Zipolite: Mexico’s Unique Nude Beach Experience

Intro

Last October, I went to Mexico City and Zipolite, as part of my Latin America trip, and I was so hypnotized by this beach town in Oaxaca, that I had to come back. So that I did. I booked a trip to Zipolite, just a short stay, a quick getaway if you must, during the month of March, what it is believed to be the last of the high season. But of course to get to this secluded destination, I had to get to Mexico City, and from there start an adventure on itself.

From NYC to CDMX

Mexico City or CDMX (Ciudad de Mexico) remains one of my favorite destinations, and spending a Thursday and Friday night there sounded like a great idea. From JFK I ventured on Viva Aerobus to get to the capital of the Southern Neighbor.

Bye bye New York, see that beautiful skyline very soon.

Four hours later I was getting into the MEX Mexico City International Airport with a beautiful view of the sunset.

Immigration was easy, and then I took an Uber to Suites Contempo, located close to the Angel de la Independencia. Very close to everything and in a very safe area. I guess it is in the name, but I did not realize that these were actual entire apartments lol.

Parque La Mexicana

The next day, and having been to Mexico many many times, I was not too sure oh what to do, so after walking around the area of Reforma, I was recommended to go to Parque La Mexicana, a new urban park in the Southern Neighborhood of Santa Fe, an exclusive area of this city.

The Uber took a long time to get there, but I made it before the sunset, and got myself a cold brew from the Starbucks located here.

Inaugurated in November 2017, the park transformed a former sand and gravel quarry into a lush, multifunctional green space, thanks to the vision of architects Mario Schjetnan and Víctor Márquez.

Key Features

• Size & Landscape: Spanning approximately 28 hectares, the park boasts over 5,000 trees, 100,000 square meters of grass, and 1 million plants, creating a green oasis amidst the city’s skyscrapers.
• Recreational Facilities: Visitors can enjoy a variety of amenities, including a skatepark, amphitheater, playgrounds, dog park, running and cycling tracks, and two artificial lakes. The park also features a gourmet terrace with diverse restaurants and cafes.
• Sustainability: Emphasizing environmental responsibility, the park utilizes a rainwater harvesting system for irrigation and sanitation, minimizing the use of potable water. Solar panels provide energy for artificial lighting, further reducing its ecological footprint.
• Community Engagement: La Mexicana hosts free cultural, sports, and social programs, fostering community interaction and inclusivity. Its design encourages accessibility and caters to a diverse range of visitors.

Walking around was great, I had no idea of the existence of this park.

But yeah, most people around you could considered were part of the “high class” of Mexico City, so up to you if you want to support areas like this. I am up for green areas, regardless where they are, but this one is really beautiful.

Time for dinner, and chose to do Peltre, and get a chicken soup…

… and an enchilada. Everything was very good. Loved that they have a variety of restaurants in this park.

Time to say goodbye to the park and go back to the hotel before a long night of jumping around clubs in Zona Rosa.

From Mexico City to Zipolite

The next morning, the journey to Zipolite in the state of Oaxaca was about to start. Took an Uber to the MEX Mexico City International Airport, and then took a Viva Aerobus flight to Puerto Escondido. View of the Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes was amazing. Love the snow in one of them.

After a little bit of an hour, we got to the Aeropuerto Internacional de Puerto Escondido. Maybe in another time I would actually explore this city, but once again, I was going to skip it to get to Zipolite. This time I could not easily find someone to share a taxi with, and Zipolite is almost 2 hours away from here. What I did was to follow many of the people leaving the airport, into the main road, and from there took a van to the center of the town.

The van was around 10 pesos or 50 US Cents.

Told the driver to drop me off at the bus to Zipolite terminal, and he did. There, in this corner with no sign or anything, I waited for the bus that would do the longest journey of this adventure into the road to Zipolite.

Was able to get in and paid around 60 pesos for the ride. From the bus, I was able to see the famous Puerto Escondido beaches.

That bus would drop you off around this area, you would know because of the Oxxo located randomly in the middle of nowhere. Get to that side of the road, and wait for a pasajera, a sort of truck that for 15 pesos would take you into Zipolite. The bus was around almost 1 hour and a half, and the pasajera was around 30 min. Please consider these times if you decide not to take a taxi into Zipolite. The taxi would be $70 USD, compared to the almost $4 USD using public transportation, and it also takes a little bit more than hour regardless.

The pasajera drops you at this terminal, very close to the main road of the town. Zipolite is very safe, and from here you can walk to your hotel.

Playa Zipolite

Playa Zipolite, situated along Oaxaca’s southern Pacific coastline, is renowned as Mexico’s only officially recognized public nude beach. This 1.75-kilometer stretch of golden sand, flanked by dramatic cliffs, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and a laid-back, bohemian atmosphere.

Key Highlights

• Naturist Haven: Since its official designation in 2016, Zipolite has embraced a clothing-optional policy, attracting naturists and free-spirited travelers from around the globe. The beach’s open-minded and LGBTQ-friendly environment fosters a sense of acceptance and freedom.
• Bohemian Vibe: The town exudes a rustic charm, with a mix of hippie backpackers and holidaying North Americans. Visitors often engage in sunbathing, yoga, and enjoying the vibrant local culture.
• Surf and Swim with Caution: While the beach’s waves are ideal for surfing, swimmers should exercise caution due to strong currents and undertows. A volunteer lifeguard team and a flag system are in place to enhance safety.
• Cultural Events: Zipolite hosts the annual Festival Nudista Zipolite every February, celebrating naturism with various activities and fostering community engagement.
• Nearby Attractions: Adjacent to Zipolite is Playa del Amor, a secluded cove known for its tranquility. The nearby towns of Mazunte and San Agustinillo offer additional beaches and cultural experiences.

The sunset coming up only meant one thing. It was time to go to Playa del Amor.

Playa del Amor

Located on the very East of the Zipolite Beach, Playa del Amor is a secluded beach that offers a more private experience, and it is the preferred beach by LGBTQ people and naturists in general. The sunset view from here is amazing.

It gets a little crowded at the end of the day. There are two semi improvised shops where you can get some snacks and drinks, and there could be fire shows as well.

Everyone cheered once the sunset happened, and then the party started.

A pyrotechnic show happened in front of me, compared to the last time I was here. Everyone seemed to enjoyed it.

And after some time enjoying the ambience, it was time to hike back to the hotel. Some people take advantage of the darkness of this area to do other activities.

A night at Zipolite Beach

This trip was all about relaxing, and that I did. After a shower, I went to explore the Calle del Adoquin to get some ice cream and something to eat.

Just across from my hotel, I got some tacos, that were actually good.

A relaxing day at Zipolite

The next morning, or let’s say noon, since I slept in, I got some eggs from Espiritu Verde, and they were pretty spicy lol. I was not ready for it.

Enjoyed the hotel, and just relaxing in general, occasionally going out for a walk. Some people were on the water, but I am sorry, I cannot trust the Pacific Ocean.

That night I went back to Playa del Amor, and it looked less crowded this time, probably because it was a Sunday. But it is still fun regardless.

The sunset came fast, and the night reminded me that it was time to get ready to leave the next morning.

The return to New York City

I said it was a short trip, and indeed it was. I still had one more night left in Mexico City, before my flight back to New York City, and I did exactly the same but in opposite order on the way to Puerto Escondido. After packing and checking out, I got a pasajera, that dropped me off by the Oxxo. This time I was lucky enough to get a van to Puerto Escondido, instead of the big bus, just because they would allow less passengers, which means less stops, and a faster time to reach the airport.

The van dropped me off close to the airport, and from there, took another van to the main road of the airport, where I was able to walk. I made it on time, and the flight was coming up soon.

Made it to the Mexico City, and the hotel, the same one as the beginning of the trip. Since it was almost night, I just chose to stay around and don’t go too far.

The next day at the airport, got a burger from Carls Jr, as part as my task to eat everything that Keith from The Try Guys have considered The Best during his section “Keith Eats Everything”.

On the plane now, I was seeing the sunrise. I was so ready to sleep on this 4 hours flight, especially since I had barely slept.

Saying hi again to the volcanoes. They look so cool so close to the city.

And just like that I was back in New York City. 5 nights seem too quick where I am just relaxing and forgetting all the stress from work and the city, but would definitely come back to Mexico once again.