Ultimate San Agustinillo Oaxaca Travel Guide for 2023

PLANNING A TRIP TO SAN AGUSTINILLO, OAXACA, MEXICO?

You’ve come to the right place! In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this beautiful fishing village and beach town of San Agustinillo Oaxaca. How do you know this is the best, most complete guide?

I’ve lived in Mexico since 2018, and San Agustinillo is one of my absolute favorite beach towns in Oaxaca. I’ve spent a lot of time here, and I’m ready to share all my secrets with you.

Looking for the best San Agustinillo HOTELS?

I always recommend Casa Aamori Boutique Hotel, one of the highest-rated and best hotels in San Agustinillo.

From top activities to transportation, logistics, restaurants, hotels, and important FAQs, this guide will get you primed for the trip of a lifetime.

San Agustinillo Mexico is a great place to catch some sun and surf, go on hikes, go horseback riding, explore the mangroves, and more.

Ready for the ultimate San Agustinillo Oaxaca Mexico guide? Let’s dive in!

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

How to Get to San Agustinillo Oaxaca

You can get to San Agustinillo by air or by land. Which method works best for you will depend on where you’re coming from, how much time you have, and your budget.

Read on to find the best method of getting to this fun beach town from Mexico City, Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

There are very few direct flight to Huatulco and even fewer direct flight to Puerto Escondido from the U.S. or Canada, so you’ll likely fly through Mexico City International Airport (code: MEX).

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Mexico City to San Agustinillo

✈️ Flights from Mexico City to San Agustinillo

If you are in Mexico City and need to get to San Agustinillo, the best option is to fly. However, you can also take the ADO bus from Mexico City to San Agustinillo, or take the OCC bus to San Agustinillo.

To fly, book a flight from Mexico City to either Huatulco International Airport (HUX) or Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM). You can get from either airport to San Agustinillo by taking a taxi or a pasajero.

🚚 Pasajero Colectivo to San Agustinillo

Once you get to the coast of Oaxaca, you need to make our way over-land from Puerto Escondido to San Agustinillo or Huatulco to San Agustinillo.

If you’re not renting a car, the cheapest way to get to San Agustinillo is via public transportation on the pasajero, or taxi truck. If you choose to go by pasajero, you will need head to specific places to get the pasajero.

• If you’re traveling the Puerto Escondido San Agustinillo route, then you’ll need to transfer at Crucero de San Antonio.
• If you’re coming from Huatulco, you’ll need to transfer at Crucero Pochutla y Puerto Angel.

🚌 Bus from Mexico City to San Agustinillo

To go by bus, take a taxi to the ADO bus terminal in Mexico City, then buy a ticket to San Pedro Pochutla.

These tickets will cost approximately $1,650 MXN pesos ($90 USD). This trip will take about 16 hours. Once in San Pedro Pochutla, take a taxi or a local pasajero to San Agustinillo, as explained above.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Oaxaca to San Agustinillo

🚚 Land Travel from Oaxaca to San Agustinillo

To get to San Agustinillo from Oaxaca, you can either go by land or by air.

If you choose to go by land, you can go directly to San Agustinillo. There’s no need to go to Puerto Escondido or Huatulco first.

▶︎ For Oaxaca rental cars, I recommend and personally use Discover Cars. They compare international companies and local Mexican companies, so you always get the best rates.

You can take a bus from Oaxaca City to San Pedro Pochutla, then take the pasajero pickups to the Crucero Pochutla y Puerto Angel. Find another pasajero to take you to San Agustinillo.

Alternatively, take a tourist shuttle directly from Oaxaca to Playa San Agustinillo Oaxaca.

✈️ Flights from Oaxaca to San Agustinillo

Wondering, Is there an airport in San Agustinillo, Mexico? There’s not, but there are two airports within 1.5 hours of San Agustinillo.

If you’d rather fly, you can book a flight to either Huatulco Airport (HUX Airport) or Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM Airport).

Check out the section below to see how to get the rest of the way to your Mexico San Agustinillo hotel of choice.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Puerto Escondido to San Agustinillo

🚌 Bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido

The process of getting from Puerto Escondido to San Agustinillo is pretty straightforward. The simplest way is to take an ADO bus from the Puerto Escondido bus terminal to either Huatulco or Pochutla. 

Be sure to tell the ticket agent and the driver that you want to get off at Crucero San Antonio. Once in Crucero San Antonio, you can either take a pasajero or a taxi to San Agustinillo.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Huatulco to San Agustinillo

🚖 Taxi from Huatulco to San Agustinillo

If you’re in Huatulco, or have flown in en route to the Oaxacan Riviera, it’s time to go the rest of the way by land. You can either take a taxi the entire way, take public transport the entire way, or mix and match.

If you want to take a taxi the entire way, you can take an airport taxi. Alternatively, walk to the highway and negotiate a price with the cheaper taxis there.

⚠️ Note: There’s no Uber in Huatulco and no Uber in Oaxaca state anywhere.

🚌 Bus from Huatulco to San Agustinillo

Prefer public transportation? First, walk out to the highway outside of the Huatulco airport and catch a second-class bus.

Just make sure you get one going to Puerto Escondido or Pochutla. Once you’re aboard, ask to get off at the Crucero de Pochutla y Puerto Angel.

Next, catch a pasajero to San Agustinillo. Pasajeros are a very cheap form of local transport. Catch one headed to San Agustinillo. (Alternatively, take a taxi from the crucero to San Agustinillo).

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Where to Stay in San Agustinillo Oaxaca

When deciding on San Agustinillo accommodations, the first question you must ask is if you want to stay on the San Agustinillo beach or up on the hill. 

There are several great San Agustinillo rentals and hotels right on the beach, perfect for anyone who loves the view of sand and palm trees. Some of the top beach-front hotels in San Agustinillo Oaxaca include:

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

1. Casa La Ola San Agustinillo

• ⭐️ Rating: 9 out of 10 Stars
• 🏆 Perfect for: Families, couples, solo travelers
• 🏝️ Known for: Hospitality, beachfront location, cleanliness
• 🏨 View on Booking.com
• ☝️ Note: Children ages 6 and up are welcome

For my money, Casa La Ola is the best hotel in San Agustinillo Oaxaca.

It is located in the heart of town, with easy access to restaurants, beaches, and the pasajero (taxi truck) on the main road so you can visit the neighboring towns. In short: You’re within walking distance of everything!

This best boutique hotel in has everything from spacious rooms and ocean view suites. There’s also an onsite restaurant, room service, 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi throughout the property.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

2. Zoa Hotel San Agustinillo (Adults Only)

• ⭐️ Rating: 8.9 out of 10 Stars
• 🏆 Perfect for: Couples, solo travelers, friend groups
• 🏝️ Known for: Private beach, pool, Mexican style
• 🏨 View on Booking.com
• ☝️ Note: This San Agustinillo hotel is adults only

Get out of town and enjoy the exclusive luxury of Zoa Hotel. This hotel is halfway between San Agustinillo and Mazunte Oaxaca and is built right into the cliffs. This accommodation option is adults only.

3. Casa Aamori Bouique Hotel San Agustinillo (Adults Only)

• ⭐️ Rating: 8.9 out of 10 Stars
• 🏆 Perfect for: Couples, solo travelers
• 🏝️ Known for: Beachfront location, swimming pool, yoga, spa treatments
• 🏨 View on Booking.com
• ☝️ Note: This San Agustinillo Oaxaca hotel is adults only

Casa Aamori San Agustinillo is a lovely hotel with suites, balconies, and beautiful beach and ocean views. Swimming pools, a restaurant, and a beach club round out the amenities.

Luxury and rustic chic decor combine to create an ambiance that is both warm and beautiful. Bonus, they also have air conditioning. Note: This accommodation option is adults only.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

10 Best Things to Do in San Agustinillo Oaxaca

1. Visit Playa San Agustinillo

If you’re looking for a slice of beach heaven, you’ll love Playa San Agustinillo Oaxaca Mx. Even though the beaches in Zipolite and Mazunte are really nice, San Agustinillo’s beach might just become your favorite of the three.

Clear turquoise water, pillowy soft golden sand, and comfy loungers – what could be better? Besides chilling and sunbathing, you can also bodyboard, surf, or walk along the beach. The jungle foliage and intriguing rock formations are cool to see.

If you’re traveling with kids, note that this beach is more family-friendly than Zipolite’s. It can also be less crowded than the beach at Mazunte, which is usually a plus!

🍹 San Agustinill Travel Tips: Reserve loungers at the La Ola restaurant for an awesome tranquil morning.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

2. Learn How to Surf

Another great thing to do is to learn how to surf. Since the waves in San Agustinillo are smaller and more manageable than at other beaches, such as Mazunte, taking a class is a great Option B.

🏄🏻 surfing rentals in San Agustinillo Oaxaca

Ask at your hotel for the best San Agustinillo Oaxaca surf rentals and class options!

Keep in mind the San Agustinillo surf can vary a lot during the day, changing from practically no waves to up to 3-feet-hight (1 meter high). There are various coves you can try out depending on your level.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

3. Hike Punta Cometa in Mazunte

Walk along a gorgeous cliffside path to reach Punta Cometa. This park is on a cliffside promontory that extends into the Pacific. It’s also the southernmost tip of Oaxaca — which is kinda fun to experience.

🤔 WHAT IS PUNTA COMETA?

Back in pre-Columbian times, Punta Cometa was a sacred ceremonial center. It’s still a popular spot to enjoy 180º views of the ocean, watch whales in the winter, and catch spectacular sunsets.

Typically, whales migrate seasonally from the cooler South American climates toward the tropical waters of Costa Rica and Mexico.

🗺 HOW TO GET TO PUNTA COMETA MAZUNTE

To get to the hiking trail, walk to the southwest corner of the Mazunte beach. Steps lead up the cliff, then empty onto a dirt path. Head left, and you’ll find Punta Cometa.

Punta Cometa Pro Tip: Wear good walking/hiking shoes, take a flashlight if you’re going at sunset, and being bug spray. The hike up from the beach takes about 20 minutes, but you’ll want water because it’s a bit hard.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Relax with Some Beach Yoga

🧘🏻‍♀️ San Agustinillo yoga? Yes, please! Grab your mat and head to the sand for a session of sun salutations or deep relaxing poses.

Sunrise and sunset each offer a special magic, but any time is a good time for yoga (just stay hydrated). This tranquil fishing village is a lovely spot to keep up or kick-start your yoga practice.

Or, if you prefer something more official, show up to classes and sessions at Zazil San Agustinillo. 

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Boat Tours & Whale Watching

When it comes to boat tours in San Agustinillo, Pacifico Mágico Tours with Efrén Medoza Davila is where it’s at!

Efrén is a pro at what he does. He knows where to find marine life, top snorkel spots and is safety conscious. Travelers who booked his tours raved about seeing and swimming with dolphins and visiting amazing photo op spots.

🐳 If you’re visiting during the winter months, go whale watching. Seeing humpback whales with their calves is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Go Sport Fishing

Nothing beats the adrenaline of catching a big fish! Tuna, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and Marlin are the major sport fishing prizes in San Agustinillo.

Can you picture yourself in the fighting chair reeling in one of these bad boys? Talk about fun! There are also plenty of smaller fish varieties to try for.

🐠 fishing competitions in San Augustinillo

If you’re around in February or March, you might even have the chance to watch (or maybe even compete) in the San Agus Fest—an annual sport fishing tournament for Marlin and Dorado.

Kids can participate in the infantil category.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Enjoy A Day trip to Zipolite Beach

🚘 How to get to Zipolite Beach

Want to check out another beach? Consider heading to Playa Zipolite for anywhere from a couple of hours to a full-day trip.

It only takes about 10 minutes to go from San Agustinillo to Zipolite by car. There are plenty of pasajeros that can take you down the road. Simply flag one down and get into the truck bed, then ring the bell when you want to get off.

Zipolite is laid-back, bohemian, colorful, and fun. Meander the town looking for artisan shops, then head to the beach.

The stretch of sand is massive and runs along the entire inside curve of the bay. Wade out into the shallows, swim or dive under the bigger waves.

🏝️ Zipolite Beach (Nude Beach in Mexico)

The entire stretch of Zipolite beach is clothing optional, but if you’re looking for a true nudist experience, head to the easternmost section of the beach.

Once there, take the stairway to Playa del Amor, the beach of love. It’s much more private.

Sal y Pimienta is a great spot to have lunch, but Hotel Nude is also perfect if you’re looking for a beach chair to relax in while you chow down on ceviche and guac.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Take a Wildlife Mangrove Tour at La Ventanilla

Turtles, river crocodiles, huge iguanas, lush mangroves, and more await at La Ventanilla. This community is all about ecotourism and conservation. It’s definitely worth checking out.

You can easily take a pasajero or a taxi to La Ventanilla — or if you don’t want the hassle, you can take a tour. Once you arrive, head over to Servicio Ecoturísticos de La Ventanilla to pay for a tour. 

You can go on a long boat trip through the lagoon or head to the island in the center of the lagoon. This is a cool spot to see iguanas and walk among crocodiles.

Pro Tip: Go early in the day to avoid the worst of the heat and to see more wildlife activity. Be sure to pack water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Beach Horseback Riding Tour in Mazunte

Ride a horse through beaches and mangroves on this incredible tour! Hop over to Mazunte (a quick taxi or pasajero ride away) to meet your guide and your horse. After an orientation on riding techniques, you’ll trot out to the beach.

After an hour, stretch your legs, go for a swim, and take some pictures. On the return trip, you’ll even get to gallop. What a rush.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Visit the Turtle Conservation Center

No trip to the Oaxacan coast would be complete without learning about sea turtles. Of the eight different species of sea turtle that exist in the world, seven of them make their nests along the Oaxacan coast. Pretty cool, right?

As a case in point, this area, known as Oaxaca’s Costa Chica or Little Coast, is one of the most important nesting grounds in the world for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

🐢 BABY TURTLE RELEASE

Learn more about these fascinating creatures by visiting the Turtle Conservation Center in Mazunte. The center offers guided tours in various languages.

There’s also a botanical garden on the property and various enclosures holding different varieties of sea turtle.

Want to participate in a baby sea turtle release? These are sometimes available in the Mazunte Zipolite San Agustinillo area. If not, you can drive about 45 minutes west to Santuario La Escobilla. You’ll pay a fee to release your baby turtle.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

San Agustinillo Oaxaca: Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re a beginner surfer, you’ll appreciate the more manageable waves here (as opposed to in Mazunte).

The town also offers horseback rides, mangrove tours, a turtle conservatory/museum, boat tours, whale watching, sport fishing, and more.

There are hotels for every budget ranging from luxurious adult-only hotels nestled into the cliffside to cozy cabañas right on the beach. 

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Since these towns are neighbors, this is the way to have the best of both worlds on the Oaxaca beaches.

While Mazunte attracts a younger, bohemian crowd, San Agustinillo’s vibe skews a bit older and also posher. Of the lesser-visited Oaxaca Mexico beaches, this one is your best option for lux Mazunte San Agustinillo accommodations.

You can easily just walk to Mazunte or take an inexpensive taxi ride when you want some fun bars and restaurants in Mazunte.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

Want to check out a neighboring village, like San Agustinillo to Puerto Escondido? The pasajeros stop at all of the various villages along the coast.

San Agustinillo Oaxaca travel guide

🌡️ San Agustinillo Oaxaca average weather

These months offer the best San Agustinillo weather because they are in the dry season and have cooler temperatures. They also afford visitors the chance to go whale watching.

If you want to save money, though, consider going to San Agustinillo during the wet season (roughly June through September). Less tourists will mean better deals.

Final Thoughts: Traveling to San Agustinillo Oaxaca

San Agustinillo Oaxaca is a lovely fishing village on Oaxaca’s little coast.

It features a beautiful strip of golden sand, calm waves, and many nearby opportunities for hiking, whale watching, horseback riding, and going on mangrove tours. Or why not go San Agustinillo snorkeling?

There are also many excellent hotels in San Agustinillo, ranging from uber posh to comfy beach cabañas.

As far as eating goes, you’ll find delicious candle-lit pizza dinners, mouth-watering seafood, and amazing Mexican breakfasts. My recommendations? Check out Mora Posada and La Termita for delicious pizza and romantic ambiance.

In short: There’s a lot to love about San Agustinillo Oaxaca!