Price Band: $
Tags: Beach, economical, bohemian, town
Punta Placer
San Agustinillo
Punta Placer
San Agustinillo
Punta Placer
San Agustinillo
Punta Placer
San Agustinillo
Rates, availability and more…
In a nutshell:
Cute cabanas with a modern flair, deceptively affordable and perfect for a simple and relaxed beach vacation with a surfer vibe. Basic town facilities are close by, but the area is relatively undeveloped for the moment.
We fell in love with this super stylish but affordable cabana hotel in laid back San Agustinillo. The thatched roof buildings look tropically rustic from the outside, but the interiors are strkingly modern, with lots of sleek curves and glamorous bathrooms. Powerful ceiling fans keep the rooms cool, and cold drinks are on hand in the mini-fridge. There are just eight rooms here and each is just steps from the ocean and has a private terrace or balcony. It’s such a romantic, simple little hotel that we recommend it mostly for couples; but some rooms also have a sofa bed and children would love the proximity to the beach.
Punta Placer has, in our opinion, the most desirable accommodations in town, and it also has our favorite restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here. The resident managers are French, and they add a modern flair to the mostly Mexican cuisine. They also make a mean margarita!
San Agustinillo is our idea of the perfect little beach town; there’s a good choice of restaurants and some nice bars, but it’s not overcrowded or heavily commercialized. It’s more of a family resort than nearby Mazunte, Puerto Angel or Zipolite. We reckon that it has a similar vibe to Tulum, though prices are generally much lower here for both accommodations and dining.
The beach is generally good for swimming, although conditions can sometimes be “red flag” along the bay. This part of the Oaxaca coast, with its palm fringed coves and pretty beaches, is very scenic and there’s plenty to see and do nearby (our favorite is the turtle farm in nearby Mazunte). Visit now, before the secret is out!
The eight rooms at Punta Placer are arranged in two story, thatched-roof buildings, with two rooms to each building. All have ocean views, although the views may be partially obstructed by palm trees. The upper level rooms tend to have better views, but the ground floor rooms offer faster access to the ocean – they are just a few steps from the beach. Each room has a shady terrace or balcony from which to enjoy the views.
The exotic-sounding room names are actually Mexican woods. Most of the rooms have a queen bed and are best suited to couples, but Encino and Cimaron have one double bed and a sofa-futon. We reckon that the ground floor rooms are best for young children, as the stairs to the upper levels are open and the balconies are not totally childproof. Extra mattresses can sometimes be provided for kids if the parents book a room with a queen bed.
Every room is equipped with an electronic safe and a mini-refrigerator that’s stocked with beers, sodas and water at reasonable prices (the water in the faucets is not drinkable). The beds are covered with mosquito netting (even the futons) and there are ceiling fans in the bedroom.
Summary of room facilities
All rooms
24-hour electricity, hot water, ceiling fans, room safe, minibar, terrace or balcony with hammock and seating
Macuil, Ocotillo, Chico Zapote
Ground floor, queen bed
Granadillo, Parota, Cadba
Second floor, queen bed
Encino
Ground floor, double bed and sofa
Cimaron
Second floor, double bed and sofa
Just a quick glimpse inside the rooms will reveal the superb craftmanship. Beautiful, natural materials are used where possible; stone, pebbles, wood, bamboo and adobe. The second floor rooms have high palapa ceilings and have plenty of ventilation. Ground floor rooms have solid ceilings but there are unglazed windows, screened with bamboo, that allow sea breezes to penetrate.
The furnishings in the room are simple and restrained. The rooms with a queen bed have a curved sofa bench, whilst those with a double bed have a sofa futon that can make a further double bed. The mattresses on both the beds and the futons are thick and comfortable.
Each room has a small writing desk and a mini-refrigerator. There are some hooks and shelves in the room, but no other hanging space, so we recommend traveling light.
We love the stylish bathrooms at Punta Placer! To one side, there is a huge walk-in shower, with a large shower rose and plenty of hot water. The windows are screened with bamboo rather than glazed, so you are caressed by ocean breezes while bathing. The shower tray is made from stone that is smooth and cool to the touch, and super large bath towels are provided.
The vanity area wouldn’t be out of place in a modern city hotel, with the twin basins in glass or ceramic, and vibrant color schemes. Shower gels and soap with natural ingredients are sourced from the excellent local co-operative in Mazunte.
Ground floor rooms at Punta Placer have a large stone terrace, furnished with deck chairs made from hammock fabric. The advantage of these rooms is that you are only a few paces from the beach (great for an early morning swim before breakfast). Second floor rooms have a large wooden balcony sheltered by a palapa roof, and a hammock that’s perfect for lazy afternoon siestas.
San Agustinillo is the perfect choice for a relaxed beach vacation and there’s really very little that you need to bring, but if you are looking for accommodations that are more sophisticated and indulgent than the typical beach cabanas, Punta Placer is the ideal choice.
Just a quick glimpse inside the rooms will reveal the superb craftmanship. Beautiful, natural materials are used where possible; stone, pebbles, wood, bamboo and adobe. The second floor rooms have high palapa ceilings and have plenty of ventilation. Ground floor rooms have solid ceilings but there are unglazed windows, screened with bamboo, that allow sea breezes to penetrate.
The furnishings in the room are simple and restrained. The rooms with a queen bed have a curved sofa bench, whilst those with a double bed have a sofa futon that can make a further double bed. The mattresses on both the beds and the futons are thick and comfortable.
Each room has a small writing desk and a mini-refrigerator. There are some hooks and shelves in the room, but no other hanging space, so we recommend traveling light.
We love the stylish bathrooms at Punta Placer! To one side, there is a huge walk-in shower, with a large shower rose and plenty of hot water. The windows are screened with bamboo rather than glazed, so you are caressed by ocean breezes while bathing. The shower tray is made from stone that is smooth and cool to the touch, and super large bath towels are provided.
The vanity area wouldn’t be out of place in a modern city hotel, with the twin basins in glass or ceramic, and vibrant color schemes. Shower gels and soap with natural ingredients are sourced from the excellent local co-operative in Mazunte.
Ground floor rooms at Punta Placer have a large stone terrace, furnished with deck chairs made from hammock fabric. The advantage of these rooms is that you are only a few paces from the beach (great for an early morning swim before breakfast). Second floor rooms have a large wooden balcony sheltered by a palapa roof, and a hammock that’s perfect for lazy afternoon siestas.
San Agustinillo is the perfect choice for a relaxed beach vacation and there’s really very little that you need to bring, but if you are looking for accommodations that are more sophisticated and indulgent than the typical beach cabanas, Punta Placer is the ideal choice.
The restaurant at Punta Placer is excellent, and is our top choice for a “special occasion” meal in San Agustinillo. In the evenings, there is a three course set menu , in addition to the regular menu.
We enjoyed a delicate Flan de Calabraza followed by wonderfully tasty shrimps (Camarones con jenjibre, cilantro y ajonjoli) served with ratatouille, and a rice pudding dessert.
Breakfast costs around 70 pesos per person, with a choice of Continental, eggs, hotcakes, chilaquiles, cereals and fruit plate, or granola, fruit and yogurt. Coffee, tea and juice are included. If you prefer, you can just order coffee, toast or other items individually.
Breakfast and lunch are available daily, but the restaurant is closed on Saturday evenings.
The beach at San Agustinillo is popular with local families as well as tourists. The sand is soft and the ocean is usually good for swimming. Sometimes there is gentle surf, and other times the waves can be more powerful. You can walk along the beach to visit other bars and restaurants, or for a sunset stroll.
If you are lucky, you may see dolphins or whales crossing the bay, and in the mornings you may see the fishing boats returning with their catch.
How to get here
By air
The nearest airports are at Huatulco (30 miles, 50 minutes by road) and Puerto Escondido (45 miles, 1 hour by road).
Driving directions
San Agustinillo is located on highway 175, as it loops south of the main highway #200. From highway 200, follow signs for Puerto Angel. If you are driving from Puerto Escondido, you’ll first pass through Mazunte. The driving time is around one hour.
Coming from Huatulco, the driving time is around 40 minutes and you’ll pass through Puerto Angel and Zipolite before reaching San Agustinillo.
Cabanas Punta Placer are located on the main road through the town and the hotel is well signed.
We recommend car rental if you plan to do some sightseeing in the area, but if you just want to relax on a beach then you can take a taxi directly to the hotel from either Huatulco or Puerto Escondido airports.
Alternatively, take a bus to Pochutla, and pick up a local taxi for the 30 minute drive to San Agustinillo.
