Plan on about 4 h 10 min of driving for the 187-mile (301 km) trip from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte, before any stops.
| Distance | 187 mi (301 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 10 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-175 → MEX-175D → MEX-200 |
| Mexican states on the route | Oaxaca |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-175D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
What the drive from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte is like
MEX-175D (64 mi) and MEX-175 (62 mi) carry about 67% of the 187 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-175D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Capulalpam de Méndez and Mazunte
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–6 | 6 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 6–57 | 51 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 57–67 | 10 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175 | 67–78 | 11 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 78–85 | 7 | Oaxaca |
| connecting roads | 85–89 | 4 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-175D | 89–153 | 64 | Oaxaca |
| MEX-200 | 153–182 | 29 | Oaxaca |
| local roads | 182–187 | 5 | Oaxaca |
Breaking up the drive: stops between Capulalpam de Méndez and Mazunte
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (mile 42), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 50)
- Museums and history: Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (mile 42), Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (mile 50), Zaachila (mile 50)
Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán
An example of New Spanish Baroque architecture, the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán in Oaxaca de Juárez traces back to 1551, when the city council granted 24 lots to the Dominican Order for a convent.
Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca
In San Bartolo Coyotepec, the town known for its black clay pottery (barro negro), this state-run museum traces the history of that craft and shows works by Oaxaca's folk art masters alongside temporary exhibitions.
Zaachila
Zaachila was a Zapotec city, later shared with Mixtecs, that was still inhabited when the Spanish arrived; its occupation reaches back to about 1500 BC. Visitors come for its excavated tombs, including Tomb 1 with stucco figures of those buried there.
Once you reach Mazunte
Mermejita
On Oaxaca's central coast just west of Mazunte and San Agustinillo, Mermejita is a small beach village where newcomers have built simple houses from local materials.
More drives to Mazunte
- Tehuacán to Mazunte
- Tuxtepec to Mazunte
- Córdoba, Mexico to Mazunte
- Huamantla to Mazunte
- Ixtenco to Mazunte
- Puebla to Mazunte
From Capulalpam de Méndez to other places in Mexico
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Boca del Cielo
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Omitlán
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Huasca de Ocampo
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Sueños de Oro
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Tócuaro
- Capulalpam de Méndez to Pacanda
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte?
About 4 h 10 min of driving without stops, over 187 miles.
What is the driving distance from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte?
About 187 miles (301 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte?
The U.S. State Department rates Oaxaca Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte?
In order: MEX-175, MEX-175D and MEX-200. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Capulalpam de Méndez to Mazunte?
Closest to the road: Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán (church, mile 42, 0.7 mi from the route); Museo Estatal de Arte Popular de Oaxaca (folk art museum, mile 50, 0.1 mi from the route); Zaachila (archaeological site, mile 50, 3 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.