Oaxaca Resources

Puerto Angel, Oaxaca

Puerto Angel is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in the state of Oaxaca. In the past, the village was an important shipping port for the coffee growers of the area, and its small, protected bay provides safe harbor today for many a small fishing craft. The town has a population of only about 12,000 inhabitants, and the pace of life is slow and peaceful.

Puerto Angel is accessible via coastal highway 200 from Acapulco, Pinotepa Nacional and Puerto Escondido to the north-west, and Huatulco and Salina Cruz to the south-east. The nearest airport is less than 40 kilometers minutes away, situated between Pochutla and Bahias de Huatulco. Puerto Escondido, some 70 kilometers up the coast, also has a small airport. From Oaxaca City, Puerto Angel is accessed via Route 175, a narrow and curvy road that passes over the Sierra Madre del Sur from the interior.

San Pedro Pochutla also has regular bus connections to and from Mexico City, Acapulco, Salina Cruz, Oaxaca City and Chiapas.

Beaches in the area

The town beach, Playa Principal, is located within the bay and in the mornings one can watch the fishermen bringing in their catch. Fishing is excellent in the area, and fishermen regularly bring in tuna, red snapper and sailfish as well as lobster and octopus. The small beachfront restaurants all serve delicious, fresh seafood prepared just as you like it.

Playa Panteón is connected to Playa Principal via a walkway along the cliffs. Again, a number of open, waterfront restaurants are to be found here.

Playa Zipolite is located 4 miles to the west over a narrow secondary road. Zipolite became popular as a nude beach in the 70's when its mile+-long solitary beach was visited only by adventurous campers, back-to-the-landers with just a few basic homesteaders nearby. It is now a much larger community with a series of restaurants and cafes along the sand, bed and breakfasts, elegant tropical residences and even telephone and internet service, though it is still frequented by backpackers and campers. The beach is open ocean and care should be taken in the strong surf and undertow. Many drownings have occurred here.

Other nearby beaches are Playa Amor, a small cove to the east of Zipolite frequented by nude bathers; Playa Agustinillo west of Zipolite is excellent for snorkeling, and Mazunte, an open beach which is the nesting places hundreds of sea turtles. From a turnoff on the road to Pochutla, access is gained to Estacahuite Beach, which is good for swimming and which has a beachfront restaurant. There are several more small coves and beaches further to the east, some accessible by car, others only accessible by boat. Off Playa San Agustin lies a shipwreck in approximately 30 meters of water that provides a unique diving experience; care should be taken with the currents in the area.

Puerto Angel Map

August 5 -
Día del Pescador
(Fisherman's Day) is important in Puerto Angel. Festivities include music, a foot race, swimming, fishing and boating competitions and land sports tournaments. In the evening, there is a a miscellany of cultural activities including folk dancing and other music. Awards are given at the end of the day to the winners of the various competitive activities.

Accommodations - Puerto Angel

Angel del Mar - Puerto Angel, Oaxaca,- México. Tel: (958) 584-3008, Fax: (958) 584-3014.. Located on Puerto Angel Bay. Rooms, Suites, Bungalows. Restaurant, bar. Bay views.
Casa Arnel - Jose Azueta s/n, Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, México. Tel. (958) 584-3051. 6 rooms, budget.
Casa de Huespedes Gundi y Tomas -Calle Principal, Puerto Angel. Tel. (958) 584-3068, Fax (958) 584-3063. On hillside by naval base. Rooms with fans, shared baths, laundry, telephone; restaurant.
Casa de Chepe - Apartment with bath, terrace, fridge overlooking Panteón beach. Tel. (958) 584-3109.
La Cabaña - Regular hotel convenient to Panteon beach. Tel. (958) 958-43105.
La Posada Cañón Devata - Tel. (958) 584-3137, Fax (958) 584-3048 . 22 rooms & bungalows. Restaurant with organic produce, fresh bread, vegetarian dishes.
Hotel Buena Vista - Apdo. 48, Puerto Angel 70902.Tel/Fax: 958-584-3104. 18 rooms, moderate. Pool, restaurant/bar, views, close to beach. No hot water
Hotel Puesta del Sol - on the way to Zipolite, Puerto Angel. Tel. (958) 584-3096. Rooms with fans, laundry, bungalow, some meals.
Hotel Soraya - Comfortable but unremarkable. A/C, restaurants, parking; overlooks the town pier. Tel. (958) 583-0009.

Accommodaiton - Zipolite

Las Casitas - Bungalows, kitchenettes, restaurant. Solor power.
Lo Cosmico - Cabañas & Restaurant.
Lyoban - Tel. (958) 584-3177. Hammock and room rentals.
Paraiso Restaurant & Rooms - Tel. (958) 584-3215.
Posada Brisas Marina - Tel. (958) 584-3193. Rooms with Bath, balconies, hammocks.
Posada Castillo Oasis - Tel. (958) 584-3070 (fax).
Posada Kiko - (958) 584-3176. Hammocks and rooms.
Shambhala -Rooms, hammocks, and bungalows. Shared bathrooms. Fax: (958) 584-3151 or (958) 584-3153.
Solstice Mexico - Bungalows for rent, secure, Yoga classes.
La Volantina Cabanas - Cabañas, restaurant. Tel. (55) 5666-7786, Fax (55) 5658-9008. (Mexico City phones)