At Peace with the Sea Turtle

A reconciliation with the sea turtle is one of the highlights in the history of Mazunte, a heavenly, peaceful destination on the coast of Oaxaca. In the mid 20th century, sea turtles traditionally settled here to lay their eggs, but both their meat and eggs were a prized food for the surrounding communities. After the complete ban on the hunting of sea turtles came into force in 1990, a large museum was built in Mazunte where the care of these stunning creatures is now promoted. Since the founding of the museum, Mazunte has begun to stand out not only by virtue of the beauty of its surrounding beaches, but as a destination developing sustainable strategies and care for the wider natural environment. 

Mazunte clearly demonstrates that you don't have to put the natural environment at risk in order to enjoy yourself as a tourist. Without the infrastructure of large hotel chains, Mazunte offers low-cost, rustic alternatives, always prioritizing respect for the environment.  Furthermore, this town has had the vision to include within their tourist offerings various cultural events such as the Spring Equinox Festival, which includes international dance exhibitions and jazz concerts. Another delight awaiting you on your visit to Mazunte is a traditional dish of needlefish. For the more conservative palate, restaurants with regional, Mexican and international dishes can also easily be found. 

Mazunte boasts several beautiful beaches: Principal beach, Rinconcito beach and Bermejita beach are the closest, whereas further down the coast, you'll find Aragon beach, San Agustinillo beach and Ventanilla beach, all of which are ideal for water sports or just to relax and while away hours on the sand. One of the unmissable sights of Mazunte is Punta Cometa, the highest mountain in the south Pacific. Many visitors to this mountain claim it possesses unique energetic qualities; what is certain is that it sets the scene for some spectacular sunrises and sunsets, as migrating bird species settle in the trees to roost.