Some places you find by accident and never quite manage to leave. For us, that place is Salchi: a small, quiet bay on the Oaxaca coast where the sand is soft, the water is clear, and on most days you can count the people on the beach on one hand.
Here is our guide to the little paradise we call home, and why so many of our guests come back year after year.
Where is Salchi?
Salchi sits on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca, in the community of Cuatunalco, municipality of San Pedro Pochutla. It lies between the resort town of Huatulco to the east and the laid-back villages of Mazunte and Zipolite to the west.
Getting here is easier than you’d think. Huatulco International Airport (HUX) is just 25 minutes away by car, with direct flights from Mexico City and seasonal flights from the US and Canada. From Oaxaca City, the drive takes about three hours on the new highway. Flying into Huatulco? Tell us your flight and we’ll arrange your transfer from the airport.
A beach (almost) all to yourself
There are no big resorts in Salchi, no jet skis and no beach vendors. What you get instead is a sheltered bay of white sand with clear, blue water, the kind of place where the loudest sound is the waves.
On calm days the bay is perfect for swimming, snorkeling around the rocks, or a slow paddle on a stand-up board. Then it’s back to the shade of a palapa with a good book and a fresh juice or a cold beer from the bar.
Walks along the coast
Salchi is a great base for exploring on foot. A few favorites:
- El Arroyito: about 15 minutes’ walk away, with natural rock pools where the waves arrive gently. Ideal for a morning dip.
- Playa Cuatunalco: more than 5 km of wild, empty coastline, perfect for a long sunrise or sunset walk.
- Hidden coves: the trails along the cliffs lead to small beaches you’ll often have to yourself. We’ll give you maps and tips.
Prefer four legs to two? On Cuatunalco beach you can go horseback riding with a local guide and ride right through the surf, even as a beginner.
Turtles, sunsets and stars
Sea turtles nest along this stretch of coast, and with a little luck you may see baby turtles crossing the sand to the ocean. Ask us when you arrive. We’ll tell you if any hatchlings are expected during your stay.
In the evening, the sun sets behind the hills and paints the bay in orange and pink. And then comes the best part: Salchi has almost no artificial light, so on a clear night the sky fills with stars and you can see the Milky Way from the beach. Around full moon, a walk along the moonlit shore is pure magic.
Easy day trips
When you’re ready for a change of scene, the whole Oaxaca coast is within reach, most of it 45 to 60 minutes away:
- La Ventanilla: glide by boat through the mangroves and spot crocodiles, iguanas and herons.
- Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite: colorful beach villages for a swim, lunch and a cocktail at sunset. Zipolite is also famous for its surfing and as a nudist beach.
- Pochutla Monday market: a real Mexican market where people from the mountain villages sell produce and crafts.
- Huatulco: its nine bays, boat trips to see dolphins and, from December to March, whales.
See all our activities.
Stay with us at Manta Raya
Hotel Manta Raya sits right on Playa Salchi, with just seven rooms, six of them with ocean views. Mornings start with coffee from the nearby mountains, and dinner, our highlight, changes every night: fresh seafood, regional ingredients and everything homemade, from the bread to the ice cream.
Year after year, our guests have made us one of the highest-rated B&Bs in Mexico on Tripadvisor. We’d love for you to see why.