaxaca
Lastly, here’s a few tips to help you out in Oaxaca and avoid some first-time mistakes or disappointments.
· As mentioned, several beaches have a nasty riptide and undercurrent. Some have lifeguards on duty (like Zipolite) but not all, and it’s important you pay attention to the flags indicating conditions (red = don’t go in).
· All of the beaches in Oaxaca have plenty free, public space for you to lay your towel down.
· You will however find restaurants offering sunbeds and parasols for clients. This is usually based on a minimum consumption of food & drink, so it's a good idea to pick one that has a good menu as well as a nice spot on the sand. Some places are quite chilled out about it - and you can hang out there just for a beer - but others will be stricter about minimum consumption.
However, some places charge separately to use their facilities, and / or will rent them out without any requirement to consume food/drink with them. Prices range from M$150 - 300.
· Use a common sense approach to leaving your valuables unattended if heading in for a swim. As they say in Colombia, don’t give anyone a papaya.
· Suncream is really expensive on the coast of Oaxaca, and quite limited in terms of quality, brands, and SPF range. It’s a good idea to pack at least one extra bottle if heading here on vacation.
· It’s also a really good idea to invest in a Water-To-Go travel filter bottle for your time here. We used them in Mexico and lots of other trips all over the world, and they’re brilliant for saving money and reducing your single-use plastic usage. You can buy them on the official website here (use ADR15 for a 15% discount) or on their Amazon page.
· There is some great Oaxacan food to be had across these beaches. Our absolute favourite lunch by the sea here in the camarones a la diabla, a very spicy shrimp dish available on most menus. The ceviche is also the tits.
· Although Zipolite is a nudist beach, no other beaches in Oaxaca are nudist and you need to keep your swimsuit on! In terms of topless sunbathing, the locals do not do this and it’s best to respect this, but you will see topless travellers.
· We encourage you to leave no trace, take everything back with you, and do you bit to keep the beaches clean and litter free.
· Why is Huatulco not on our list of the best beaches in Oaxaca? Well, it’s the main tourist and all-inclusive hotel / resort area in Oaxaca and receives cruise ship, so it has never appealed to us and our travel style at Along Dusty Roads. Research told us that several of its bays are (effectively) very difficult to access unless staying at the properties next to them. Therefore, for us and for many of you, it’s not going to be the best place or base by the Mexican Pacific.
· In terms of crowds, it’s always going to be busiest across all the Oaxacan beaches from November to March. Weekends always see a lot more locals and families, making it best to arrive early if you’re spending a whole day a specific beach. We recommend avoiding the main beaches around New Year and Semana Santa, which is a crazy busy holiday season for locals.
· More businesses now accept card payments, but lots still charge an additional 5%. ATM coverage and reliability in the smaller beach towns is quite poor, and they often charge higher fees as well. We highly recommend always having cash on you, and always having an emergency stash as well in case the ATMs aren’t working or emptied out for a few days.
· Wifi and the internet connection is generally much better now than in recent years, which has spurred on the growth in remote working and digital nomads in Oaxaca. However, disconnections and outages are frequent, so if you do require a really good connection, it’s best to book an accommodation with Starlink or source a coffee shop / co-working spot with a good connections.
