Share the article
Last updated
Looking for an idyllic retreat for some wonderful winter sun?
The answer used to be Oaxaca before cities like Puerto Escondido grew too fast.
But don’t worry; there’s a secret beach getaway where a hospitable community of laid-back locals welcome you with open arms.
Best known among the surfer and yogi community, don’t let the ‘hippie’ vibes put you off. You don’t need dreadlocks or pretzel-like flexibility to fit in here.
The small town Mazunte is home to around 1,000 residents and is a long way from Puerto Escondido or even the Huatulco coast as it has ‘hidden gem’ status.
Here you can expect wide-open beaches, small-town charm and cheap stays in this undiscovered paradise.
Puerto Escondido’s best Oaxaca alternative
Islands.com recently unveiled ‘Mexico’s best beaches’ – two in Oaxaca. You may be wondering why I’m only revealing one to you…
They claimed that Playa Carrizalillo is an alternative to Puerto Escondido, but that is not entirely true as it is just a stone’s throw from the city center.
Yes, it may be tucked away and only accessible by a steep hike, but it’s not even the locals’ favorite hideout, as they claim.
Puerto Escondido at one point became so popular that locals had to ‘fight back‘ to prevent tourists from flooding their beloved hometown.
That’s where Mazunte steps in, as there is no more secret in Puerto Escondido, including Playa Carrizalillo.
Mazunte is a sleepy haven, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. It’s the ultimate place to catch some waves, align your frequencies with countless yoga retreats, and simply relax along the beach or at waterfront restaurants with a cold. cerveza in hand.
Getting here is as easy as Puerto Escondido or any other hip coastal town around here. If you didn’t know, Oaxaca’s road systems have been much improved, so you can fly to Oaxaca City or Puerto Escondido, or even to the lesser-known Huatulco in comparison.
Travel Tip: There’s no bad time to visit Mazunte, so look out for Mexico’s exciting new train connecting Cancun to Oaxaca for the ultimate Mexican adventure!
Pristine beaches and cheap accommodation
Not to get into how Mexico is often misclassified as a dangerous no-go zone, but if Mexico certainly deserves credit for one thing, it’s preserving most of their beaches (hence why Americans so often move south of the border).
Mazunte is blessed with the honor of being one of many in Mexico pueblo magic.
For those who didn’t pass Spanish class, this means it is considered a ‘magic city’, worthy of recognition for its natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Natural beauty is the main draw as the beaches here are breathtaking. The disadvantage is that conditions are not always suitable for swimming, but you never hear surfers complain.
Walking along the picturesque shores of crashing waves and warm weather all year round never gets boring; it truly is a little piece of paradise away from Oaxaca’s more famous destinations.
Playa Rinconcito is the place to be, packed with casual bars and eateries with fantastic water views.
Better yet, there’s a secret cove for those who want to take a dip in the cool water instead of catching some waves.
More importantly, there is a lifeguard on duty and the beach is equipped with umbrellas, sun loungers and toilets.
But where should you stay?
Despite not being on the radar for many, there is a four star hotel here, the Zoa Hotel.
But your best value is staying at boutique hotels, often under $60 a night, such as Oceano Mar.
An emerging hotspot for digital nomads
Mazunte may still fly under the radar for regular travelers, but it’s no longer a secret in the world of digital nomads.
As winter approaches, more remote workers will be packing up in search of sun and sand, while Mazunte is one of Mexico’s emerging digital nomad destinations.
With a welcoming community, relaxed atmosphere, and affordable long-term lodging, there’s no better place to skip shoveling driveways than the peaceful coast of Mazunte.
It is well documented how Mexico is a staple of digital nomads. Mazunte is no different from checking off many boxes, such as:
- Plenty of cafes
- Cheap apartments ($330 – $600 on Airbnb in January)
- Even cheaper hostels
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
