Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

The first time that I visited Zipolite beach on the Oaxaca coast of Mexico, it changed my life. I decided I would sell my house, quit my sales job, and move to Mexico, so that I could travel more. I now live in San Miguel de Allende, no longer own much of anything, and, yes, I travel more.

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

This time when I went to Zipolite, I came to the conclusion that I have to move somewhere where there is a beach. I realized I belong in the ocean. So, after my upcoming travels in May and June, I will be deciding on the next place that I will move to.

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

I am happiest when I am swimming in ocean waves

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide Valen Dawson

Walking along ocean’s edge, my toes in the sand

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

What is it about Zipolite?

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

What gives it the magic that it has?

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

Is it that you can see both the sun rise and the sun set from the same beach?

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

Is it the call of the great-tailed grackle

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

who stole its seven songs

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

from the turtle of the sea?

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

Or is it that the people who visit seem so in tune with Mother Earth?

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

Does the ocean speak louder to those who are listening?

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

I am not sure what causes my enchantment of Zipolite

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

But one thing is certain

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

Zipolite is pure magic

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

Zipolite Beach: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

Is Zipolite The Right Beach For You?

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

Zipolite attracts many people from all over the world. You will find many yoga gurus, backpackers, surfers, beach bums, hippies, and people from all walks of life.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite is not a place with 5-star beach resorts, so if you prefer staying at all-inclusive resorts, then Zipolite won’t be for you. (I prefer Zipolite because of that.) Zipolite beach also has a clothing-optional beach policy, so if that offends you, then Zipolite probably isn’t for you.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

You should also know that Zipolite’s waves are rough, so you won’t be able to get in the ocean if you aren’t a good swimmer. I swim in Zipolite’s waves just fine, but if you have children, it’s probably not the best place for them.

How To Get There

Zipolite: A Complete Guide

You can fly into either the Puerto Escondido or Huatulco airports to reach Zipolite. I flew into Huatulco. You will need to take an hour-long taxi ride from the airport to reach Zipolite. The taxi stand at the airport reads 800 pesos. However, you can walk outside the airport and negotiate a taxi ride for 450 pesos. Alternatively, you can email the taxi driver I used, Jorge Lopez at [email protected]. He will pick you up at the airport (you will still wind up walking outside the airport) and take you to Zipolite from Huatulco for 450 pesos. You can also call him at 958-587-5443.

Where To Stay In Zipolite

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide Heven

The view from Heven

I stayed at two places on Zipolite Beach. El Alquimista and Heven. I adored them both. They are both different, and to get the full experience of Zipolite (from above and below), I would recommend them both.

El Alquimista

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

For an experience of having a cabana right on the beach, you can’t beat El Alquimista. I loved hearing the roaring ocean waves each night as I slept. El Alquimista has the best food in all of Zipolite in their restaurant and the fastest internet. (Though, that’s not saying much. It’s slow everywhere!) They offer yoga classes, and they have a rooftop swimming pool. Call rather than reserving online for the best room rates.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Heven

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Heven is just that. Complete bliss that leaves you definitely feeling like you are in heaven! The views are stunning, and I loved being able to watch the sun rise and set each night from Heven. The infinity pool has one of the best views I’ve ever seen. And, breakfast is included in the room rate! (I don’t know of any other place in Zipolite that includes breakfast.)

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

What made Heven even more special is just about all the furniture is hand-crafted in Mexico. The decor was stunning, and each room is different. There is no hot water in most of the rooms, but the weather is so warm, the water isn’t freezing, so it’s not a big deal.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Victor and Andrea were such lovely hosts. They made me feel very welcome and always made sure that I had everything I needed.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

What made Heven feel even more like a home away from home were the adorable cats and dogs that they have rescued. They watched the sun rise each morning with me, and I miss them everyday.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

I don’t think there’s any place in the world like Heven, so don’t miss this gem when you go to Zipolite. Note: Heven is adults only. Children under age 18 are not permitted.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Breakfast at Heven

Where To Eat In Zipolite

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite Beach has wonderful restaurants with delicious food. I loved eating so much fresh seafood that was affordably priced. Here were my favorite places to eat in Zipolite.

1. El Alquimista

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Chicken Chilaquiles/Breakfast at El Alquimista, Zipolite

El Alquimista is my favorite restaurant in Zipolite. I ate breakfast and lunch here almost every day. I enjoyed the range of offerings they had for breakfast from Mexican specialties to baguette and croissant sandwiches. The fresh juices and coffee were also very good.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide El Alquimista food

El Alquimista Greek Salad With Goat Cheese and Chicken

I spent each day on the comfy mattresses that El Alquimista has on the beach, so I loved that I could enjoy lunch without even getting up. El Alquimista offers wonderful ceviche and salads. They have a brick oven as well, so don’t miss the pizza! They also offer the most romantic setting on the beach with candlelit tables and candles set in all the surrounding rocks.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide El Alquimista Restaurant

El Alquimista breakfast baguette sandwich/ Bacon and egg

Orale Cafe

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

I was also very impressed with the breakfast at Orale Cafe. I had Quiche, but Orale also offers french toast, Huevos Rancheros, omelets, bacon, and a few lunch dishes, too. I thought they had some of the best coffee in Zipolite, and their lattes were only 20 pesos. They also had good wifi. Orale is set in a beautiful garden, and I enjoyed the atmosphere.

Sal y Pimienta

A photo posted by Orestes V (@orestworld) on

Sal y Pimentia was my favorite place to have dinner. (They offer lunch, too, but I was always too lazy to leave my beach mat.) It’s right on the beach, closer to the opposite end of El Alquimista. They had the best fish and seafood of anywhere that I ate, and the prices were unbelievable! I had grilled mahi-mahi with garlic that came with fries, salad, and rice, and a beer and water, and the total price came to $6 USD. They also had shrimp and octopus on the menu. At night, they set candles on the table which makes for a fun setting with your feet in the sand.

La Providencia

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide La Providencia

La Providencia is a well-known spot for gourmet dinners in Zipolite. I had an appetizer of tostones with fish, and mahi mahi which was prepared Asian style. It was delicious, but I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn’t seated right next to the living room where people are allowed to smoke. You must make reservations at La Providencia.

Zipolite: Your Complete Travel Guide

Beach Food

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

My favorite part was the vendors who came around and offered food right on the beach. Don’t miss the coconuts (and don’t pay more than 25 pesos for one-me, being the sucker I am-paid 40 pesos for one the first day), the homemade coconut or guanabana ice cream which is more like Italian ice, the mescal man, and the crispy fish tacos. So good!

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Best Gelato

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

The best ice cream, by far, was at Tutifruti on the Main Road. An Italian woman owns the gelato shop, and her gelato was glorious. I had avocado mixed with Fior di Latte, but she had several flavors to choose from. She also had Italian desserts and kombucha for sale.

Best Fish Tacos

Zipolite: Your Complete Travel Guide fish tacos

Fish tacos at El Alquimista

I ate fish tacos every day, and my favorite in Zipolite were at El Alquimista, but for the absolute best fish tacos, take a taxi for 50 pesos to San Agustinillo, and order the fish tacos at La Ola. It’s right on the beach, and their fish tacos were everything a fish taco should be. San Agustinillo has a beach that’s great for swimming, though, overall, I prefer the liveliness of Zipolite.

Update: The best fish tacos are now at Hotel Nude in Zipolite!

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Fish tacos at La Ola

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Beach at San Agustinillo

Fish Tacos To Avoid

fish tacos

I absolutely detested the fish tacos at the Colectivo Calavera Social Club. It looked like such a cute place with a walk-up window, and they specialized in fish and shrimp tacos, so my expectations were high. The fish was soggy, thin, and it seemed like it had been microwaved rather than freshly fried. I also wasn’t a fan of the batter they used.

The Overpriced Restaurant

Fish & Love

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

I was disappointed with the prices at Fish & Love. It’s the kind of restaurant, which I really like, where you pick out your fish, and they grill it. The only thing is, there are no prices. I picked out a very small red snapper, so small, that even the owner said it was small, and suggested I get some shrimp on the side, so I also ordered three shrimp, and a beer. My bill came to 300 pesos. The food was good, but not that good, considering that I had a three-course meal with wine for that price at La Providencia.

Update:  I went back on a different visit to Zipolite. This time I made sure to ask for the pricing up front and got a much better price on the fish. And the fish was delicious.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

What To Do In Zipolite

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

The best thing about Zipolite is it’s a great place to come and do absolutely nothing. Each time I’ve been, I have left feeling so relaxed and rested, and like I’ve had a real vacation. But, there are snorkeling trips, excursions to a waterfall, and a few other activities to keep you occupied.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

You can see both the sun rise and the sun set from Shambala’s Meditation Hill, so I recommend a hike to the top one morning or afternoon.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

There are many yoga classes offered, and the bulletin boards in town will tell you of other activities. Take a stroll down the main street at night, as many vendors appear with things for sale such as handmade jewelry. I even found a bottle of home-made cranberry infused mescal, which was delicious.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

I hope that Zipolite beach captures your heart just as much as it did mine.

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide

Zipolite: A Complete Travel Guide Valen Dawson