Zipolite

About Zipolite

Zipolite is a small beach town on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, set along a long stretch of sand between Puerto Ángel and San Agustinillo. It began attracting travelers in the 1970s and still holds onto a free-spirited, countercultural identity. It is known across Mexico as a clothing-optional beach, though most visitors simply come for its relaxed pace and wide ocean views.

Playa Zipolite is the main attraction, but its waves and rip currents are strong, so swimmers need to read the water carefully and heed local warnings. Experienced surfers and boogie boarders take advantage of the powerful breaks, while sunbathers spread out along the sand. At the western end, Playa del Amor is a small cove separated by rocks and is where the clothing-optional atmosphere is most evident. As the sun sets, the evening street behind the beach fills with restaurants, bars and small shops. A short ride away, the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga in Mazunte and the Punta Cometa headland make easy outings, as do Playa Ventanilla's lagoon and boat trips near Roca Blanca.

Backpackers and long-stay travelers make up much of the crowd, and lodging runs mostly to simple cabañas. Its neighbors, San Agustinillo and the fishing port of Puerto Ángel, offer quieter alternatives within a few minutes' drive.