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Mazunte is a small beach village on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, set in a curve of sand backed by green hills. For decades its economy depended on harvesting sea turtles, until Mexico banned the trade in 1990 and the community reinvented itself around conservation, natural products and low-key tourism. It is now a designated Pueblo Mágico with a relaxed, bohemian character.
Life centers on Playa Mazunte, a sheltered bay where fishing boats pull up on the sand and swimmers stay near the calmer end at Playa El Rinconcito. At sunset, people walk out to Punta Cometa, a rocky headland jutting into the Pacific. On the other side of it, Playa Mermejita is wilder, with strong surf better suited to watching than swimming. The Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga, a turtle research and aquarium center, explains the village's shift, and the Cosméticos Naturales de Mazunte cooperative sells soaps and creams made locally. Boat trips from the beach head out to look for turtles, dolphins and, in winter, humpback whales.
Slow travelers, yoga students and people who prefer small guesthouses to resorts tend to settle in here. San Agustinillo is next door, the mangrove lagoon at La Ventanilla is a short ride away, and La Escobilla hosts mass turtle nestings farther west.
WiserMap travel guideMazunte Mexico Punta Cometa Sunsets and Sea TurtlesPlan your Mazunte visit on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, from Punta Cometa sunsets and the turtle center to quiet beaches, Oaxacan food, stays and getting there.Read the guide
Mazunte's main beach is a sheltered curve of golden sand backed by palapa restaurants, cabañas and hammocks. The western end is usually calmer for swimming, while waves can be strong elsewhere. It is a relaxed village beach with a hippie feel; watch the flags and swim only where locals do, especially in the afternoon.
On the far side of Punta Cometa, Mermejita is a wild, wide beach with strong waves and few buildings, perfect for long walks and sunset views. Swimming is dangerous because of rip currents. It is a short walk or ride from Mazunte, and a few small eco-lodges sit above the sand for a quiet stay.
El Rinconcito is the small cove at the western end of Mazunte's main beach, protected by rocks so the water is usually calm and safe for swimming and children. Fishing boats launch here, and some offer tours. Restaurants on the sand serve fresh fish. It gets busy on weekends and holidays, so go early to find a spot.
The neighbouring village of San Agustinillo, just east of Mazunte, has a long beach with good body-boarding and beginner surfing waves, plus laid-back restaurants and small hotels. The rocky arch at one end gives the place its character. It is an easy walk or short taxi ride from Mazunte and makes a quieter base.
Punta Cometa is a rocky headland just west of Mazunte, reached by a short forest trail, and is one of the most popular sunset spots on the Oaxaca coast. From the top you can see waves crash on cliffs and sometimes whales in winter. Bring water, go at least an hour before sunset, and carry a flashlight for the walk back.
Mexico's national turtle centre in Mazunte has aquariums and pools with several species of sea turtles and freshwater turtles, plus exhibits on conservation and the town's history as a former turtle slaughter site. Guided visits explain the research. Check opening days, as it is often closed on Mondays, and bring cash for entry.
A community cooperative founded after the turtle hunting ban to give locals new income, this workshop and shop sells natural soaps, shampoos, creams and insect repellents made from local plants and oils. Visitors can see some of the production. It is on the main road, and products make useful, light souvenirs.
A short drive west of Mazunte, La Ventanilla is a community ecotourism project where guides paddle you by canoe through a mangrove lagoon to see crocodiles, iguanas and water birds. The project also releases baby turtles in season. Tours take about an hour and a half, and buying a meal supports the cooperative.
Local fishermen run boat tours from Mazunte and San Agustinillo beaches to see sea turtles, dolphins and, from about December to March, humpback whales. Most trips last two to three hours and include a swim or snorkel stop. Choose operators who keep a respectful distance from animals, and bring sunscreen and water.
West of Mazunte, Playa La Escobilla is one of the world's most important nesting beaches for olive ridley sea turtles, which come ashore in huge mass nestings called arribadas, mostly in the rainy season. Access is controlled for protection, so go only with authorized guides from the local community.
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