Headed to the Oaxaca coast to spend a few days on the sand? Check out two of the most beautiful beaches in the area: Zipolite Beach and San Agustinillo.

Playa Zipolite is known as a clothing optional beach and it’s perfect for relaxing in a hammock on the sand. Nearby San Agustinillo Beach is known for it’s boutique hotels, beachfront restaurants, and beginner surf spots.

This travel guide will fill you in on two wonderful beaches near the more popular Mazunte Beach: Zipolite Beach and San Agustinillo Beach.

Both beaches are very close to Playa Mazunte and share the same natural beauty of that area of the Oaxacan coast. But while Mazunte has very little waves and few actual beachfront accommodations, Playa Zipolite and San Agustinillo have beginner surfing spots and tons of places to stay right on the beach.

Looking for more things to do on Oaxaca’s coast? Check out all our Oaxaca posts and these:

• Mazunte Beach: Mexico’s Next Hotspot
• The Ultimate Guide to Puerto Escondido
• Visiting the Untouched Paradise of Puerto Suelo
• Swim in Glowing Water at Laguna Manialtepec
• Explore Huatulco’s Hidden Bays

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How to get to Playa Zipolite and San Agustinillo

The nearest airport in Huatulco (HUX), about a 1-hour drive east of Playa Zipolite. There’s another airport nearby in Puerto Escondido (PXM), about 1 hour and 30 minutes west of Zipolite.

Find a cheap flight and book a low-priced rental car, then drive along the Oaxacan coast to Zipolite Beach (only 2.5 miles east of San Agustinillo).

To drive from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite, take highway 200 to the Tonameca intersection with highway 175 where an Oxxo is located. Turn toward the beach and continue along 175 until you hit Mazunte, then San Agustinillo, and finally Playa Zipolite.

To get from Huatulco to Playa Zipolite by public transportation, take a colectivo to Pochutla for around $50 pesos. From there, the local pasajeros (shared transport trucks) can take you to Playa Zipolite for about $25 pesos.

To get from Puerto Escondido to Playa Zipolite by bus, take buy an OCC bus ticket or take a colectivo to Pochutla for about $45 pesos. Ask to be dropped off at Tonameca (intersection of highways 200 & 175). From there, you can take a private taxi or shared pasajero to Zipolite.

Get your bus tickets online here.

For more information about using buses in Mexico, check out our Essential Guide to Mexico’s ADO Bus System.

Another option is to hire a private taxi from either Huatulco or Puerto Escondido to take you directly to your accommodations. The prices can fluctuate a bit, maybe around $500 to $700 pesos per taxi. Make sure to verify the cost in advance before getting in the car.

If you’re short on time but still want to visit Playa Zipolite, you can take this day tour from Huatulco to Zipolite or this day tour from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite.

Getting Around Playa Zipolite, Playa San Agustinillo, and Playa Mazunte

Although you can walk from Playa Zipolite to Mazunte (or San Agustinillo), and some people do, we don’t recommended because it’s a long (about 45 minutes) non-pedestrian-friendly walk on a road with cars speeding by, numerous blind curves, and no sidewalk (yes, I’m talking from experience, a very dim-witted experience).

Instead, take a taxi or pick up a pasajero on the main road (175) near the western end of Zipolite. They stop at all the beach towns along this stretch of coast.

Playa Zipolite (Zipolite Beach)

Playa Zipolite (Zipolite Beach) is best known as Oaxaca’s nudist beach and is a popular hangout for old-school hippies and tourists hoping to get rid of unsightly tan lines.

Although nude sunbathing is not legal in Mexico, it is accepted here and you will probably see at least some nudists waking around Zipolite Beach. But nudity is optional and the majority of people on Zipolite are clothed. This laid-back town doesn’t really care what you are (or are not) wearing!

Playa Zipolite has the longest stretch of sandy beach in the area. You can swim without much of a problem or rent a surfboard to hit the beginner waves. They’re nothing special: a bit choppy at times and no pipeline here, but still plenty to have some fun on.

For some serious surfing fun, you’re better off going a bit north to the Mexican Pipeline in Puerto Escondido. You can easily visit both areas in one trip too!

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Puerto Escondido

Where to Stay in Playa Zipolite

There are plenty of places to stay in Zipolite, ranging from hostels to boutique hotels to vacation rentals. The best part is that most are just steps away from beautiful Zipolite beach.

Playa Zipolite Hotels

Hotel Descalzo: Beautiful, rustic bungalows, with modern amenities, hidden in a lush garden just steps from the sand on Playa Zipolite. This hotel is a Zipolite favorite and offers a swimming pool and restaurant and bar on the beach.

Villa Aikia: An adults only beachfront hotel with air-conditioned suites, swimming pool, and restaurants on a secluded cove next to Playa Zipolite. It has modern interiors with gorgeous design and access to one of the best beaches in the area.

Posada Mexico: Beachfront cabins with terraces and hammocks right in the middle of Playa Zipolite and close to the main street.

Lo Cósmico: Highly-rated, budget-friendly palapas nestled amongst a hill overlooking the beach with terraces and hammocks.

Zipolite Rentals

VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) rentals are an excellent option for finding a place to stay in and around Zipolite. Vacation rentals offer a better value compared to most hotels and you get to experience life like a local.

Where to Eat in Playa Zipolite

Playa Zipolite has more beachfront options than either Mazunte or San Agustinillo. And although all three are quite affordable, Playa Zipolite had the lowest price level out of the three.

One of the best spots for affordable food and accommodations is called A Nice Place on the Beach. I love their slogan: “Where people come to do nothing.” They have a full menu featuring breakfast, seafood, traditional mexican fare, and some asian-inspired dishes. All at very reasonable prices..

And next door you’ll find Hotel El Paraiso Beachside Bar, a small beachfront bar with about a dozen hammocks lined up on the beach. The service was great and we thoroughly enjoyed spending a couple hours there swaying in the ocean breeze.

Other restaurants in Playa Zipolite include La Providencia which gets rave reviews and serves quality mezcal – but is not located on the beach. If you want to keep your feet in the sand, check out El Alquimista‘s various seafood, pastas, burgers, and more. For quality seafood in the heart of Ziploite, go to Piedra de Fuego.

Don’t pass up the Orale Café for one of the highest-rated breakfasts in Zipolite.

Playa San Agustinillo

We loved both Mazunte and Playa Zipolite, but San Agustinillo was our favorite spot of the area. Although it’s not within walking distance to Playa Zipolite, you can easily walk back and forth between Mazunte and San Agustinillo.

During our visit, the accommodations were a bit tight in Mazunte due to Mazunte’s Annual Jazz Festival. So we walked 20-minutes south to San Agustinillo. It was perfect for us because we could enjoy Mazunte and still easily get back to our more comfortable hotel and larger beaches in San Agustinillo when we wanted to. We walked back and forth on this stretch numerous times, day and night, without the slightest bit of problems.

If you’re not much for walking, trucks with benches in the back act as shared taxis (called pasajeros). They’ll will take you between San Agustinillo and Mazunte for $10 pesos.

Where to Stay in San Agustinillo

Along the wide stretch of beach in San Agustinillo, there are hotels and restaurants. Plenty of them beachside with air conditioning and restaurants in the lobby area.

San Agustinillo Hotels

Casa Bagus: is a very well maintained property with well-decorated rooms that are right on the beach.

Casa Cometa :has an outdoor pool and some rooms include a balcony. Unlike a lot of places, this one actually looks like the photos online.

Posada Paloma: They have standard rooms as well as a room with a full kitchen, table, and a nice patio. There is a small restaurant onsite and the staff is excellent.

And even though it’s technically in Mazunte, if you really want to escape to a luxurious retreat, then Casa Pan de Miel is for you. This clifftop resort is in its own quiet area and has views for days.

Rentals in San Agustinillo

There are plenty of VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) rentals in and around San Agustinillo.

San Agustinillo: Where to Eat and Things to Do

The restaurants in San Agustinillo had fairly high prices for Oaxaca. Head back to Mazunte or Playa Zipolite for cheaper options. But the views are great and there is plenty of fresh seafood.

Our favorite restaurant in San Agustinillo is the beachfront pizza place, La Termita, which was always busy and had decent pizza for a decent price. Make sure to get there right at opening time or you might face a long wait.

La Mora Posada has the best breakfast in town, while La Ola is the place to go for seafood.

During the day, you can rent a surfboard for about $500 pesos a day or take a one-hour lesson for the same price. With a few different coves, San Agustinillo’s waves change dramatically through the day. Sometimes nearly nonexistent and others somewhat sizable (3-4 feet or 1 m).

And the beaches are perfect for a nice dip – or maybe a quick snorkel during the calm hours. There’s also a great set of rocks to climb on.

If you’re looking to relax, then Hridaya Yoga might be your spot. This yoge retreat sits at the top of the hill between Mazunte and San Agustinillo, offers a variety of yoga lessons and treatments (including silent retreats), and has free yoga sessions daily at 7pm.

Puerto Angel is another area just southeast of Playa Zipolite. If you want to switch things up and slow things down a bit, head over here to expore for a day. The pasajeros pass by regularly.

What to Pack for Playa Zipolite and Agustinillo

Before you head out, make sure you have all that you need. Our top Playa Zipolite essentials are:

• Thinksport Ocean-Safe Sunscreen: Protect your skin without polluting the water you swim in. This affordable sunscreen has the best of both worlds.
• Ultimate Towels Travel Towel: Compact towels that are easy to travel with yet still perfect for a day at the beach. This brand is loved by many.
• Witz Waterproof Case: Don’t leave your wallet behind on the beach. Take it with into the water with this bite-sized case. If you prefer to keep more valuables dry, then go for our favorite brand of dry bags: Sea to Summit!

Final Thoughts on Playa Zipolite and Playa San Agustinillo

Still can’t make up your mind? Mazunte’s vibes and views from La Punta sound nice, right? And maybe an afternoon or two relaxing on a hammock on Zipolite Beach. But you also want to eat at good restaurants and try surfing in San Agustinillo? Well, try them all!

Stay in San Agustinillo for the most central location. You can even hang out at La Punta Cometa for a nice sunset and still walk back to your hotel. Honestly, it doesn’t matter where you stay. During the daytime, you can easily get around between all three places. The important thing is that you go here.

Check out our other articles on the Oaxaca coast:

• Escape Reality at Mazunte Beach
• Ultimate Guide to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
• How to Visit the Untouched Paradise of Puerto Suelo
• Swim in Glowing Water at Manialtepec Lagoon
• Exploring the Beautiful Bays of Huatulco by Boat

Have you visited Playa Zipolite and Playa Agustinillo? Leave us a comment below!

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