Quick answer
From Puerto Ángel to Zipolite by car is just 4-5 km (10-15 minutes); to San Agustinillo, about 8 km; and to Mazunte and Punta Cometa, about 10-12 km. The whole Riviera Oaxaqueña fits into a short stretch of coast, so with a car or scooter from Puerto Ángel you chain beach after beach at your own pace, something the colectivo does more slowly and on a schedule. This is the getaway that pairs best with a rented vehicle. KORU RENT already operates on this coast, in Puerto Escondido, and is preparing its arrival in Puerto Ángel.
Why do the coast by car and not by colectivo?
The Riviera Oaxaqueña —Puerto Ángel, San Agustinillo, and Zipolite, with Mazunte a step away— is a run of beaches and coves very close together, but poorly connected if you depend on public transport. Colectivos and pickups link the towns, but they come every so often, usually route through Pochutla, and fill up; an afternoon at Punta Cometa or an early morning at Estacahuite gets complicated if you have to wait for the next one. With your own car or scooter, instead, you leave when you want, stop where you want, and don't lug bags from beach to beach. That autonomy is exactly what makes this route the best argument for driving yourself.
The route: stop by stop from Puerto Ángel
The thread of the route is short and beautiful. From Puerto Ángel's bay, a coastal road climbs and dips between viewpoints to Zipolite (~4-5 km), Mexico's only legal nudist beach, long and with strong surf. Right after, San Agustinillo (~8 km), a more sheltered cove good for swimming and snorkeling. Then Mazunte (~10-12 km), a Pueblo Mágico since 2015 according to its municipal government, with the Mexican Sea Turtle Center and the trail to Punta Cometa, the southernmost point of Oaxaca and one of the best sunsets in the country. And a bit farther, La Ventanilla (~13-14 km) and its mangrove lagoon, with a boat tour among birds and crocodiles.
Mazunte, Punta Cometa, and La Ventanilla: the heart of the route
Mazunte is the heart of the stretch. A Pueblo Mágico since 2015 according to its municipal government, it brings together the Mexican Sea Turtle Center —facing the beach— and a relaxed atmosphere of cafes, natural cosmetics, and workshops. From there the trail to Punta Cometa sets off, the promontory known as the Pacific Balcony and considered the southernmost point of Oaxaca: it's one of the best places in the country to watch the sunset, and in season (from year-end to March) whales and dolphins are spotted. A few minutes by car, La Ventanilla offers a boat tour through its mangrove lagoon, with crocodiles, birds, and iguanas. Chaining the three in one afternoon is easy when you drive.
Tip
In Zipolite the surf can be treacherous because of the currents: swim only where there's a green flag and lifeguards. In Mazunte and La Ventanilla, many activities are paid in cash and support community projects; carrying change in pesos speeds up each stop.
“On the Riviera Oaxaqueña, the beaches are so close that the difference isn't the distance, but who's in charge of your time. With the keys in hand, you are.”
— KORU RENT
Car or scooter for this route?
Both options work and depend on your style. The scooter is fun and nimble for hopping between Puerto Ángel, Zipolite, San Agustinillo, and Mazunte over such short distances, and it's easy to park; take care on the curves, the climbs, and the dirt stretches, especially at night. The car wins if you travel with luggage, with kids, if you care about A/C in the heat, or if you plan to add Huatulco (about 50 km) or Puerto Escondido (about 80 km) to the plan. A jeep is the best option if you're after coves on dirt roads. Any of the three gives you what the colectivo doesn't: total freedom of schedule.
Car rental in Puerto Ángel: the complete guide
How to get around the Oaxaca coast with your own car
Car rental in Puerto Ángel with delivery
Delivery to your lodging or from Huatulco and Puerto Escondido
KORU in Puerto Ángel: destination and waitlist
Follow the launch in town
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Your Riviera Oaxaqueña, whenever you want
Zipolite, San Agustinillo, Mazunte, Punta Cometa, and La Ventanilla are the best argument for driving yourself on the Oaxaca coast: linked stops, your own schedule, and no one else's rush. When KORU RENT arrives in Puerto Ángel, we want this route to be as simple as picking up the keys. We're already an hour away, in Puerto Escondido; join the waitlist and we'll notify you as soon as we launch.
KORU Team · Riviera Oaxaqueña guide from Puerto Ángel · 2026