Pacific Drift: A 4-Day Slow Route Along Oaxaca’s Coast

From pipeline-class waves to baby-turtle releases—no extra shoes required.

Day 1 · Dawn Surf at Playa Zicatela

Nicknamed the “Mexican Pipeline,” three-kilometer Playa Zicatela hosts international surf comps and six-meter swells. If paddling out isn’t your vibe, sip a cold café de olla and watch the pros carve.

Day 2 · Palenque Tour, Wahaka Mezcal · San Dionisio Ocotepec

Two hours inland, maestro mezcalero Alberto “Beto” Morales still roasts agave in earthen pits and distills in clay. Tasting flight? Espadín, Tobalá, Madre-cuixe. Don’t rush—sun-baked palenques demand slow sips and slower conversations.

Day 3 · Community Cosmetics Co-Op · Mazunte Pueblo Mágico

The women-run Cosméticos Naturales de Mazunte pivoted from turtle hunting to plant-based skincare after the 1990 turtle ban. Tour the micro-factory, sniff ylang-ylang soaps, and take home sun balm that smells like the sierra.

Day 4 · Turtle Release & Sunset Yoga · Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga

At dusk, rangers hand you a coconut-shell “launch pad” so hatchlings avoid footprints and gulls. The moment their tiny flippers meet Pacific foam? Pure alchemy. Later, climb Punta Cometa for a final sun salutation over bio-luminescent waves.

Packing List Lite

• One pair Charro Loafers – sand ⇄ cobblestone compatible
• Palm hat, reef-safe sunscreen
• Refillable flask & small dry bag

Call to Wander

Share your coast story with #EspírituOnTheRoad. We’ll repost the journeys that carry more sand than luggage.