Essentials
- City
- San Agustínillo, Oaxaca, Mexico
- Population
- Approx. 800
- Internet Speed
- 10-50 Mbps via Starlink; local fiber is expanding but inconsistent.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 17.10 MXN. No banks in town; nearest ATM is in Mazunte (often empty) or Pochutla.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 20L 'garrafones' cost approx. 40 MXN.
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. Frequent outages during rainy season.
- SIM Card
- Telcel has the best coverage. 3GB packages for approx. 200 MXN at OXXO in Mazunte.
- Banking for Expats
- Cash is king. Use Revolut/Wise for withdrawals in Pochutla (Banamex or Santander).
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels and eco-lofts. Range: $800 - $2,500 USD per month.
- Cashless Friendly
- No; most local 'comedores' and shops are cash only. Upscale hotels/restaurants take cards with 3-5% fee.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local Facebook groups ('Rentas San Agustinillo/Mazunte').
- Budget Accommodation
- Posada La Termita ( beachfront, approx. 1,200 MXN/night) or hostels in nearby Mazunte.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Main Beachfront Road (Calle Principal) for immediate ocean access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- The hillside area (Cerro) for better views and quieter working environments.
Other Services and Amenities
- Community Centers
- Hridaya Yoga acting as a de facto spiritual and community hub.
- Gaming Lounges
- Not available; the area is focused on 'disconnecting'.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; gambling is not a local attraction.
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Estafeta or DHL in Pochutla; no direct delivery to most street addresses.
- Tech Repair Services
- Small phone repair shops in Pochutla; no specialized Apple/Laptop repair nearby.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Selina Mazunte common area.
- Language Classes
- Spanish classes at various schools in Mazunte (e.g., Instituto de Lengua y Cultura).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Mazunte Community Library (small, mostly donated books).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $55,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $2.2M MXN / $130,000 USD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $35,000 MXN per m² in the hills (e.g., 40 m² = $1.4M MXN / $82,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $50,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $3.0M MXN / $175,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $30,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $1.8M MXN / $105,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $45,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $3.6M MXN / $210,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $28,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $2.24M MXN / $131,000 USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard Federal Rate in Mexico).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; varies for non-residents based on treaties.
- Tax System
- Residency-based; worldwide income for residents (183+ days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (for income over 3.5M MXN).
- VAT
- 16% (IVA).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Mexico has 'REFIPRE' rules for low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Predial', paid annually. Very low (often < $200 USD/year).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% to 5% acquisition tax (ISAI) plus notary fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- RESICO (Simplified Trust Regime) offers 1-2.5% income tax for qualifying small businesses/freelancers.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Selina Mazunte (10 min walk); Day pass approx. 350 MXN. Dedicated Starlink.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Luz del Sol; quiet atmosphere and healthy snacks. Great for morning sessions.
- Networking Events
- Community fire pits at El Alquimista or sunset gatherings at Punta Cometa.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly farmers markets and yoga workshops at Hridaya Yoga in Mazunte.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Use local 'Collectivos' (30 MXN) or private taxis (150 MXN to Zipolite).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Scooter rentals on the main road; approx. 400 MXN per day or 2,500 MXN per week.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa San Agustínillo (on your doorstep) or Playa Aragon for seclusion.
- Top Regional Airline
- VivaAerobus or Volaris flying into Huatulco (HUX) or Puerto Escondido (PXM).
- Top International Airline
- Aeromexico (via CDMX) or direct seasonal flights from Canada/USA to Huatulco.
- Highway Access
- Federal Highway 200; the new Barranca Larga-Ventanilla highway shortens the trip from Oaxaca City to 3 hours.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- The ADO Bus Terminal in Pochutla (25 mins away by taxi).
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Pay cash (pesos) to the driver on the 'Pasajera' trucks.
- Regional Travel
- Frequent camiones (trucks) to Zipolite, Puerto Angel, and Mazunte for 15-20 MXN.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital General de San Pedro Pochutla (30 mins drive).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Solstice Yoga Center; renowned for intensive retreats and daily classes (approx. 200 MXN/class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Mostly outdoor 'jungle gyms' or CrossFit Mazunte (15 min walk).
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia San Agustinillo; approx. 20-25 MXN per kilo for wash and dry.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available. Most places offer takeaway if you call.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fish Tacos or Tlayudas with fresh shrimp (approx. 150 MXN).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- La Termita (Wood-fired vegetarian pizzas) and various smoothie bowls on the main strip.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Panda Shaved Ice or local bakeries selling 'Pan de Muerto' style sweet breads.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Tienda La Mora for basic groceries; Pochutla Monday Market for bulk fresh produce.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre (Delivery is tricky; often requires pickup in Pochutla).
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available. Hire a local taxi driver to fetch items from Bodega Aurrera in Pochutla.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Zipolite (10 mins away) for the most active nightlife and beach clubs.
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Huatulco (available in local bars like El Alquimista).
- Wine Bars
- El Alquimista offers an extensive wine list on the beach.
- Street Food Stalls
- The 'Tamale Lady' who walks the beach at sunset; 25 MXN per tamale.
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Cantina Dei Baffi (Authentic Italian/Oaxacan fusion).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Punta Cometa for the best sunset in Mexico (15 min hike).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Mexican Turtle Center (Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga) in Mazunte.
- Historical Sites
- Ancient ruins are far; focus on local fishing heritage at the San Agustinillo pier.
- Religious Sites
- Capilla de San Agustín (Small local chapel).
- Annual Events
- Mazunte Jazz Festival (November); New Year's Eve beach parties.
- Cultural Districts
- The 'Pueblo Magico' of Mazunte, adjacent to San Agustinillo.
- Theater Venues
- Circo de los Niños (seasonal performances in nearby communities).
- Local Markets
- Lunes de Plaza (Monday Market) in Pochutla for authentic Oaxacan culture.
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at various beach bars during 'Peak Season' (Dec–April).
- Street Art
- Murals along the Mazunte-San Agustinillo walkway depicting marine life.
- Cooking Classes
- Local home-based classes found via flyers in 'Luz del Sol' cafe.
- Art Galleries
- Small craft boutiques selling Alebrijes and local pottery.
- Historic Buildings
- Early 20th-century fishing huts (mostly replaced by eco-tourism structures).
- Local Heritage
- The transition from sea turtle hunting to conservation (the town's core identity).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Ventanilla Lagoon for crocodile and bird watching boat tours (10 min taxi).
- National Parks Nearby
- Huatulco National Park (1-hour drive east).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal road between Mazunte and San Agustinillo (very scenic but narrow).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at the end of the beach overlooking the 'Rock of San Agustinillo'.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangroves of Ventanilla; see herons, kingfishers, and woodpeckers.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Common on the north end of the beach; check local seasonal fire restrictions.