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A little about Playa Zipolite, The Beach of the Dead . . .

Playa Zipolite, Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. A little bit about my favorite little get-away on this small world of ours.

Zipolite, a sweaty 30-minute walk west from Puerto Angel, brings you to Playa Zipolite and another world. The feeling here is 1970's - Led Zep, Marley, and scruffy gringos.

A long, long time ago, Zipolite beach was usually visited by the Zapotecans...who made it a magical place. They came to visit Zipolite to meditate, or just to rest.

Recently, this beach has begun to receive day-trippers from Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, giving it a more TOURISTY feel than before.

Most people come here for the novelty of the nude beach, yoga, turtles, seafood, surf, meditation, vegetarians, discos, party, to get burnt by the sun, or to see how long they can stretch their skinny budget.

I post WWW Oaxaca, Mexico, Zipolite and areas nearby information. Also general budget, backpacker, surfer, off the beaten path, Mexico and beyond, information.

REMEMBER: Everyone is welcome at Zipolite.

ivan

Thursday, November 5, 2026

From Puerto Escondido to Zipolite: how to get there (2026)

https://www.puerto-escondido.mx/es/2026/11/04/puerto-escondido-a-zipolite-como-llegar/

From Puerto Escondido to Zipolite: how to get there by bus, taxi or car

Zipolite is about 70 km east of Puerto Escondido , a 1 hour 15 minute to 1 hour 30 minute drive along Federal Highway 200. There's no direct bus, so getting from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite (or from Zipolite to Puerto Escondido) on a budget means taking a shared van to San Pedro Pochutla and then a short shared taxi to the beach. Faster options include a taxi or private transfer , your own car, or a day tour that combines Zipolite with Mazunte and Punta Cometa . Here's how each option works, and how to get back.

OptionTravel timeIndicative priceIdeal for
Collective to Pochutla + shared taxi1 h 30 – 2 h90–140 MXN per personTight budget and solo travelers
First-class bus to Pochutla + taxi1 h 45 – 2 h 15110–220 MXN per person + taxiSomeone who travels with a large suitcase
Taxi or private door-to-door transfer1 h 15 – 1 h 301,000–1,600 MXN per vehicleGroups, families, late arrivals
Own car or rented1 h 15 – 1 h 30150–250 MXN worth of gasoline per trip, excluding tollsVisit several beaches
Tour Mazunte – Zipolite – Punta CometaFull day, round tripPer person, transportation includedEasy day trip

These are indicative ranges for 2026, not published fares. Prices for shared taxis , buses, and taxis fluctuate with fuel prices and the season: confirm them before getting in.

Collective and bus: the cheap way to get from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite

Most locals and backpackers make the trip in two stages.Shared vans to Pochutla depart from the stops along Highway 200 in downtown Puerto Escondido every 20 to 30 minutes during the day; the trip takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. In Pochutla , transfer to a shared taxi or van with a sign for Zipolite or Puerto Ángel for the last 12 km, about 20 minutes. If you prefer a reserved seat, there are also first-class buses to Pochutla; check schedules on the official ADO website . Before you leave:

  • Bring small bills: drivers almost never have change for 500 pesos .
  • Ask for the correct stop: tell the driver you are going to Zipolite and ask to get off in the center or at the end of Roca Blanca.
  • Suitcases go with you: buses have little space, so a backpack is more practical than a suitcase.
  • Withdraw cash beforehand: in Zipolite there are few ATMs and they run out of money frequently; withdraw in Puerto Escondido or Pochutla.
Rocky coast of Puerto Escondido, starting point of the trip from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite
Puerto Escondido: Buses to Pochutla depart from the highway in the town center. Photo: Dante Muñoz via Pexels .

Taxi, private transfer or day tour

If you're traveling with luggage, children, or in a group, the door-to-door option pays for itself.A private transfer takes the coastal highway through San Agustinillo and drops you off at your hotel in Zipolite without any transfers:

  • Street taxi: agree on the price before getting in; a one-way trip usually costs between 1,000 and 1,600 pesos per car.
  • Private transfer: fixed price booked in advance, with pickup at your hotel or at Puerto Escondido airport .
  • Day tour: The tour to Mazunte, Zipolite and Punta Cometa includes transportation, so you just choose where to swim.
  • From Huatulco airport: Zipolite is closer to Huatulco (about 50 minutes) than to Puerto Escondido airport.
Aerial view of the Mazunte coast on the coastal road from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite
The coastal highway passes through Mazunte and San Agustinillo before reaching Zipolite. Photo: Hersom Alexander via Pexels .

Driving from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite

By car, take Highway 200 east, passing Santa María Colotepec and San Antonio . Just before Pochutla, the San Antonio junction leads down the coastal highway through Mazunte and San Agustinillo to Zipolite; another option is to continue to Pochutla and then take the road down to Puerto Ángel . The trip takes between 1 hour 15 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes , and there are no tolls.

Beware of speed bumps: they appear at the entrance to every town and aren't always painted. Avoid driving at night, when livestock and unlit curves are the main hazards, and fill up your tank in Puerto Escondido or Pochutla, as there are no gas stations along the coastal highway. Parking in Zipolite is informal on the main street; ask at your hotel if they have space.

Waves and rocks on the coast of Zipolite, the end of the road from Puerto Escondido to Zipolite
Zipolite: two kilometers of open beach with strong waves; swim only where the locals do. Photo: V Bawa via Pexels .

From Zipolite to Puerto Escondido: the return

The return trip is the same journey in reverse: shared taxi or van from Zipolite to Pochutla and then shared taxi or bus to Puerto Escondido. Leave Zipolite no later than 5 or 6 p.m. , as service decreases after dark and taxis charge more at night. If you're staying a few days, our guides to what to do in Zipolite and the complete Zipolite beach guide will help you plan your stay, and if your trip ends at Huatulco Airport , check out all the options between Huatulco and Puerto Escondido .

Sunset over the sea in Mazunte, on the return trip from Zipolite to Puerto Escondido
Sunset in Mazunte, a great last stop before heading back. Photo: Davis Arenas via Pexels .

Frequently Asked Questions

About 70 km by road, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes via road 200 and the coastal road.

With the route sorted, the fun part is deciding what to do when you arrive. Here are the best things to do in Zipolite.

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ivan