Playa Zipolite was my first experience of Mexico, as I arrived in the area on New Year’s Eve and it was the only place where exceptions to the “no fire on the beaches” rule is (in certain spots) waived for special occasions.

It is the busier beach of the ones I frequented; more bars and restaurants, both on the beach and the streets; and a small shopping street (think bakery and tobacconist, not supermarkets) with a night market.

This is the beach to come to if you want beachside recliners, umbrellas, food and drinks, as well as pools (all those I visited operated with a minimum spend on food and drinks waiving any entrance fee). It’s also the country’s first legal public nude beach. 

To get here from Rinconcito where we were staying, involved a short ride (20 mins or so) in a collectivo: the equivalent of a local bus service (perhaps more accurately described as shared taxis with set routes). These are open-air covered trucks with benches in the back that can be hailed anywhere along the route. They are a primary, affordable, and safe method for travelling between coastal towns like Mazunte and Zipolite, as well as the main hub of Pochutla (the closest city with supermarkets, banks, buses to further afield, etc).

If you’re after quieter nature vibes, you’re better off on one of the other beaches on the coast, but Zipolite still offers the opportunity to walk the mile-long, sandy beach shore (along the sea-line where your feet won’t be burnt by the baking sand) looking out over the crashing waves. The powerful, high-surf waves make it ideal for surfers but hazardous for casual swimmers, so if you’re looking to cool of beware of the strong currents, you’ll feel them even at waist depth.