5 Days of Nature, Wellness & Relaxation on the Oaxaca Coast

The first thing you need to do is relax. Breathe deep the salty air and know that you are now in one of the world’s most magical places. Puerto Escondido is the best place to start your trip. Known as one of the best places for surfing. It also is known for its world-class architecture, cuisine, eco and art tourism.

The art of the village extends to the Hotel Escondido, a Grupo Habita property located on an isolated stretch of land touching the Sierra Madre del Sur and the Pacific (and just 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido International Airport). You will be welcomed to this exclusive hideaway with your own private palapa and pool, including a private terrace- perfect for a massage and just steps from the beach.

Personally, I like to start at Hotel Escondido’s restaurant to meet some of the other guests and grab a healthy bite. Offering food from the region, this is a solid place to try local Mexican dishes prepared by traditional methods. Spend the rest of the day either exploring nature or chilling by the water before heading back to the restaurant for a coursed meal. If you are looking for something to do at night, walk down this super cute, cactus-lined, dirt trail lit by lanterns leading you to the mezcaleria (which, also offers a small-plate menu) or stay on-site for the beach club and underground bar.

To end this idyllic evening, wander back down to the beach where you might just find the waves glowing blue from bioplankten luminescence (this is best seen during a new moon).

After you have your fresh fruit and coffee for the morning, walk on over to Casa Wabi. Founded by Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, this world renowned museum, hotel and art residency promotes the exchange of ideas between artists and the local communities at Oaxaca, Mexico City and Tokyo.

The foundation merges with the Oaxacan coast, generating a space conducive to interaction; where long term residents and members of the local communities come together. You will also get to visit the Botanical Garden and a pavilion housing the children’s clay program.

After this 2-3 hour experience, I like to head to El Papelillo, an Aztec Temazcal (a traditional Mexican sweat lodge) for some physical and mental stillness. For the rest of the day you can either explore your surroundings, hike the nearby cliffs or (as I like to do) eat and be very chill!

This evening you can head off to a nearby baby turtle release - an ecological activity the entire region is known for.

For dinner, take a quick stroll to Kakurega Omakase for a mind-blowing sushi experience. With course upon course of fresh seafood and local ingredients, along with a solid list of sakes and Japanese whiskeys. After you’ve eaten to your heart's content, head back to the mezcaleria for a nightcap.

Today we head south an hour and a half to my home and your destination for the rest of the trip: the pueblo magico Mazunte and the sleepy (but never dull) village of Zipolite.

On the way, make sure to stop by the Mercado Benito Juarez on the south side of PE for fruit-filled freshly baked goodies (I had the apple turnover; even in the crowd of vendors, you won’t be able to miss it - follow your nose, and look for the line).

Once in Mazunte you’ll feel transported back in time. Grab yourself some refreshing water out of a giant coconut or enjoy an ice cream (there’s a stand on every corner) and head to your hotel to drop your shoes off. I like the Zoa Hotel Secreto for its private suites nestled quietly in cliffs but still walkable to the main strip of Mazunte and less than 10 minute drive to Zipolite. For the first day in Mazunte, I hang by the pool or head directly to the beach.

Close by is Playa San Agustinillo is known for being swimmable and family-friendly-Casa Corazon is a local favorite for seafood and traditional Mexican offerings. Or head to Playa Mazunte; Rinconcito beach will have the most people and the swimming areas are marked with safety flags - Terra del Arquitecto is a nice spot to hang out and get some delicious tapas.

Before the sun goes down you’ll want to make the hike to Punta Cometa - the most outward point that Mexico sits into the ocean - to catch this world-famous sunset! Truly unlike anything you’ve seen before.

After putting the Sun to bed, walk down to the main strip in Mazunte for its international dinner offerings. My favorites are Tribu, Sushido, Restaurante Alessandro, Restaurante El Armadillo, Che Dieguito and Estrella Fugaz.

Sleep in if you want, these villages take their time getting up. Being surrounded by nature and relaxing vibes, this place makes it easy to practice your personal wellness. I start with the physical and find a hike to catch the sunrise and meditate at Punta Cometa (equally as rewarding as the sunset). You’ll find this area to be a well-known yoga hot spot of Mexico. Being this close to fresh fruit, I always look forward to an anti-inflammatory smoothie at El Tiburon on Rinconcito Ave. - look for the cowboy ordering his smoothie from horseback. Or grab a smoothie bowl from Las Canastas on the same street.

If you’re in the mood for something baked instead, head on over to Maralto, Lodeli or Icaro Cafe for mouth-watering pastries, breakfast plates and chocolate con leche.

It gets hot during the day, so I’ll typically spend my day back and forth from the pool to beaches (Zipolite, where we are going for dinner, has the only nude beach in the state for the naturalists in the group).

If there are eco-tourists and animal lovers among you, you will need to check out the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga, an aquarium/turtle breeding and rehabilitation center. Whale season is from December to March or you could go on a small boat tour and see hundreds of dolphins swimming alongside you.

As evening approaches, grab a taxi to nearby Zipolite, a very open-minded, LGBTQ+ community unlike anywhere else in Mexico. Start with a Mezcal tasting at a dear friend of mine's bar - Gota Gorda (this is the definitive drink of Oaxaca- try the Tobala!) and then head to the best restaurant on the Oaxacan coast - La Providencia!

The gastro-experience here combines an artful ambiance with exquisite preparation of cuisine from the region. There are plenty of places to dance after, but my favorite is back in Mazunte at the open-aired La Mezcaleria in the middle of town - just follow the music!

I start my day the same as before, remembering why I am here. By today you’ve had a lot to reflect on from your experience here on the Oaxaca Coast. I’ve been coming here to be my most capable creative self for years, and come back always healed.

Today do whatever you want. Head back to Zipolite - I can recommend these other restaurants Clan Destino, Cafe 84, Xhuba, Oregano Zipolite or Zipolite Thai. Or, go on another eco-tour like an alligator tour or drink pina-coladas and mojitos at Saguaro with your new friends.

The point being is that this place is purposefully slow, you don’t have to be in a rush and everything you need is close by. If you happen to be around at the right time, the farmer’s market on Sunday is one of the best I’ve seen. A favorite vendor of mine (Ben Designs) specializes in plant-dyed textiles and clothing.

For your last evening in town, If you want to avoid the crowd of Punta Cometa, continue on past it for Playa Mermijita, almost equal to the views but you can catch some solid surf. This is a unique part of the world, where you will no doubt feel the magic it has created through its nature and community-based development.