Oaxaca Beaches: 10 Best Spots on the Pacific Coast

Oaxaca’s Pacific coastline runs for more than 300 miles (480 kilometers), and the Oaxaca beaches along it range from world-class surf breaks to quiet coves backed by jungle. You’ll find turtle sanctuaries, mangrove lagoons and laid-back beach towns, all a world away from the big resort strips of the Caribbean side.

The best Oaxaca beaches are Zicatela and Carrizalillo in Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite along the central coast, La Entrega and Cacaluta in Huatulco, and the wild shores of Chacahua. Visit between November and April for dry, sunny weather.

The coast splits into three main areas. Puerto Escondido is the surf capital, the stretch around Mazunte and Zipolite is the most bohemian, and Huatulco is the most developed, with nine bays and 36 beaches inside a protected area. Here’s where to go in each one.

1. Playa Zicatela, Puerto Escondido

Zicatela is the most famous beach in Oaxaca, and it’s all about the waves. Surfers call it the Mexican Pipeline, and on big swell days its barrels can reach more than 20 feet (6 meters), drawing pros from around the world for international competitions. Even if you never touch a board, sitting on the sand at sunset to watch the surfers is one of the best free shows on the coast.

The currents here are strong, so Zicatela is for watching and surfing rather than swimming. The beachfront is lined with cafés, surf shops and small hotels, and the southern end, known as La Punta, has a gentler break and a relaxed, backpacker feel.

2. Playa Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido

Carrizalillo is a small, sheltered cove reached by a long staircase down the cliff, and the climb is part of the charm. The water is calm and clear, which makes it one of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido for swimming and one of the easiest spots on the coast for a first surf lesson.

You’ll find a handful of palapas renting chairs and umbrellas, plus simple restaurants serving fresh fish. Arrive early in high season, since the cove is small and fills up by late morning.

3. Playa Puerto Angelito, Puerto Escondido

Puerto Angelito is a pair of small bays with gentle water that’s ideal for families and snorkeling. Local fishing boats pull up on the sand, and you can hire one for a short trip along the coast.

To see several of Puerto Escondido’s beaches from the water in one go, this guided tour of Puerto Escondido heads out by boat, with a good chance of spotting dolphins and, in season, whales. Back on land, the turtle release experience on nearby Colotepec Beach lets you help newly hatched turtles reach the ocean. Both are easy to fit into a stay in town.

4. Mazunte

About an hour’s drive east of Puerto Escondido, Mazunte is a small beach town with a big reputation. Named a Pueblo Mágico in 2015, it’s home to the Mexican Turtle Center, which works to protect the sea turtles that nest along this coast. The main beach is a gentle curve of golden sand with calm water on most days.

Don’t leave without walking up to Punta Cometa, a rocky headland at the west end of town. It’s one of the best sunset spots in Oaxaca, and locals often gather there to applaud as the sun drops into the Pacific.

5. San Agustinillo

Tucked between Mazunte and Zipolite, San Agustinillo is the quietest of the three. Its long beach has softer waves at the western end, good for swimming and bodyboarding, and the village is a string of guesthouses and beach restaurants with no real crowds.

It’s an easy base for exploring the whole area, since Mazunte is a short walk away and Zipolite is just a few minutes by taxi.

6. Zipolite

Zipolite is one of the few beaches in Mexico where nudity is officially allowed, although plenty of visitors keep their swimsuits on. It has a free-spirited atmosphere, with yoga studios, open-air bars and long evenings on the sand.

The surf here can be powerful, so check the flags and stay close to shore. If you’re based in Huatulco, this Ventanilla, Mazunte and Zipolite tour covers all three stops in a single day.

7. Playa La Ventanilla

Just west of Mazunte, La Ventanilla is less a swimming beach and more a nature experience. A local cooperative runs boat trips through the mangrove lagoon behind the beach, where you can see crocodiles, iguanas and a huge variety of birds up close.

The open beach itself is wild and wave-battered, and it’s lovely for a walk. From Puerto Escondido, this Ventanilla and Mazunte day trip pairs the lagoon with time in Mazunte.

8. Playa La Entrega, Huatulco

La Entrega sits in Santa Cruz Bay and is one of the calmest beaches in Huatulco. A coral reef lies just offshore, so you can grab a mask and snorkel straight from the sand among colorful fish. The beach takes its name from a moment in Mexican history, as it’s where independence hero Vicente Guerrero was handed over to his captors in 1831.

For a guided session on the reef, book this snorkeling tour in Huatulco Bay, which includes gear and a guide who knows the best spots.

9. Playa Cacaluta, Huatulco

Cacaluta lies inside Huatulco National Park, and there’s no development on its sand at all. You reach it by boat or on foot along a trail through dry forest, and the reward is a long, empty beach with a small island just offshore.

The easiest way to see Cacaluta and the other protected bays is from the water. This Huatulco bay cruise stops for swims along the way. For a group, the private boat rental with skipper lets you set your own route between the bays.

10. Chacahua

West of Puerto Escondido, the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park protects a network of lagoons and mangroves that has been a national park since 1937. At the end of the lagoons, the tiny village of Chacahua sits on a wild stretch of beach with good surf and a handful of rustic cabins.

Getting there takes a combination of road and boat, so a guided trip saves a lot of planning. The Chacahua Lagoon day trip from Puerto Escondido handles the logistics. Closer to town, the night tour of the Manialtepec Lagoon takes you out on the water to see bioluminescent plankton glow around the boat.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Oaxaca’s Beaches?

The best time to visit Oaxaca’s beaches is the dry season, from November to April, when days are sunny, rain is rare and the sea is at its calmest. Air temperatures sit in the mid-80s°F (around 29°C) for most of the year, and the water stays warm enough to swim year-round.

The rainy season runs roughly from June to October, with short afternoon downpours and a higher chance of tropical storms, so it’s worth checking the forecast before you go. The upside is greener landscapes, fewer visitors and the peak of sea turtle nesting season on the central coast. Surfers also tend to find the biggest swells at Zicatela between May and September.

How to Get to the Oaxaca Coast

The coast has two airports, Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, both with domestic flights from Mexico City and some seasonal international routes. Many travelers combine the beaches with Oaxaca City, and a highway that opened in 2024 has cut the drive from the city to Puerto Escondido considerably, though travel times are worth checking before you set off.

If you’re staying in Oaxaca City and only have a day, this day trip to Puerto Escondido takes care of the long journey. It’s a full day, but it lets you see the coast without changing hotels. For everything else to see inland, take a look at these things to do in Oaxaca.

Oaxaca Beaches at a Glance

From the thundering waves of Zicatela to the reef at La Entrega, the Oaxaca coast rewards you for slowing down and moving between its very different corners. Pick a base, add a boat trip or two and leave room for a few sunsets. When you’re ready to plan the rest, Civitatis’s full catalog has ideas for every stop on the way.