Town 7 km east of Mazunte
A small fishing port on a sheltered bay, with calm swimming beaches and boat trips to snorkel the coves nearby.
Puerto Ángel is a fishing town on a small, horseshoe-shaped bay about 7 kilometers east of Mazunte. It was founded in the 1850s, when the government of Benito Juárez built a wharf so the coffee and timber of the region could be shipped out, and for a while it was the busiest port in Oaxaca. The trade later moved elsewhere, and today the town lives mostly from fishing and from visitors.
Unlike the open beaches of Mazunte and Zipolite, the water inside the bay is usually calm, which makes it a good place to swim with children. Fishing boats pull up on the main beach in the morning, and the pier is the place to watch the catch come in. A short walk away, Playa Panteón is a small beach with clear water and rocks where you can snorkel among tropical fish.
The fishermen also run boat trips along the coast, to snorkel in nearby coves and, in season, to look for turtles, dolphins and whales offshore. Just east of town, Playa Estacahuite is a set of tiny coves known for snorkeling.
What to see and do
Swim in the calm water of the bay at the main beach or at Playa Panteón.
Snorkel off the rocks at Playa Panteón; you can rent gear on the beach.
Take a boat trip with local fishermen along the coast; ask about turtles, dolphins and whales in season.
Eat fresh fish at the beach restaurants.
Getting there
Puerto Ángel is about 15 minutes east of Mazunte by car or taxi on the coastal road through San Agustinillo and Zipolite. Colectivo taxis run the route throughout the day, continuing on to Pochutla, the nearest bigger town.
7 km east of Mazunte
Directions from Mazunte on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Puerto Ángel
Compare hotels, posadas, and rentals in and around Puerto Ángel.
Tours & activities
Guided tours, tastings, and day trips in and around Puerto Ángel.
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Photos
Weather warm
Puerto Ángel shares the climate of Mazunte, 7 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
Make Mazunte your base
Puerto Ángel is an easy trip from Mazunte, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Mazunte
-
San Agustinillo
· Town · 1 km away
Mazunte's next-door village: a short strip of beach with gentle waves for bodyboarding and relaxed seafood restaurants. -
La Ventanilla
· Nature reserve · 2 km away
A community-run mangrove lagoon where local guides row you past crocodiles, iguanas and herons. -
Zipolite
· Beach · 4 km away
A long, wild surf beach with a 1970s backpacker spirit, Mexico's best-known clothing-optional beach and big sunsets. -
Playa Estacahuite
· Beach · 8 km away
Tiny coves just past Puerto Ángel with clear, calm water, good for snorkeling over rocks and coral. -
Bahías de Huatulco
· Nature reserve · 39 km away
A national park of quiet bays, coral and dry tropical forest, toured by boat from the marina at Santa Cruz.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.