Day Trips from Oaxaca Coast. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Coastal Towns: Mazunte, Zipolite, San Agustinillo, and Puerto Angel are closely situated. Travel from Puerto Escondido (1-1.5 hours) or Huatulco (1.5-2 hours) by shared taxi or regular taxi. Visit multiple towns on one day, experiencing Mazunte's eco-conscious vibe, Zipolite's bohemian ambiance, and San Agustinillo's family-friendly beaches.

National Parks & Lagoons: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, accessible from Puerto Escondido, welcomes visitors for wildlife viewing and a rustic setting. Laguna de Manialtepec, near Puerto Escondido, is famous for bioluminescence, visible during evening tours on dark nights. Ventanilla Lagoon, near Mazunte, features community-run ecotourism with boat tours through mangroves, offering crocodile and bird sightings.

Inland Escape

Pluma Hidalgo: This mountain town is a 1-1.5 hour drive inland. It is known for its coffee plantations. Tours provide insight into the coffee process and offer fresh Oaxacan coffee tastings.
Transportation: Shared taxis are common and economical for coastal inter-town travel. Regular taxis offer direct, flexible transport.
Rental Car: A rental car offers exploration flexibility for secluded spots or independent multi-town visits.
Organized Tours: Operators in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco offer excursions to popular day trip destinations. These tours simplify logistics with transport and a guide. Book your day trips.

Planning Your Day

Consider how you prefer to travel and how much time you have for each excursion.

Organized Tour Advantages

Tours simplify travel, often including transport and a guide. The itinerary is set, removing planning efforts. This can be a good option for evening tours, like bioluminescence experiences.

Time Required & Itineraries

Mazunte/Zipolite/San Agustinillo: Half to full day. Visit San Agustinillo for swimming, Mazunte for the Turtle Center and eco-shops, then Punto Cometa for sunset.
Chacahua National Park: Full day (6-8 hours). Includes travel to Zapotal and boat tour.
Manialtepec Lagoon (Bioluminescence): Evening trip, 3-4 hours total.

Independent Travel Benefits

Independent travel offers flexibility, allowing you to choose how much time to spend at each location. It is generally more economical when using shared public transport. This option provides an authentic and adventurous way to travel.

Additional Excursions

Ventanilla Lagoon: Half-day trip (2-3 hours), including the mangrove boat tour.
Pluma Hidalgo (Coffee Plantations): Half to full day, depending on visits. The drive contributes to the experience.

Natural Escapes on the Coast

Pristine Environments

Parks and Reserves: Lagunas de Chacahua National Park and Huatulco National Park protect coastal ecosystems, offering wildlife observation and immersion in nature.
Scenic Landscapes: Coastal cliffs, pristine coves, and mangrove lagoons display unique natural beauty.
Diverse Terrain: Beyond main beach towns, explore quiet coves within Huatulco National Park, or venture inland to the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains for cooler temperatures and coffee regions.

Seasonal Wonders

Whale Migration: From December to March, boat tours from Puerto Escondido and Huatulco witness humpback whales.
Sea Turtle Nesting/Hatching: Generally from August to December, participate in sea turtle release programs by local conservation groups.
Bioluminescence: Manialtepec Lagoon offers bioluminescence, best seen during the dry season (November-May) on moonless nights.

Cultural Excursions

Historical Sites: The immediate Oaxaca Coast lacks major pre-Hispanic or extensive colonial historical sites. For these, a multi-day trip to Oaxaca City is a fine choice.
Rural Villages: Pochutla, a bustling, non-touristy commercial hub, offers a taste of a traditional Mexican town.
Coffee Plantations: In the Pluma Hidalgo region, coffee plantations welcome visitors for tours into Oaxaca's renowned coffee cultivation and processing.
Pilgrimage Sites: No major pilgrimage sites are on the immediate Oaxaca Coast.

Travel Tip

For archaeological or extensive historical sites, consider a multi-day extension to Oaxaca City.

Multi-Day Extensions

Add a few extra days to your Oaxaca Coast itinerary to explore other fascinating regions of Southern Mexico.

Oaxaca City

A highly recommended cultural extension. Allow at least 2-3 full days to experience its rich cultural offerings.

San Cristobal de las Casas

While further afield in Chiapas, San Cristobal de las Casas combines for an extensive trip covering different Southern Mexico regions.

Logical Next Destinations

After the Oaxaca Coast, Oaxaca City is a natural and rewarding next stop. San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas connects well by bus from Huatulco.

Coastal Connections

Direct buses (ADO, OCC) are available from Puerto Escondido and Huatulco to Oaxaca City. The journey takes 6-8 hours through winding mountain roads. Short flights from PXM or HUX to Oaxaca City (OAX) also serve for quicker travel.

Huatulco to Chiapas

Direct bus routes connect Huatulco to San Cristobal de las Casas.
Consider continuing exploration of other Mexican Pacific coast areas into Guerrero.
A common and rewarding itinerary involves flying into Oaxaca City, spending 3-4 days, then a bus or flight to the Oaxaca Coast for 4-7 days.

Extended Regional Travel

A journey provides a comprehensive experience of both culture and beach life. From the coast, you could then fly back to Mexico City for onward travel or continue your journey south into Chiapas.

Popular Options

Fly into Oaxaca City, spend 3-4 days there.
Take a bus or flight to the Oaxaca Coast for 4-7 days.
From the coast, fly back to Mexico City for onward travel or continue south into Chiapas.

Integrated Regional Experience

This combination offers a diverse and rich experience.

It covers both Oaxaca's Pacific coast and its cultural heartland.

The journey from coast to mountains is part of the adventure.

Explore traditional towns and bustling markets.

Savor Oaxacan cuisine, from coast to inland.

Engage with local artisans and cultural traditions.

Consider Local Flights

Local flights can save travel time between Oaxaca City and the coast.
Check airline schedules for PXM to OAX or HUX to OAX.
Buses offer a scenic route but can be lengthy.
Book tickets in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Always carry essential documents and keep valuables secure during travel.

Day Trips from Oaxaca Coast