Average temperatures range between 24 and 26 °C (75.2 and 78.8 °F), and maximum annual rainfall is between 730 and 2,000 mm (28.7 and 78.7 in) - The population is mainly engaged in agriculture and waterfront fisheries.

Historically the region has been tied culturally and economically with the Costa Chica in the state of Guerrero and with Acapulco in particular, rather than with the city of Oaxaca.

[3] The population includes Mestizos and Afro-Mexicans, as well as indigenous Mixtec, Amuzgo, Chatino, Chontal, Zapotec peoples.

This dance is the best-known of the region and was performed in 1911 when Mexican president Francisco Madero visited the village.

Santiago Collantes is also known for its version of the Devil's Dance, which is related to the hardships of slavery and serf-like conditions that the slaves suffered.

[5] Every year in November the government organizes the Coastal Dance Festival, where regional groups from the Oaxaca coast and guests from Michoacán, Guerrero and Chiapas in Puerto Escondido have assembled since 1994 to give exhibitions of the traditional dances of the southern Pacific region.