Santa María Tonameca is a rural town and municipality situated on the southern coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is located approximately 268 km from the state capital and serves as part of the Pochutla District within the eastern Costa Region.
The area is primarily known for its coastal beach communities, including Mazunte, San Agustinillo, and La Ventanilla. These locations host various conservation facilities, such as the National Turtle Center in Mazunte, which functions as a research center and aquarium alongside centers dedicated to butterflies and iguanas.
The town is also home to the region's largest annual festival. This event commemorates the historical rescue of a cedar image of the Virgin Mary from the ruins of the local church following an earthquake on May 11, 1870.