Best of Oaxaca’s Pacific Coast Tour

After arriving to Puerto Escondido, catch a taxi to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to relax or go exploring on your own. We will sleep in Puerto Escondido for the next 3 nights.

This morning we will meet our host guide for breakfast. He will give us an overview of the coming days and answer any questions about the tour. 

Afterwards, we’ll travel to México’s Chacahua Lagoon National Park. This protected park is 53 square miles in size and actually consists of 5 lagoons connected by channels with mangrove trees on either side. Wildlife thrives in this park. We’ll travel by small motorized boat to explore this watery wonderland all the way to the sea. Along the way, our host guide will inform us about the different species of mangroves, the tropical birds, and learn about how the people who live in this environment have survived over the years. 

In the evening, get ready for an experience to write home about! 

We have done our research and found that on this night there will be no moon (New Moon). There is a phenomenon of nature here on the Oaxaca coast which can only be seen clearly when it is a moonless night. This evening, we’ll go out in a boat into a lagoon where there will be millions of tiny plankton in the water.

The fun begins when we can hop into the water and when we start to move our arms and hands around. we will GLOW! It’s called, “Bioluminescence.” It is light produced by a chemical reaction within the plankton.

And if it is a cloudless evening on this moonless night, we should also be able to our Milky Way Galaxy with millions of starts. 

Sleep in Puerto Escondido. (B,L,D)

This morning is free to have a leisurely breakfast, go for a stroll, watch the surfers, or just relax and enjoy the warmth of this tropical paradise.

In the late morning, we’ll go on an orientation city tour to to get to know Puerto Escondido. We will check out some of the beaches, see where the restaurants and stores are, learn a little history of the area, and take a stroll through the local market.

Later in the day we will take off to be “official” conservationists. If some baby turtles have hatched the night before, we’ll have the opportunity to help release them into the ocean. With our assistance, these cute fragile creatures will be less likely to be snatched up by seabirds as they wiggle their way down the beach and into water. 

This evening is free to do as we please.

Sleep in Puerto Escondido.  (B,L)

Rise and Shine! This will be the earliest wakeup call during our coastal exploration tour. On this early morning we’ll embark on a cruise into the big blue Pacific. Our exploratory mission today will be to look for schools of dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles. If we’re lucky, we may see dozens of playful dolphins racing our boat. The manta rays are a little harder to find but they are out there. We’ll also have the opportunity to hop in the water to see up-close, the slow-moving sea turtles we encounter. A waterproof camera can capture images of these adorable sea creatures. Also, from this vantage point out at sea, we’ll be able to view the different bays of Puerto Escondido.

Upon our return to the hotel, it will be time for a hearty breakfast. 

Then we’ll check out and start our journey along the Pacific coast. Our destination today will be the small seaside town of Mazunte. 

Here we will visit the National Mexican Turtle Center to learn even more about the research going on regarding the different species of turtles. There are 7 different kinds of turtles and Oaxaca is home to four of them.

Also in Mazunte, we’ll meet some local people who produce and market a line of cosmetics made solely from plants and natural oils. They will explain to us how they are made.

After checking into a small beachside hotel, we’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy the slow pace of tropical living.

Sleep 1 night in Mazunte.  (B,L)

After breakfast, we’ll travel a short distance to Laguna Ventanilla and hop on a boat to get up-close views of iguanas and crocodiles in the wild. Don’t worry, you’re in the boat and the crocs are in the water. 

Later, we will return to Mazunte, check out and continue traveling to explore two more picturesque seaside villages, Zipolite and Puerto Angel. 

Beware: In Zipolite, their long stretch of beach is “swimsuit optional.”  ; )

In Puerto Angel, we’ll have lunch and some time to swim and enjoy it’s beach. 

Finally, we’ll arrive to the port of Huatulco and check in at seaside resort. We will sleep in Huatulco for 3 nights.  (B,L)

The morning is free to enjoy a leisurely breakfast at our resort. Afterwards, there is time to take a refreshing dip in the pool or ocean or even a late morning siesta.

In the afternoon, our host guide will meet us for lunch and afterwards, give us an orientation tour around Huatulco. He will also take us to view some of Huatulco’s scenic overlooks in the higher hills around the city to take in the views of the beautiful bays in the distance. 

Afterwards, we can wander around town on our own to visit some of the shops, maybe have a few cold drinks at one of the restaurants, or head back to our hotel. 

We’ll sleep in Huatulco.  (B,L)

The deep water port of Huatulco has a plethora of golden beaches; 36 in all. They are located around 9 picture postcard tropical bays. In Spanish, they are called Bahías. The deep blue Pacific ocean glistens in the background under the tropical southern sun.

This morning we’ll head out to sea in a catamaran for a day of exploring the many bahías, look for marine life, and marvel at the sandy and sometimes rocky coastline.

We’ll also have an opportunity to jump in the warm clear water to snorkel around a bit over the nearby coral reefs.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant where we can sample and savor the many mouth watering seafood selections as well as other delicious fares.

In the evening, we will meet once again with our host guide for a nice Farewell Dinner. It will be a time to reminisce about our trip experiences and also to say good-bye to our host guide.

We’ll sleep in Huatulco.  (B,L,D)

Today is our travel day back home or to our next adventure travel destination.  (B)

Here’s an Idea: 
Why not stay a few days longer in Huatulco and soak up more of its laidback tropical vibes. We can help make your hotel arrangements for a longer stay.

Another suggestion for a longer stay is to make plans to travel north up to Oaxaca City to explore this most excellent Spanish colonial town. We can set that up for you too.  

¡Buen Viaje!