Puerto Angel at the Pacific Coast of Oaxaca
Puerto Angel
Puerto Angel, a rural fishing village on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, lies in a
picturesque bay surrounded by craggy peaks and sandy beaches between
Puerto Escondido and Bahias de Huatulco.
In the nineteenth century this port town experienced a boom, shipping
coffee and wood from its harbor. The boom ended with the construction of
the railway between Oaxaca and Salina Cruz and these days the pier is
solely used by local fishermen, bringing in their catches of fresh tuna,
ocean perch, shark, swordfish, lobsters, oysters and octopus.
The two beaches in the area, Playa Principal and Playa del Panteon, are in
the centre of the village. The main beach, Playa Principal, is largely
used by fishing boats and has strong waves, whereas Playa del Panteon is
surrounded by rocks that host some interesting marine life.
This sleepy town with its dusty, largely unpaved roads is not for the
adventurous, rather one seeking solitude in a peaceful environment. A
good starting point for day trips to various ruins, Puerto Angel is a
wonderful place to put up your feet and breathe in the salty air and
listen to the sounds of the waves lapping on the shoreline. Nearby sights
include the lagoon of Ventanilla where birds and crocodiles are in
abundance, the Los Reyes waterfall and the tropical spring-fed El Paraiso.
The surrounding caves can be accessed for diving and snorkeling trips as
well.
The town of Playa Zipolite, 6.4 km (4 miles) west of Puerto Angel, is a
popular surfing destination with a long beach and excellent waves. This
makes a nice day trip or a pretty area to enjoy a sunset cocktail. West
of Zipolite is Playa Mazunte where turtles come to lay their eggs.
The other beach worth mentioning is known as Playa La Tijera, or the
Scissors, after its scissor-like rock formations that jut out into the
water. This small bay is a nice spot for swimming, snorkeling and scuba
diving.
This beautiful area is ideal for a relaxing holiday taking in the best
that this part of Mexico has to offer. Good time to visit Puerto Angel is
during the autumn and winter are the best times to visit.
