Discover the Wonders of Playa San Agustin, Mexico

Playa San Agustin, in Huatulco, Mexico, has electric blue water, silky soft sands, friendly locals, & delicious food. Read our complete guide.

Harrison Pierce

Looking for a slice of paradise all for yourself? Want to get away from the masses?

Then head to Playa San Agustin, Mexico.

It’s located in a bay of the same name—one of the nine different bays that make up the Bahias de Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca.

This beach is one of the most breathtaking parts of the Pacific coastline, yet it is pretty undiscovered—for now. Especially to tourists. Probably because it’s slightly more challenging to get to than the other bays. Which is why you must go there as soon as possible.

It is, however, a popular place for locals to spend weekends and vacations, but pretty quiet other than that.

Let’s get right to it—here’s everything you need to know about this little treasure.

About Playa San Agustin, Mexico

The town that backs the beach is a small fishing village filled with charm. There are no resorts, just rustic buildings that serve the best seafood you’ll ever eat and provide some basic facilities to use while visiting.

If you stay for the night, you can camp right on the beach, providing a wonderfully unique experience.

There are restaurants and shops where you can eat, grab snorkeling gear, and arrange transport in and out of the bay.

Things to Do in Playa San Agustin

Go Snorkeling

If you are in Playa San Agustin, near Huatulco, you have to go snorkeling.

It’s basically a requirement because it’s that good.

The area has unique rock formations, fish, and coral that you won’t see elsewhere.

The coral reefs are a quick swim from the sandy beach and provide some of the best opportunities to see the marine life in the region. You can see all sorts of colored fish, crabs, snails, and sea urchins.

Make sure you don’t touch or disturb anything while snorkeling—leave the coral better than you found it. You’ll likely be going with a guide, so they will provide instructions on how to enjoy it safely.

Explore the Other Beach in the Bay

In all of Huatulco’s nine bays, there are over 36 beaches. San Agustin Bay has two of them—Playa San Agustin, which we’ve been discussing, and Playa Cacalutilla.

To get there, you can walk from San Agustin Beach in less than 30 minutes. And it’s worth the trek for the softest sand and most transparent waters.

Additionally, it’s a great place to swim as the waters are very calm.

Feast on Fresh Seafood

What is a beach retreat if you aren’t eating delicious food? While visiting the area, check out the local restaurants and order the day’s catch. It’ll be incredibly fresh and grilled with your choice of sauces.

You can also order a yummy cocktail served in a coconut to enjoy while sunbathing.

The oysters in San Agustin Playa are the freshest out of anywhere in the Bahias de Huatulco. They are huge, especially if you go in the winter or spring.

Vendors will walk around with a big bag of them and shuck them right in front of you. They sell out quickly, so take the opportunity to enjoy them when you can.

Relax, You’re at the Beach

You’re going on vacation to relax, so make sure you take the time to do so!

There is always time for a day trip or to explore, but the best things to do in San Agustin are to lounge on the beach, soak in the sun, and relax.

Not being around throngs of people will feel like such a breath of fresh air if you’re from a busier city.

Cell service is pretty limited, so you can truly disconnect and recenter yourself.

Explore all of the Bays

Since nine different bays make up the Bahias de Huatulco, you should explore them all, right?

You’ve got 29 kilometers (18 miles) of coastline backed by the Southern Sierra Madre Mountains as your playground.

Each bay offers something unique to discover, especially places like Playa Mermejita.

Enjoy the Sunrise and Sunset

Who doesn’t love a good sunrise and sunset?

Luckily, San Agustin has both.

You can catch a sunrise coming up between the rocks if you visit during the winter.

And the sunsets here are glorious. This is one of the only bays with views of the sun dropping into the ocean.

If you want to watch the sunset, you should stay the night in the town. There’s also minimal light pollution, so you can easily sit out and gaze at the stars for hours.

Go for a Hike

If you’re standing on the beach and looking back towards the mountains, you’ll see a small shrine. This is for the patron saint San Agustin, whom the town was named after.

You’ll see some incredible views if you hike up toward the shrine.

There are lots of different lookout points on your way to the shrine and past it, where you can see the open ocean and the town below. In addition, you might be lucky enough to see some armadillos, iguanas, or lizards while you’re trekking.

Be very careful to stay away from the edge of the cliff. You never know how stable it is and don’t want the ground beneath you to crumble.

Weather in Playa San Agustin, Mexico

The temperatures in this part of Mexico are typically very consistent.

Highs will be between 32°C and 35°C throughout the year (90-95°F). Water temperatures will be a bathlike 26°C to 29°C (79-85°F).

The rainy season is between May and November, with the heaviest rainfall in June.

If you want to enjoy the beautiful beach and water, go between December and April.

Packing List Essentials for Playa San Agustin, Mexico

To prepare for your trip, you’ll want to pack the following:

Bathing suits
Reef safe sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Microfiber towel
Waterproof bag
Sandals
Bug spray

If you decide to go camping, you should bring your tent and sleeping bag. It can get pretty cold at night, so it’s always best to bring layers.

Map of San Agustin

So now you know all the reasons you need to go to Playa San Agustin. But where the heck is this place? Check out our map. It’ll show you all the details.

How to get to Playa San Agustin, Mexico

boats moored in Playa San Agustin, Mexico

The easiest options to get to Playa San Agustin are from La Crucecita or Santa Cruz, two of the nearest towns. But first, you need to get to the Huatulco area.

If you are already stuffing your face with mole and mezcal in Oaxaca, you can get to La Crucecita from Oaxaca City in six hours by bus.

By Shuttle

Or even easier, from the international airport in Santa Maria Huatulco to La Crucecita in just 30 minutes.

Rent a Car

It’s nice not to be tied to a timetable or strict schedule, so you can always drive yourself to San Agustin. You need to be comfortable handling backcountry roads. It’s bumpy, so make sure to go very slow. Be on the lookout for beautiful papaya, agave, and pineapple farms on the way!

If you’re coming from La Crucecita, you’ll stumble upon the Iguana Tree, aptly named for the giant iguanas that hang out of it. About 10 minutes past the tree, you’ll arrive at San Agustin Beach.

By Taxi

You can get a taxi from La Crucecita to the bay, which takes about 40 minutes. However, many taxi drivers will only allow three passengers, so if you have more, you’ll need to get multiple taxis.

Pro tip: Getting to San Agustin is simple, but leaving can be more difficult. Arrange round-trip transport back from the beach to La Crucecita if possible.

Take the Colectivos

Grab a bus from Santa Cruz or La Crucecita to Santa Maria Huatulco. When you reach a big intersection with a “San Agustin Taxi” stand on the corner, get off the bus.

Then, go to the colectivo stand and grab one to take you to the town. It’s a 20-30 minute drive down a gravel and dirt road, so this option is not for the faint of heart. It is, however, the most affordable option.

Take a Boat

You can either rent a 10-passenger boat for a full day to take you wherever you want, including San Agustin Bay. Or, you can book a catamaran to sail to the bay.

If you rent your own boat, you can stop wherever you want for a dip in the water and visit other bays on the same day.

If you book a catamaran, it’s an organized tour.

Either way, if you go by boat, keep an eye out for the birds, turtles, dolphins, or whales known to enjoy these waters.

Be sure to check out all of Bookaway’s routes in Mexico when planning your trip.

Last Thoughts of Playa San Agustin

rocky shore of Playa San Agustin, Mexico

For such a small town, there’s so much to enjoy in San Agustin Bay.

It might be a little out of the way, but it’s one of the most breathtaking bays in all of Huatulco.

Whether you spend your day on the beach, snorkeling, or hiking, this area provides a unique Mexican experience you will surely not forget any time soon.