The small seaside town is simply a strip of barely paved road with a few restaurants and hotels on either side. The long whitesand beach sits secluded between two towering rock cliffs, the crashing waves beckoning surfers to ride them. The simplicity of it all is what makes Playa Zipolite so charming. You won’t find any over-the-top resorts or ritzy all-inclusives. What you will find are laid back locals who never seem to know what time it is, street vendors selling stylish handmade crafts, delicious Mexican cuisine cooked in ways that can only be found in Oaxaca, and some of the most beautiful sunsets in Central America.

 

Note: Do keep in mind that Playa Zipolite is a popular destination for nudists. When we were there, most people seemed to keep their swimsuits on, but don’t be surprised if you see fellow travelers donning nothing more than their birthday suit.

 

 

Sunset at Playa Zipolite
 

 

Here are 22 photos to show why Playa Zipolite is paradise on Earth.

 

Surfing

Since living in Costa Rica, one of our (more specifically my) favorite beach pastimes is hitting the waves. Surf lessons are popular here and nearly everyone on our trip with Cantimplora Travel caught some waves during our surf session! We were so grateful to have a professional photographer with us to capture the moment while we enjoyed the ride.

 

 

Surfing at Playa Zipolite
Surfing at Playa Zipolite
Surfing at Playa Zipolite
Surfing at Playa Zipolite
 

 

Cruise to Bahia De La Luna

The following morning, we took a fishing boat around the corner to Bahia De La Luna. On the way we were lucky enough to spot sea turtles and dolphins. We were told the migrating humpback whales weren’t in season to make an appearance. Our boat arrived early to this quiet, super secluded piece of paradise just as the sun was reaching above the surrounding cliffs to light up the calm turquoise water. Our breakfast came from the conveniently located little restaurant set up right on the beach. After a few hours of enjoying the bay, we had the invitation to get our blood pumping a bit and were taken to a spot where you can cliff jump.

 

 

Playa Zipolite Boat Ride
Bahia de la Luna, Playa Zipolite
Bahia de la Luna
Swimming at Bahia de la Luna
Bahia de la Luna
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[clickToTweet tweet=”These 22 Photos Prove that Playa Zipolite, #Mexico Is Paradise” quote=”These 22 Photos Prove that Playa Zipolite Is Paradise”]

 

Dinner at La Providencia

Mexico City’s restaurants may be known to have some of the best cuisine in the world, but La Providencia just outside Playa Zipolite rivals the best of them, and for a fraction of the price. The owners Javier and Paco make some incredible meals including coconut shrimp, medallion tuna, and much more!

 

 

La Providencia Playa Zipolite
La Providencia Playa Zipolite
La Providencia Playa Zipolite
 

 

Sunset at Punta Cometa

This special spot just north of town is famous for its dramatic sunsets. After a short 10-15 minute hike from the entrance to the point, we were greeted by expansive views stretching up and down the dramatic coastline. It’s one of the only places you can see the sun both rise and set over the ocean!

 

 

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Sunset at Punta Cometa Playa Zipolite
Sunset at Punta Cometa Playa Zipolite
 

 

Drinks at El Alquimista

What better way to end the day than with drinks illuminated by torchlight and your toes in the sand. To top it all off we headed to El Alquimista at the far north end of the beach and grabbed a couch on the sand to sip our cocktail under the stars.

 

 

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During this trip we were guests of Cantimplora Travel and all of the photos above where taken by our personal photographer. If you want to explore off-the-beaten-path Mexico with the safety and convenience of a small group and professional photographer, you can experience Playa Zipolite and much more of Oaxaca State on their Destination: Oaxaca Tour using the link below.

 

 

Use the code ACC-100 to instantly get $100 off!
 

 

A huge thank you to Cantimplora Travel for inviting us to join their awesome Oaxaca Road Trip! As always, all thoughts are our own.