Location · 15.95° N 97.63° W

Near Chacahua. Away from everything else.

Montserrat Reserve sits on the Costa Chica of Oaxaca, a stretch of Pacific coastline where the jungle meets the sea and time moves at its own pace. The nearest town is Chacahua, a small fishing village known for its lagoon, its waves, and its quiet. This is not a place you stumble upon. You come here on purpose.

01 · Getting Here

Three ways to arrive.

There is no direct highway to the reserve, and that is part of the point. The journey south slows you down before you even arrive.

01 Fly into Puerto Escondido (PXM) 1 h 40 m drive

The fastest option. Puerto Escondido's small airport receives daily flights from Mexico City and Oaxaca City. From PXM it is approximately a 1 hour 40 minute drive west along the coastal road. We can arrange a private transfer for arriving guests, or you can rent a car at the airport. The road is paved most of the way, winding through small towns and palm groves before reaching the turnoff toward Chacahua.

02 Drive from Oaxaca City ~7 hours

If you are already in the highlands, the drive from Oaxaca de Juarez to the coast takes roughly 7 hours via Highway 131 through the Sierra Madre del Sur. The road descends through cloud forest, agave fields, and mezcal country before flattening into the coastal plain. It is a long drive, but it is a beautiful one. Many guests choose to stop overnight in one of the mountain villages along the way and arrive the following morning with fresh eyes.

03 From Puerto Escondido by road ~2 hours

If you are already on the coast, perhaps spending a few days in Puerto Escondido or Mazunte, the drive west to Montserrat Reserve takes about 2 hours. The road follows the coastline through fishing villages and coconut plantations. This is a popular option for travelers already exploring the Oaxacan coast who want to end their trip with a few days of true quiet. Colectivo vans also run this route for those traveling light.

02 · Coordinates

Where we are.

Latitude
15.95° N
Longitude
97.63° W
Region
Costa Chica
State
Oaxaca, Mx
Elevation
~30 m
Climate
Tropical dry forest

The reserve sits in the Costa Chica region of Oaxaca, a section of the Pacific coast stretching southeast from Acapulco through Guerrero and into Oaxaca. Compared to the more touristed Costa Oaxaqueña around Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, the Costa Chica remains relatively untouched: fewer hotels, fewer restaurants, and far fewer visitors.

Our specific location places us near the Chacahua lagoon system, one of the most biodiverse coastal ecosystems in Mexico. The lagoons, the beach, and the surrounding forest form a natural corridor of wildlife and vegetation that shapes the character of the reserve itself.

03 · What's Nearby

Just beyond the reserve.

You do not need to leave the property to feel immersed. But when you want to explore, the surrounding area offers some of the most unspoiled nature on the Oaxacan coast.

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Open sand and blue water at Chacahua Beach
01 · 12 min
Chacahua Beach
A long, open stretch of sand with consistent waves and almost no one on it. Sunrise here is worth every minute of the early alarm. Backed by palm trees, fronted by warm Pacific water year-round.
Waterside palapas at Chacahua Lagoon
02 · National park
Chacahua Lagoon
Part of the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, this interconnected system of lagoons is home to crocodiles, herons, pelicans, and hundreds of other species. Boat tours through the mangroves are quiet, slow, and unforgettable.
Blue bioluminescence glowing in the lagoon at night
03 · Moonless nights
Bioluminescent Lagoon
On clear, moonless nights, the lagoon near Chacahua glows with bioluminescent plankton. You paddle through darkness and the water lights up around your hands and your paddle. It is one of those experiences that is difficult to describe and impossible to forget.
Still water reflecting the Chacahua mangroves
04 · Early morning
Mangrove Tours
Local guides lead small-group boat tours through the mangrove channels, pointing out birds, explaining the ecosystem, and sharing stories of the coast. These tours are best taken in the early morning when the light is soft and the wildlife is active.
Surfer riding a wave near Chacahua
05 · Warm water
Surfing
The coast near Chacahua has several surf breaks suitable for beginners and intermediates. The waves are warm, the crowds are thin, and local instructors are available for lessons. It is a different kind of surfing than what you find further east in Puerto Escondido, gentler and more forgiving.
Local fishing boats on the Oaxaca coast
06 · Coastal life
Local Fishing Villages
Small communities dot the coastline, living as they have for generations: fishing, farming, and gathering. Visitors can buy fresh-caught fish directly from fishermen, visit local markets, or simply walk through a village where the pace of life makes the reserve feel fast by comparison.
04 · The Region

Costa Chica, Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is widely regarded as the cultural heart of Mexico, and the Costa Chica is one of its most authentic expressions. This region has historically been home to Indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities whose traditions, cuisine, and way of life remain deeply rooted in the land and the sea.

The food here reflects the coast: fresh fish, ceviche prepared on the beach, tamales wrapped in banana leaves, and salsas made from dried chiles and roasted tomatoes. Many ingredients are grown or caught within walking distance of where they are cooked. Meals are simple, deeply flavored, and eaten slowly.

Beyond the table, the Costa Chica is known for its music, its festivals, and its artisans. Textiles are woven by hand on backstrap looms. Pottery is shaped from local clay. Mezcal is distilled in small batches in the hills above the coast. For guests who want to understand this place beyond the reserve, we are happy to connect you with local guides, artisans, and families who welcome visitors with warmth and generosity.

Staying here is not just about the property. It is about being in this corner of Mexico, where the culture is alive and the landscape is unbroken.
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Montserrat Reserve opens in 2027 with limited availability for founding guests. Join the waitlist for priority access and early pricing.

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