Best Towns on the Oaxaca Coast Worth Visiting from Puerto Escondido
Best Towns on the Oaxaca Coast Worth Visiting from Puerto Escondido
The Oaxaca coast stretches for more than 250 kilometers along Highway 200, and Puerto Escondido is only one stop on it. Within a two-hour drive in either direction you'll find a turtle sanctuary, Mexico's most talked-about nude beach, a working fishing harbor, nine protected bays, and a crocodile-filled lagoon. This guide breaks down the best towns on the Oaxaca coast worth visiting, how far each one is from Puerto Escondido, and what makes it worth the detour.
Why Explore Beyond Puerto Escondido?
Highway 200 runs along nearly the entire Oaxaca coast, and most of the towns below sit within an hour or two of each other. Colectivos (shared vans) connect the closer towns cheaply, though on a schedule that rewards patience; a rental car or a guided day trip gives you more control if you want to see two or three towns in a single day.
Here's a quick comparison before the full breakdown of each town:
| Town | Distance from PE | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Mazunte | ~1 hour | Turtles, slow travel |
| San Agustinillo | ~1 hour | Surf and seafood |
| Zipolite | ~1h 10min | Nude beach, sunsets |
| Puerto Angel | ~1h 15min | Fishing-village atmosphere |
| Huatulco (Santa Cruz) | ~2 hours | Protected bays, snorkeling |
| Chacahua & La Ventanilla | 2-3 hours | Crocodiles, mangroves |
Mazunte and San Agustinillo: Turtles, Yoga and Quiet Beaches
Mazunte built its identity around sea turtle conservation, and the National Mexican Turtle Center here is one of the few places on the coast where you can see several species up close. The village has grown into a laid-back hub for yoga retreats, small guesthouses and sunset-watching at Punta Cometa, the rocky headland just west of town. Our complete Mazunte guide covers the turtle center, the best beaches, and where to stay.
Just five minutes down the road, San Agustinillo is smaller and quieter, with a single beachfront street of seafood palapas and a wave that's popular with longboard surfers and beginners. It's the town to pick if Zipolite feels too crowded but you still want to be within walking distance of it. See our San Agustinillo beach and restaurant guide for specific recommendations.
Zipolite: The Most Talked-About Beach on the Oaxaca Coast
Zipolite is Mexico's best-known nude-tolerant beach and one of the few in the country where clothing-optional sunbathing is an accepted local custom, not a novelty. Beyond that reputation, it's simply a striking stretch of open Pacific coastline with strong sunsets and a bohemian string of hostels and beach bars. Our Zipolite beach guide covers etiquette, safety, and where to stay.
The one thing every visitor should know before swimming: Zipolite has a serious undertow, and drownings happen most years. Stick to the flagged swimming zones and don't go in alone if the flags are red.
- Swim only in the marked zones and check the flag color before going in
- Nudity is common on the eastern half of the beach; the western half stays more conservative
- Book accommodation ahead in December and Semana Santa — Zipolite fills up fast
- Sunset from one of the cliffside bars is the town's signature moment; arrive 30 minutes early for a table
Puerto Angel and Huatulco: Fishing Harbors and Protected Bays
Puerto Angel sits between Zipolite and Huatulco and still functions as a working fishing harbor — not the Puerto Angelito beach inside Puerto Escondido, a different place with a similar name. Boats unload their catch on the main beach each morning, and a handful of simple seafood restaurants serve it the same day. It's a low-key stop rather than a destination in itself, best combined with Zipolite or San Agustinillo on the same trip.
Huatulco, centered on the town of Santa Cruz, is the most developed stop on this list: nine bays protected as part of Huatulco National Park, calmer water than anywhere else on this coast, and a proper marina with organized boat tours to bays that have no road access at all. Our Huatulco destination guide covers which bays to prioritize and how to get there.
Chacahua and La Ventanilla: Mangroves and Crocodiles to the West
West of Puerto Escondido, the coast turns into wetlands. Laguna de Chacahua is a national park with its own fishing village, a long boat route through crocodile territory, and a bioluminescent beach that only shows its glow on moonless nights. It's the furthest stop on this list and usually needs a full day or an overnight.
Closer to Mazunte, La Ventanilla offers a shorter, community-run version of the same experience: a one-hour mangrove boat tour, a crocodile nursery, and a freshwater spring to swim in afterward. It's the easier pick if Chacahua's distance doesn't fit your schedule.
- Rent a car if you're combining more than two towns in one trip; colectivos work but add waiting time
- November to April is the dry season and the most comfortable time to visit the whole coast
- Small towns like Mazunte and San Agustinillo are cash-heavy — withdraw pesos before you leave Puerto Escondido
- Book Huatulco bay tours a day ahead in December and Semana Santa, when boats fill up early
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen; several of these beaches and bays have visible coral and marine life close to shore
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Town on the Oaxaca Coast Is the Prettiest?
It depends on what you want. Mazunte has the best sunsets and the calmest pace, Zipolite has the most dramatic open-ocean views, and Huatulco's bays have the clearest water. Most visitors who have time pick two or three rather than just one.
How Many Days Do You Need to See the Oaxaca Coast?
Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite can be covered in a single long day trip from Puerto Escondido since they're only minutes apart. Add Huatulco or Chacahua and you're looking at three to five days if you want to see everything without rushing.
Can You Get Between These Towns Without a Car?
Yes, colectivos run along Highway 200 between Pochutla and most of these towns, and Pochutla is the transport hub for the whole area. It's slower than driving yourself, but it works fine if you're not in a hurry.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Oaxaca Coast?
November through April is the dry season, with calmer seas and less humidity. May through October brings more rain and rougher surf, though it's also when the coast is at its greenest and least crowded.
Which Oaxaca Coast Town Is Best for Families?
Huatulco, thanks to its calmer bay water and more developed infrastructure, and San Agustinillo, whose gentler waves suit kids better than Zipolite's stronger current.
Ready to see more of the Oaxaca coast than just Puerto Escondido? Browse our guided day trips and tours covering Mazunte, Zipolite, Huatulco and the Chacahua lagoon.