Zoa Hotel

While parts of Mexico are famously overdeveloped, the Pacific coastline of Oaxaca is not among them. This stretch of south-facing beach, spanning the villages of Mazunte and San Agustinillo, is spectacular, and the towns are in that sweet spot: lively but not crowded, off-the-radar but not impossible to reach. And while the beginnings of a luxury travel scene are present, they’re tasteful and restrained — a description that suits Zoa perfectly.

They call it a “hotel secreto,” and it’s not much of an exaggeration; it’s set on a hillside above the coast, between the two beaches, and its elevation offers not just privacy but far-ranging views. With just five thatched-roof bungalows, it keeps its footprint small, as do its ecologically sensitive practices, from its onsite vegetable garden to its biodegradable bath products.

Above all it’s a tranquil place, with morning yoga sessions, a Zen garden, an infinity pool with an endless Pacific view, and a little private beach of its own. The restaurant, as you’d expect, focuses on ocean-fresh seafood, to great effect, and the bulk of the available activities revolve around the ocean as well, from surfing lessons and snorkeling to whale-watching expeditions and trips to the sea turtle reserve.