Mazunte at a glance
The state tourism office lists Mazunte among the Pueblos Mágicos of Oaxaca. An older federal listing places it in the municipality of Santa María Tonameca. It lies next to San Agustinillo and is the usual starting point for the walk to Punta Cometa and for the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga.
This site is an independent guide. It is not run by the municipality, the turtle center or any tour operator. Prices are in Mexican pesos (MXN) as published, and they can change.
Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga
The turtle center is the main reason many visitors stop in Mazunte.
Opening hours
The municipal website lists Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:30 and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:30. No Monday or Tuesday hours are listed, so plan for those days as closed. Another listing shows the Sunday ticket window closing at 14:00, so arrive early on Sunday.
Entry
The municipality lists MXN 44 for adults and MXN 22 for students. Children and seniors are free. No age limit or proof of eligibility is stated, and the page gives no tariff year. Another listing shows different amounts for 2026, so bring a little more cash than you expect to need and ask at the ticket window.
Before you go
Check which exhibits are open on the day, whether parking costs anything and whether a booking is needed. Pay in cash. Public pages do not give you a guaranteed visit time.
Our pick: a coast day with Mazunte and Punta Cometa
One full day that visits the village itself, the headland, Zipolite and the Ventanilla lagoon, with the driving done for you.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours from Mazunte and Zipolite
Lagoon boats, turtle visits and day trips along the Oaxaca coast, with live prices and availability.
Turtles on this coast
Olive ridley turtles nest on the beaches of Oaxaca. The big nesting beach at Escobilla has its own rules: you need a guide and the agreement of the administration, groups are limited to 10 visitors, and you keep at least 10 m from a single nesting turtle until egg laying starts. Visitors do not touch animals, eggs or hatchlings, and flash is not allowed. Those rules apply to that reserve, but they are a good standard for any visit.
Hatchlings are released by trained staff, not by visitors. Do not book an offer that lets you hold turtles. Nesting cannot be promised for your date. The press reported 6 arribadas by 17 September 2026 in the 2026/27 season, but they come without warning.
Beaches, headland and neighbors
What is within reach of the village.
Mazunte Beach
The bay is the village beach. This is the open Pacific, and conditions change from day to day. A hotel on nearby Mermejita beach warns its guests about the open ocean and changing conditions. Ask locally before you swim. Flags mean green for favorable conditions, yellow for caution and red for no entry into the sea.
Punta Cometa
A footpath leads from the access in Mazunte to the headland, which the state tourism office describes as a community-based ecological sanctuary. A local portal estimates 15 to 20 minutes on foot and a free entry with a voluntary donation. Bring a flashlight for the way back.
Punta Cometa guide →San Agustinillo
This beach is about 5 minutes from Mazunte, according to the state tourism office, with small to medium waves, surfing and snorkeling.
San Agustinillo guide →Zipolite
The long beach next door has strong surf and dangerous currents. It is a clothing-optional beach, and you ask before you take photos of people.
Zipolite beach guide →Ventanilla lagoon
Boat and canoe trips show birds, iguanas and crocodiles. The cooperative lists daily opening from 8:00 to 17:00.
Tours compared →Practical points
Small shops, entries and boats often take cash only, and a travel portal mentions that cash machines can fail and that banks are available in Pochutla. The US State Department rates Mexico at Level 2, exercise increased caution (29 May 2026). The German Foreign Office updated its Mexico advice on 19 October 2026. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from 15 May to 30 November.
For the flights, buses and taxis to the coast, see the travel page. For lodging by area, see the stay page.
Mazunte: frequently asked questions
What is Mazunte known for?
It is a Pueblo Mágico with a bay, the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga and the walk to Punta Cometa. San Agustinillo and Zipolite are close by.
When is the turtle center open?
The municipal website lists Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:30 and Sunday from 10:00 to 14:30. Another listing shows a slightly earlier Sunday close and closure on Monday and Tuesday, so come early.
How much does the turtle center cost?
The municipality lists MXN 44 for adults and MXN 22 for students, with children and seniors free, but gives no tariff year. Another listing shows different amounts for 2026. Bring cash and confirm at the entrance.
Can I swim at Mazunte Beach?
Conditions on this coast change, and the sea is the open Pacific. Ask locally, follow the flags and stay in your depth. Do not swim after a storm warning.
Can I hold a baby turtle?
No. Visitors do not touch animals, eggs or hatchlings, and releases are done by trained staff.