The Town of Mazunte, Oaxaca
Mazunte is a small Pacific coast community to the west of Puerto Angel and Pochutla, Oaxaca. The climate is tropical and the vegetation, thick, lush and jungly. The town is quiet and lazy. Mazunte Beach, a wide strand about 1 kilometer in length, is one of the main nesting spots for a variety of sea turtles that frequent the Pacific Mexican coast.
We've also heard reports that the wide, sandy-bottomed bay is excellent both for safe swimming and some good learner's surfing and bodyboarding waves.
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When the early inhabitants of this area settled here, the sea turtles that would arrive to lay their eggs on the beach became one of their basic food sources, and the turtle was also hunted for its shell and oils that are used as emolients and cosmetic bases. A turtle processing plant was a main source of income and livelihood in this community for many years.
Over time, though, the sea turtle population began to decline rapidly all over Mexico, arriving at a point of near extinction for several of the 7 marine turtle species that nest on Mexican shores. Protection programs were initiated and quotas established in the 60's to reduce their wholesale slaughter, and in 1990 the Federal Government put into effect a total ban on the capture of any of the species of sea turtles and their eggs.
Mazunte is home to two interesting places to visit: one is the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga, or Mexican Marine Turtle Center, with its programs to protect and study the species, and the other is a cosmetics factory uses only totally natural, unendangered local plants and raw materials for the manufacture of its creams, shampoos, body oils and other personal body care products.
Centro
Mexicano de la Tortuga
The Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga was opened in 1991 to investigate the habits and cycles of these creatures as well as protect them and promote their comeback. Today the Center houses an aquarium and members of all the varieties of turtles that live in Mexican waters, as well as several varieties ofland and river turtles. Eggs are collected on the nearby beaches and put in protective shelter until the young turtles are hatched. Once large enough to stand a fighting chance against the elements and their natural predators, the baby turtles are then released into the ocean.
The Center offers a cafeteria and gift concession; nearby are several excellent beaches and canoe trips through the Vantanilla mangroves are available for a further nature experience. Along the highway toward Puerto Escondido, at Km. 18, one can also visit the Barra del Potrero Iguana sanctuary, where you can see hundreds of green and black iguanas as well as several other reptiles.
Natural
Cosmetics Factory
The Milagro de Mazunte Natural Cosmetics Project was created by the founder of The Body Shop, and has as its goals the creation of a cosmetics business run and owned by ex-turtle hunters and villagers; the use of locally grown and cultivated products as raw materials in order to stimulate the sustainable agriculture of the region; the integration of the project with other similar projects of the region and in particular with ecotourism; that the project would serve as a model for other communities, and that the design of the installation would blend harmoniously with the local setting, using native construction materials. The cosmetics factory is now called Cosméticos Naturales de Mazunte S. de S.S. and is located on the main street of Mazunte.
Accommodations
Hotel Altamira - Balconies w/view, comfortably equipped bungalows, meals on request. Reservations through Hotel Buena Vista Hotel, Puerto Angel. Tel. (958) 584-3104.
Casa la Bugambilia Vacation Rental. (514) 483-2349 (Can). Ocean view, a/c.
Casa Pan de Miel - Near the Turtle Sanctuary on Playa San Agustinillo to the east of town. Kitchenettes, pool, TV. Tel. (958) 589-5844.
La Terraza - Surfers hotel and restaurant/bar. Located 50 meters from the turtle museum. Rooms w/fan and private bath.
La Secreta - Economical backpackers accommodations offering hammocks w/mosquito netting. Bar and snacks available, on hillside with view of ocean. Opening winter season of 2006.
Posada Arigalan - Beachview rooms and suites, private baths, restaurant, a/c available. Tel. (512) 310-0993 (USA)
Posada del Arquitecto - Cabañas on the beach, private bath available, restaurant, camping facilities. Tel. (958) 583-8982
Posada Las Mazuntinas - Calle Bugambilias No. 7, Mazunte. 5 minutes from beach. Tel. (958) 583-9709. Bugambilia No. 7. Small retreat located a 5-minute walk from the beach. The Posada is also for sale.
Rancho Cielo de Tortugas - on Playa Mermejita. Beach cabañas, private baths, restaurant.
