These 13 Oaxaca Beaches Made Me Fall in Love With Mexico’s Coast

I’ve always loved Mexico, but it was Oaxaca that truly got under my skin. I spent nearly a year making my way through the country, but I kept coming back to this wild, sun-soaked stretch of Pacific coastline. 

There’s just something magnetic about it: the way the jungle gives way to golden sand, the laid-back rhythm of the surf towns, the beautiful (albeit winding) mountainous bus journey that carries you from Oaxaca City down to the coast. 

Of all the places in Mexico, I spent the most time here beach-hopping, swimming, surfing and chasing sunsets. These are the 13 beaches in Oaxaca that stuck with me long after the sand washed off.

Carrizalillo was one of the first beaches I fell for in Oaxaca and is still one of my favorites. It’s a small, sheltered bay just outside central Puerto Escondido, but you have to earn it: 160 steep stone steps down from the clifftop. 

Once you get there, it’s worth the adventure. The water is a clear turquoise, the waves are gentle enough for beginner surfers and there are a few laid-back palapas along the sand selling cold beers and grilled fish.

I’d usually grab a spot under a palm umbrella and watch surf lessons all afternoon, then swim out to where the waves break soft and slow. Locals come here with families, and the vibe is mellow, even in high season. Go for golden hour if you can only visit once. 

Zicatela is where I first really understood how serious surfing is in Oaxaca. This beach isn’t messing around here — the waves are massive, fast and almost hypnotic. It’s home to the famous Mexican Pipeline, and you’ll often see pro-level surfers carving through these walls of water like it’s nothing.

Even if you’re not getting in the water, Zicatela is an experience. There’s a long, walkable stretch of golden sand and loads of beach bars and restaurants lining the shore. I used to grab a tlayuda and a cold michelada from my favorite beach shack (shoutout to El Cafecito) and just post up to people-watch.

You won’t swim here (it’s too rough) but the energy is addictive. Especially at sunset, when the sky turns ridiculous shades of orange and everyone heads to the water’s edge to take it all in.

Bacocho is where I’d go when I needed a bit of peace and space to breathe. Fun fact: I spent hours here reflecting on my then-recent breakup and it was arguably the most healing beach of all. 

It’s only a short moto ride from downtown Puerto Escondido, but it feels worlds away from the buzz of Zicatela. This beach is wide and wild, usually with only a few people scattered along the shore and it’s perfect for long, barefoot walks with just the sound of crashing waves for company.

The current is strong, so swimming isn’t the best idea, but the sunsets are next-level. I came here more than once to watch baby turtles get released into the ocean by the local conservation group — tiny, flapping little things making their way into the surf. 

You’ll find a few bars nearby, like Coco’s, where you can sip a mojito with your toes in the sand. It’s a beach that feels good for the soul.

I only planned to stay here a couple of nights and ended up here for a whole week. The beach itself is long and gently curving, with golden sand and that perfect balance of chilled-out yet still alive with a bit of energy. It’s swimmable most days (though you’ll want to keep an eye on the current) and you’ll often find travelers and locals alike stretched out under palapas or playing beach volleyball as the sun goes down.

There’s a little cluster of cool spots just behind the beach like smoothie bars, crystal shops and places selling fresh ceviche and mezcal cocktails. I had my morning routine down: swim, hammock, late breakfast, repeat. If you’re there in November, don’t miss the International Turtle Festival. It’s small but surprisingly fun and brings the whole town together.

Just a short walk from the center of Mazunte, Mermejita feels like a secret, even though it’s technically no longer hidden. The beach is wild and windswept, with dark-gold sand and strong, moody waves that crash dramatically against the rocks at either end. It’s not really for swimming (too rough most days) but the solitude here is something else.

I’d come here in the late afternoons, usually with a cold drink and a book, and just sit on the sand until the sky started turning pink. You won’t find any beach bars here, just a handful of eco-lodges and maybe a few other people quietly soaking it in. 

San Agustinillo is a sleepy little stretch of coast that I stumbled upon by accident while walking from Mazunte. It’s basically one road that runs along the beach, with low-key guesthouses, seafood shacks and surfboard rentals dotted along the way. The beach itself is clean, uncrowded and usually has just the right kind of waves for a beginner/intermediate surfer like me.

I loved mornings here: soft sun, a bit of a breeze and the smell of coffee and pan dulce drifting from the cafés. It’s also one of the few places where I swam without worrying too much (there are some gentler spots along the bay if you don’t want to surf). Evenings were all about fish tacos and playing cards under string lights.

Ah, Zipolite — the famous clothing-optional beach where absolutely anything goes. I wasn’t sure what to expect the first time I came here, but the vibe surprised me: it’s far more laid-back than party-heavy, with a warm, come-as-you-are energy that feels kind of freeing. The beach is long and wide, great for walking (or strutting, if that’s your thing), and the waves are powerful but not always dangerous, though still worth being cautious.

There are cool beach bars like El Alquimista and a few low-lit mezcalerías up the hill if you’re feeling social at night. And, don’t worry — you don’t have to go nude! 

Getting to La Boquilla takes a little effort — you’ll need to drive or boat in from Puerto Ángel — but that’s half the appeal. It’s one of those tiny, tucked-away coves that still feels untouched, like a little corner of the coast where time hasn’t really moved on. The sand is coarse and golden, the water’s calm and swimmable and the whole place is cradled by jungle-covered cliffs. It’s quiet, even on weekends.

When I was there, I ended up sharing the beach with maybe five other people and a friendly dog who kept trying to join me for a swim. There’s one or two little restaurants right on the sand (super rustic, plastic tables in the shade kind of deal) where I had some of the freshest grilled fish of my trip.

Just a short drive from Puerto Ángel, Estacahuite feels like it should be way more famous than it is. It’s a horseshoe-shaped beach with calm, clear water and really good snorkeling right off the shore. I borrowed a mask and snorkel from my guesthouse and spent ages floating over coral.

The beach is pretty small, but it’s got a nice balance: a few seafood restaurants with ice-cold beers, a handful of shaded spots to chill and barely any crowds. The road down is a little rough, but totally doable. If you’re the kind of person who prefers a low-key day to a big beach scene, this one hits the sweet spot.

Tucked between Bacocho and Carrizalillo, Playa Coral feels like a private escape — even though it’s very public. The trick is getting there: you either walk down from Hotel Villa Mexicana or take a longer route through the backroads. Once you arrive, though, it’s worth every step. The beach is quiet, the sand is soft and there’s a chilled-out beach bar where I had a surprisingly good burger and one of the strongest margaritas I’ve ever met.

Swimming can be hit-or-miss depending on the current, but there are usually calm patches. I loved coming here in the late afternoon, just after the heat started to dip and the whole beach would take on this lazy, golden glow.

If you’re looking for a beach near Puerto Escondido where you can actually swim without worrying about the current dragging you halfway to Japan, Playa Manzanillo is it. It’s nestled right next to Puerto Angelito, but somehow it feels a bit more tucked away.

I came here on hot afternoons when I wanted a proper dip: the water is calm and clear and the bay is nicely protected. It’s popular with families and local kids doing cannonballs off the rocks, but it never felt too crowded. There are a couple of beach shacks selling cold beers and crispy fish tacos, and I usually ended up staying longer than I planned. Bring a snorkel if you’ve got one — the rocky edges of the cove are surprisingly lively with fish.

Agua Blanca was one of those spots I almost didn’t visit — and I’m so glad I changed my mind. It’s a quiet stretch of coast about 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido, with strong surf out back and natural rock pools that form at low tide. I spent hours soaking in the warm, shallow pools while pelicans glided overhead and locals fished just off the rocks.

There are a few palapa restaurants lining the sand, serving up shrimp cocktails, whole grilled fish and fresh coconut water. It’s not a big tourist destination, but that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s low-key, mostly local and totally chill. If you’ve got a car (or don’t mind a colectivo ride), this is a dreamy day trip.

Puerto Angelito might be small, but it punches well above its weight. It’s tucked into a sheltered cove just a short walk from central Puerto Escondido, and it’s the kind of place that feels like a local secret — early in the morning, it’s all fishermen, paddleboarders and the odd dog chasing waves.

I did a sunrise dolphin-watching trip from here and it was genuinely one of the best mornings I had in Oaxaca. We were out on the water before the sun cracked the horizon, with the sky slowly turning peachy pink and dolphins skimming the surface all around the boat. When I got back, I grabbed a coffee and sat on the sand watching the bay come to life.