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    Mazunte

    Mexico

    Mazunte

    VillageBeachNature

    Mazunte is a small village located on a bay of Oaxaca's Pacific coast, a good hour east of Puerto Escondido.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Mexico
    7. Oaxaca
    9. Mazunte
    Mazunte is a small village located on a bay of Oaxaca's Pacific coast, a good hour east of Puerto Escondido. Until the 1990 ban, the village thrived on sea turtle fishing; today, turtle conservation, small guesthouses, yoga offerings, and a tranquil beach define its character. Since 2015, Mazunte has held the title of Pueblo Mágico.

    Sights

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Mexican Turtle Center

    1Mexican Turtle Center

    The state-run Turtle Center was established in 1991 after the slaughtering of sea turtles, formerly the village's main livelihood, had been banned. In aquariums and tanks, you can see several of the sea turtle species occurring in Mexico, as well as freshwater turtles; panels explain their life cycle and conservation programs.
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    Playa Mazunte and El Rinconcito
    Attraction

    2Playa Mazunte and El Rinconcito

    The village beach lies in the bay below the village, east of Punta Cometa. At its west end, Calle del Rinconcito leads to the El Rinconcito area with cafés and bars, offering occasional live music in the evenings. Snorkeling and skimboarding are popular; when swimming, be mindful of waves, currents, and local warnings.
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    Natural Cosmetics from Mazunte

    3Natural Cosmetics from Mazunte

    The cooperative of about fifteen families has produced natural cosmetics since 1996, founded after turtle hunting ended to create new income in the village. You can buy soaps, shampoos, and creams made from plant-based ingredients directly in the shop.
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    Punta Cometa
    Attraction

    4Punta Cometa

    Rocky headland at the west end of Mazunte Bay, between the village beach and Playa Mermejita. It is considered Oaxaca's southernmost point. A short path leads up; many visitors gather here for sunset.
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    Restaurants & Cafés

    1

    La Empanada

    Open-air restaurant of the eponymous Hostal on coastal road México 175 in the upper part of the village. The menu is extensive: Pizza, Pasta, Salads, Sushi, Seafood, and Enchiladas.
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    2

    La Pizzería

    Pizzeria in Mazunte's village center, just steps from the beach. Enjoy pizzas from a brick oven, served with beer, all at moderate prices.
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    3

    Cenzontle

    Restaurant on Calle del Rinconcito near Playa El Rinconcito. Our specialty is burgers (meat, fish, or vegan), served with rosemary fries and craft beer; the best place to sit is upstairs.
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    4

    Falafel el Loco

    Plant-based eatery on coastal road México 175 in the upper part of the village, specializing in falafel in pita bread or as a plate with hummus, pickled vegetables, and tahini. Open Wednesday to Sunday evenings, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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    Food & Drink

    You can eat in beach palapas, small family restaurants and cafés, often with vegetarian options.

    Today's fish

    Grilled, fried, or as ceviche, served directly on the beach.

    Tlayudas and Quesadillas

    Evenings at main street barbecue stalls.

    Agua de coco

    You can find fresh coconuts on almost every stretch of beach.

    Culture & Character

    From Turtle Catching to SanctuaryUntil a nationwide ban in 1990, Mazunte slaughtered sea turtles in large numbers. Post-ban, supported by environmental groups, villagers developed new incomes: ecotourism, a natural cosmetics cooperative, and the state turtle center. Olive Ridley sea turtles still nest on the nearby beach.Today, local families mix with newcomers from Mexico and abroad. The pace is slow; most lodgings are simple, made of wood and palm leaves.

    Getting There & Around

    Getting There & AroundThe closest airport is Puerto Escondido (a good hour west); alternatively, Huatulco (around an hour east). Buses stop in San Pedro Pochutla; colectivos and taxis take roughly 20 minutes to Mazunte. The village is walkable; shared taxis shuttle Mazunte, San Agustinillo, and Zipolite.

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    Nearby

    San José del Pacífico

    San José del Pacífico is located at almost 2,400 meters on Federal Highway 175, between Oaxaca de Juárez and the Pacific coast near Pochutla. The small village is surrounded by pine and cloud forests; in the mornings, clouds often drift through the valleys. Travelers stop here to break up the long journey, stay overnight in wooden cabins with fireplaces, and hike in the surroundings.

    Puerto Escondido

    Puerto Escondido, on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, grew from a fishing village into a small town and one of Mexico's most famous surf destinations. Besides Playa Zicatela's heavy waves, there are calm swimming coves, mangrove lagoons, and a relaxed scene of cafés, beach restaurants, and bars.
    Hierve el Agua

    Hierve el Agua

    Hierve el Agua is located about 70 kilometers east of Oaxaca de Juárez in the mountains above the Mitla Valley. Over millennia, calcareous spring water has flowed down the cliffs here, creating deposits that look like petrified waterfalls. Above are pools of spring water and expansive views over the Sierra.
    Teotitlán del Valle

    Teotitlán del Valle

    Teotitlán del Valle is a Zapotec village situated about 30 kilometers east of Oaxaca de Juárez at the foot of the Sierra Juárez. It is known for its wool carpets, many of which are produced by families on treadle looms, often using natural dyes. In daily life, Zapotec is still spoken alongside Spanish.
    Oaxaca

    Oaxaca

    The state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico stretches from the highlands of the Sierra Madre del Sur to the Pacific coast. With 16 officially recognized indigenous peoples, including Zapotec and Mixtec, it is culturally one of the most diverse regions of the country.At its heart lies the capital, Oaxaca de Juárez, with Monte Albán and the artisan villages of the Oaxaca Valley. Over the mountains, for instance through San José del Pacífico, roads lead to the coast, home to Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, and Zipolite.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI