Mazunte sits so close to San Agustinillo that calling it a “day trip” feels almost overstated — you can walk between the two villages in twenty minutes along the beach at low tide, or take a mototaxi for fifteen pesos. But despite the proximity, Mazunte has a distinct character: more countercultural, more organized around ecological tourism, with a handful of genuinely interesting things to do and see that San Agustinillo doesn’t offer. Going for a half-day or full day is one of the best uses of your time on this stretch of coast.
Getting There from San Agustinillo
The beach walk is the nicest option when the tide cooperates. Head west from San Agustinillo’s main beach, past the rocks at the end of the cove, and follow the sand. You’ll pass Playa Mermejita (a wild, largely unswum beach with strong currents — beautiful to look at, not ideal for swimming) before arriving at Mazunte’s main beach. The whole walk takes about 20–25 minutes on foot.
Alternatively, take a mototaxi from the main road in San Agustinillo. Flag one down — they congregate near the entrance to the village — and agree on a price before you get on. It should be 20–30 MXN per person for the short ride.
Collective taxis also run between Mazunte and San Agustinillo as part of the Pochutla–Mazunte route. Hail one heading west on the main highway, pay your 15–20 MXN, and ask to be left at the Mazunte entrance.
The Mexican Turtle Center (Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga)
This is the anchor attraction of any Mazunte visit, and it deserves more than a quick look. The Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga is a research and conservation facility that houses living specimens of all eight species of marine turtles found in Mexican waters — including the giant leatherback, the largest sea turtle in the world.
You walk through a series of large outdoor tanks and pools, each housing different species at different life stages. There are also freshwater turtle species, and occasionally other marine reptiles depending on what’s been rescued and is in rehabilitation. The facility is educational without being preachy, and the combination of being able to see live turtles up close alongside information about conservation efforts makes it one of the more affecting wildlife experiences on the coast.
Entry costs around 50 MXN (prices may adjust slightly — confirm at the door). The center is open Tuesday through Sunday from approximately 10 AM to 4:30 PM. Guided visits in Spanish are included; ask at the entrance whether an English guide is available, as this varies.
Spend at least an hour here, more if you’re interested in the conservation details. It’s run in conjunction with CONANP (the national protected areas commission) and the research happening on-site is legitimate.
Cosméticos Naturales Cosméticos Naturales / Body Shop of Mazunte
The other famous institution in Mazunte is its natural cosmetics cooperative. The village’s history is tied directly to cosmetics production — after the industrial harvesting of sea turtles for their oil was banned in 1990, the community faced economic collapse. A cooperative was formed with support from The Body Shop (which sourced ingredients here for years) to produce natural body care products from local plant materials: jojoba, coconut, lime, herbs.
Today the cooperative operates a small factory and shop in the center of the village where you can buy soaps, shampoos, body creams, lip balms, and essential oils at reasonable prices. The quality is genuine — these aren’t tourist trinkets but actually good products that the workers take pride in. A bar of soap runs 30–50 MXN, and the jojoba oil is particularly prized.
Even if you’re not a big shopper, stopping in to see the production space and understand how the cooperative model works is worthwhile. This is a community that rebuilt its economy from scratch after the turtle ban eliminated its main livelihood.
Punta Cometa
Punta Cometa is a rocky headland at the western end of Mazunte beach that is, by general agreement, the southernmost point of mainland Mexico — a geographical fact that gives the place a certain weight. In practice, it’s a stunning viewpoint above the Pacific with 270-degree ocean views, and at sunset it draws a nightly gathering of travelers, locals, and people who live in the village semi-permanently.
To reach it: walk to the western end of Mazunte beach and follow the path that climbs up through scrub vegetation. The trail is rocky in places but not technical. Allow about 15–20 minutes of uphill walking to reach the highest viewpoint. There are a few different promontories to explore.
If you’re visiting for the sunset, time your walk to arrive about 30 minutes before the sun touches the horizon. The crowd that assembles is friendly and informal — people bring drinks, guitars appear occasionally, and there’s a collective quiet that falls as the light changes. It’s one of those experiences that sounds clichéd until you’re actually there and the Pacific turns orange and gold below you.
Go early in the day for solitude. The views of the coastline extending toward Puerto Ángel in one direction and into Guerrero in the other are worth the climb at any hour.
Eating in Mazunte
Mazunte has a broader range of food options than San Agustinillo, including a few vegetarian-friendly cafés and smoothie spots that appeal to the village’s resident yoga/wellness community.
For breakfast, look for places near the main road serving fresh fruit bowls, granola with yogurt, and real coffee (espresso-based, not just instant). This is one of the few places on the coast where a proper flat white exists.
At lunch, the beachside palapas do the same fresh fish and ceviche you’ll find in San Agustinillo, but with slightly more competition, which means prices can be a touch lower in places.
The mezcal cooperative bar near the center of the village pours local production mezcal in tasting flights. It’s a good place to develop your palate for the regional variants — espadin, tobalá, and tepeztate if they have it.
The Market and Artisans
Mazunte attracts a mix of local artisans and travelers who’ve stayed long enough to start selling things. On weekends in particular, a small market assembles near the entrance to the beach with handmade jewelry, textiles, leather goods, and locally produced food items.
Quality varies — some of it is genuinely handmade and excellent, some of it is mass-produced goods that have drifted in from craft markets further north. Take your time and talk to the people selling. The ones who made what they’re selling are usually happy to explain their process.
Practical Notes
- Mazunte’s ATM situation is unreliable. Bring cash from Pochutla or Puerto Ángel.
- The beach at Mazunte has stronger surf than San Agustinillo and can have rip currents. Swim with caution and follow any posted flags.
- Punta Cometa trail is manageable in sandals but better in proper shoes — the rocks can be sharp.
- There are no formal tour operators needed for any of this. Everything is walkable or a short mototaxi ride.
A half-day in Mazunte covers the turtle center and the cosmetics cooperative. A full day adds Punta Cometa at sunset, a leisurely lunch on the beach, and an afternoon of wandering. Either way, it makes for one of the best days you’ll spend on the Oaxacan coast.
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