If you’re looking for crowded beaches, clubs with lots of tequila, and expensive and overbooked lodging, there are obvious Mexican locations to visit like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. But if you’re interested in someplace different — where you can spend less time navigating hordes and a little more time soaking in the sun, sand, and surf that called you to the beach in the first place — consider somewhere a little more off the beaten path: the Oaxaca coast. For just a little bit more research and flight money, you can spend your trip truly relaxing and enjoying the more authentic cultural experience of a Latin american coastline that isn’t just for spring break.
Laid back vibes
Small, blissed out Oaxaca beaches like Zipolite and Mazunte are known for their beauty and slow pace of life. Zipolite in particular is famous for old school hippies and some scenes in the classic Mexican movie Y Tu Mama También. There’s less infrastructure than in the more developed Yucatan peninsula, and this translates to less hustle and bustle. There’s more time to do what the beach is really all about: relax. Without the college crazed party scene, it’s much easier to enjoy the natural beauty of surf and sunsets, and to spend some quality time with a loved one or curled up in the sun with a book.
Your dollar stretches farther
Going to a less popular destination can be easier in terms of transportation as the flights are less likely to be booked up, and ultimately can be cheaper as some components of your trip won’t be quite so expensive. Lodging can be quite cheap in Oaxaca. In Zipolite, for example, cabanas can be had for cheap, only around 150 pesos. This extends to food and activities as well. Paying in pesos instead of dollars and eating where locals eat rather than Instagram models can result in some real savings. Since there aren’t as many foreigners with U.S. dollars in their pockets, the overall cost of living is lower.
More authentic culture
Another main reason to try your beach vacation somewhere less common is that encounters with local Mexican people are more authentic. In places like Cancun, most everything is presented with foreign consumers in mind. While it might look like such and such a handicraft or restaurant is the real deal, usually they’re actually carefully calibrated to sell to tourists. This isn’t as true on the Oaxaca coast, where life isn’t totally dependent on tourism and where cultural interactions can be more genuine and uncurated. Oaxaca can be a great place to brush up on your Spanish, as many establishments don’t speak English and won’t have English on their menus.
Pushing through unfamiliarity will help you to learn and connect. Though some aspects of travelling away from the crowds may be more challenging, the ultimate reward is a more representative experience and contact with a truly different way of life.