about Zipolite
The tranquil setting and laid-back atmosphere is why people like to stay in Mexico.
The area of Zipolite is amazing. This is a small town with 1 ATM and it only has one
main street. This is one of the many coastal pueblos you’ll find in the Southern state
called Oaxaca on the
Pacific coast. This is sometimes called the Oaxaca Riviera. And it stretches from
Puerto Escondido to Huatulco.
In the 1960s this area was discovered by the hippie movement. And it has evolved
over the years as a place off the beaten path. There’s an excellent beach that
stretches 1.2 miles which is pristine with two high cliffs at each end of it. You’ll find
liberals here as well as Mexican locals. There’s adventure seekers here and
those left over from the hippie generation too. There’s a big hippie style vibe here.
This area is much different from other areas which are now avoided due
to drug crimes. Oaxaca has been spared from the U.S. State Department
travel warnings. Zipolite is a different area and there’s no crime here at all so
it’s safe for travelers.
The area has some fame too as the Mexican movie “Y Tu Mama Tambien”
featured the beach area. The area is also a nude beach, but most of the
people here keep their clothes on. To the east there’s an outcropping
called “Playa de Amor” where there’s more open nudity taking place.
There’s no high-rise hotels here and much of the beach structures are
called palapas which are thatched-roof that feature no walls. They are
sort of an umbrella-shaped hut. The Brisa Marina was a wooden structure,
but it is now cement after a fire in 2001 destroyed it.
You won’t find the party atmosphere here like you would in Cancun. There is
night life here, but not quite as extreme as Cancun. People gather on the
beach and watch the sunsets and the bars and local restaurants have
entertainment and music. At night there’s a bit of a carnival atmosphere
on the main road where you’ll find jewelry makers and artists selling
goods. You can also find musicians, fire dancers, and jugglers performing
for tips.
How to Get In
45 Km from Pochutla is the Huatulco International Airport. You then
45 Km from Pochutla is the Huatulco International Airport. You then
go 12km to Puerto Angel where there’s taxis on the turn off at HWY 200.
The taxis come from the local town of Puerto Angel. You can walk, but
there’s no shoulder on the road. At Puerto Angel catch a camioneta to
go up to San Pedro Pochutla. Here you can catch a bus to the nearby
coastal cities as well as Oaxaca. You can also fly to Puerto Escondido
and take a bus or taxi from there.
Getting Around
Take a walk and go to local towns which are farther west along the coast.
Take a walk and go to local towns which are farther west along the coast.
At Mazunte, you’ll find a turtle museum. You can take a collectivo or taxi back.
What to Do
• Hit the surf – This area is popular for surfing.
• Go to a restaurant – You’ll find great places to eat and relax in the area,
• Hit the surf – This area is popular for surfing.
• Go to a restaurant – You’ll find great places to eat and relax in the area,
check out Alquimista restaurant in Zipolite, great food and vibe.
• Attend one of the occasional beach fires at night
• Go to Puerto Angel for snorkeling – Here you can see dolphins, whales,
• Attend one of the occasional beach fires at night
• Go to Puerto Angel for snorkeling – Here you can see dolphins, whales,
and sea turtles.
• Go on a river hike or rafting to Huatulco
• See crocodiles at Ventanilla
• Go on a river hike or rafting to Huatulco
• See crocodiles at Ventanilla
