Oaxaca is a state in Southern Mexico with beautiful coastal beaches, but less widely known among tourists than a state such as Quintana Roo where you will find Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
It is also less popular than the crowded Pacific coast in the north where you will find beautiful beaches near Puerto Vallarta, but you will also find the crowds.
Oaxaca is where you travel to if you want to escape and enjoy a more laid-back vacation.
It’s known for its history including pre-Columbian and Mesoamerican influences as well as indigenous cultures.
Oaxaca is famous for its highly sought-after surfing locations, beautiful beaches, archaeological structures, and quaint towns.
If you’d like to visit Mexico but in a less touristy location, the state of Oaxaca is a great option.
There are many amazing cities and towns to choose from.
But most importantly there are amazing beaches.
Here are the Top 12 Best Oaxaca, Mexico Beaches
1. Chacahua National Park
This beach is a bit of a stretch to get to, but it’s worth the trip.
Chacahua National Park is 51 square miles long with many lagoons and secluded beaches.
It can only be accessed by boat through mangroves and lagoons which makes it an exciting and gorgeous sightseeing adventure.
Different tour companies offer trips to the national park and because of its location, there are fewer tourists which means it’s much less crowded beaches : )
If you decide to make the trek, you won’t be disappointed by the sheer beauty.
The beaches here seem to go as far as the eye can see.
You can even swim with wild dolphins. There are quaint restaurants, shops, and hotels along the coast to enjoy your excursion.
If you only plan to go for the day, you can arrive in Puerto Escondido at the public pier and take the shared taxi boat to the park or purchase a guided and private tour.
No matter what option you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a good time at any of the secluded and magnificent beaches in the park. This is one of the most amazing and least populated Oaxaca, Mexico beaches.
2. Playa Zicatela
Speaking of Puerto Escondido, it has some of the best Oaxaca, Mexico beaches. If you’re thinking about visiting Chacahua National Park, you should also consider spending time in Puerto Escondido before or after your trip.
Playa Zicatela is the main beach in Puerto Escondido. It’s known for being the best surfing spot in Mexico and is one of the most famous places to surf worldwide.
People from all over make the trip here just to try out the waves.
On the northern end of this beach is the Pipeline where all the surfing takes place.
This area tends to have a very strong undertow, so be careful.
However, it is a great place to admire the surfers and relax on the beach, but it’s not safe for swimmers or even beginner or intermediate surfers.
The other end of the beach is much better for newer surfers as well as for swimming.
So be careful and make sure to read the signs before you enter the water.
3. Playa Bacocho
Located 10 minutes from the main city center of Puerto Escondido is Playa Bacocho.
There are several beach clubs along the shore including Villa Sol and Club de Cocos that have bars, restaurants, and even an outdoor pool.
The most popular part about this beach isn’t the clubs, it’s the turtles.
Each day around 5 pm, baby turtles are released on the beach and head to the ocean. The turtle nests are protected 24/7 and baby turtles are released the day they’ve hatched.
For roughly $30 you can release your own turtle which is a beautiful and amazing opportunity or you can just go and watch this wonderful occurrence.
4. Playa Mazunte
The town of Mazunte is a small village on the coast which is famous for its sea turtle population.
The state of Oaxaca is one of the top nesting areas for turtles. Playa Mazunte is a very popular place where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs somewhere between September and December.
In turn, the baby turtles all hatch and head into the ocean somewhat unanimously. It’s a beautiful occurrence and if you’re lucky enough to be there at the right time it’s an unforgettable experience.
The National Turtle Conservation Center is located in Mazunte and a really cool place to check out.
Other wildlife in Mazunte includes dolphins, crocodiles in the mangroves, and even whales.
Mazunte is known by tourists as a true Mexican beach town experience as it’s pretty far from Oaxaca City.
Yoga is a big activity in this town too. You can often find people silently staring at the ocean doing various poses.
There are even yoga studios that offer classes by donation so it’s a great way to try something new.
5. Playa San Agustinillo
Located only a town over from Mazunte in San Agustinillo.
Which also has an abundance of wildlife and beautiful beaches. San Agustinillo is slightly smaller than Mazunte and has a very relaxed and quiet vibe compared to some of the larger cities in Oaxaca.
The main beach known as Playa San Agustinillo is a relaxing spot as there are only a few amenities, restaurants, shops, bars, or hotels lining the shore.
There are nearby beaches on coves that are fun to explore and walk along as well. It’s not a town as well known among tourists yet which makes it a hidden gem in Mexico
Playa San Agustinillo has so much beauty it is worth seeing. It is one of Oaxaca, Mexico’s beaches you shouldn’t miss.
6. Playa Carrizalillo
This beach isn’t the biggest in Oaxaca, but it’s still mighty.
You can access the beach from the top of a cliff so it provides a beautiful and picturesque view.
Playa Carrizalillo is a cove on the ocean that’s very peaceful and relaxing which makes it the perfect spot to enjoy a warm Mexican day.
There are many stairs you will need to walk down to get to and from the beach so keep that in mind if you have any limitations. It is not the easiest to access.
It’s a great beach to swim in the calm ocean water or even take beginner surfing lessons as the waves are smaller and slower in this location.
The beach is located in Puerto Escondido but it’s a bit out of the way so you won’t see much action on the shore of this beach, especially because the cliff is the only access point.
It’s the perfect quiet beach if you’re looking for a beautiful spot to relax. The best Oaxaca, Mexico beach for relaxing and not seeing many people.
7. Playa Huatulco
This beach area is known for having several resorts, especially all-inclusive options.
Other than the fact that it’s a pretty popular area, it’s known for having seven bays.
The seven cove beaches are part of a national park and some can be pretty remote.
It’s possible to even have an entire beach to yourself if you’re willing to go out of town a bit and explore the hidden areas.
If you’re looking for a resort experience that isn’t Cancun or Cabos, Huatulco is a great option.
Mainly because it’s a bit less populated than the larger tourist areas but still provides that all-inclusive hotel experience that many people seek.
Are you the type of traveler that doesn’t enjoy getting out and exploring and you would rather stay at the resort than Playa Huatulco is what you are looking for?
8. Playa Puerto Angelito
Located in Puerto Escondido is the beautiful cove beach known as Playa Puerto Angelito.
The cove has a few fishing boats, calm waters, and many bars that line the shore to keep you entertained for a day.
You can relax, swim, and even snorkel.
In the crescent shaped bay are two beaches: Playa Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo.
Playa Puerto Angelito has great beachfront restaurants and bars to keep you full and hydrated while you relax and gaze upon the turquoise blue waters.
You can even jump on a boat tour along the coastline for roughly $7 or explore the rocky northern end of the bay on foot.
Snorkeling is a popular activity at this beach with exquisite coral, an abundance of sea animals, and clear turquoise water to explore.
9. Playa Manzanillo
On the southern end of the bay is Playa Manzanillo.
It has fewer activities and amenities than Playa Peurto Angelito but it’s a secluded and quiet beach for truly relaxing.
It still has some boats along the shore but much less than Playa Angelito. There are some shacks that serve cold drinks and local food which helps create the laid-back vibes on this beach.
Playa Manzanillo is a better place to swim than Playa Angelito because there are no waves so the water is calm.
There is much less commotion making it the perfect place to relax under the Caribbean sun.
10. Playa Zipolite
Mexico is known for having nude beaches and Playa Zipolite is no exception.
This “clothing optional” beach is low key and most people are in swimsuits so you won’t have to worry about it too much.
Although there is an annual Zipolite Nudist festival between late January and early February.
If you’ll be visiting within these dates, you might want to check when the festival is occurring if this isn’t quite your scene.
However, if you are looking for this type of unique experience though, you’ve come to the right place.
The beach is long with cliffs on both ends so it’s a very beautiful spot, especially to watch the sunrise or sunset.
The riptide is strong so it’s not the best place for swimming, but it’s great for sightseeing and relaxing in a laid-back location.
11. Playa Santa Cruz
This beach is located near the town of Crucecita. It offers many activities for visitors and it has a large pier where cruise ships dock.
It’s a great place for sightseeing and there are many restaurants, shops, and bars along the coast.
Different excursion opportunities include scuba diving, snorkeling, and renting jet skis.
The beach is long and a popular spot to relax and explore the area.
If you want to spend time in the sand but also explore the town, this is a great option.
You can grab a drink or dine on the shore and then cool off in the water, offering the best of both worlds.
12. Playa La Entrega
This beach is located in Huatulco and is a wonderful snorkeling spot.
It’s rich in sea life and the water is crystal clear making it easy to view the colorful marine animals.
There is a coral plate where the best snorkeling takes place and boats are prevented access to make it easier for people to swim and snorkel the area.
Snorkel gear is available for rent in various locations along the beach and you’ll even find seafood restaurants and other places along the shore.
Playa La Entrega is a great beach in Oaxaca but if you couldn’t tell already by this list, there are so many options to choose from. Oaxaca, Mexico beaches are some of the best in Mexico.
Oaxaca is a relatively untapped state in Mexico by the mass of tourists and makes for a great destination vacation.
As you can see, Oaxaca is a paradise state.
It has beautiful beaches, bays, and lagoons to discover and explore.
It’s one of the best places to surf around the world and it has amazing marine life, especially sea turtles.
Oaxaca is one of the best places to visit for a more authentic Mexican experience while still being populated with restaurants, bars, and shops for visitors.
There are truly some unique and beautiful beaches to experience which makes it all the more perfect.
Oaxaca Mexico beaches are some of the best around and you would be foolish to not want to check them out.
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