Zipolite, Mexico Travel Guide : Things to Do, Beaches & Tips
Zipolite is a small beach village on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful sandy beach and free-spirited, hippie vibe. It is also one of Mexico’s best-known clothing-optional beaches.
In this Zipolite travel guide, you’ll find the best things to do, where to stay, what to eat, how to get there and our practical travel tips.
If you are into travel stories, though, read our diary at the end of this post.
First Impressions
Zipolite is probably the most hippie place we have seen.
It is one of the small villages along the southern Mexican Pacific coastline, far away from the big cities and the capital of Oaxaca. The atmosphere is very different from what you might expect from a typical beach destination.
The first thing you notice when you arrive in Zipolite is that people are relaxed and clothes are optional.
The beach, small restaurants, simple accommodation and laid-back atmosphere all fit together. There is no feeling of a big resort destination here. Instead, Zipolite feels like a place where people come to slow down, spend time by the ocean and simply do their own thing.
For us, that was exactly what made Zipolite interesting.
Where is Zipolite, Mexico?
Zipolite is located on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Oaxaca, between Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, close to the smaller coastal towns of Puerto Ángel, San Agustinillo and Mazunte.
The village is relatively remote compared with larger Mexican beach destinations. The nearest major transport hubs are Pochutla and Puerto Escondido, while Oaxaca City is considerably farther inland.
The beach itself stretches for around 1.5 km and is open to the Pacific, which means the waves and currents can be strong.
Zipolite is especially famous for its clothing-optional beach culture. Nudity is optional rather than compulsory, so you can enjoy the beach wearing a swimsuit as well.
Why visit Zipolite?
Zipolite is not necessarily the place to visit if you are looking for a polished resort with a huge hotel, perfect swimming conditions and lots of organized activities.
You come here for something else.
The free-spirited atmosphere
Zipolite has a very distinctive alternative and hippie atmosphere. The town has long attracted backpackers, artists, independent travelers and people looking for a less conventional beach experience.
A beautiful Pacific beach
The main attraction is simply the beach.
You can walk along the sand, find a place to relax, read a book, have a drink or watch the sunset.
Clothing is optional
This is probably the thing Zipolite is most famous for.
You will see people enjoying the beach both with and without clothes. There is no need to participate if you don’t want to. For us, though, experiencing the local spirit and going into the sea without clothes was part of the Zipolite experience.
A good base for exploring the coast
Zipolite is also close to several other interesting places, including Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Puerto Ángel. San Agustinillo is only a few kilometres away, while Mazunte is also easy to reach by local transport.
Best 10 things to do in Zipolite
1. Walk along Playa Zipolite
The easiest thing to do in Zipolite is also one of the best.
Take a long walk along the beach, enjoy the Pacific scenery and watch how the atmosphere changes from one part of the beach to another.
2. Relax on the beach
Zipolite is a place where doing very little is completely acceptable.
Find a shady spot, order a drink, read your book or simply listen to the waves.
This was basically what we did for most of our stay.
3. Experience the clothing-optional beach
If you feel comfortable with it, you can embrace the local spirit and enjoy the beach without clothes.
Of course, it is completely optional. You can also simply enjoy the beach in your swimsuit.
The important thing is to respect other people and the atmosphere of the place.
4. Watch the sunset
Zipolite’s west-facing Pacific coastline makes sunset one of the easiest activities to enjoy.
You don’t need a tour or a special viewpoint. Just find a comfortable place on the beach and wait.
Playa del Amor is also known as a popular place for enjoying the sunset.
5. Visit Playa del Amor
Playa del Amor is a smaller, more secluded beach area near Zipolite.
It is a nice option if you want to explore beyond the main stretch of Zipolite and find a slightly different atmosphere.
6. Try surfing or enjoy the waves
The Pacific here is powerful, and Zipolite is known for its surf-friendly waves.
However, the same conditions that make the beach interesting also mean that you need to be careful in the water.
Zipolite has strong waves and currents, and it should not be treated as an easy swimming beach.
7. Embrace the culture
There are many activities and lessons offered, which aim to teach you to relax, learn yourself and your body.
8. Explore the local shops and art
The village has plenty of small independent businesses, local art and places to browse.
We enjoyed simply walking around and seeing what we found rather than planning a shopping trip.
9. Take a day trip to Mazunte and San Agustinillo
If you stay in Zipolite for a few days, it makes sense to explore the neighbouring beach towns.
San Agustinillo offers a quieter, more protected beach environment, while Mazunte has a different atmosphere and more sights and activities.
10. Do absolutely nothing
Seriously.
Zipolite is one of those places where relaxing is an activity.
Grab a drink, sit under an umbrella, read a book and let the day pass.
Where to stay in Zipolite
Zipolite accommodation is generally much simpler than what you find in larger Mexican beach destinations.
There are plenty of small hotels, guesthouses, hostels, apartments and beachfront accommodation rather than large resort complexes.
Stay near the beach
If your main reason for visiting Zipolite is the beach, staying within walking distance of the sand makes the most sense.
You can wake up, walk to the beach and spend most of your day without needing transportation.
Stay closer to the main village
Staying closer to the busier part of town means you will have restaurants, cafés and shops nearby.
The village is small enough that you generally don’t need a motorbike just to get around.
Our experience
We stayed in an Airbnb.
It was a room with a very loud fan, while downstairs there was an open-air kitchen and a garden.
Unfortunately, it was not one of the best accommodations we have had during our travels.
One thing worth knowing is that a small “river” separates parts of the village from the beach. It can be completely dry, but crossing from the quieter to the busier side at night can still feel like a little adventure.
Accommodation prices
When we visited, simple accommodation was around $40–50 per night on average, often without air conditioning.
There are simpler budget options as well as more high-end places, so prices can vary significantly depending on location, season and type of accommodation.
On a budget
Look for simple rooms, hostels and basic guesthouses.
Don’t necessarily expect luxury amenities — Zipolite’s accommodation scene is part of its laid-back character.
Mid-range
For something more comfortable, look for a private room or small hotel close to the beach.
Luxury
There are also more upscale boutique and beachfront options if you want a more comfortable stay while still enjoying Zipolite’s alternative atmosphere.
Eat and drink in Zipolite
We found several places we really liked during our stay.
Le Castelet Cafeteria
We went here for breakfast and liked it for brunch.
A Nice Place on the Beach
A good place for spending some time directly on the beach.
We had refreshments and a salad here while enjoying a relaxing beach day.
La Fenice
We had a really good pizza here.
Interestingly, the electricity went out for about half an hour while we were eating, which somehow became part of the Zipolite experience.
Señora Juana
We had brunch here and found the food very tasty and healthy.
The electricity went out again while we were there, meaning our food took quite a while to arrive.
Cafe Maya
This was another beach stop for us.
One funny tip from our experience: don’t immediately ask how much the umbrellas cost, because you may get a tourist price. If you simply order drinks and sit down, you may only end up paying for the drinks.
And most importantly, the lady running the café will specifically explain that you are allowed to sit there naked.
Transportation and how to get to Zipolite
From Oaxaca City
We travelled from Oaxaca City ADO bus station to Zipolite by ADO/OCC bus.
The journey took almost 10 hours, so it is definitely not the quickest way to reach the coast.
There is an alternative route over the mountains that takes around 6 hours using smaller buses/colectivos, but it is known for being very curvy and bumpy.
We chose the longer bus route because we preferred the more comfortable option.
Even then, be prepared for some winding roads. A large part of the journey passes through mountainous terrain with plenty of curves, so you may still feel sick.
Our tip: bring snacks.
We made sandwiches with ciabatta bread, Philadelphia cheese and avocado before leaving.
From Pochutla to Zipolite
The bus eventually arrives in Pochutla.
From there, you can take a colectivo toward Zipolite.
When you arrive at the bus station, ask where the colectivo stop is. You need to walk around 100 metres and wait by the main road on the opposite side of the bus station exit.
You will see other people taking taxis or small trucks.
At the time of our trip, it cost around 40 pesos per person.
The colectivo drops you at the main road, from where you can walk to your accommodation.
Getting around Zipolite
You don’t really need a motorbike in Zipolite.
The village is small enough to explore on foot.
For trips further away, such as Mazunte or Pochutla, you can use a colectivo or taxi from the main road.
Travel Tips for Zipolite
Be careful in the ocean
This is probably the most important tip.
The Pacific Ocean at Zipolite can have strong waves and dangerous currents. Even though the beach looks inviting, don’t underestimate the water.
Nudity is optional… or almost mandatory
You don’t need to be naked to enjoy Zipolite.
The clothing-optional atmosphere is part of what makes the destination unique, but everyone should feel free to choose what they are comfortable with.
Don’t expect a luxury resort
Zipolite is much more rustic and alternative than a typical Mexican resort destination.
That is part of its charm.
Bring snacks for the bus
If travelling from Oaxaca City, the journey is long.
Bring food and water, especially if you are not used to spending many hours on winding mountain roads.
Be flexible
Electricity outages happened more than once during our stay.
Instead of getting annoyed, we simply accepted it as part of the experience.
Zipolite isn’t the place for a perfectly controlled holiday.
You can easily combine Zipolite with Mazunte
If you are travelling this part of Oaxaca, don’t limit yourself to just one beach town.
Zipolite, San Agustinillo and Mazunte are close enough to combine into one trip.
Final Thoughts – Is Zipolite Worth Visiting?
Yes — especially if you are looking for something different.
Zipolite isn’t the kind of beach destination where you come for luxury hotels, perfectly calm water or a packed sightseeing itinerary.
You come here for the atmosphere.
It is relaxed, alternative, a little chaotic at times and definitely different from many other Mexican beach destinations.
For us, Zipolite was probably the most hippie place we had seen.
We enjoyed walking along the beach, eating good food, spending lazy days by the ocean and simply experiencing the local atmosphere.
And if you have some extra time, continue on to Mazunte.
That was our next stop.
Save this Zipolite Travel Guide for later!
Planning a trip to the Oaxaca coast?
Save this Zipolite travel guide for later and use it when planning your Mexico itinerary.
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Our Diary
Day 1 – On the way to Zipolite
Early in the morning we started our trip to reach the remote Pacific coast of Oaxaca and our first destination, Zipolite.
The ADO/OCC bus ride took almost 10 hours. There is an alternative route over the mountains that takes around 6 hours and can only be done with small buses or colectivos. We had read that it is very curvy and bumpy, so we chose the longer and more comfortable route instead. We took the bus from the ADO main station in Jalatlaco in Oaxaca.
Taxis in Oaxaca are safe and easy to find, but you can also book one through Uber if you prefer.
The tickets can be bought online or at the station. The bus was actually quite comfortable, with good seats and enough legroom.
Still, don’t underestimate the road. Even though this is supposed to be the less bumpy route, a large part of the journey goes through mountainous roads with lots of curves.
Bring snacks with you. We prepared sandwiches with ciabatta bread, Philadelphia cheese and avocado before leaving.
We arrived in Pochutla in the early evening. From the bus station, we asked where to find the colectivo to Zipolite. We walked around 100 metres and waited by the main road on the opposite side of the bus station exit. There were other people waiting for taxis and small trucks. At the time, the colectivo cost around 40 pesos per person. It dropped us at the main road, from where we walked to our accommodation. The first evening was simple. We checked into our Airbnb and went out for some tacos.
Day 2 – Relaxing in Zipolite
The next morning started with a walk along the beach.
We admired some of the local art before having breakfast at Le Castelet Cafeteria.
The rest of the day was very relaxing.
We headed back to the beach, had some refreshments and a salad at A Nice Place on the Beach, and simply enjoyed being in Zipolite.
In the evening we had a really good pizza at La Fenice.
And because apparently Zipolite wanted to remind us that things don’t always go according to plan, the electricity went out for about half an hour while we were eating.
Day 3 – More relaxing in Zipolite
The next morning we woke up early, ate some fruit and started the day with another walk along the beach.
This time we embraced the local spirit and went into the sea without any clothes.
Later we had brunch at Señora Juana.
Unfortunately, the electricity went out again.
Our food couldn’t be prepared very quickly, so we spent quite some time there.
Eventually, we went back to the beach.
It was hot and sunny, so we sat at Cafe Maya.
One tip from our experience: don’t ask how much the umbrellas cost.
You might get a tourist price.
If you don’t ask, you may simply pay for your drinks.
And most importantly, the lady running the café will specifically explain to you that you are allowed to sit there naked.
Next stop…Mazunte!
