Playa Zipolite, Oaxaca to the west San Agustinillo Mazunte, Oaxaca Playa Ventanilla Puerto Escondido Punta Cometa Ventanilla, Oaxaca to the east Huatulco, Oaxaca Puerto Angel, Oaxaca to the north Oaxaca, Oaxaca Río Tonameca   Main Index More Photos Map Huatulco Airport Regional Map Piña Palmera Dangerous Surf Currency Legal Resources   Telephone Calls Living in Mexico Missing Persons Real Estate Turtle Museum Azul Profundo Scuba Transportation Weather Visitors' Comments About • Home • Links

Zipolite Beach, photo by Stephen Blutter

The origin of the name Zipolite, which is sometimes spelled Sipolite or Cipolite, is uncertain but may have come from the Nahuatl word sipolitlan or zipotli, which means bumpy place or place of continuous bumps or hills. This certainly described the topography of the region (and some of the roads as well). Another source reports that the meaning of Zipolite in the Nahuatl language is the beach of the dead or playa de los muertos because of the dangerous ocean currents. Archaeological work done on the east end of the beach tells us that Zipolite has a long history. But for the period up until 1955, only one family lived here.

A shortage of small change can be a problem in Zipolite. It is suggested that you spend your larger bills at establishments that can make change so that you will have small change for street vendors, the ice cream man, etc. Zipolite does not have a bank but I believe there is a money exchange. Nearest bank and ATM machine are in Pochutla. See the note on Currency.

WARNING: There have been a few armed robberies in Zipolite and on the road between Zipolite and Puerto Angel. Visitors should take precautions. A serious incident occurred some time ago at the Piña Palmera rehabilitation center which is described in their March 1996 Newsletter. I have not received incident reports in recent years but I cannot guarantee that dangers have been eradicated.

Tourists hiking north along the coast from Zipolite beach have been robbed. Robbers target tourists carrying backpacks that may contain valuables. Locals set a trap and caught some of these individuals, but caution is suggested. It is recommended that when hiking on remote beaches in Mexico that you do not carry valuables or appear to have valuables. This is old news as well, but the recommendation still applies.

Past Events:   Zipolite was hard hit on October 7, 1997 by Pauline, a category 4 hurricane. Pauline made landfall here with 180 mph gusts and 10-meter waves. There were no deaths in Zipolite. See Damage Reports and photos. Most of the heavily damaged hotels and restaurants were rebuilt and are back in service. Nearby Piña Palmera was also heavily damaged. Then on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 21, 2001, there was a huge fire at the Zipolite beach. There has been rebuilding since this event also.

See More Photos.

See Aerial Photos of Zipolite.

Top of page | Beaches | Hotels and Restaurants | Transportation | Tours | Miscellaneous

Beaches • Playas

The large Zipolite beach is located a couple of miles west of Puerto Angel. The sand is composed of medium sized grains. There are numerous small restaurants and places to stay on and near the beach. It is geared more toward the younger set on a budget. The strong undertow in this area can make it dangerous for swimming--too much wave action for snorkeling, too. The main section of the beach in Zipolite is called Roca Blanca, named for the bird-poop covered rock just offshore.

Playa del Amor is a small beach at the east end of Zipolite that is popular as a clothing-optional beach. Playa Camarón is a rocky cove at the west end of Zipolite behind Shambala.

Nudity is accepted (though not legal) on Zipolite beach but is not welcomed in the restaurants. Nudity is more common on Playa del Amor, just west of Zipolite.

Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.

Ayúdenme a mantener ésta información al día. Envía tus actualizaciones por e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.

Top of page | Beaches | Hotels and Restaurants | Transportation | Tours | Miscellaneous

Hotels and Restaurants • Hoteles y Restaurantes

Additional accommodations are available in San Agustinillo to the west and Puerto Angel to the east.

There are numerous places to eat and stay and the prices are low. Accommodations tend to be small and basic. Following is a list of mostly restaurant establishments. Many also have rooms for rent. For years, Zipolite did not have telephones and it is still customary for visitors to arrive without reservations. Now there are telephones and internet service. Christmas/New Year's and Easter week are the only times when it may be difficult to find a room. If you have telephone numbers or email addresses that are not listed here, please send them to me tom@tomzap.com.

• El Alquimista Located near Shambhala. Restaurant and cabañas. Continental cuisine. Recommended. Email: info@el-alquimista.com (4/06)
• El Arcoiris Calle del Amor, across from Solstice. (958) 584-3383. 3 rooms with double beds, 1 room with two double beds (shared bathroom). 1 suite with Sky, kitchen, bathroom and a balcony. Restaurant with wireless internet. (8/07) looking over the ocean
• Arcoveis - Artesanias Bazaar
• Posada Brisas Marina (958) 584-3193. Bathrooms, balconies with hammocks. Owner, Daniel, is American and speaks English. US$8-20/night. brisamarina@Prodigy.net.mx (3/08) Reviews are mixed, please send me yours tom@tomzap.com.
• Posada Buena Onda West end near Shambhala. Rooms and restaurant.
• Las Casitas Located between Lo Cosmico and Shambhala at the far west end of the beach. Bungalows with private baths and kitchenettes, solar-powered. Restaurant. US$18 and up low season, $23 and up high season. info@lascasitas.net. (3/05)
• Castillo Oasis (958) 106-1763. Calle del Amor #97. English, Spanish and German spoken. Attractive, comfortable accommodations, reasonably priced. castillooasis@web.de. (10/07)
• La Choza (958) 584-3190. Av. Principal s/n, Col Roca Blanca. Excellent restaurant but not as inexpensive as in the past. Hammock $3, room with bath US$15 Email: lachoza@elfoco.com menu (3/05)
• Lo Cosmico Lo Cósmico, Aptdo. postal 36, 70900 Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico. admin@locosmico.com - restaurant and cabañas. US$9 double. The restaurant serves crepes and is recommended. (3/05)
• El Eclipse Rooms and restaurant. Okay. (3/08)
• Emmanuel - nice rooms, where the pretty European girls stay
• Posada Kiko (958) 584-3176. Hammocks and rooms. Simple. lupe@diwanistan.net. (11/02)
• Lola's (958) 584-3162. Room with private bath US$18 (8/07)
• Loma Linda located in Zipolite centro, on a hill. Spacious bungalows overlooking the beach, Feldenkrais classes and a retreat center for rent. Recommended. info@lalomalinda.com. (5/08)
• Lyoban (958) 584-3177. Hammocks and rooms. Email: lyoban@prodigy.net.mx. US$37 with bath. (3/05)
• Hotel Neptuno Located near the center of Zipolite beach. (958) 584-3219, 584-3221. jopecha@hotmail.com Restaurant El Bodegon specializes in mediterrean food.
• El Pacifico - volleyball net
• Pacífico del Sur - cabañas
• Posada San Cristobal Calle Roca Blanca. (958) 584-3191. posadasancristobal@hotmail.com - Restaurant, rooms, landscaping, one of the nicer places in Zipolite. US$20 for a double (3/08)
• Pachamama (formerly El Hongo) - restaurant with rooms, located on the beach. Excellent food.
• Restaurante Paraiso (958) 584-3215. chemislacos@hotmail.com. Rooms US$35 (1/03)
• Pellicano Rooms and restaurant. Nice.
• Plaza Zipolite Recently built rooms for rent, bright yellow building. (3/08)
• Posada Mexico info@posadamexico.com - rooms US$7, Restaurant. Okay. (3/08)
• Roca Blanca
• Hotel Tao (958) 584-3195. tao_zipolite@yahoo.com.mx Restaurant with Chinese and Russian cuisine. US$12 & 15 (01/01).
• El Tiburon estebanzipol@hotmail.com One report mentions theft activity by owner's daughter, Gloria (a different Gloria than Shambhala). (8/03)

  Cazulita de Mariscos at La Choza   menu

• Montebello - hammocks
• Posada Itzama Have one report of theft in the rooms.
• Teponaztli Rooms and restaurant. Simple.
• Bar la Puesta - a favorite night spot, behind Tepozue
• Hotel Paradiso very clean, tile floors, 12 oceanview rooms, two queen beds in each room, bathroom with shower and hot water. US$20/night.
• Shambhala Fax: (958) 584-3151 or (958) 584-3153. Shambhala_Vision@excite.com A Zipolite fixture since 1972, located on the west end past the rocks. Hammocks, rooms, and cabañas, communal bathrooms. Vegetarian food. Casa De Gloria, Playa Zipolite, Puerto Angel, Apto. Postal 68, Pochutla, Oaxaca, Mexico 70900.
• Solstice Mexico Calle del Amor # 94. Mail: Apdo #18, Puerto Angel, Pochutla, Oax. 70902 Mexico. info@solstice-mexico.com Bungalows, Yoga classes and workshops, gated, safety boxes in rooms. Recommended. (10/02)
• Villa Escondida Located in the hills of Zipolite near the beach. Hostal, communal kitchen, laundry, bungalows with private kitchen. info@villaescondida2002.com. High speed internet and WiFi. Recommended. (3/05)
• La Volantina Cabanas and restaurant. Email: sergioviaje@hotmail.com Double US$15 low season, US$25 high. (01/03)
• Villa la Luna Located above Playa del Amor near Universidad del Mar. Sweeping view, rooms may be rented seperately. Best accommodation in the area. info@villalaluna.com (4/06)

Help keep this information current. I am especially interested in telephone numbers. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.

Ayúdenme a mantener ésta información al día. Estoy especialmente interesado en los números del teléfono. Envía tus actualizaciones por e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.

Top of page | Beaches | Hotels and Restaurants | Transportation | Tours | Miscellaneous

Transportation • Transportación

You can get to Zipolite from Puerto Angel by taxi or bus. The last bus returns to Puerto Angel before sunset.



see Regional Map [120K], see Local Map [40K]

Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.

Ayúdenme a mantener ésta información al día. Envía tus actualizaciones por e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.

Top of page | Beaches | Hotels and Restaurants | Transportation | Tours | Miscellaneous

Tour Operators, Outfitters • Operadores Turísticos, Proveedores

• Explore Fly Fishing and mexicofishing.ca Located in San Agustinillo. (416) 830-1779 (Canada). Guided inshore and bluewater fishing. eric@exploreflyfishing.com or paraiso_del_pescador@yahoo.ca

  Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.

  Ayúdenme a mantener ésta información al día. Envía tus actualizaciones por e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.

Top of page | Beaches | Hotels and Restaurants | Transportation | Tours | Miscellaneous |

Miscellaneous • Misceláneo

• Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga is located a few miles west of Zipolite on Carretera a Zipolite at Bahía Mazunte. Numerous varieties of live turtles and fish are on display, as well as photos and other exhibits. Efforts are being made to reestablish the once plentiful area turtle population. Guided tours. Nominal admission fee. Recommended.
• Of Turtles and Things an article from the Mexican Meanderings newsletter, .
• Link to A Wave of Change Inundates Zipolite by John Tarleton.
• Casa del Sol and Zipolnet Internet access. Owned by Emir Villanueva, emirabraham@hotmail.com, emir@vissionsd.com.mx.
• Piña Palmera -- rehabilitation center and school for handicapped children is located on hwy 175, or behind Morgan de la Laguna from the beach. They have a basic but functional open-air gym that they use for rehabilitation which is available to the public. Fee is 5 pesos which goes towards maintenance and improvements to the gym.
• Visitors' Comments on Zipolite
• Ying & Yang Bicycle and scooter shop. Paco. (3/05)