Puerto Escondido, once a hidden gem on Mexico's Pacific coast, has steadily gained popularity as a destination that offers stunning beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. The more western part of Puerto Escondido has become more commercialised and is densely developed with resorts and hotels. The more easter part, La Punta (also known as Brisas de Zicatela), has a much more laidback atmosphere similar to El Paredon, Guatemala and Popoyo, Nicaragua and is the place where you find most backpackers and... surfers. Yes, in case you did not know yet, this coastal town in Oaxaca is famous for its world-class surf breaks, such as Zicatela Beach, which attracts surfers from around the globe. Beyond surfing, Puerto Escondido offers a rich blend of culture, wildlife, and natural beauty.
My friend and I planned to stay in Puerto Escondido for several days and ended up spending the rest of our Mexico trip here. The only reason we moved on to mushroom mountain town San Jose del Pacifico was because my friend had a flight to catch from Oaxaca City.
In this slow traveller's guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about Puerto Escondido, including how to get there, where to stay, and what to do. And yes! That includes where to surf and where to eat—very important :)
And... because it didn't fit elsewhere in this post, if you want to get a tattoo in Puerto Escondido I can highly recommend Astralis Tattoo Studio. My friend and I both got gigantic tattoos here, designed according to what we wanted. To know what I got, it is the giant one on my arm visible here.
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About Puerto Escondido, Mexico
So where is Puerto Escondido, Mexico exactly? Located about 300 kilometers south of Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido is a coastal town near Mexico's yoga mekka Mazunte. The town’s coastline is lined with golden sand and offers breathtaking sunsets. Inland, you’ll find lush landscapes and small, more authentic Mexican communities. Puerto Escondido’s charm lies in its laid-back atmosphere and welcoming locals, making it an ideal spot for slow travellers looking to unwind and connect with the waves and themselves.
When is the Best Time to Go to Puerto Escondido?
The best time to visit Puerto Escondido is during Mexico's dry season, which runs from November to April. This period offers the best weather for surfing and exploring the area. The rainy season can bring heavy rains that make the ocean choppy and less ideal for surfing.
How to Get to Puerto Escondido?
One of the benefits of Puerto Escondido is that it is relatively easy to reach from various places in Mexico.
How to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido:
Local Bus: Buses from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido take approximately 7-10 hours and cost around $20-25 USD. The journey is long but offers stunning views of the mountains and forests. Beware though because this is a zigzaggy route, notorious for making people motion sick.
Shared shuttle: Shared shuttles are available for around $30-40 per person. If you’re traveling with a group, it might be cheaper to opt for a private shuttle or taxi, costing around $150-200 total.
Direct Flight: The quickest option is to fly directly from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido, which takes about 45 minutes and costs around $50-100 USD depending on the season.
How to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido:
Bus: The most budgetfriendly and sustainable option is to travel by bus. You can take an overnight bus from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido. The journey takes approximately 12-15 hours and costs around $50-70 USD. We did this on our trip and travelled overnight to save a night's worth accomodation and to gain a day in our travel itinerary. The buses in Mexico are super comfortable and luxurious, even more so than airplanes in my opinion!
Direct Flight: The quickest way is to fly directly from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido. The flight takes about 1.5 hours and costs around $90-150 USD.
How to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Puerto Escondido:
Bus + Taxi: Take a bus from San Cristobal de las Casas to Tuxtla Gutierrez, which takes about 1-2 hours and costs around $5-10 USD. From Tuxtla, you can catch a flight to Puerto Escondido or take a bus to Oaxaca City and then proceed as mentioned above.
Shared Shuttle: Shared shuttles from San Cristobal to Puerto Escondido are available and cost around $50-70 USD per person.
What To Do In Puerto Escondido As a (Slow) Traveller?
Slow traveling is all about taking your time to soak in the local culture and atmosphere and Puerto Escondido is the perfect location to do so. Whether you’re staying for a few days or a few weeks, here are some activities to enjoy:
A Guide to Surfing In Puerto Escondido
The most obvious activity is surfing. Puerto Escondido is a surfer’s paradise, renowned for its consistent waves and laid-back surf culture. Zicatela Beach, also known as the "Mexican Pipeline," is one of the most famous surf spots in the world. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, the local surf schools provide lessons and board rentals. Here is a brief overview of some of the best-known spots:
Zicatela Beach: This spot is famous for its massive waves, making it ideal for experienced surfers. The waves here can reach up to 20 feet during the peak season.
La Punta: Located at the southern end of Zicatela Beach, La Punta offers smaller, more manageable waves, making it a great spot for beginners and intermediate surfers.
Carrizalillo Beach: A sheltered bay with calm waves, perfect for beginners or those looking for a more relaxed surf experience.
Board rental prices range from $10 to $20 per day, depending on the type and quality of the board. Many surf shops also offer weekly rental deals, so it’s worth asking around.
Due to the increasing popularity of Puerto Escondido, La Punta has become quite crowded with many beginning surfers. We found that the price of a surf excursion with local surf school La Punta Surfland - that we LOVED, such kind people - was only a bit more expensive than a lesson. One of the instructors drove us and the boards to a beach nearby with great waves and no one around! Absolutely recommend doing this :)
Our surf excursion to a completely empty beach and line-up with La Punta Surfland.
A Guide to Puerto Escondido's Beaches
If surfing isn’t your thing, Puerto Escondido’s beaches are perfect for relaxation. Whether you’re lounging under a palm tree, taking long walks at sunset, or enjoying a yoga session by the ocean, the beach offers a serene backdrop for unwinding. The beaches from Puerto Escondido run in a long line and are perfect for a long beachwalk. On the way you will find plenty of spaces to swim without anyone else around.
Be mindful of the ocean though, with the world-class surf breaks being located here she is relentless and has a strong pull. Even when you think it is a quiet or flat day, wait for 10 minutes to look at the ocean first before you go in to deep!
At different points across the beach, you will also find beach volleyball games happening frequently, both near La Punta as well as in the more western part. The levels vary per court, so whatever your level, just ask if there is a possibility for you to join! I have played beachvolleyball for many years and got to play with them several early mornings and late afternoons.
Photos from our beach walk along Zicatela Beach. The left sign is important as the tide is incredibly strong at this side of Mexico.
Is Puerto Escondido a Good Place for Digital Nomads?
Yes, absolutely!! In fact, many travellers who linger in Puerto Escondido are digital nomads or do summerwork in a hostel or surfshop in La Punta. There are plenty of cafes with good wifi connection (good enough for meetings) and there even is a co-working cafe in La Punta. My friend had to meet some of her deadlines as a PhD student and I still had my online job as a fundraising consultant while we there, so we worked several hours a day from the different cafes.
Although there is good wifi, I always like to have some data as a back-up just in case something happens during an important meeting. Like in many other countries, in Mexico you can buy a physical sim or get an e-sim that you can buy beforehand and will work as soon as you first connect to the local network.
You can buy an e-sim via Airalo (with the code ILSE8196 you get a 3 USD discount on your first sim). Airalo is my favourite, I used it in both Nicaragua and Brazil. Another good e-sim option is Yesim (with my code 'travelpayouts24' you get a 3 EUR discount until 31st of December 2024).
If you are a frequent traveller, you can also look into the Drimsim, which is a physical universal sim. Yes! You read that right. It supposedly works in every country as soon as your plane lands.
How Is Nightlife In Puerto Escondido?
While I enjoy dancing, I usually prefer starting my days early and saving my budget for other experiences. However, beach parties can be great fun, and Puerto Escondido is known for its vibrant nightlife. We visited one party that is an absolute must if you are looking for a unique dancing experience.
Punta Vida is the place to be on Sundays. This party is hosted in an abandoned building and kicks off with a BBQ around 7.30/8 pm. It’s MXN 150 for a beer and BBQ plate. Before that time there is volleyball right in front until sunset. The music is techno/house and everyone is dancing with their feet in the sand, it is amazing! And fun fact: I met someone from my former high school here whom I met another time two months later at the 'Wet Wednesday' pool party on Ometepe, Nicaragua - the ony two parties I really went to in two months.
La Punta Party Scene: The area around La Punta is known for its lively nightlife, with many bars hosting beach parties, live music, and DJ sets. It’s a great spot to meet fellow travellers and dance the night away.
Zicatela Beach Bars: Zicatela is home to a variety of bars and clubs where you can enjoy live music, salsa dancing, and even late-night beach bonfires.
While these spots are popular among backpackers, they can get crowded, especially during peak season. For a more local and budget-friendly experience, keep an eye out for smaller events and parties hosted by local bars or cultural organizations. These offer a chance to connect with locals and fellow travellers while enjoying Mexican culture in a more authentic way.
Excursions In Puerto Escondido
With gorgeous nature and wildlife around, popular excursions to do in Puerto Escondido include releasing baby turtles at Bacocho Beach or taking a dolphin watching tour.
There are plenty of sports and yoga studios, especially in La Punta. We participated in a sports morning with SHRED that included a HIIT workout on the sand, some yoga, an ice bath and brunch!
To explore the long beaches of Puerto Escondido on a quicker pace than on foot, you can rent bicycles or scooters. We rented a bicycle which costs about 7 USD per day. We went on a search to find Manzanillo Bay and found a cute smoothie shack on the way (not on GoogleMaps, but it's by the road that is parallel to Zicatela Beach right in between La Punta and Zicatela). Unfortunately when we arrived to the Bay, we found out it was overcrowded with tourists that had come by literal buses(!) and as it was a bay the noise was overwhelmingly echoed like in a fish bowl. So we turned around, had some ice cream, and ended up swimming in the ocean at a random spot on the long beach.
I would also recommend doing the surf excursion to a more secluded beach with a local surf schools. It is a good way to get off-the-beaten path, literally as you will likely drive over sand-paved roads to get there.
Where to Eat in Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido’s culinary scene is a delightful blend of traditional Mexican dishes and international flavors. Fresh seafood is abundant, with local eateries serving up delicious ceviche, grilled fish, and other coastal delights. Don’t miss out on trying tlayudas, a traditional Oaxacan dish that’s like a Mexican pizza, or mole, a rich and complex sauce that’s a staple of the region.
Vegetarian and vegan options are also widely available, and you’ll find plenty of cafes and restaurants catering to different dietary needs, especially in La Punta. Here are three recommendations in La Punta:
Piyoli Punta Zicatela: An organic health food restaurant and cafe that serves amazing bowls, a very good veggie burger, and the BEST vegan brownie I have had in my life thusfar!
Kapara Mio: A really delicious mediterranean restaurant - approved by my mediterranean friend - with a cute atmosphere. it is only open in the evenings and is a bit hidden, but do check it out!
Fish Shack: We have not actually eaten here but that was because it was too busy every time we tried and that is reason enough to put it on this short list. The Fish Shack is a casual eatery specialising in fresh seafood tacos and ceviche, located right on the beach.
If like me you love açaí, stay tuned because I am working on a guide with my favourite açaí, places across Central America. As this post was getting quite long and I do not want to overwhelm you, read my other blogpost on living as a digital nomad in Puerto Escondido to discover more food places and the best cafes to work remote, some with your feet literally in the sand.
If you’re a budget traveller, note that restaurants and cafes in the more touristy areas can be pricey. There is a local market in the center of Puerto Escondido and there are some smaller supermarkets with vegetables, fruits and staple foods in La Punta.
Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido?
The first question you have to ask yourself when looking for accommodation is what kind of traveller you are and what kind of experience you are looking for. You can roughly divide Puerto Escondido in four parts. The first is the center, which is very local and further from the beach. This is the least targeted towards tourists and travellers. The second is Zicatela which is good if you like hotels and have a big of a higher budget. The third is the long stretch between Zicatela and La Punta, where there are several lodges and resortlike hostels. This is a good option for when you want to be more secluded and in a serene area. Finally, there is La Punta, the most popular spot for backpackers and slow travellers.
Because I stayed only in La Punta and then cycled to Zicatela, I will base my recommendations also on experiences and tips from fellow travellers. So here are a few places to stay in Puerto Escondido:
Casa Losodeli & Coworking: A family-owned hostel popular among digital nomads, offering comfortable rooms, a coworking space, and a pool. It’s located a short walk from the beach and has a relaxed, friendly vibe. It is located in the center of Puerto Escondido.
Villa Bonobo: A trendy hostel located in La Punta, offering both dorms and private rooms, along with a pool and a lively social scene. We positively heard other backpackers about this one.
La Palmera Hostel: A budget-friendly option located just outside of the loud and busy main area of La Punta, offering dorms (with curtains and female dorms). We stayed here! The hostel has a very social atmosphere with many activities in and outside of the hostel. The only thing we did not like here was that the kitchen was not very clean when we were here, but this could be an occasional thing having to do with other guests.
Final Tips & Packing List
Puerto Escondido is one of those places where I could have stayed for several months, completely losing track of time and enjoying the ocean and beaches endlessly. And all the people I met here ended up extending their stay, so be prepared for that possibility when you arrive. Especially the vibe in La Punta and along the long coast is unpretentious and welcoming, making it an ideal spot for both backpackers and those seeking a slower experience.
Pack your bags, grab your surfboard (or rent one), and get ready to experience the best of Popoyo! But before you set off for Puerto Escondido, here are a few final tips:
ATM Availability: There are several ATMs in Puerto Escondido, but not near La Punta. My friend and I rented a bike one day to cycle to the ATM and on another day we took a long beachwalk to get there.
Language: While Spanish is the primary language spoken in Puerto Escondido, many locals in the tourist areas speak English. That being said, I always advocate for learning a bit of the local language as it will create more of a connection, even if it just as appreciation for the effort.
Safety: Puerto Escondido is generally very safe for travellers, also at night. There is a lot going on on the main streets and the locals are very friendly. However, as with any destination in the world that you don't know, it’s always wise to take standard precautions, such as not leaving your belongings unattended on the beach and avoiding isolated areas at night.
Pack Sunscreen: The sun in Puerto Escondido is strong! So especially if you have fair skin, like me, make sure you use sunscreen and apply right after you get out of the water. I forgot that once and within 20 minutes I got a burn that blistered later - and I even had some tan built up already.
Do not forget to buy reef proof sunscreen! Usually a package that says reef proof is not enough as the ocean laws have not been updated on the latest research. Look for sunscreen that only has a few ingredients and all of them natural, such as baby sunscreens based on zinc.
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