'''Mazunte''' is a small village in Oaxaca.

Mazunte is a quiet beach that has been discovered by the traveller underground. Mostly patroned by European backpackers, a stay on the beach can cost between 3 and 15 dollars--a hammock to a private room with a view. Most accommodations are primitive, the beach is lined with restaurants. Most have happy hours--a time where you get two drinks for the price of one. Not much to do here except lounge and soak up the hypnotic sun and sights of pristine beach. This beach is safer to swim than neighboring Zipolite.

Get in

From Oaxaca City: Get a Bus to Pochutla (4 hours approximately). From Pochutla either get a taxi (around $8 USD) or take a "collective" to Mazunte (around $1 USD per person). These custom-made vans departure every hour or so. Pochutla is about 15-20 minutes from Mazunte.

Mazunte is about 40 minutes from Puerto Escondido and 1 hour from Huatulco, from both places you can take a taxi or a "collective".

From Mexico City: By plane: To Huatulco or Puerto Escondido. By bus: Go to south bus station Tasquena, take either a route to Oaxaca City-Pochutla-Mazunte (not connected), which is 10 hours total, or a direct route to Pochutla (14 hours, Estrella Blanca buses). The latter is a coast route that goes through the Guerrero state (passing by Acapulco) then makes a stop in Puerto Escondido, and finally arrives in Pochutla.

From Puerto Escondido: You can take a bus for about 40 pesos. The bus is in front of the Super Che supermarket, not at the bus station, although there is a more expensive bus there. Ask the driver to drop you off at Las Cruces de San Antonio. From here you can take taxi or collectivo (trucks with blue tarp roofing over back).

Get around

Mazunte is made up of the main road, bordered by a few restaurants, churches, and the soccer field and three dirt roads that all head to the beach. It is a very small, rustic village and very easy to navigate. In addition there is a road that shoots off of the first dirt road and winds up the hill to private homes and a few hill top palapas as well as the neighboring beach, Playa Manzanillo.

Mazunte is mainly a place where you can relax and enjoy the beach. Night life is almost non-existent and during day time, it's not nearly as noisy as neighboring Zipolite. Its main attraction, apart from the wonderful beach, is the Turtle Museum (National Mexican Turtle Center, also a turtle research center) and the Cosmeticos Naturales de Mazunte workshop/shop that sells environment-friendly cosmetics.

Down the main road, there's a great Italian restaurant; their pizzas are particularly delicious.

You can't miss watching the sunset from Punta Cometa, which can be reached on foot.

Fisher Men offer guided boat travels around the beach for $10 USD. You can get close to the turtles this way, dolphins or whales if you're lucky.

There are collectivo taxis to Pochutla for around ten pesos, as well as outfitted pick ups that make the trip for less. Pochutla market day is a Monday, although you will find fresh fruits and vegetables on any day.

See

From the tip of Punta Cometa you can watch both the sunrise and the sunset. There is a path up the hill along side the Alta Mira bungalows that is well signed.

At nearby Playa Ventanilla villagers will take you alligator watching in canoes.

Nudists and awesome waves at Zipolite (just don't go swimming!)

Do

''Arcades'': There is a store (abbarotes) that is on the corner of the dirt road that leads to Punta Cometa. It has several arcades outside of it for 1 peso per 8 minutes. Arcades are hacked Xboxes that play Game Boy Advanced games and other emulators and games.

''Molta'': It is everywhere. Don_Lt go looking for it. It will find you.

Buy

Cosmeticos Naturales de Mazunte operates a small storefront on the main road, just North of the first dirt road. They sell shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions, and natural bug repellent made from citronella oil.

For more information about the locally owned company: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KZH/is_2_18/ai_n13659599

Eat

Beach front palapas all have similar menus with similar prices. A good bet is to head to the one with the most people taking in the slow pace of life in Mazunte. Particularly recommended are the tlayudas, typical Oaxacan fare that cost 25 pesos and are big enough for two people. Also, try an agua fresca, you may have to wait a while but the combination of watermelon, lemon, and water on a hot day is well worth it.

If it is just too hard to get off the beach, there are plenty of vendors that come along with homemade tamales and deep fried tacos. If you have a sensitive stomach practice caution in your choices. The boho residents also sell homemade bread and cookies and these treats are highly recommended.

Drink

Sleep

  • ''Ataraya'' is a budget place to stay right on the beach. It s not the cleanest place but the people running the hostel and restaurant are very relaxed and friendly.
  • ''Carlos Einstein Hostel'' is a disgusting blue hostel right on the beach. The insides are always wet and filthy, the beds are full of spiders, whip scorpions, mosquitos, and sand, and the toilets/showers haven_Lt seen maintainance in thousands of years. Overpriced at 80 pesos a night per bed.
  • ''Miramar Cabanas'' is a great place with an amazing view. Cabanas or rooms for 200-250 pesos a night. Quite a hike from everything else but very quiet. Off of the road that leads to Punta Cometa. Look for the blue sign with cursive-like writing.
  • The best bet on a small budget is to find a place to drop your luggage and wander the small village looking for a place that suits your fancy. Rooms are cheap and there are deals to be had, as most places sharply lower their rates in the off season (basically from January to October). Most residents have rooms and palapas set aside for travelers, although they are very, very basic. On the plus side, you are free to share the households wood cookfire and will probably return home with many interesting stories. Another option is to accept a hammock or bed at one of the alternative community spots - there are a few mostly backed around a lagoon of sorts in the middle of the beach. For the most luxurious accomodations try the Alta Mira, the bungalows are steeply backed against the hillside with amazing views and nice tile work. Are they worth the forty dollars a night? Depends on your preference.

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