Puerto Escondido or Mazunte? – A different magical beach town

Puerto Escondido or Mazunte? Although Puerto Escondido is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Oaxaca, it’s not the only one with interesting attractions. Near the surfer’s paradise, there’s a magical town because of its energy. You’ll find it called Mazunte.

Along the entire Oaxacan Pacific coast, you’ll find beautiful beaches and magical towns. In any case, if you have a few days to explore, it’s always better to stay in a bigger town and explore the surroundings from there. When you’re planning your vacation, you can start in Puerto Escondido and then explore other parts of the coast from there.

Where is Mazunte?

Near the surfer’s paradise, there’s a town that is magical because of its size and energy. You’ll find it called Mazunte. According to legend, its name comes from the Nahuatl phrase “maxotetia” which means “please lay eggs here”. Only 67 kilometers from Puerto Escondido, this magical town has been used by turtles for years to lay their eggs. 

This Magical Town is 264 km from Oaxaca’s capital in the south. This is a small town near Puerto Escondido and Huatulco. This magical beach town’s main attractions are the natural cosmetics made in the area, the beach, the Mexican Turtle Center, and its cliffs that offer beautiful sunset views.

Mazunte can be reached by different ways from the closest and most popular cities.

Mazunte: how do I get there from Puerto Escondido?

Private transport

The first option is renting a car, which is easier but more expensive. It’ll give you more freedom, let you brake as many times as you want, and make you move more slowly. To get there, it will take you about an hour, and you can check out the different rental options here: Rent a car in Puerto Escondido | Pros and Cons

You can rent a scooter, which is similar to the previous one, but cheaper and a little more adventurous. In this area, you’ll see scooters everywhere. They’re cheap to rent, but you have to be careful because the roads are sandy or unpaved. Depending on how confident you are, it could be a great option since you can get places cars can’t. The trip can last between 1.5 hours and 2.5 hours. 

If you want private transport, you could take a taxi. Depending on the time of year and the number of passengers, it can cost anywhere from $800 to $1100. While this option isn’t cheap, it saves you from renting a car and ensures you get there quickly.

A cheap way to get to Mazunte from Puerto Escondido

For those who don’t have enough cash to rent a car or take a taxi, and who prefer to mix with the local culture and have a more authentic experience, you can take public transportation to Mazunte from Puerto Escondido. It’s not so complicated and everyone you ask will know how to respond kindly, even if it seems complicated.

The first thing you need to do is head towards the main road. Afterwards, you’ll have to wait for the bus going to Pochutla. The cost varies depending on the season, but it’s around $20mx. As soon as you get on, you ask the driver when you’re supposed to get off for Mazunte. As a result, the bus won’t drop you off in the town because you’ll have to take another transportation. The bus will drop you off in San Antonio, which is the one that’s still running. You can take a taxi or wait for another public bus that goes to the town (approximately 10km). Depending on how much time you have, you’ll know which alternative works best. There’s no doubt the bus will be cheaper. However, if it’s a shared taxi, the price can be the same.

Taking this last transport will leave you in Mazunte. If you want to go back, remember that public transport stops working after a while. Before planning your return, check with us so you don’t stay halfway back. When you drive your own car, this data doesn’t matter.

By public transportation, it’ll take you about two to three hours to get from Puerto Escondido to Mazunte. Remember that if you’re going for the day, you’ll want to leave early to take advantage of Mazunte’s magical atmosphere.

Getting to Mazunte by bus from Puerto Escondido

Getting to Mazunte by bus requires a bus ride from Puerto Escondido to Pochutla. Choosing ADO will give you the most comfortable ride, but Alta Mar offers trips for less than 100 MXN if you don’t mind sacrificing. Once you get to Pochutla, you need to take a taxi to Mazunte beach.

In Mazunte, what’s the best thing to do?

When you get to your destination, there are some things you can do. Getting lost in the small streets is the best way to discover a new place. Get pleasantly surprised by the little cafes, the murals, and the local plants. When we flow with the pace of an unknown place, our curious nature comes out and we learn a lot about it.

Puerto Escondido or Mazunte – What’s the real difference?

There’s a big difference between Mazunte and Puerto Escondido’s beaches. It’s much smaller, and its water is calm and placid because it’s a small bay. This is a great spot for swimming, relaxing, and resting. Various palapas, restaurants, and umbrella rentals are available on the beach, so you won’t burn.

Take a stroll along the beach, enjoy the calm sea, and snack on some delicious coastal seafood before heading to Punta Cometa for an unforgettable sunset. There’s no better spot in Mazunte than this. This involves walking along a cliff for no more than 10 minutes until you reach a perfect point where you can see the sun go down. Your jaw will drop when you see the view. There are kilometer after kilometer of open ocean, beaches with a panoramic view, and the sun that’s always behind the water. The kind of experience that deserves a magical town. 

In the evening, you can choose from a variety of restaurants in the town and toast your happiness. There’s something to suit everyone’s taste, and a quality gastronomic offer. 

What’s the weather like in Mazunte

The beautiful and warm beach in Mazunte is located in a tropical climate, so there’s a lot of heat. There’s an average temperature of 21°C and 599mm of precipitation a year. Summer is the rainy season, which lasts from May to October. We estimate it takes 200 days a year on average.

It’s best to visit Mazunte between January and April or November and December if you’re thinking about it. You’ll find a warm climate without tropical storms during these times.

Mazunte is most popular during Holy Week, September, and November, but we wouldn’t recommend visiting during these months. Mazunte’s weather in April is great for a vacation, but there will be a lot of people there for the festivities. That’s the same for September. As it’s still the rainy season in Mazunte, the weather isn’t great in September. In November and December, you’ll find the best weather, and these months are also popular for vacations for the national holidays and Christmas, but it’s not as crowded as April. There’s a chance of rain and bad weather in October, so you’d be better off waiting a few days and visiting in November, December, or January.