Puerto Escondido, Mexico Travel Guide : Things to Do, Beaches & Tips
Puerto Escondido, Mexico is a beach town on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca known for its laid-back vibe, surf and digital nomad hub. In this guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in Puerto Escondido, where to stay, and travel tips to plan your perfect trip.
If you are into travel stories, though, read our diary at the end of this post.
Puerto Escondido, Mexico is a beach town on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca known for its laid-back vibe, surf and digital nomad hub. In this guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in Puerto Escondido, where to stay, and travel tips to plan your perfect trip.
Where is Puerto Escondido, Mexico?
Puerto Escondido is a major town on the pacific coast of Oaxaca in Mexico, with its own airport.
Why visit Puerto Escondido?
First we shall distinguish between Puerto Escondido and the place you will most probably stay, La Punta.
Puerto Escondido is a town, much larger than Mazunte. The main attraction is its large, approx. 3 km beach, Playa Zicatela. The city center is located in the middle and left part of Playa Zicatela as we look at the map. Playa Zicatela itself is known for the usually big waves attracting intermediate and advanced surfers but also for its beautiful sunsets.
Further on the left end of Playa Zicatela, there are some smaller and beautiful beaches, much better for swimming or spending the day, as we will mention further below.
La Punta is located at the southeast end of Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido. It is a newly established, trendy hotspot for digital nomads and aspiring surfers. The waves at the very end of the beach are smaller and appropriate for beginners.
The beach in general is not the best for swimming, though. La Punta, officially known as Brisas de Zicatela is full of restaurants, brunch places, cafes, yoga and everything else, but still partly in a developing stage.
La Punta is located at the southeast end of Playa Zicatela in Puerto Escondido. It is a newly established, trendy hotspot for digital nomads and aspiring surfers. The waves at the very end of the beach are smaller and appropriate for beginners.
The beach in general is not the best for swimming, though. La Punta, officially known as Brisas de Zicatela is full of restaurants, brunch places, cafes, yoga and everything else, but still partly in a developing stage.
Best 6 things to do in Puerto Escondido:
1. Surf at La Punta or all over along Playa Zicatela
A board for one hour costs 100-150 pesos
2. Long walks along Playa Zicatela
Make sure to protect yourself from the sun and enjoy this endless beach.
3. Sunset at Playa Zicatela
The almost empty beach during the day is filled with people shortly before sunset. It is
like as if everyone has agreed on this unspoken ritual of sitting on the beach and watching the sunset. Amazing atmosphere during sunset.
4. Take a yoga class
Yoga prices ar approx. 200 pesos per session.
5. Visit other beaches on the north side of Puerto Escondido, such as Playa Manzanillo, Playa Carizalillo, Playa Punta Colorada or Playa Bacocho. We believe the best one is Carizalillo, consider, though, that you have to walk some steps down and later on up.
6. Spend a day of luxury at the Beach Club Bacocho
1. Surf at La Punta or all over along Playa Zicatela
A board for one hour costs 100-150 pesos
2. Long walks along Playa Zicatela
Make sure to protect yourself from the sun and enjoy this endless beach.
3. Sunset at Playa Zicatela
The almost empty beach during the day is filled with people shortly before sunset. It is
like as if everyone has agreed on this unspoken ritual of sitting on the beach and watching the sunset. Amazing atmosphere during sunset.
4. Take a yoga class
Yoga prices ar approx. 200 pesos per session.
5. Visit other beaches on the north side of Puerto Escondido, such as Playa Manzanillo, Playa Carizalillo, Playa Punta Colorada or Playa Bacocho. We believe the best one is Carizalillo, consider, though, that you have to walk some steps down and later on up.
6. Spend a day of luxury at the Beach Club Bacocho
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido:
Depending on how you want to experience Puerto Escondido or La Punta, you have the following options.
It was difficult to make a decision, but here are some facts.
Note: Not all accommodation is on Booking or Airbnb. Definitely worth going around and ask, you might discover some hidden priceworthy gems.
Depending on how you want to experience Puerto Escondido or La Punta, you have the following options.
It was difficult to make a decision, but here are some facts.
Note: Not all accommodation is on Booking or Airbnb. Definitely worth going around and ask, you might discover some hidden priceworthy gems.
Around La Punta:
Probably the standard option. Great if you want to be around other tourists or digital nomads, lots of food options and cafes. At the end of the beach the waves are smaller and you are still very close to the beach and can enjoy beautiful sunsets. Pricier and obvioudly less local vibes.
Along Playa Zicatela:
Here you can probably find cheaper accomodation, a mix of tourists, digital nomads and locals. Generally more local vibes and closer to the citiy center. From here you have access to bigger waves for surfing and an endless beach.
Here you can probably find cheaper accomodation, a mix of tourists, digital nomads and locals. Generally more local vibes and closer to the citiy center. From here you have access to bigger waves for surfing and an endless beach.
In the center of Puerto Escondido:
Probably the cheapest option, feels like being in a typical mexican town while you are still close to the beach. This is a better option for longer stays on a budget. Might feel less safe at night compared to the more touristic areas.
Probably the cheapest option, feels like being in a typical mexican town while you are still close to the beach. This is a better option for longer stays on a budget. Might feel less safe at night compared to the more touristic areas.
Close to the northern beaches:
We had the impression that less tourists stay here, but we liked the location. Closer to the center compared to La Punta, with local vibes and restaurants and very close to the gorgeous beaches and bays on the northern side of Puerto Escondido.
Accommodation Prices in Puerto Escondido:
On a budget:
Dorms are available for 10-20 dollars per person.
Mid range:
Simple but central Airbnbs for 50. La Punta is not very cheap but as you move towards Centro you can find much cheaper options. We found it very convenient, though, to live close to where the action is, if you do not have a motorbike to get back home at night.
Luxury:
This blog has a good overview for luxury options.
Prices can be well above 200 dollars per night.
Eat and drink in Puerto Escondido, La Punta:
We tried and liked the following places so far:
- Fish Shack – just great
- Alaburger – for burgers, obviously
- malaguacafe – nice place to get a coffee
- Amoki
- Monte Alpan – for breakfast and more
Very recommended are also:
- Chicama
- Juice House
- Nomada
We tried and liked the following places so far:
- Fish Shack – just great
- Alaburger – for burgers, obviously
- malaguacafe – nice place to get a coffee
- Amoki
- Monte Alpan – for breakfast and more
Very recommended are also:
- Chicama
- Juice House
- Nomada
Transportation and how to get to Puerto Escondido:
You can easily walk around La Punta, rent a motorbike with or without a rack for your surf board or use taxis or colectivos. Uber was not available in 2023.
Taxi from/ to Puerto Escondido Centro to La Punta shouldn’t cost more than 100-150 pesos. Colectivos drive among the main road Acapulco – Salina Cruz, so you have to walk or take a taxi from there. The ride costs 12 to 15 pesos per person. You can get on and get off wherever you want. Press the button for a stop and pay the driver when you get off.
Finally you fly to and from Puerto Escondido and avoid the an approx. 10 hour drive with the bus through the Oxacan mountains.
You can easily walk around La Punta, rent a motorbike with or without a rack for your surf board or use taxis or colectivos. Uber was not available in 2023.
Taxi from/ to Puerto Escondido Centro to La Punta shouldn’t cost more than 100-150 pesos. Colectivos drive among the main road Acapulco – Salina Cruz, so you have to walk or take a taxi from there. The ride costs 12 to 15 pesos per person. You can get on and get off wherever you want. Press the button for a stop and pay the driver when you get off.
Finally you fly to and from Puerto Escondido and avoid the an approx. 10 hour drive with the bus through the Oxacan mountains.
Travel tips for Puerto Escondido:
We did not like the beach at La Punta very much for swimming. It is ok, but more for surfing and still nice to hang around.
The place felt safe at night.
You might need to go to the center of Puerto Escondido to get some cash at the ATM.
We did not like the beach at La Punta very much for swimming. It is ok, but more for surfing and still nice to hang around.
The place felt safe at night.
You might need to go to the center of Puerto Escondido to get some cash at the ATM.
Final thoughts – Is Puerto Escondido Worth Visiting?:
La Punta has a nice vibe, but due to the many short or long term tourists we find it pricier compared to other places. It is still developing, though, for example at the time we came we could find only one ATM and that one was not working.
Save this Puerto Escondido Travel Guide for later!
As one picture equals a thousand words, visit our instagram for more images from Puerto Escondido.
La Punta has a nice vibe, but due to the many short or long term tourists we find it pricier compared to other places. It is still developing, though, for example at the time we came we could find only one ATM and that one was not working.
Save this Puerto Escondido Travel Guide for later!
As one picture equals a thousand words, visit our instagram for more images from Puerto Escondido.
Our Diary:
Day 1 – Food, beach
We stayed at Arturo’s Airbnb, which we liked a lot as it was close to everything. The first day we had a brunch at malaguacafe and headed to the beach where we stayed until after sunset.
We had dinner at a very open space for pizzas and burgers with big shared tables where you can exchange experiences with other travellers.
Day 2 – More beach and food
The next day we had a similar program with breakfast at Sabina and dinner at Amoki. Huge, delicious burrito. We also tried a very tasty cake from Puntacakes on the beach.
Day 3 – The northern beaches
On our third day in Puerto we headed north to check out the other beaches.
Playa Manzanillo was nice, but crowded and busy with boats. Playa Carizalillo was even more beautiful with the vegetation almost reaching the crystal clear water. We sat at a local cantina, took a juice and enjoyed the beach.
In the evening we walked a bit around the small city center of Puerto Escondido and ate the best shrimp tacos at Fish Shack.
Day 4 – Another sunset on the beach
On our last day in Puerto we woke up late. We had a coffee at Amarisa cafe amarisacafe and headed for a long walk on the beach. We took a break at a nice cafe on the way back and enjoyed another sunset on the beach while planning our next destination. In the evening we ate at the same place we ate the first night and packed our backpacks.
Next stop… Isla Holbox
