Things to do in Oaxaca Coast
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La Nueva Luna
Run by indefatigable Carlos from Argentina, this bar is the nightlife and social center of the Mazunte traveler scene. Come here for live Latin or reggae from around 10pm to midnight most nights, plus assorted other events such as aerial acrobatics, dancing and art classes.
reviewed
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L’échalote
The French-Swiss chef prepares very tasty French, Southeast Asian, Oaxacan and other dishes. The Thai salad with prawns and bean sprouts is delicious. Main dishes include fish, steaks and the house-specialty fondues, and the desserts aren’t too shabby either.
reviewed
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A
Restaurant La Crucecita
This inexpensive open-air spot, a block from the Plaza Principal, is dependable for fish, chicken and Oaxacan dishes. There’s an economical M$40 menú del día. Early in the day, watch the chef prepare serious quantities of salsa roja.
reviewed
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La Crema
Spacious but dark, this quirky, rock-themed den boasts loud tunes, the best cocktail list in town and delicious wood-oven pizza. The hard-partying university students knock ’em back while eyeing the action from a perch overlooking the Plaza Principal.
reviewed
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La Bocana
Two to 3km east of Playa Conejos, the road runs down to the coast again at La Bocana, at the mouth of the Río Copalita, where you'll find surfable waves and a couple of seafood comedores. Another long beach stretches to the east.
reviewed
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El Almendro
From about mid-December to Easter this place holds a 6pm to 7pm happy hour followed by a good-value barbecue dinner of marinated meats or fish, a salad bar and baked potatoes. It is located right next door to the Villa Serena Florencia.
reviewed
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La Buena Vista
On an airy terrace overlooking the bay, La Buena Vista’s restaurant offers well-prepared Mexican and American fare, including meatless choices like vegetarian tamales or cheese-filled chiles rellenos (stuffed chilies).
reviewed
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El Patio
An appealing garden patio with tables out the back. The breakfasts are good deals; the rest of the day you’re offered the usual range of seafood, chicken dishes and Oaxacan specialties, as well as a full selection of alcoholic drinks.
reviewed
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Casa Babylon
This cool little travelers’ bar has a great Mexican mask collection and a big selection of books to exchange. It has live music or a DJ several nights a week. The owner prides herself on her mojitos and caipirinhas.
reviewed
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Lo Cósmico
Mellow out on the rocks above the beach in this open-air restaurant at the accommodations of the same name. Cósmico provides good food from an impeccably clean kitchen – especially tasty are the crepes (sweet and savory) and salads.
reviewed
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La Galera
This breezy upstairs restaurant at Hotel Arcoiris is always a good place to eat, with tasty mixed Mexican and international fare. Main dishes focus on fish and meat, but the three-course menú del día has vegetarian options.
reviewed
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Omar Sportfishing
Omar Ramírez of Omar Sportfishing specialises in dolphin- and even whale-spotting trips, costing M$1600 for up to four people for four hours. There’s an 80% to 90% chance of seeing dolphins from October to March - (it is possible to see dolphins all year round)
reviewed
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Iguana Bar
Beneath the classy Restaurante Onix, Iguana is a sound bet for reasonably priced breakfasts and tacos and other Mexican standards. On weekends and during high season, it’s also a good place to catch guitar-strummin’ troubadors.
reviewed
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K
Mangos
Palm-roofed Mangos might have the best breakfast combinations in town (M$25 to M$45), and its seafood dishes – like a whole fresh red snapper – are well prepared. There are often two-for-one drinks, and the service is friendly.
reviewed
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El Sueño de Freda
Freda’s tiny kitchen serves brightly colored fruit plates and light breakfast, lunch and evening meals. The porch is perched along the main drag, opposite the ocean, just perfect for people-watching and catching a nice breeze.
reviewed
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Centro de Buceo Sotavento, Tangolunda
This friendly local company offers a range of options from a four-hour introduction to full certification (five days) or specialty night dives (around $750). Sotavento also does four-hour snorkeling trips (minimum two people).
reviewed
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Bahía Chahué
A paved road runs to the eastern bays from La Crucecita and Santa Cruz, continuing eventually to Hwy 200. Bahía Chahué has a good beach (though the surf can be surprisingly strong) and a marina at its east end.
reviewed
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Rancho Caballo de Mar
Rancho Caballo de Mar, based at Playa Punta Arena, conducts 3½-hour beach and forest rides for around M$350 (reservations are advisable; riding experience isn’t necessary). English and French are spoken.
reviewed
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El Alquimista
The classy Alchemist is delightfully sited in a sandy cove. Its wide-ranging fare runs from falafel or hummus starters to good meat and seafood dishes and brick-oven pizzas, complemented by a full bar and good espresso.
reviewed
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O
Comedores
The very clean comedores in La Crucecita’s market serve up good, well-priced food, including egg dishes for M$30 and enfrijoladas (tortillas smothered in beans, with a sprinkling of cheese) for M$40.
reviewed
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Playa Carrizalillo
Small Playa Carrizalillo is in a rocky cove reached by a stairway of about 170 steps. It's OK for swimming, snorkeling, body-boarding and surfing, and has a bar with a few palapas (thatched-roof shelters).
reviewed
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Q
La Puesta
The open-air discoteca La Puesta provides an active nightlife, cranking out reggae, funk, techno, hip-hop and Latin tunes into the wee hours, though nothing much happens before midnight.
reviewed
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Centro de Buceo Sotavento, La Crucecita
This friendly local company offers a range of options from a four-hour introduction to full certification (five days) or specialty night dives. Sotavento also does four-hour snorkeling trips (minimum two people).
reviewed
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Cabo Blanco
A great Zicatela spot for prawns, fish steak or arrachera, cooked in the open, streetside kitchen – or burgers or tlayudas for tighter budgets. It has light and dark beers on tap, too.
reviewed
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Parque Ecológico Rufino Tamayo
The Parque Ecológico Rufino Tamayo on the edge of La Crucecita is a still rather wild city park, composed mainly of natural vegetation, with some paved paths and tile-roofed shelters with benches.
reviewed