Playa San Agustinillo: Hippy Surf Spot with Striking Views
Find the ride you need in
Will you ride waves on your vacation, or will you relax on golden sands? Either way, find out why Playa San Agustinillo is the spot for you.
Golden sands, warm tides, and an abundance of culture. What more could you ask for in a vacation?
Playa San Agustinillo is a destination to remember, especially if you’re looking for a Mexican beach paradise that’s not too touristy yet. Uh-huh, this gorgeous beach is a hidden gem, complete with hippy surf spots, boutique hotels, and unforgettable eateries.
But don’t book without the lowdown on the area.
From how to get to this dreamy beach to the ultimate packing, we’ve covered everything you need to know before your trip.
Keep reading to secure the holiday of all time.
About Playa San Agustinillo, Mexico
Playa de San Agustinillo is a beach and small town in Oaxaca on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
Yup, both the beach and town have the same name, and the town lies just behind the seafront. The town offers hotels, restaurants, shops, and more. Everything you need for a fantastic beach vacay in one area.
Great news for budget travelers.
The San Agustinillo beach is free for all visitors. No hidden fees for sunbathing here. You’ll also find umbrellas, sun loungers, toilets, and beach restaurants—but you might have to pay for some of these amenities.
Since this is a popular swimming spot, there is lifeguard supervision on this beach. The current here isn’t too strong, so it’s ideal for families and swimmers. However, you should always check whether there are any warnings about rough tides, just in case.
Playa San Agustinillo can get busy during the peak season (November to February). To enjoy the beach without the crowds, consider visiting before 12 pm.
It’s almost mandatory to experience sundown here. Grab a drink from a local vendor and plant yourself in the sand. There’s nothing like enjoying the Pacific Ocean while the sun sets around you.
Pro Tip: Carry a few spare pesos. Not all vendors accept cards, and you don’t want to miss out on a margarita because you skipped the ATM.
San Agustinillo vs. Mazunte
This tiny slice of coastline is often confused with its neighboring town of Mazunte, but though close by, these two beach towns are ever so slightly different. While both beach fronts offer fine sands, palm-lined streets, and turquoise waters, San Agustinillio is a bit smaller and east of its well-known neighbor.
Surfing in Playa San Agustinillo, Oaxaca, Mexico
Whether you’re an avid surfer or new to the whitewater, surfing is a must on this beachfront. This part of the Oaxacan coastline is known for its amazing surfing spots, and you’ll find lots of laidback surfers around here.
Playa San Agustinillo waves are calmer than other beaches on the coastline, making it a perfect place to practice your pop-up without the fear of strong currents.
Many local schools offer surfing or bodyboarding lessons. If you’re new to the sport, why not try it out. When’s the next time you’ll be in a surfer’s paradise? Grasp the moment while you’re there!
Pro Tip: Unsure whether surfing is for you? Try a one-hour lesson before diving into a full school package.
San Agustinillo Things To Do
San Agustinillo surfing might be the main event but don’t miss out on the other electric activities. Here are the other top things to do.
Enjoy Unique Watersports
It’s time to get your adrenaline pumping. Take advantage of the endless watersports on this coastline. You can explore rowing, paddle boarding, skimboarding, and body boarding here. Whether you’re solo or with BFFs, watersports always fill sunny afternoons with fun.
Eat by the Beach
The Mexican state of Oaxaca is known for its culinary delights. While you’re in town, make sure you enjoy some of the local delicacies.
You’ll find seafood restaurants, brunch eateries, snacks, and more along the beachfront. Grab an ocean-view seat or enjoy a picnic on the sand. Food always tastes much better when watching the waves flow.
Say Hi to Local Turtles
Yup, Playa San Agustinillo, Oaxaca, is home to a population of turtles, and you can visit them.
Situated just off the beach, you’ll find the Mexican Turtle Center, a sanctuary and museum dedicated to these critters. Alongside educating visitors on turtles, this center also highlights sustainability and ecotourism.
However, if you want a truly spectacular visit, go when it’s turtle hatching season (between July and December) and watch baby turtles enter our world.
Take a Leisurely Swim
Ready to lose your land legs?
Playa San Agustinillo Huatulco has a calmer shoreline, but this doesn’t mean that water is only available for surfing and watersports. Nope.
Swimming is the thing to do here.
Carve out some water time on your trip and enjoy the glistening depths. There are a million ways to embrace this beach, from getting a workout to floating in the shallows.
Visit Mazunte
Want a change of scenery minus the long travel times? Stop by Mazunte, another beach town just west of San Agustinillo.
Mazunte is a larger town but still offers a laid-back vibe not found in most tourist-heavy Mexican destinations. For example, you’ll still find local crafts and homemade foods without the massive queues or marked-up prices.
Like San Agustinillo, Mazunte is another popular surfing spot, and the beach here has even more restaurants and amenities. So, if you don’t want to carry a bag full of lunch, you can grab a quick meal here. Remember to take cash, though.
Spend a Day Beach Hopping
San Agustinillo is a gorgeous beach. But this region offers lots of pretty coastline for you to enjoy.
Highlights of the region include Playa Mermejita, Playa Mazunte, Playa Zipolite, Playa Bebe, and many more small coves.
If you’re beach hopping, we recommend traveling via taxi as some beaches are further than others.
Eager to walk between the beaches? We recommend taking some hiking boots alongside flip-flops. Comfort is golden.
Try Out Playa Zipolite (Nudist Beach)
This next tip might make you blush, but it’s worth noting if you’re into being at one with nature.
West of San Agustinillo, you’ll find Playa Zipolite, another popular spot with hotels, amenities, and restaurants. The extra special feature of this beach is its relaxed nudist area. Uh-huh, you can strip off and work on an undisrupted suntan. Buh-bye bikini tan lines, helloooo laundry-free beach day!
Many tourists and locals opt for clothes, but you won’t be shunned if you take your kit off. It’s not for everyone, but it’s good to know.
Explore Rockpools
A defining feature of the San Agustinillo beach is its rocky outcrops and rock pools. Take some time to explore these geological formations. You never know what you’ll see in the turquoise depths.
Pro Tip: Bring a snorkel and mask to get an excellent view.
Also, if you have beach shoes, you should pack them. The beach is sandy, but these rocks are, well, rocky.
Playa San Agustinillo Hotels & Accommodations
Choosing where to stay is the icing on the cake of any vacation.
Luckily for ocean lovers, accommodations here always keep you close to the San Agustinillo Oaxaca surf. Most options here are on the beach, but there are many hotels and apartments only a short walk from it.
Top accommodation options include hotels, apartments, hostels, cabanas, and resort-style hotels. No matter your preference or budget, there’s something for everyone.
Pro Tip: Book before you travel. Don’t put your trust into last-minute bookings.
Weather in San Agustinillo Beach
Only the brave ignore weather forecasts. Mis-matched weather can leave your trip feeling a bit blue, so we’ve gathered the typical weather trends to help you plan in advance.
Good news for any cold-country dwellers. This stretch of Oaxacan coastline experiences warm weather all year round—think averages around 85°F/30°C.
But from November to April, you can expect a slightly drier-than-average climate and no rain. If experiencing warm temperatures and dry weather is on your to-do list, book within this period.
Alternatively, sunseekers can book between June to September, but that’s also the rainy season, so there is a lot of humidity in these months.
Swimming is always on the menu, with the water temperature around 78°F/26°C.
Packing List for San Agustinillo Beach, Oaxaca
Jumping on a plane soon? Don’t pass through TSA without double-checking your bags. Here are some items we recommend for Playa San Agustinillo.
- Wetsuits (if surfing)
- Beach shoes/flip-flops
- Waterproof cameras
- Spare cash for local vendors
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Swimwear
- UV safe sunglasses
- A beach bag large enough to hold all of the above!
Map of San Agustinillo
How to Get to Playa San Agustinillo
Arriving in Playa San Agustinillo marks the start of your vacation. But don’t assume the route is obvious.
When heading to this slice of paradise, you’ll need to aim for Mazunte, the nearest large town. If you have an extra few days, consider exploring this town further. You’ll find another golden beach, more fab food, and some chic hotels.
Most visitors travel to Mazunte from Puerto Escondido or Oaxaca. The quickest route is from Puerto Escondido to Mazunte, which takes around 1.5 hours with a minivan.
If you want to travel from Oaxaca to Mazunte, the journey takes approximately six hours by minivan.
Minivans aren’t the only travel option, though. You can also reach Mazunte and Playa San Agustinillo via plane. Fly to the nearest airport (Puerto Escondido International Airport PXM) and then take a taxi for one hour and 15 minutes.
Playa San Agustinillo: The Outlook
A vacation isn’t complete without the surf at your feet and a tropical cocktail in hand, and Playa San Agustinillo is here to fulfill all your out-of-office needs.
We’ve already saved you a surfboard.
Ready to travel on? Check out Bookaway’s Mexican travel routes so you can plan where to go next.
FAQ
Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM). This is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away via car.
San Agustinillo town is situated directly behind the beach. Mazunte is only a 3-minute drive to the west (or a chilled 20-minute walk away).
Yes, this is a safe coastline. Always look after your possessions like you would anywhere in the world. Consider leaving valuables in a hotel safe while relaxing at the beach.
Yes, this is a great spot for swimming.
