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Mexico🇲🇽 | festivalsFestival Internacional de Jazz de MazunteBeach jazz, Playa Mazunte, Punta Cometa sunsets, turtle center | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte
👌 Worth visitingfestival ranked #11
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Years ago this was a barefoot gathering of a few hundred in a sleepy Oaxaca fishing village, and tickets were an afterthought. Today Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte runs on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, a few kilometers west of Puerto Escondido's neighbor Zipolite, with a real lineup and real crowds. I expected polite chin-stroking and got a saxophonist upstaged by a stray dog napping center stage while nobody minded. Book beds months ahead, since last-minute rooms vanish or triple in price. Carry cash, because the one ATM runs dry. Arrive a day early; buses run late. Chill listeners and beach hoppers will love it. Anyone wanting polished production will not.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #11 festival in MexicoWhat makes it a must-see festival

Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte pulls backpackers because it turns a one-street village into a temporary community of musicians, hammock dwellers and Oaxacan families that you can join just by showing up. Nobody sits behind a velvet rope, so you end up chatting with players at the taco stand and swapping beach tips with strangers who become your dinner group by night two. The cultural mix is the other draw: jazz shares the bill with Latin, fusion and local sounds, so you hear the coast's own rhythm rather than a copy of a European festival. It also fits a longer Oaxacan coast route, since Zipolite, Puerto Escondido and the Laguna de Manialtepec are close enough to string together before or after. Costs stay modest next to big festivals, and most of your money goes to local stalls and small guesthouses.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. The main stage sets: Evening concerts are the heart of the festival, with jazz, fusion and Latin acts playing outdoors under a warm night sky, in a relaxed setting where dancing in sandals is normal.
  2. Playa Mazunte: The village's curved beach is where the festival crowd gathers by day, with surf, swimming and beachfront cafes within a minute's walk of the music.
  3. Punta Cometa: This rocky headland is a short hike from the village, a sacred spot for locals and the best place to watch the sunset before heading to a show.
  4. Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga: The turtle center and aquarium shows the species nesting on this coast, and it is an easy daytime break from the heat and the crowds.
  5. Playa Mermejita and nearby coves: A quieter stretch of sand for recovering after late nights, reachable on foot or by
… read more 👉
  1. The main stage sets: Evening concerts are the heart of the festival, with jazz, fusion and Latin acts playing outdoors under a warm night sky, in a relaxed setting where dancing in sandals is normal.
  2. Playa Mazunte: The village's curved beach is where the festival crowd gathers by day, with surf, swimming and beachfront cafes within a minute's walk of the music.
  3. Punta Cometa: This rocky headland is a short hike from the village, a sacred spot for locals and the best place to watch the sunset before heading to a show.
  4. Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga: The turtle center and aquarium shows the species nesting on this coast, and it is an easy daytime break from the heat and the crowds.
  5. Playa Mermejita and nearby coves: A quieter stretch of sand for recovering after late nights, reachable on foot or by a short ride, with calmer water and fewer people.
Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte pairs well with a Punta Cometa sunset hike followed by the evening concert, since both sit within walking distance of each other.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte

Shore Excursion Mazunte and Ventanilla Crocs & Turtles

Shore Excursion Mazunte and Ventanilla Crocs & Turtles

5.0(1) 8h
From €81
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte?

Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte runs for several days around late November or early December (the exact dates shift each year), with concerts on the beach and in open-air venues in Mazunte on the Oaxaca coast.
  • Best day: Go for the opening nights if you want the local crowd and the easiest seats. The final weekend brings the biggest lineups and the thickest crowds.
  • Weather: Expect hot days of 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F), warm nights near 23°C (73°F) and almost no rain. Bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sandals and a light layer for the breeze after dark.
  • Booking: Reserve beds four to six weeks ahead. Rates rise roughly 30 to 60 percent over the festival weekend.
  • Roads: Buses and shared vans from Puerto Escondido and Huatulco fill up on Friday and Saturday. Arrive midweek and leave Monday
… read more 👉
Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte runs for several days around late November or early December (the exact dates shift each year), with concerts on the beach and in open-air venues in Mazunte on the Oaxaca coast.
  • Best day: Go for the opening nights if you want the local crowd and the easiest seats. The final weekend brings the biggest lineups and the thickest crowds.
  • Weather: Expect hot days of 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F), warm nights near 23°C (73°F) and almost no rain. Bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, sandals and a light layer for the breeze after dark.
  • Booking: Reserve beds four to six weeks ahead. Rates rise roughly 30 to 60 percent over the festival weekend.
  • Roads: Buses and shared vans from Puerto Escondido and Huatulco fill up on Friday and Saturday. Arrive midweek and leave Monday morning.
Arrive a day early so you can find a bed and check the schedule without rushing.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Mexico

Mazunte itself is the smartest base, because the main concert sites are a short walk from the village and you can stumble home on foot. The central strip near the main beach has the most social atmosphere, with hammock-and-dorm style places, small cafes and travelers swapping plans over breakfast. The quieter hillside zone toward Rinconcito suits light sleepers and still sits within a ten to fifteen minute walk of the action. Dorm beds usually cost US$10 to 20, and festival weekends push that higher, so book early. Zipolite, about 10 to 15 minutes away by shared truck or taxi, is the best overflow … read more 👉
Mazunte itself is the smartest base, because the main concert sites are a short walk from the village and you can stumble home on foot. The central strip near the main beach has the most social atmosphere, with hammock-and-dorm style places, small cafes and travelers swapping plans over breakfast. The quieter hillside zone toward Rinconcito suits light sleepers and still sits within a ten to fifteen minute walk of the action. Dorm beds usually cost US$10 to 20, and festival weekends push that higher, so book early. Zipolite, about 10 to 15 minutes away by shared truck or taxi, is the best overflow option. It is looser, lively late at night and full of budget travelers, though the walk back from Mazunte after dark is not a good idea, so plan on a ride. San Agustinillo, a short ride in the other direction, is calmer and good for couples or anyone needing sleep. Solo travelers will meet people fastest in the center of Mazunte.
Best hostels in Mexico


Best quality hotels in Mexico

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte

Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte costs a backpacker roughly US$62 to 120 a day, counting a high-season dorm bed, local rides, beach food and a few drinks.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 25Some concerts on the beach and in town squares are free, while evening shows at ticketed stages run at the upper end of the range. Prices are paid in cash at the door or at local sales points.
AccommodationUS$18 to 40A dorm bed or basic beach cabin costs about US$18 to 25 in high season. A private room with a fan costs US$30 to 40.
Local transportUS$2 to 8Shared trucks between Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite cost under US$1.50 per ride, while a taxi costs US$4 to 8.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 30Fish tacos, tlayudas and fruit licuados cost US$2 to 6 per item. Beer is US$1.50
… read more 👉
Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte costs a backpacker roughly US$62 to 120 a day, counting a high-season dorm bed, local rides, beach food and a few drinks.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 25Some concerts on the beach and in town squares are free, while evening shows at ticketed stages run at the upper end of the range. Prices are paid in cash at the door or at local sales points.
AccommodationUS$18 to 40A dorm bed or basic beach cabin costs about US$18 to 25 in high season. A private room with a fan costs US$30 to 40.
Local transportUS$2 to 8Shared trucks between Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite cost under US$1.50 per ride, while a taxi costs US$4 to 8.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 30Fish tacos, tlayudas and fruit licuados cost US$2 to 6 per item. Beer is US$1.50 to 3, and mezcal pours cost US$2 to 5.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Sunscreen, bug spray, ATM fees and a surf or yoga class add up. Cash machines in Mazunte are limited, so withdraw pesos in Pochutla beforehand.
Total Daily BudgetUS$62 to 120Based on a high-season bed, shared transport, street-stall meals and paid shows.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

The beach palapas and street stalls around the festival grounds feed the crowd all evening, and the smell of grilled fish drifts across the sand. Go for pescado a la talla or whole grilled huachinango, and try tlayudas, the big crisp Oaxacan tortillas piled with beans, cheese and meat. Vegetarians do well with quesadillas and fresh tostadas topped with seafood or vegetables. Coastal bakeries and cafes also serve strong Oaxacan coffee in the morning, which you will want after a late set.
For drinks, look for mezcal poured neat with orange slices and sal de gusano, cold cerveza, and fresh aguas frescas or coconut water to fight the heat. Craft cocktails with mezcal show up at the busier bars.
Carry cash in pesos, since many stalls and small beach spots do not take cards and the few ATMs in the … read more 👉
The beach palapas and street stalls around the festival grounds feed the crowd all evening, and the smell of grilled fish drifts across the sand. Go for pescado a la talla or whole grilled huachinango, and try tlayudas, the big crisp Oaxacan tortillas piled with beans, cheese and meat. Vegetarians do well with quesadillas and fresh tostadas topped with seafood or vegetables. Coastal bakeries and cafes also serve strong Oaxacan coffee in the morning, which you will want after a late set.
For drinks, look for mezcal poured neat with orange slices and sal de gusano, cold cerveza, and fresh aguas frescas or coconut water to fight the heat. Craft cocktails with mezcal show up at the busier bars.
Carry cash in pesos, since many stalls and small beach spots do not take cards and the few ATMs in the village can run dry on festival weekends. Lines build around sunset, so eat early or late. Portions are generous, and sharing a plate is normal and welcomed.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte takes place in late November or early December, and it runs for several days. Concerts are held in the beach village of Mazunte on the Oaxaca coast, with exact dates announced each year. Arriving on the opening day gives you time to settle in before the busy weekend.
Attending Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte costs about US$75 to 85 per day for a budget traveler. That includes a dorm bed at around US$25, meals at US$15 to 30 and roughly US$15 for concert entry, since some shows are free. Prices for beds climb sharply on the festival weekend.
Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte does not always require advance tickets, because some beach concerts are free or sold at the door. Main stage evenings can sell out, so buying ahead through the festival’s official channels is safer. The bigger issue is accommodation, which you should book four to six weeks ahead for the festival weekend.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mexican festivals near Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte

Explore more nearby:

  • Noche de Rábanos—Carved radishes, Zócalo contest, nativity dioramas, December 23| 156 km away
  • Guelaguetza—Regional dances, Danza de la Pluma, calendas, mezcal and tejate| 157 km away
  • Festival de la Guelaguetza—indigenous pageantry, regional music, hillside stage| 157 km away

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Festival Internacional de Jazz de Mazunte works best as the middle stop of a coast run, with Puerto Escondido's surf before it and Zipolite's lazy beach days after. I would book lodging first, pack cash and cut the schedule loose, because the fun here is unplanned.

✈️ When did I visit Mexico?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Mexico in February and March 2016. Had to hurry a bit as I didn’t want to miss the free performance of the Rolling Stones in Cuba.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Mexico, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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