Puerto Escondido ↔ La Ventanilla

Destination guide

La Ventanilla travel guide

What La Ventanilla is like

La Ventanilla is not a beach town but a small community living beside a coastal lagoon fringed with mangroves, where a river meets the sea. Local families organized an ecotourism cooperative to protect the mangroves and the wildlife that depends on them, and the boat tours they run are the main way to visit. The money from the tours goes back into the community and into replanting mangroves.

It suits nature lovers, families with children and photographers, and fits easily into a day on this coast. Do not expect resort facilities: there is a simple reception area, a few palapa restaurants and the lagoon.

What to do at La Ventanilla

The main activity is a guided boat tour through the mangroves, in a canoe-style boat paddled or poled by a local guide. Along the channels you will usually see crocodiles resting on the banks or floating in the water, iguanas in the trees and water birds such as herons, egrets and cormorants. Guides explain the role of the mangroves and the crocodiles in the lagoon, mostly in Spanish, with some English depending on the guide.

The cooperative also looks after rescued animals in enclosures near the lagoon, and at certain times of year takes part in sea turtle conservation on the beach. The beach in front of La Ventanilla is wide and wild, good for a walk but with strong waves that make it unsuitable for swimming. Never feed or approach the crocodiles.

When to go

Tours run all year. In the dry season, roughly November to May, the weather is most reliable and the light is good for photos; early morning and late afternoon are the best times to see wildlife and avoid the midday heat. In the rainy season, roughly June to October, the lagoon fills up and the vegetation is at its greenest, but afternoon storms can interrupt plans, so go in the morning. Holidays such as Easter week and Christmas bring more visitors.

Practical tips

Allow one to two hours at the lagoon. Bring cash for the tour and any food, insect repellent, a hat, sunscreen and water. Wear clothes you do not mind getting a little splashed. If you want to stay nearby, Mazunte and San Agustinillo are a few minutes away and have the closest choice of accommodation.

Because La Ventanilla is usually a day trip rather than a simple one-way drop, the private transfer is quoted on WhatsApp. Tell us whether you want to go one way, add a stop in Mazunte or return to Puerto Escondido the same day, and we will send you the price.