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With its aquamarine waters set beneath dramatic cliffs, under-the-radar Playa Estacahuite is among the most pristine and swimmable seashores in Oaxaca, Mexico.
However it’s rather more than a fantastic seaside. It’s a chance to expertise and join with a surprising pure panorama.
Why Go to Playa Estacahuite?
Over the previous 15+ years of spending winters in Oaxaca, we’ve been lucky to have skilled a number of idyllic days at Playa Estacahuite.
Its unpolluted, calm waters and laid-back vibe makes it the sort of place you’ll really feel blessed to have entry to.
Though the seaside is a straightforward day journey from Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, it’s (up to now) been spared the tour bus crowds pouring down the Barranca Larga–Ventanilla Tremendous Freeway connecting Oaxaca Metropolis to the coast.
For now, it’s the best place to spend a relaxed day of lounging, diving right into a recent seafood lunch beneath a country seaside palapa and floating in clear, calm water.
For those who’re searching for a clear swimming seaside close to Puerto Ángel, Zipolite or Mazunte, Playa Estacahuite (pronounced “eh-stah-kah-WEE-teh”) is your home to be.
Playa Platino – Platinum Certification for Cleanliness
How pristine is that this seaside? Bahia Estacahuite is one in all solely three licensed Playa Platino seashores in Oaxaca!
A Platinum Seashore is a designation given to Mexico’s cleanest seashores by the Mexican Authorities beneath the Playa Platino program of the Mexican Institute for Normalization and Certification.
It acknowledges seashores for his or her magnificence, environmentally sustainable practices, group involvement, function in selling accountable tourism and cleanliness.
For lovers of the outside like myself, efforts to guard the pure setting are at all times price celebrating.
🌟 Professional Tip: Playa Mermejita (in Mazunte) and La Entrega (a well-liked seaside in Huatulco) are the opposite two Playas Platinos seashores in Oaxaca.
Location of Estacahuite Seashore
The journey right here is a part of the journey.
Bahía Estacahuite is situated off winding Freeway 175, (Carretera Puerto Ángel – San Antonio) on the Pacific Coast of Mexico (Google Map).
It’s a 1-hour drive from Huatulco (50 kilometres from La Crucecita) and 1.5 hours from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, making it preferrred for a day journey.
Set on a scalloped shoreline outlined by rugged cliffs and sheltered bays stretching between Mazunte and Puerto Ángel, it’s scenic drive although a panorama that’s a mixture of dry tropical forest and plush greenery, relying on the season.
You’ll see cacti and succulents set amidst blooming timber such because the sleek Flamboyán, the flaming Tulipán, the yellow Guayacan and pale pink Coquito.
From Freeway 175, the bay itself is accessed through tiny 8 de Octubre avenue (Google Map) on the japanese fringe of Puerto Angel.
Getting There
By Automotive
Though there are a couple of methods to get to Estacahuite, by far the best is by automotive. It’s a bit off the crushed path.
We often hire a automotive so we are able to spend the day stopping at fruit stands, looking for physique cream and soaps on the Pure Cosmetics Cooperative, chatting with mezcaleros at palenques and absorbing the surroundings.
For a two-week automotive rental, we usually pay round $200 USD (that features the expensive however obligatory third occasion legal responsibility insurance coverage in Mexico).
We hire our vehicles on Discovercars.com. It’s an internet automotive rental reserving website that compares charges from a number of firms to search out the most effective deal.
Examine for the most effective automotive rental charges at Discovercars.com
Public Transportation (Colectivo)
To get right here by public transportation from Puerto Escondido through Pochutla, take one of many blue and white Transportes Delfines mini-buses that run between Puerto Escondido and Pochutla.
Catch one on the terminal in Puerto Escondido (Google Map) or different bus cease alongside the west facet of Freeway 200 in direction of Pochutla/Huatulco.
The buses run each quarter-hour from 5:00 am to 7:30 pm. The associated fee must be round 50 pesos. Examine for the present value on the Transportes Delfines Fb Web page or carry small payments.
Or take the Sur bus to Pochutla.
From Huatulco, catch the bus to Pochutla from the Estrella Blanca Bus Station (Google Map) simply off Blvd Chahue in La Crucecita.
For those who’re coming from Oaxaca Metropolis, Lineas Unidas takes you all the way in which to Pochutla.
As soon as in Pochutla, head to the Lineas Unidas station (Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas Núm. 85, Pochutla) and hop on shared minibus/vans that runs alongside the coast stopping at Mazunte, Zipolite and Puerto Angel.
Ask the motive force to cease on the freeway entrance to the village of Estacahuite. From the freeway, it’s a 7 minute stroll down the hill to the seaside.
Taking a Guided Tour to Estacahuite
One other good choice to take a guided Wildlife Eco-Tour from Huatulco to Mazunte.
This 7-hour tour consists of pick-up and drop off at your lodging in Huatulco, an accredited information in addition to transportation in an air-conditioned automobile.
You’ll start the tour in Mazunte, designated a Pueblo Mágico (Magical City) by the Mexican Authorities, as a consequence of its distinctive traits and appeal.
A number of the high issues to do in Mazunte embody looking for artisanal crafts, sampling native specialties like mezcal and exploring La Ventanilla, a nature protect house to birds comparable to herons and kingfishers in addition to iguanas and American crocodiles.
In contrast to Bioluminescent Manialtepec Lagoon, there’s no swimming in these waters.
This tour additionally features a cease at Zipolite Seashore (one in all Mexico’s few official nude seashores) earlier than passing by way of the fishing village of Puerto Ángel after which Estacahuite for lunch. The tour wraps up with a return to Bahías de Huatulco.
For those who’re doing the journey independently I like to recommend heading to Playa Estacahuite first and doing all of your explorations later within the day. You possibly can simply slot in a fast stops at every of the above in a day journey.
Examine costs and availability of a Guided Tour to Estacahuite on Viator.com.
Taxi from Huatulco
One other approach to get to Estacahuite is to rearrange for a personal taxi to switch you there and again. It consists of pick-up and drop off at your lodging in Huatulco and transportation in an air-conditioned automobile..
Value varies by provider. Anna’s Journey Huatulco quotes a value of 2200 MXN pesos as at Dec. 1, 2024.
Parking
Parking is proscribed, so it’s greatest to reach early to safe a spot. Your greatest wager is to park on 8 de Octubre itself. There’s paid parking on the backside of the steep hill close to the seaside palapas, however it’s expensive.
For those who park on 8 de Octubre, you’ll entry the seaside through a brief path from the street. It winds down by way of tropical vegetation, including to the sensation that you just’ve stumbled upon one thing really particular.
For those who don’t need to sit immediately on the seaside, you’ll be able to choose to dine at one of many eating places on the high of the cliff.
The views from the clifftop eating places overlooking the bay are particularly breathtaking—excellent for a meal or a drink whereas taking within the surroundings. On a sizzling day they’re breezier and have a extra intensive menu (extra on that later).
If you wish to swim, you’ll nonetheless be capable of entry a seaside however might be utilizing completely different stairs.
High Issues to Do
1. Benefit from the Greatest Swimming Seashore in Oaxaca
Playa Estacahuite’s calm waters make it preferrred for swimming and non-motorized watersports.
And there are literally three seaside coves to select from.
Center Seashore
The primary seaside you’ll seemingly see upon arrival is the center seaside.
This centrally situated stretch of sand has the calmest water however usually the best variety of individuals.
It’s the most effective swimming seaside for households with younger kids or timid swimmers like me.
Left Seashore
The one furthest to your left upon arrival has the most effective snorkeling. There’s really a channel by way of the rocks into the water for straightforward entry.
However it additionally appears to obtain probably the most boat visitors.
🌟 Insider Tip: There’s a passageway within the rocks between the center seaside and the seaside to the left. Observe the footpath to simply pop forwards and backwards between the 2.
Proper Seashore
To entry the seaside to the far proper, you descend through the steps beneath the Estacahuite signal or make your approach alongside the center seaside to past the rocks.
There’s not many companies on the proper seaside (and no washroom services) so we often follow the opposite two seashores.
Though Estacahuite is house to a number of the most swimmable seashores in Oaxaca (not like Zipolite and Mazunte identified for his or her riptides and robust undertow), by mid-afternoon there may be sturdy waves in any respect three seashores.
There aren’t any lifeguards and not one of the seaside are flagged. So ensure test water situations earlier than swimming.
We discover the waters are at their most tranquil and uncrowded within the morning.
Nonetheless, the comparatively small measurement of the bay means it’s by no means too crowded, even throughout busier occasions of the 12 months comparable to Christmas, Semana Santa and peak season January to March.
So it’s an excellent spot to relax out and take in the solar away from the crowds.
2. Snorkel Amongst Tropical Fish
For these looking for slightly extra journey, the encircling waters provide good snorkelling among the many coral reefs and rock formations simply offshore.
You possibly can usually see angelfish, parrotfish, blue damselfish and sergeant majors in addition to olive ridley and different sea turtles.
The wind tends to choose up within the mid afternoon and churn up the sand, so the most effective visibility is mornings.
Convey your personal gear or hire a masks and snorkel (and life vest) from Perla del Mar or one of many different beachside palapas (150 MXN pesos).
3. Go Kayaking alongside the Shoreline
The calm, sheltered waters of this crescent-shaped bay make it preferrred for rookies and skilled paddlers alike.
Glide over the sapphire waters, taking in views of the rugged cliffs that body the bay and the tropical vegetation that surrounds it.
For those who’re feeling adventurous, paddle across the rocky outcroppings to discover close by coves and get a novel perspective of the shoreline’s dramatic surroundings.
You possibly can hire kayaks (and life vests) for the hour or day on the kiosk between the 2 seashores.
4. Feast on Seafood
Estacahuite is house to a handful of rustic, beachfront palapa-style bars (comparable to El Arrecife) that serve up botanas (snacks) and chilly drinks comparable to naranjadas, limonadas, jarras de frutas and different typical drinks.
For one thing stronger, there’s the standard common Mexican beer comparable to Victoria, Corona in addition to cocktails together with margaritas, Micheladas, Cheladas and extra.
At restaurant El Ripio the place we often hang around, the menu options conventional Oaxacan seafood specialities of ceviches of shrimp, fish, octopus (or blended) ranging in value from 250-300 MXN pesos.
Don’t miss the possibility to strive the native oysters, that are dearer than these at Playa Agua Blanca additional north alongside the Pacific Coast, however are nonetheless shucked recent when you wait.
For those who’re craving one thing extra substantial, go for filete al ajo (fish in garlic) or camarón empanizado (breaded shrimp).
They’re all paired with a view that’s exhausting to beat.
🌟 Professional Tip: Not a seafood fan? Your go-to choices listed here are guacamole or fries. If that doesn’t hit the spot, you may need to carry your personal snacks or take a look at the breakfast at Las Palmas restaurant.
5. Take a Boat Tour of the Bays
Taking a ship tour is a implausible approach to discover the rugged great thing about this stretch of Oaxaca’s shoreline, with alternatives to see dolphins, dramatic rock formations, and blowholes spraying ocean mist into the air.
Accommodations
For those who’re tempted to remain longer (and who wouldn’t need to spend a couple of dreamy nights right here?), there are a number of lodging choices close by.
The closest lodge, Casa Bichu, presents boutique luxurious with easy accessibility to Estacahuite seaside, loads of facilities comparable to a swimming pool, AC and spectacular views.
For these searching for a extra reasonably priced choice, Xeno Hostal presents modern dormitory rooms in addition to a swimming pool. (Don’t confuse it with the Xeno lodge in Zipolite which is far additional away).
For a style of luxurious at very interesting costs, Casa Roni is a 5-bedroom villa with loads of appeal.
🌟 Professional Tip: There’s not loads to do at night time at Estacahuite itself. However if in case you have a automotive you’ll be able to simply go into Puerto Angel or Zipolite for eating and nightlife.
Suggestions for Your Go to
- Convey money (pesos in small denominations), as lots of the native eating places don’t settle for bank cards (or the machines occur to be out of order.)
- Pack reef-friendly sunscreen, further water, rest room paper (there is probably not any) and any seaside gear you’ll want comparable to snorkel gear, seaside chairs, umbrella and floats.
- Arrive early to benefit from the calmest waters and safe a parking spot.
- Weekdays are usually quieter in case you’re searching for a extra chill expertise.
Closing Ideas
Estacahuite Seashore is greater than only a helpful day journey—it’s a spot the place you’ll be able to decelerate, join with nature, and revel in among the finest seashores on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Whereas its eating places are less complicated than these at different “hidden” seashores in Oaxaca comparable to Playa Agua Blanca and Playa Roca Blaca, the water right here is rather more swimmable.
Whether or not you’re spending the day floating in Playa Estacahuite’s clear blue waters, having fun with recent seafood beneath a shady palapa, or absorbing the beautiful Pacific Coast views, that is the sort of place the place you’ll be able to really escape the crowds and unwind.
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