MAZUNTE AND PUERTO ANGEL AWAIT YOU

Mazunte and Puerto Angel Await You. If you are visiting Huatulco, a stop in Mazunte and Puerto Angel is a must. They are tranquil beach communities in Oaxaca and will transport you back into time.

Playa Panteon

Mazunte is about 30 miles away from Huatulco and if you love sea turtles, then there is no question that you must visit this town. Mazunte used to be the center of sea turtle hunting until it was banned in 1990. Now, the main industry here is sea turtle conservation and locally made cosmetic products. The company sponsoring the production of these products is The Body Shop. This has helped the town’s inhabitants have a sustainable livelihood.

The turtle center covers over 30 hectares and provides a sanctuary for all types of turtles. It is both a science and research center for turtles. Admission is free. The center provides incubation for sea turtle eggs and helps the baby turtles get back to the ocean when the time is right. In the month of May, thousands of sea turtles come to nest and hatch their eggs.

Mazunte has strict building codes. Anything being built in town must be made with natural materials and must blend in with the rest of the city’s architecture. Most of the buildings are low level and have a rustic flavor.

Mazunte is also home to many festivals such as the Mazunte Jazz Festival, Spring Equinox Festival and international dance exhibitions.

The beaches in the area are very beautiful. You can go to Principal Beach, Rinconcito Beach, Playa Bermejita and Playa Escobilla. Playa Escobilla Bay is home to the sea turtles who visit en mass to lay their eggs in the month of May and for several months afterward. You cannot visit this beach area during the sea turtle hatching season and it is heavily guarded with armed guards.

Puerto Angel is a truly tranquil spot on the Pacific Coast between Huatulco and Puerto Escondido. It is a fishing village that is home to many excellent restaurants serving locally caught fish. From here, you can visit Playa Panteon, Playa Estacahuite and Zipolite Beach. Playa Estacahuite is separated by rocks in three different places. The water is fairly calm and clear. It is wonderful place to snorkel but you will have to rent your equipment elsewhere. There is only one restaurant that is open during high season and they do not rent out snorkeling equipment.

You can visit a number of attractions in the area such as Laguna de Ventanilla. It got its name from a rock on the beach which has a small opening resembling a window. It is also home to a lagoon full of birds, reptiles and fish. It has a crocodile farm in which you can visit. You can travel by canoe in the lagoon and see these birds, iguana and crocodiles in their natural habitat. You can also go horse back riding on the beach. The area suffered a series of hurricanes and a lost most of their mangroves. A serious reforestation effort has been underway and the mangroves have sprung back to life.