Zipolite

A Pacific beach town on Oaxaca's coast, known for hammocks, a clothing-optional beach and surf that calls for caution in the water.

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Zipolite is a small beach town on Mexico's Pacific coast in Oaxaca State, a long road trip from Oaxaca City. Visitors come for the long sand beach, the hammocks strung between shade trees and a clothing-optional stretch of sand. Days are slow and spent on the beach, in the shade or over simple meals, and evenings are quieter than at larger resorts. Mazunte and Puerto Ángel sit on the same coast, so they are the closest towns to compare with Zipolite or to visit for a day.

Plan around the sea first. The surf is strong and currents can be dangerous, so swim only where conditions look safe, and ask locals or your lodging before you go in. The drier months, roughly November through April, suit most visitors. Three to four nights gives you time to settle in and see a neighboring town. A longer stay suits a slow beach routine.

Zipolite in five

Respect the undertowZipolite is known for strong currents. Swim only near lifeguards or at the calmer western end, and treat flags and local advice as binding.
Know the clothing-optional normNudity is accepted on parts of the beach but not in town. Cover up in shops and restaurants, choose your stretch of sand and ask before you photograph anyone.
Fly into Huatulco or Puerto EscondidoBoth airports are about 1–1.5 hours by road. Oaxaca City is a long way over the mountains, so a flight or a very early start saves a lost day.Oaxaca Coast
Walk or ride to Mazunte and San AgustinilloThe next beaches are a short ride along the coast by shared pickup truck or taxi, and each has a different feel. Mazunte adds a turtle center and cafes.Mazunte
Pair the coast with the highlandsA flight or a long road links the beach with Oaxaca City and craft villages such as Teotitlán del Valle, which suits a trip of a week or more.Teotitlán del Valle

Things to do in Zipolite

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Need to know

Airport: Huatulco (HUX) or Puerto Escondido (PXM), about 1–1.5 hours by road
Getting there: Fly to HUX or PXM, then shuttle or taxi; long road from Oaxaca City
Getting around: On foot along the beach; shared pickups and taxis to Mazunte
Best base: The central stretch for restaurants, the west end for calmer water
Time needed: 3–5 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Dry, hot
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Dry, hot
MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Dry, hot
AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Hot, dry
MayRain16 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Rains start
JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Rainy, humid
JulyRain23 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low23°Rainy, big swell
AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low23°Rainy, big swell
SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Hurricane season
OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Storm risk
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Dry, warm
DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Dry, holidays

Average daily high and low in Zipolite, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Zipolite

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 33°
Humidity: 56%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 6%

Puerto Ángel

02:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today32°23°6%Monday: Clear. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 6%.
Tue32°23°33%Tuesday: Clear. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 33%.
Wed31°23°86%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
Thu32°22°75%Thursday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 75%.
Fri31°23°71%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 71%.
Sat32°22°71%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 71%.
Sun32°23°51%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 51%.

Updated 11:57 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN

Amount

Converted to

MXN · Mexican Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Before you go to Zipolite

Beachfront cabins and hotelsBook ahead for holiday weeksCompare stays

Turtle and lagoon toursTrips from Mazunte and Puerto ÁngelCompare day trips

eSIM for the Oaxaca coastSignal varies from village to villageRead the guide

Insurance for beach tripsCover for medical care far from citiesRead the guide

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Rules for Zipolite, checked

Many nationalities enter Mexico without a visa. You receive a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival; check the rules for your passport at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form. Check the current limit with SAT before you travel.Source
Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
Zipolite's main beach has strong rip currents. Swim where local people swim, and ask at your guesthouse before you go into the sea.
Topless and nude bathing happens on some stretches of Zipolite's beach. Ask locals which parts they use before you undress.

Plan around Zipolite

All of Mexico

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Mexico trip

Read the guide Oaxaca Coast

Beaches from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido

Read the guide Mazunte

A turtle center and cafes a short ride away

Read the guide San Agustinillo

A quiet beach between Zipolite and Mazunte

Read the guide Puerto Escondido

The coast's surf town and airport

Read the guide Oaxaca City

The highlands base for the other half of a trip

Read the guide

Zipolite FAQ

Is Zipolite safe for swimming?

Not always. The beach is known for strong currents, so swim near lifeguards or at the calmer western end and obey flags. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay in the shallows or use a pool.

Is Zipolite a nude beach?

Parts of the beach are clothing-optional, and nudity is accepted there but not in town. Cover up away from the sand, ask before taking photos and choose the stretch that suits you.

How do you get to Zipolite?

Fly to Huatulco or Puerto Escondido, about 1–1.5 hours by road, then take a shuttle or taxi. The road from Oaxaca City is long and winding, so many visitors fly or take a small plane.

Should I stay in Zipolite or Mazunte?

Zipolite for a looser, more clothing-optional beach scene and cheap cabins. Mazunte for a quieter feel, cafes and the turtle center. They are 15 minutes apart, so it is easy to split nights.

When is the best time to visit Zipolite?

November to March for dry, hot days. The wet season from about June brings rain and larger surf, and September and October carry the highest storm risk.