Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, where to go and what to do
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August 28, 2025
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, where to put on your wish list
Torn between these two beach towns on the Oaxacan coast? We're going to help you out...
A note on Oaxaca
Oaxaca's beautiful coastline is one of the country's fastest-growing tourist destinations. Some towns, such as Puerto Escondido, are already well-established. Others are still on their way, enter Mazunte.
These towns are only about an hour away from each other, but in terms of things to do they're worlds apart. Puerto Escondido is all about surf, nightlife, and great food. The town of Mazunte is a little tamer, more laid-back, and more spiritual.
So, which one's for you?
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: TL;DR
If you're just here for the Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte Cliff Notes, buckle up.
Puerto Escondido is a surf town turned digital nomad hub. There are loads of places to stay, eat, dance, surf, swim and sun.
Mazunte is more of a hippy beach town. It's much smaller, there's not as much to do, and not as many places to stay. However, it's less 'spoiled' than Puerto Escondido. It's quieter and a little more authentic than its party-loving cousin.
Puerto Escondido is best for: party lovers, surfers, digital nomads, and solo travellers.
Mazunte is best for: anyone looking for a spiritual experience, a sensory break, and a proper look at one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.
Getting there and getting around
Puerto Escondido has its own airport, which is super central. Most incoming flights are from other parts of Mexico, though Texas has just been added to the destination list, and we're sure there are plenty more international airports coming soon. There's also Huatulco airport, which is north east of Mazunte, though it's about an hour from the town itself.
If you're just heading to Puerto Escondido, PXM is definitely the best place to land. If you're going to be visiting P.E. and Mazunte, you could fly to either airport.
In terms of getting in-between the two towns, public transport is limited. There is a collectivo which goes between PE and Mazunte, though it's not direct and it doesn't come super frequently. When travelling ourselves, we hired a car from Renato, the drive took just over an hour and it's almost entirely down one main road, so you can't really go wrong (as long as you keep the ocean on your right).
On another trip, we actually travelled Puerto Escondido to Mazunte by scooter. It was handy having the moped in Mazunte with us, though the drive between the two towns was a little hairy, super hot and super uncomfortable. Our moped did also start making a strange noise just as we started the journey back... which we never got to the bottom of.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The details
I'll start by being upfront, when it comes to Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, we struggle to pick one or the other.
Despite the fact they are both Pacific Coast, Mexican beach towns, P.E. and Mazunte are very different. If you do have the time, we would suggest trying to visit both.
Puerto Escondido or Mazunte: Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is much more developed, there are more amenities, more places to eat, drink, and dance, too. But don't let that give you the completely wrong impression, whilst it has been commercialised, there is still some authenticity (though not as much as Mazunte).
Things to do
I won't go on too much about what to do in Puerto Escondido, as we've already written about plenty of ideas. Safe to say, there's lots of things to try. From surfing and beach clubs to boat tours, fitness classes, whale watching, deep sea fishing, or, just eating and drinking, you won't be at a loose end.
Where to stay
Puerto Escondido is much bigger than Mazunte, and there are new hotels, villas, and apartment blocks popping up daily, so you'll have plenty of places to choose from. The main neighbourhoods you might want to stay in are Rinconada, Zicatela, La Punta, or La Barra.
We've stayed in some budget places, and some incredibly boujee places, some with air con, some without (definitely choose aircon if your budget stretches!). More on where to stay in Puerto Escondido here.
If you're on a tight budget, Puerto Escondido definitely has more affordable accommodation. It's more developed, there are way more hostels, and there's much more variety and competition, so you'll be able to find places cheap as chips.
Where to eat
Eating is one of our favourite things to do in Puerto Escondido. From fish tacos and ceviche to pizza, sushi, and Peruvian food, there's something for everyone in P.E.
Fish Shack is a must for anyone visiting Puerto Escondido for the first time (try the coco fried shrimp or the po boy).
Chicama is perfect if you want a treat, and something a little different. We'd never tried Peruvian food until we visited Chicama, but we can definitely say we're big fans now.
Again, we've got more on the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido here.
The beaches
There are so many beaches in Puerto Escondido, some better for surfing, some better for swimming, and some better for sitting on lounge chairs with a margarita in hand. A couple of our favourites are:
Playa Carrizalillo: The most swimmable beach in P.E., a small cove with beginner-friendly waves (if you want to surf). Just be warned that it's a very popular spot, so it gets super busy.
Playa Bacocho: One of the lesser visited beaches in the area, and one of the best places to watch the sunset (as well as La Punta). Playa Bacocho is a little outside of the main town, so you'll need to catch a taxi. There's just one shack serving beers, as well as another shack where you can release baby turtles.
La Punta: One of the best spots for watching the surfers and the sunset. There are loads of beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and cervezas, plus you can hire umbrellas from the surf shack (probably needed if you plan on spending the day on the playa!).
If surfing is a big deciding factor in your mission to decide between Puerto Escondido or Mazunte, pick P.E. There are way more surf schools, several different areas to surf in, and better waves for both pros and beginners.
For more detail on all of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, check out our other blog.
Puerto Escondido or Mazunte: Mazunte
Mazunte is very laid back, it's way smaller, and generally less party-oriented. The beaches are wilder and emptier, the town is full of cobbled streets and hippy shops, and things quieten down around 11ish.
Things to do
I've got to be honest... we did a lot of nothing in Mazunte. Mooching to the beach, sitting on our terrace, eating dinner, and watching the sunset, that was about it. That being said, there are a few things to get busy with:
There are plenty of day trips to Ventanilla Lagoon, for crocodile spotting
Punta Cometa is a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sunset from
There are also whale and dolphin tours to join
And, if you have a car, there are some brilliant waterfalls around Mazunte, though you do need to get up early to make it to them!
There are also loads of retreats and day sessions. There's a huge hippy community in Mazunte, so there's always something spiritual going on. Keep an eye on posters and flyers in the streets, we saw posters for ice baths, cacao ceremonies, ecstatic dancing, and women's circles, massage and meditation sessions advertised.
Where to stay
One thing we noticed about Mazunte is that there are way fewer options when it comes to places to stay. We've stayed in one incredible, beachfront villa, and one budget Airbnb, more on those below...
The bird sanctuary cabin
(Not the real name, but they don't really have one on Airbnb). We stayed in this 'Bird Sanctuary' cabin for three nights and it was perfect. Great views to the ocean, chilly air con (which was definitely needed), a well-equipped kitchen, and good WiFi. The beach is only a couple of minutes walk away, and the town is about a 15 minute walk (over a big hill, take note).
Casa de Mayo
Casa de Mayo is hard to put into words... A sprawling, 7-bed, beachfront villa with views that will take your breath away. The first time we stayed here, we slept in on open-front bedroom with the sound of the waves crashing ashore all night. The pictures don't do it justice. If you fancy a treat, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Where to eat
There are plenty of great places to eat in Mazunte, but we do have a couple of stand-out favourites.
El Armadillo is a vegan restaurant with a Moroccan menu. The setting is incredible and the food is even better. It's the type of restaurant you could see yourself whiling a whole evening away in.
Cenzontle has some of the best burgers we've ever eaten. It's a great spot, right on the main road that runs through Mazunte. They also have lovely craft beers and beautiful, locally-made Kombucha.
The beaches
The beaches in Mazunte are a little different to those in P.E.. Some of them are completely deserted, and even those that aren't deserted are much quieter.
Playa Mermejita: A wild, sprawling beach just outside of town. This is the beach that Casa de Mayo sits on. It's usually empty in the day, so bring your own towels as there's no one trying to sell you a sun lounger!
Playa Rinconcito: Just at the end of Playa Mazunte is Playa Rinconcito, this is one of the better places to swim in the area. The beach curves round into a cove so there's some protection from the waves. There's a really cute vibe here in the afternoon/early evening, everyone seems to emerge for a pre-sunset dip.
A note on beaches, Mazunte isn't the surf hot spot that Puerto Escondido is. There nearby towns of San Agustinillo and Playa Agustinillo have some surf schools and beginner-friendly waves, but you definitely won't be surfing any pipes.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The summary
Puerto Escondido | Mazunte | |
|---|---|---|
Vibe | Energetic, variety, backpackers | Peaceful, long-term visitors, locals |
Nightlife | Buzzing | Low-key |
Activities | Surf, sport, social | Nature, yoga, wellness |
Accessibility | Easier, but the town is bigger so you need transport to get around P.E. itself | Slightly trickier, though the town itself is smaller and walkable |
Best things to do | Everything Mazunte has and more, including releasing sea turtles, partying, and more sports | Yoga classes, retreats, sunsets, dolphin/whale tours |
Best for | Digital nomads, solo travellers, backpackers | Couples, wellness seekers |
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The best option
It's impossible to choose between Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte. Both towns offer unique things to do, different things to eat, and completely different vibes.
If you've got to the end of this post and you're still struggling to decide between Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, you should probably make the effort to do both. They're only around an hour away from eachother, but the experiences are completely different. If you do plan on visiting both, you probably need around 2-3 days in Puerto Escondido and 1-2 days in Mazunte, to be able to experience everything both towns have to offer.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, where to put on your wish list
Torn between these two beach towns on the Oaxacan coast? We're going to help you out...
A note on Oaxaca
Oaxaca's beautiful coastline is one of the country's fastest-growing tourist destinations. Some towns, such as Puerto Escondido, are already well-established. Others are still on their way, enter Mazunte.
These towns are only about an hour away from each other, but in terms of things to do they're worlds apart. Puerto Escondido is all about surf, nightlife, and great food. The town of Mazunte is a little tamer, more laid-back, and more spiritual.
So, which one's for you?
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: TL;DR
If you're just here for the Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte Cliff Notes, buckle up.
Puerto Escondido is a surf town turned digital nomad hub. There are loads of places to stay, eat, dance, surf, swim and sun.
Mazunte is more of a hippy beach town. It's much smaller, there's not as much to do, and not as many places to stay. However, it's less 'spoiled' than Puerto Escondido. It's quieter and a little more authentic than its party-loving cousin.
Puerto Escondido is best for: party lovers, surfers, digital nomads, and solo travellers.
Mazunte is best for: anyone looking for a spiritual experience, a sensory break, and a proper look at one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.
Getting there and getting around
Puerto Escondido has its own airport, which is super central. Most incoming flights are from other parts of Mexico, though Texas has just been added to the destination list, and we're sure there are plenty more international airports coming soon. There's also Huatulco airport, which is north east of Mazunte, though it's about an hour from the town itself.
If you're just heading to Puerto Escondido, PXM is definitely the best place to land. If you're going to be visiting P.E. and Mazunte, you could fly to either airport.
In terms of getting in-between the two towns, public transport is limited. There is a collectivo which goes between PE and Mazunte, though it's not direct and it doesn't come super frequently. When travelling ourselves, we hired a car from Renato, the drive took just over an hour and it's almost entirely down one main road, so you can't really go wrong (as long as you keep the ocean on your right).
On another trip, we actually travelled Puerto Escondido to Mazunte by scooter. It was handy having the moped in Mazunte with us, though the drive between the two towns was a little hairy, super hot and super uncomfortable. Our moped did also start making a strange noise just as we started the journey back... which we never got to the bottom of.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The details
I'll start by being upfront, when it comes to Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, we struggle to pick one or the other.
Despite the fact they are both Pacific Coast, Mexican beach towns, P.E. and Mazunte are very different. If you do have the time, we would suggest trying to visit both.
Puerto Escondido or Mazunte: Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is much more developed, there are more amenities, more places to eat, drink, and dance, too. But don't let that give you the completely wrong impression, whilst it has been commercialised, there is still some authenticity (though not as much as Mazunte).
Things to do
I won't go on too much about what to do in Puerto Escondido, as we've already written about plenty of ideas. Safe to say, there's lots of things to try. From surfing and beach clubs to boat tours, fitness classes, whale watching, deep sea fishing, or, just eating and drinking, you won't be at a loose end.
Where to stay
Puerto Escondido is much bigger than Mazunte, and there are new hotels, villas, and apartment blocks popping up daily, so you'll have plenty of places to choose from. The main neighbourhoods you might want to stay in are Rinconada, Zicatela, La Punta, or La Barra.
We've stayed in some budget places, and some incredibly boujee places, some with air con, some without (definitely choose aircon if your budget stretches!). More on where to stay in Puerto Escondido here.
If you're on a tight budget, Puerto Escondido definitely has more affordable accommodation. It's more developed, there are way more hostels, and there's much more variety and competition, so you'll be able to find places cheap as chips.
Where to eat
Eating is one of our favourite things to do in Puerto Escondido. From fish tacos and ceviche to pizza, sushi, and Peruvian food, there's something for everyone in P.E.
Fish Shack is a must for anyone visiting Puerto Escondido for the first time (try the coco fried shrimp or the po boy).
Chicama is perfect if you want a treat, and something a little different. We'd never tried Peruvian food until we visited Chicama, but we can definitely say we're big fans now.
Again, we've got more on the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido here.
The beaches
There are so many beaches in Puerto Escondido, some better for surfing, some better for swimming, and some better for sitting on lounge chairs with a margarita in hand. A couple of our favourites are:
Playa Carrizalillo: The most swimmable beach in P.E., a small cove with beginner-friendly waves (if you want to surf). Just be warned that it's a very popular spot, so it gets super busy.
Playa Bacocho: One of the lesser visited beaches in the area, and one of the best places to watch the sunset (as well as La Punta). Playa Bacocho is a little outside of the main town, so you'll need to catch a taxi. There's just one shack serving beers, as well as another shack where you can release baby turtles.
La Punta: One of the best spots for watching the surfers and the sunset. There are loads of beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and cervezas, plus you can hire umbrellas from the surf shack (probably needed if you plan on spending the day on the playa!).
If surfing is a big deciding factor in your mission to decide between Puerto Escondido or Mazunte, pick P.E. There are way more surf schools, several different areas to surf in, and better waves for both pros and beginners.
For more detail on all of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, check out our other blog.
Puerto Escondido or Mazunte: Mazunte
Mazunte is very laid back, it's way smaller, and generally less party-oriented. The beaches are wilder and emptier, the town is full of cobbled streets and hippy shops, and things quieten down around 11ish.
Things to do
I've got to be honest... we did a lot of nothing in Mazunte. Mooching to the beach, sitting on our terrace, eating dinner, and watching the sunset, that was about it. That being said, there are a few things to get busy with:
There are plenty of day trips to Ventanilla Lagoon, for crocodile spotting
Punta Cometa is a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sunset from
There are also whale and dolphin tours to join
And, if you have a car, there are some brilliant waterfalls around Mazunte, though you do need to get up early to make it to them!
There are also loads of retreats and day sessions. There's a huge hippy community in Mazunte, so there's always something spiritual going on. Keep an eye on posters and flyers in the streets, we saw posters for ice baths, cacao ceremonies, ecstatic dancing, and women's circles, massage and meditation sessions advertised.
Where to stay
One thing we noticed about Mazunte is that there are way fewer options when it comes to places to stay. We've stayed in one incredible, beachfront villa, and one budget Airbnb, more on those below...
The bird sanctuary cabin
(Not the real name, but they don't really have one on Airbnb). We stayed in this 'Bird Sanctuary' cabin for three nights and it was perfect. Great views to the ocean, chilly air con (which was definitely needed), a well-equipped kitchen, and good WiFi. The beach is only a couple of minutes walk away, and the town is about a 15 minute walk (over a big hill, take note).
Casa de Mayo
Casa de Mayo is hard to put into words... A sprawling, 7-bed, beachfront villa with views that will take your breath away. The first time we stayed here, we slept in on open-front bedroom with the sound of the waves crashing ashore all night. The pictures don't do it justice. If you fancy a treat, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Where to eat
There are plenty of great places to eat in Mazunte, but we do have a couple of stand-out favourites.
El Armadillo is a vegan restaurant with a Moroccan menu. The setting is incredible and the food is even better. It's the type of restaurant you could see yourself whiling a whole evening away in.
Cenzontle has some of the best burgers we've ever eaten. It's a great spot, right on the main road that runs through Mazunte. They also have lovely craft beers and beautiful, locally-made Kombucha.
The beaches
The beaches in Mazunte are a little different to those in P.E.. Some of them are completely deserted, and even those that aren't deserted are much quieter.
Playa Mermejita: A wild, sprawling beach just outside of town. This is the beach that Casa de Mayo sits on. It's usually empty in the day, so bring your own towels as there's no one trying to sell you a sun lounger!
Playa Rinconcito: Just at the end of Playa Mazunte is Playa Rinconcito, this is one of the better places to swim in the area. The beach curves round into a cove so there's some protection from the waves. There's a really cute vibe here in the afternoon/early evening, everyone seems to emerge for a pre-sunset dip.
A note on beaches, Mazunte isn't the surf hot spot that Puerto Escondido is. There nearby towns of San Agustinillo and Playa Agustinillo have some surf schools and beginner-friendly waves, but you definitely won't be surfing any pipes.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The summary
Puerto Escondido | Mazunte | |
|---|---|---|
Vibe | Energetic, variety, backpackers | Peaceful, long-term visitors, locals |
Nightlife | Buzzing | Low-key |
Activities | Surf, sport, social | Nature, yoga, wellness |
Accessibility | Easier, but the town is bigger so you need transport to get around P.E. itself | Slightly trickier, though the town itself is smaller and walkable |
Best things to do | Everything Mazunte has and more, including releasing sea turtles, partying, and more sports | Yoga classes, retreats, sunsets, dolphin/whale tours |
Best for | Digital nomads, solo travellers, backpackers | Couples, wellness seekers |
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The best option
It's impossible to choose between Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte. Both towns offer unique things to do, different things to eat, and completely different vibes.
If you've got to the end of this post and you're still struggling to decide between Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, you should probably make the effort to do both. They're only around an hour away from eachother, but the experiences are completely different. If you do plan on visiting both, you probably need around 2-3 days in Puerto Escondido and 1-2 days in Mazunte, to be able to experience everything both towns have to offer.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, where to put on your wish list
Torn between these two beach towns on the Oaxacan coast? We're going to help you out...
A note on Oaxaca
Oaxaca's beautiful coastline is one of the country's fastest-growing tourist destinations. Some towns, such as Puerto Escondido, are already well-established. Others are still on their way, enter Mazunte.
These towns are only about an hour away from each other, but in terms of things to do they're worlds apart. Puerto Escondido is all about surf, nightlife, and great food. The town of Mazunte is a little tamer, more laid-back, and more spiritual.
So, which one's for you?
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: TL;DR
If you're just here for the Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte Cliff Notes, buckle up.
Puerto Escondido is a surf town turned digital nomad hub. There are loads of places to stay, eat, dance, surf, swim and sun.
Mazunte is more of a hippy beach town. It's much smaller, there's not as much to do, and not as many places to stay. However, it's less 'spoiled' than Puerto Escondido. It's quieter and a little more authentic than its party-loving cousin.
Puerto Escondido is best for: party lovers, surfers, digital nomads, and solo travellers.
Mazunte is best for: anyone looking for a spiritual experience, a sensory break, and a proper look at one of Mexico's Pueblos Magicos.
Getting there and getting around
Puerto Escondido has its own airport, which is super central. Most incoming flights are from other parts of Mexico, though Texas has just been added to the destination list, and we're sure there are plenty more international airports coming soon. There's also Huatulco airport, which is north east of Mazunte, though it's about an hour from the town itself.
If you're just heading to Puerto Escondido, PXM is definitely the best place to land. If you're going to be visiting P.E. and Mazunte, you could fly to either airport.
In terms of getting in-between the two towns, public transport is limited. There is a collectivo which goes between PE and Mazunte, though it's not direct and it doesn't come super frequently. When travelling ourselves, we hired a car from Renato, the drive took just over an hour and it's almost entirely down one main road, so you can't really go wrong (as long as you keep the ocean on your right).
On another trip, we actually travelled Puerto Escondido to Mazunte by scooter. It was handy having the moped in Mazunte with us, though the drive between the two towns was a little hairy, super hot and super uncomfortable. Our moped did also start making a strange noise just as we started the journey back... which we never got to the bottom of.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The details
I'll start by being upfront, when it comes to Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, we struggle to pick one or the other.
Despite the fact they are both Pacific Coast, Mexican beach towns, P.E. and Mazunte are very different. If you do have the time, we would suggest trying to visit both.
Puerto Escondido or Mazunte: Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is much more developed, there are more amenities, more places to eat, drink, and dance, too. But don't let that give you the completely wrong impression, whilst it has been commercialised, there is still some authenticity (though not as much as Mazunte).
Things to do
I won't go on too much about what to do in Puerto Escondido, as we've already written about plenty of ideas. Safe to say, there's lots of things to try. From surfing and beach clubs to boat tours, fitness classes, whale watching, deep sea fishing, or, just eating and drinking, you won't be at a loose end.
Where to stay
Puerto Escondido is much bigger than Mazunte, and there are new hotels, villas, and apartment blocks popping up daily, so you'll have plenty of places to choose from. The main neighbourhoods you might want to stay in are Rinconada, Zicatela, La Punta, or La Barra.
We've stayed in some budget places, and some incredibly boujee places, some with air con, some without (definitely choose aircon if your budget stretches!). More on where to stay in Puerto Escondido here.
If you're on a tight budget, Puerto Escondido definitely has more affordable accommodation. It's more developed, there are way more hostels, and there's much more variety and competition, so you'll be able to find places cheap as chips.
Where to eat
Eating is one of our favourite things to do in Puerto Escondido. From fish tacos and ceviche to pizza, sushi, and Peruvian food, there's something for everyone in P.E.
Fish Shack is a must for anyone visiting Puerto Escondido for the first time (try the coco fried shrimp or the po boy).
Chicama is perfect if you want a treat, and something a little different. We'd never tried Peruvian food until we visited Chicama, but we can definitely say we're big fans now.
Again, we've got more on the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido here.
The beaches
There are so many beaches in Puerto Escondido, some better for surfing, some better for swimming, and some better for sitting on lounge chairs with a margarita in hand. A couple of our favourites are:
Playa Carrizalillo: The most swimmable beach in P.E., a small cove with beginner-friendly waves (if you want to surf). Just be warned that it's a very popular spot, so it gets super busy.
Playa Bacocho: One of the lesser visited beaches in the area, and one of the best places to watch the sunset (as well as La Punta). Playa Bacocho is a little outside of the main town, so you'll need to catch a taxi. There's just one shack serving beers, as well as another shack where you can release baby turtles.
La Punta: One of the best spots for watching the surfers and the sunset. There are loads of beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and cervezas, plus you can hire umbrellas from the surf shack (probably needed if you plan on spending the day on the playa!).
If surfing is a big deciding factor in your mission to decide between Puerto Escondido or Mazunte, pick P.E. There are way more surf schools, several different areas to surf in, and better waves for both pros and beginners.
For more detail on all of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, check out our other blog.
Puerto Escondido or Mazunte: Mazunte
Mazunte is very laid back, it's way smaller, and generally less party-oriented. The beaches are wilder and emptier, the town is full of cobbled streets and hippy shops, and things quieten down around 11ish.
Things to do
I've got to be honest... we did a lot of nothing in Mazunte. Mooching to the beach, sitting on our terrace, eating dinner, and watching the sunset, that was about it. That being said, there are a few things to get busy with:
There are plenty of day trips to Ventanilla Lagoon, for crocodile spotting
Punta Cometa is a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sunset from
There are also whale and dolphin tours to join
And, if you have a car, there are some brilliant waterfalls around Mazunte, though you do need to get up early to make it to them!
There are also loads of retreats and day sessions. There's a huge hippy community in Mazunte, so there's always something spiritual going on. Keep an eye on posters and flyers in the streets, we saw posters for ice baths, cacao ceremonies, ecstatic dancing, and women's circles, massage and meditation sessions advertised.
Where to stay
One thing we noticed about Mazunte is that there are way fewer options when it comes to places to stay. We've stayed in one incredible, beachfront villa, and one budget Airbnb, more on those below...
The bird sanctuary cabin
(Not the real name, but they don't really have one on Airbnb). We stayed in this 'Bird Sanctuary' cabin for three nights and it was perfect. Great views to the ocean, chilly air con (which was definitely needed), a well-equipped kitchen, and good WiFi. The beach is only a couple of minutes walk away, and the town is about a 15 minute walk (over a big hill, take note).
Casa de Mayo
Casa de Mayo is hard to put into words... A sprawling, 7-bed, beachfront villa with views that will take your breath away. The first time we stayed here, we slept in on open-front bedroom with the sound of the waves crashing ashore all night. The pictures don't do it justice. If you fancy a treat, this is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Where to eat
There are plenty of great places to eat in Mazunte, but we do have a couple of stand-out favourites.
El Armadillo is a vegan restaurant with a Moroccan menu. The setting is incredible and the food is even better. It's the type of restaurant you could see yourself whiling a whole evening away in.
Cenzontle has some of the best burgers we've ever eaten. It's a great spot, right on the main road that runs through Mazunte. They also have lovely craft beers and beautiful, locally-made Kombucha.
The beaches
The beaches in Mazunte are a little different to those in P.E.. Some of them are completely deserted, and even those that aren't deserted are much quieter.
Playa Mermejita: A wild, sprawling beach just outside of town. This is the beach that Casa de Mayo sits on. It's usually empty in the day, so bring your own towels as there's no one trying to sell you a sun lounger!
Playa Rinconcito: Just at the end of Playa Mazunte is Playa Rinconcito, this is one of the better places to swim in the area. The beach curves round into a cove so there's some protection from the waves. There's a really cute vibe here in the afternoon/early evening, everyone seems to emerge for a pre-sunset dip.
A note on beaches, Mazunte isn't the surf hot spot that Puerto Escondido is. There nearby towns of San Agustinillo and Playa Agustinillo have some surf schools and beginner-friendly waves, but you definitely won't be surfing any pipes.
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The summary
Puerto Escondido | Mazunte | |
|---|---|---|
Vibe | Energetic, variety, backpackers | Peaceful, long-term visitors, locals |
Nightlife | Buzzing | Low-key |
Activities | Surf, sport, social | Nature, yoga, wellness |
Accessibility | Easier, but the town is bigger so you need transport to get around P.E. itself | Slightly trickier, though the town itself is smaller and walkable |
Best things to do | Everything Mazunte has and more, including releasing sea turtles, partying, and more sports | Yoga classes, retreats, sunsets, dolphin/whale tours |
Best for | Digital nomads, solo travellers, backpackers | Couples, wellness seekers |
Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte: The best option
It's impossible to choose between Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte. Both towns offer unique things to do, different things to eat, and completely different vibes.
If you've got to the end of this post and you're still struggling to decide between Puerto Escondido vs Mazunte, you should probably make the effort to do both. They're only around an hour away from eachother, but the experiences are completely different. If you do plan on visiting both, you probably need around 2-3 days in Puerto Escondido and 1-2 days in Mazunte, to be able to experience everything both towns have to offer.
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© Pieces of Puerto
2025
Everything shared here is based on our personal experiences and opinions. We are not paid, sponsored, or given freebies to write about anything. We just write what we love (or don’t). If you decide to follow any of our tips, just know you're doing it on your own terms.
Website design by
© Pieces of Puerto
2025
Everything shared here is based on our personal experiences and opinions. We are not paid, sponsored, or given freebies to write about anything. We just write what we love (or don’t). If you decide to follow any of our tips, just know you're doing it on your own terms.
Website design by
© Pieces of Puerto
2025
Everything shared here is based on our personal experiences and opinions. We are not paid, sponsored, or given freebies to write about anything. We just write what we love (or don’t). If you decide to follow any of our tips, just know you're doing it on your own terms.