Other activities in Oaxaca State
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Servicios Ecoturísticos La Ventanilla
Some 2.5km along the road west from Mazunte a sign points left to Playa Ventanilla, 1.2km down a dirt track. The small settlement here includes the palapa of Servicios Ecoturísticos La Ventanilla. Servicios Ecoturísticos is Ventanilla’s successful conservation and ecotourism cooperative. Most popular are its 10-passenger canoe trips on a mangrove-fringed lagoon where you’ll see endangered river crocodiles (there are about 1000 of these in the 230,000-sq-meter local protected area) and lots of water birds (most prolific from April to July). For the best wildlife-spotting, go in the early morning. Servicios Ecoturísticos also offers three-hour horseback rides (M$250),…
reviewed
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A
Hurricane Divers
The very professional international crew at Hurricane Divers speak English, Spanish, Dutch and German, and offer a variety of courses and dives. This is one of Mexico’s few PADI 5-Star Dive Resorts. Options include two-tank dives (M$1235), night dives (M$910) and the Introduction to Scuba Diving (M$1755 for about six hours over two days). But Hurricane’s most popular outing is a full-day excursion for M$1560 per person (minimum two people) with snorkeling and a picnic lunch. Prices above are based on two-person outings, though larger groups have discounted rates.
reviewed
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Coco Loco Surf Club
Coco Loco Surf Club, based at México Lindo, rents surfboards for M$50 per hour or M$150 to M$200 per day, and boogie boards or snorkel gear for M$30 per hour. It also offers surfing classes with qualified French instructor David Chouard (two-hour private class for one/two people M$350/500; two-hour group class per person M$200) and three-beach ‘discovery trips’ combining snorkeling, bodyboarding and a visit to La Ventanilla for M$280 per person (minimum four people).
reviewed
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B
Centro de Buceo Sotavento
La Crucecita ( [tel] 587-21-66; Local 18, Plaza Oaxaca Mall, Plaza Principal; [hrs] 9am-9pm); Tangolunda ( [tel] 581-00-51; Local 6, Plaza Las Conchas; [hrs] 10am-5pm Mon-Sat) is a friendly local company offering a range of options from a four-hour introduction (M$975) to full certification (five days; M$3850) to specialty night dives (M$4550). One-/two-tank dives are M$715/975. Sotavento also does four-hour snorkeling trips for M$260 per person (minimum two people).
reviewed
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Lalo’s Ecotours
Lalo’s Ecotours is run by a lagoon local who has worked for Hidden Voyages and knows his birds. Tours are year-round, with binoculars included. Lalo speaks some English and also leads morning nature hikes, guided kayak and canoe trips, and nighttime boat trips during the periods of phosphorescence. He will arrange transportation from Puerto Escondido, or you can seek him out in the small village of Las Negras toward the lagoon’s western end.
reviewed
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Mineral Springs
At Hierve El Agua, 13km southeast of Mitla, bubbling mineral springs run into bathing pools with a dramatic cliff-top location and expansive panoramas. Hierve El Agua means ‘the Water Boils,’ but the mineral-laden water is actually cold. Water dribbling over the cliff edge for millennia has created mineral formations that look like huge frozen waterfalls. Altogether the pools here make for a unique bathing experience.
reviewed
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C
Ollin Tlahtoalli
This small operation is quickly earning a reputation for pragmatic language learning and progressive volunteer programs that focus on indigenous cultural preservation and tutoring programs for Oaxacan artisans interested in learning English. Ollin is the best option for students interested in getting beyond chalkboard grammar lessons and into the surrounding communities. Contact the school in advance for class schedules.
reviewed
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D
Transportadora Turística Jade
You can book guided tours at Transportadora Turística Jade, which has offices within the Hotel de la Parra and is recommended for its personalised service.
reviewed