Everything you need to know about visiting Zipolite, Mexico’s famous nude beach

People often ask what our favourite places in the world are. It’s one of the toughest questions to answer because experiences are always very personal. It’s not because we love a place that you will love it too and sometimes our opinions are based on just a stay of a couple of days.

But if you’ve been following our travels, you may have noticed that now and then we seem to appear in Zipolite. This is a place that keeps popping up in our “best destinations” lists, it’s a place we love and it’s a place you have been asking us a lot of questions about. So here’s everything you need to know.

Zipolite is the only beach in Mexico where nudity is not just tolerated but actually considered the official dress code, making it a magnet for people from around the world who like to spend their beach time in the nude. Nudity on the beach is not compulsory though. Instead, the town embraces a free-spirited, inclusive atmosphere where clothes are nothing but an option.

Zipolite’s reputation as a naturist haven dates back to the 1960s and 70s when it became a popular destination for hippies and alternative lifestyles. While the hippy time might be something from the past, the vibe still lives on in this small Mexican town.

Unlike many tourist destinations, Zipolite retains a laid-back, small-town atmosphere with minimal development, which allows visitors to experience Mexico’s raw and authentic coastal charm, while still all the needs for tourists are met, like comfortable accommodation and plenty of places to eat and drink.

The ideal time to visit Zipolite is between November and April when the area gets warm, dry weather and average daily temperatures around 30°C (85°F). This time is also considered the high season when accommodations tend to run full and prices are slightly higher than in the rest of the year. The most crowds can be found between Christmas and New Year, around Easter, and during the yearly Zipolite Nudist Festival at the first weekend of February. If you want to visit around those times, make sure to book a lot in advance.

May to October is considered the low season, as rain is more common and it gets hotter and more humid. We’ve visited Zipolite several times in this time of the year and it has advantages. Accommodation prices are generally lower and the place is less busy. Rains do happen but are rarely more than a shower or two per day. As the temperature goes up, it’s recommended to pick a place with an ocean breeze this time of the year.

Zipolite is known for its bohemian and inclusive vibe, where visitors of all backgrounds can feel at ease. The community values respect and freedom, fostering a welcoming environment for nudists, backpackers, and LGBTQ+ travellers alike. Despite its popularity, Zipolite has managed to retain its authentic charm, with beachfront palapas, locally owned restaurants, and boutique hotels defining the landscape. Also typical is the smell of marijuana.

Although it may not always seem like this when you watch our videos, we actually live quite a busy life. We spend a lot of time in transit, in between videos and in between destinations. For us, Zipolite is a place that feels like coming home. A place we visit to fully relax and the reason why we can do this so easily here and not anywhere else is all thanks to the vibe of the town. It’s really, really hard to have stress here.

While Zipolite embraces social nudity, it’s important to note that this only applies to the beach and the clothing-optional resorts. This is not a tourist urbinization like Cap d’Agde or Vera Playa. Many of the people who live in Zipolite form a Mexican community with a strong cultural background. For decades, these people have been respecting the naked tourists on the beach, and in exchange, you are supposed to respect their culture by covering up once you get on the streets. A towel or sarong is fine though.

This also applies to public sex. The open and welcoming atmosphere seems to be a trigger for some to try to push the boundaries. Exhibitionism is an issue at many nude beaches around the world, but as this is an urban beach where families actually live, we would strongly advise keeping your shenanigans inside your room. Trust us, you’re not that interesting to watch anyway.

The most popular activity at Zipolite is getting tanned (or sunburned) on the nude beach. But if that is not really your thing, there are other options. The town itself is not much more than a handful of streets, filled with restaurants, bars, and small shops. If you are a big-city person, small-town life in itself may be an experience. Buy your veggies at one shop, go to another one for bread and yet another one for meat and then cook your own local dinner.

Zipolite is one of several coastal towns in a small area that all look very similar but are different in their own way. Puerto Angel is the most “local” of the towns, with its own harbour where you can buy fresh fish. San Agustinillo is more like a boutique hotel kinda town in a tranquil bay where swimming and snorkelling are good. And Mazunte is the “yoga town”, at least that’s what we call it. Here’s where you can find all kinds of yoga, meditation and mindfulness classes, ice baths, and anything related.

A bit further is La Ventanilla, where you can experience the coastal mangroves. A canoe tour will take you among lizards and crocodiles and landscapes that you’d never expect at the coast. Talking about wildlife, Zipolite’s high season (November to April) is also whale season. You can often see whales from the beach, or you can take a boat tour to get closer to them. Even outside the whale season, those boat tours are recommended as you’re likely to see turtles, dolphins, and rays.

Zipolite’s food scene is as diverse as its visitors. Local restaurants serve up traditional Oaxacan dishes like mole, tlayudas, and fresh seafood, often prepared with regional ingredients. Beachfront restaurants offer everything from casual tacos to upscale fusion cuisine, and international flavours such as Italian, Thai, and vegetarian options are readily available.

Our personal recommendations are Oralé café for their international breakfasts and Posada Mexico for typical Mexican breakfast. For lunch, we often aim for the beach bars and our favourite is called A Nice Place on the Beach. Their prices are unbeatable and their ceviches are delicious.

For dinner, we have lots of recommendations. The burgers and cocktails are great at Sal y Pimienta, Xuba has amazing tuna burgers, El Mare has great Italian food, and 3 de Dicembre has amazing pizzas and you can dine naked here, even though it’s in the middle of town. But there are many places we have not yet visited, so try as many restaurants as you can and pick your own favourites (and let us know!).

Accommodations in Zipolite range from budget-friendly beach huts to upscale hotels. For those seeking a fully nude experience, there are more than 10 clothing-optional resorts in this small town. We have to say that we are quite biased when we give you recommendations about this. Our all-time favourite is Casablanca guesthouse, a four (soon to be five) room resort that is located at about a 15-minute walk from the nude beach but offers spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean. We have spent more time in this resort than anywhere else in the last 7 years.

If you prefer to stay on the beach, Buda Mar is a really nice clothing-optional resort that also has a great restaurant. If you like more of a party vibe, Hotel Nude is probably the most iconic resort in the whole town.

For those of you who don’t consider having a clothing-optional accommodation a requirement, we can recommend Posada Mexico but there are many other options to choose from. If, on the other hand, you want a nude obligatory place, Casa Nudista is probably the only resort in town where clothes are not an option.

Zipolite is located on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast in Oaxaca state. The nearest airports are in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, both approximately an hour’s drive away. From the airports, you can hire a taxi, rent a car, or take a colectivo (shared van) to reach Zipolite. Oaxaca City is another popular starting point, with buses or flights available to the coast.

The journey from the airport to Zipolite is part of the adventure, offering scenic views of the region’s mountains and coastline. If travelling by car, be prepared for winding roads and enjoy the stunning vistas along the way. We’ve met many people who decided to rent a car but later figured that it was a waste of money. Everything in Zipolite is walkable, so you may find your rental car parked at your hotel throughout your whole stay.

If you get a taxi inside Huatulco airport, you’ll pay about $1200 to $1500 MXN ($60-$75 USD). A short 10-minute walk outside the airport (look on Google Maps for the nearest Oxxo store) will get you to taxi drivers that only charge $1000 MXN ($50 USD). These drivers can also be booked upfront. There are lots of companies, but we usually get Luis who can be contacted via WhatsApp at +52 958 116 0058. Just send him a message the day before and he’ll be waiting for you.

Several people asked us how safe Mexico is. That’s kinda like asking what the weather is like in the United States. Mexico is a HUGE country and a lot differs from place to place. We have traveled a lot in Mexico and in our experience, the coast of Oaxaca is among the safest places we visited. However, like any destination, it’s essential to exercise basic precautions. Avoid leaving valuables unattended on the beach or just don’t bring them at all.

If you’re walking around at night, stick to well-lit areas or avoid being all alone in a place. We don’t think we’ve ever heard about violent robberies in Zipolite, but we don’t want you to be the first one. If you’re unsure, take a taxi.

By far the most dangerous place in Zipolite is the ocean. The waves are high and the undercurrent is strong. Throughout the last decades, quite some people have died in this ocean because they underestimated the power of Mother Nature (or had one too many beers). Over the last several years, local lifeguards have made a huge difference and have saved lots of people. You can help them a lot by not being an idiot.

Zipolite is more than just a beach. it’s an experience that combines freedom, community, and natural beauty. Its nude-friendly vibe allows visitors to embrace a unique sense of liberation, while its vibrant local scene and stunning landscapes provide endless opportunities for relaxation and exploration.

But Zipolite is not for everyone. If you enjoy staying at huge all-inclusive hotels where you’ll be pampered throughout your whole vacation, or if you like to party in clubs all day and all night, Zipolite may not be the place for you. But if you’re looking for a relaxed hippy vibe and a chance to disconnect from the chaos of daily life in one of Mexico’s most stunning settings, you should already be looking at flights.