Travel Guide to Mazunte

Location: Mazunte, Costa Chica, Oaxaca, Mexico
Designated a Pueblo Magico
Chakras: Root, Solar Plexus, Heart, Third Eye
Seasons: Dry season (November to April), Wet Season (May to October)
Landscape: Small village between the wild beaches of costa chica and the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains.

Mazunte is a very powerful, magical place along Oaxaca’s remote Costa Chica. It is designated as a Pueblo Magico and is a small hippie enclave with a delicate ecosystem. The small town itself is manufactured to support the backpacker, woo woo tourism community. A wonderful place to heal and immerse yourself in the power of nature and the ocean. Mazunte has a history of turtle hunting and since the 70s was re-dedicated to turtle conservation. On a weekly basis you can release baby turtles into the tides — a theme in line with releasing energy to the ocean and letting it take what it will. The jungle, wildlife and the ocean energy is abundant and you will find yourself never wanting to leave :)

It is important to note that special places like Mazunte exist because nature rules the show. People come here for its powerful energy but they are left humbled and in awe of the sheer force and magic of nature. In Mazunte, nature is not to be tamed and bulldozed over by development, instead it is honored and appreciated.

Things to do in Mazunte

Besides spending your days beachside and under the sun, you will find many opportunities to connect with yourself, the wildlife, and nature. Below are some of my favorite things to do in Mazunte.

Healing & Energy Work

One late night, I randomly stumbled across a spiritual retreat in Mazunte — as if the Universe presented me with the exact thing I needed in the moment. I had recently returned from Oaxaca a month before and the Oaxacan coastline was calling me. I booked the trip that week. And indeed it was the next step that would change my path.

People from all over the world are lured to Mazunte to experience the powerful energetic pull of the ocean. If you have an affinity with water, this place is for you. The ocean here will teach you lessons. It will challenge you. It will help heal you. And it will teach you about love.

In Mazunte I did a back-to-back retreat combining self-love healing through divination practices (meditation, connecting to your clairs, akashic records, tarot, astrology) and family constellation work. I will put together a separate post to share my experience and learnings!

While there are plenty of retreats hosted in Mazunte, you will find plenty of healers, workshops and classes to join. You’ll find almost every type of energy work and healing modality. The great thing to embrace about Mazunte is to ‘go with the flow.’ You can show up and join whatever suits you. While I have my personal favorites, I think part of the process is using your intuition to go with the ones that you connect with. There is a wonderful community in Mazunte and you will find many open and kind people to share these experiences with, so no worries if you are also traveling solo —perhaps it is even preferred!

I recommend visiting the many bulletin boards throughout town along Calle Rinconcito. You can also join the ‘Conscious Community Mazunte’ Facebook group.

Punta Cometa

Punta Cometa is THE vista point in Mazunte. People all commune here for sunset to watch Mother Earth’s daily performance. No sunset is ever the same and you will be treated to stunning colors and perhaps spot jumping dolphins in the ocean if you’re lucky :)

Playa Mermejita

A 20-minute walk from town and you will find the quieter expanse of Playa Mermejita. The ocean here is wild and powerful and is the best beach to meditate and experience the strong ocean energy.

Sea Turtle Release

Every week you’ll find organized sea turtle releases into the ocean. You can find them on Playa Mazunte and Playa Mermejita just before sunset. Everyone lines up and watches their baby turtle take their first journey into the ocean. We can all learn to channel more turtle energy!

Boat Tour: Dolphins, Whales and Tortoises

Between November and March, there are daily tours at 7:30AM that depart from Playa Mazunte. These boat tours are incredible and affordable. This is all made possible by the abundant wildlife that exists here and is a reminder to respect and honor the ecosystem as you will be rewarded by its beauty. Every day is different but you might be treated to whale sightings, packs of playful dolphins, tortoises, and jumping manta rays!

Visit the Mercado Organico

Every Sunday there is is a small local market off the main calle (Mexico 175) and calle bugambillas. You can find vendors selling clothing, jewelry, crystals, ceramics, organic produce, snacks and food. The market runs from the morning till around 3PM.

Where to Eat & Hang Out in Mazunte

Terraza del Arquitecto

Located right on Playa Mazunte, Terraza del Arquitecto is probably the vibe-iest hangout spot in town. The place is a well-designed, chill beachfront lounge and restaurant. Perfect for drinks and light snacks in between frequent swims at Playa Rinconcito. Which is the calmest, safest beach for swimming.

Estrella Fugaz

Across the street from Terraza del Arquitecto and located in an open-air space on the second floor, Estrella Fugaz is a nice spot for breakfast and juices. Another nice option closest to Plaza Rinconcito.

La Pizzeria

Everyone knows La Pizzeria! And rightfully so. This place is a great meetup spot and has awesome wood-fired pizzas. I recommend the Hawaiana con pina, and the Jamon Serrano.

Namaste

Namaste is a delicious Indian/Middle Eastern fusion restaurant. I recommend going with a large group and grabbing the circular table. Dishes are small and meant to be shared.

Tiburon Juice Bar

Happening juice bar with great juices and smoothie bowls. Nice spot to meet up with people but no place to sit. Good spot to also check out the bulletin boards for the latest workshops and classes.

Cometa Cafe

At the intersection of Calle Rinconcito and Camina Mermejita, Cometa Cafe is a central post up spot in Mazunte. Good place for free wifi and to sit down - whether meeting up with someone for coffee or to work remotely.

What to Know About Mazunte

How to Get to Mazunte

You will likely be coming from Mexico City or Oaxaca. To get to Mazunte you can fly into the airport in Puerto Escondido or the airport in Huatulco. Both flights are about an hour from CDMX. And both are about a 1-hour drive to Mazunte town. Taxis cost about 800 pesos in cash. At the airport there is a taxi stand and they will arrange for your taxi when you get there. You can also opt to do the 6-hour drive from Oaxaca.

Where to Stay in Mazunte

There are plenty of airbnbs and rentals in town. If you’re looking for something quieter then checkout the places near Playa Mermejita. You’ll find some nice, small hotels and guesthouses there but does involve a 20-minute walk into town. Nearby San Augustinillo (also a 20-minute walk) is another option where you’ll find some nice boutique hotel options.

Can I Work Remotely in Mazunte

Yes and no. Wifi exists and you can easily send emails, however it is very spotty for video and phone calls. Sometimes the power will go in and out and can affect the service as well. There are a few places in town that offer free wifi, e.g. Terraza del Arquitecto, Estrella Fugaz, and Cometa Cafe.

ATMs in Mazunte

Cash is king in Mazunte but you might end up playing ATM roulette. There are two main ATMS in town along Calle Rinconcito but sometimes they will run out of cash. I recommend taking out cash before you arrive in Mazunte to save yourself the hassle. If you fly through Puerto Escondido or Huatulco - those are the best places to cash out.

What to Pack for Mazunte

Oh man did I underestimate how hot it was going to be in Mazunte. Oaxaca has plenty of micro-climates and along the coast it is hot and humid. Depending on the time of the year, it generally ranges between mid-80s to mid-90s with around 70% humidity. I recommend packing plenty of swimsuits, coverups and light airy clothing with breathable natural fibers (linen, silk, cotton are best). Flip flops, birkenstocks, and water/hiking shoes are good go-to’s. It is a casual, backpacker place so it is not necessary to bring any dressy clothing. You will likely be living in your swimsuit when in Mazunte.

Mazunte Packing List:

Swimsuits
Coverups
Light airy clothing
Flip flops, Birkenstocks, water/hiking shoes e.g. Tevas
Beach bag / tote / backpack, light turkish towel, sunglasses
Sunscreen, bug spray (these are musts)
Dr Bronners soap (for handwashing any laundry)
Reusable water bottle
Optional: dry bag, travel yoga mat, power bank
Optional: any spiritual tools: tingsha bell, sage, palo santo, crystals, essential oils, tarot deck, oracle decks, notebook
Come prepared with those pesos

Day Trips from Mazunte

San Augustinillo

5-minute drive / 20-minute walk from Mazunte

Neighboring town San Augustinillo can be reached by walking/biking/driving along the main road of Mexico 175. Along the way you’ll find cute restaurants, shops and yoga spots (like Hridaya and Casa Om). Some of the nicer boutique hotels and restaurants are in San Augustinillo.

Zipolite

17-minute drive from Mazunte

Next town over you’ll find the original nudist hippie town of Zipolite. A bit more built up, Zipolite offers a livelier scene and more tourist offerings than Mazunte. You can take a taxi or hop on the back of a colectivo running between the towns.

Puerto Angel

27-minute drive from Mazunte

10-minutes further up the coast from Zipolite, you’ll find the quiet fishing village of Puerto Angel. Quiet, simple and family-friendly, the town offers a respite from the more tourist towns up the coast.

Chacahua

30-minute drive from Mazunte + boat ride

Moving towards Puerto Escondido, Chacacua is a remote national park unspoiled by mass tourism. It is a beautiful place to enjoy miles of beaches, great surfing, swimming in the lagoon, and viewing the mangroves and wildlife. Chacahua is best visited as a day trip from Mazunte or Puerto Escondido.

Agua Blanca

45-minute drive from Mazunte

Agua Blanca is another remote beach town and growing ecotourism destination. The town is popular for its seafood and is very family friendly.

Puerto Escondido

1-hour drive from Mazunte

Puerto Escondido, the hippest beach town along the Oaxacan Coast, is famous for its surfing and is a great jumping off point for your Costa Chica tour.