Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business Puerto Escondido, whose name means hidden port, is a laid-back Pacific town on the coast of Oaxaca.
Playa Zicatela
Playa Marinero
Playa Principal
Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo
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Until the 1930s there was no town here at all, and the bay was used only to ship coffee. Highway 200 opened in the 1960s, surfers and backpackers arrived, and the town has been growing as a beach destination ever since.
Today it mixes fishing boats, surf shacks, small hotels and relaxed seafood restaurants.
Plan on a slow pace here. Days naturally split into an early swim or boat trip, a long lunch in the shade, and an evening walk to watch the sunset over the water.
Zicatela is the surf capital of Puerto Escondido, nicknamed the Mexican Pipeline for the power and shape of its waves. The beach hosts major competitions, including one in November.
Playa Zicatela is nicknamed the Mexican Pipeline for the power of its waves. Photo: Flickr contributor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
West of the El Moro rocky outcrop, Marinero has much less surf and fewer rip currents, so it is the best option for swimming. Beginners also try surfing and bodyboarding here. It is a good place to spend an easy morning.
Playa Marinero lies west of the El Moro rocks and is a gentler beach for swimming. Photo: Miguel from Melilla, España, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Playa Principal is the town beach, about 500 metres long with fine gray sand and low to moderate waves. Fishermen come in at dawn to sell their catch to local restaurants and families, and boats here take visitors out to see dolphins and turtles.
Fishermen land their catch at Playa Principal at dawn. Photo: Nsaum75, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
West of the lighthouse and its stone walkway, the Andador Escénico, you reach the twin beaches of Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo in a sheltered cove. Small family-run restaurants sit under palapas, and the calm water suits snorkeling and swimming.
Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo are twin beaches in a sheltered cove. Photo: Carlos Miguélez Monroy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Carrizalillo is a small, scenic bay with white sand and cobalt water edged with green. There is no road to the beach, only a steep stairway from the street, so wear sturdy sandals.
Carrizalillo is a small bay reached by a steep stairway from the street. Photo: Flickr contributor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Bacocho is the westernmost developed beach, with fine soft sand, palm trees and a few upscale beach clubs. It faces southwest, so the sunsets are excellent.
About ten kilometres west of town, Manialtepec is a mangrove lagoon rich in birds such as pelicans, ibis, storks and kingfishers.
Laguna de Manialtepec lies west of Puerto Escondido and is full of mangroves and birds. Photo: Lunita28mx, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Chacahua combines five lagoons, sandy Pacific beaches, mangrove swamps and a crocodile nursery. A Mixtec archaeological site lies inside the park, and small hotels and waterfront restaurants offer a place to stay.
Lagunas de Chacahua National Park combines lagoons, mangroves and Pacific beaches. Photo: Carlos Adampol Galindo from DF, México, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
From July to September thousands of olive ridley sea turtles come ashore at Playa Escobilla, between Puerto Escondido and Mazunte, to lay eggs. Visits go with a local guide, so book through a reputable operator and follow all instructions.
Olive ridley turtles nest in great numbers at Playa Escobilla between July and September. Photo: Claudio Giovenzana, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Adoquín is the pedestrian street close to Playa Principal, lined with shops, restaurants and bars. Browse the craft stores in the afternoon, then return for dinner and live music.
The town market has fresh fish, produce, kitchenware and everyday Oaxacan snacks. Visit in the morning, and look for the days when fresh produce arrives from the interior of the state.
At the southern end of Zicatela, walk around the cliff to a small rocky beach with a view of a lighthouse.
Puerto Escondido cooking centers on seafood and local plants, including bananas, chocolate and coffee. Fish is brought in by local boats every morning, so order whatever the restaurant recommends that day.
You are also in Oaxaca, so the state's classics are easy to find.
For a market feel, visit Mercado Benito Juárez, or sit at a beachfront palapa at Puerto Angelito or Zicatela for a seafood lunch.
Popular dishes to try in Puerto Escondido
Zicatela is the surfers' beach, with casual hotels, hostels and cafes along a busy strip. It suits surf travellers and anyone who wants waves outside the door, though it is a long walk from the center.
La Punta, at the southern end of Zicatela, has a laid-back, quieter feel with small restaurants, cafes and sunset views. It suits longer stays and travellers who like a calmer atmosphere.
Rinconada is a quieter residential area between the center and the beaches, with small hotels, local restaurants and easy access to Playa Principal and the Adoquín.
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido has a tropical, humid climate, with an average temperature around 28 degrees Celsius and a rainy season in the summer.
Mid to late summer is the low season for tourists, with fewer crowds and lower prices, and it is also when the turtles nest at Playa Escobilla.
In November the Fiestas de Noviembre and the Zicatela surfing competition bring concerts, events and visitors from many countries.
Puerto Escondido International Airport is close to town, with flights from Mexico City on Aeroméxico and Viva Aerobus.
A new high-speed highway opened between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido in 2024, cutting the journey to about three hours, and ADO buses serve the route.
In town, urban buses and collective taxis run along the main roads, and regular taxis cover the beaches. Ask the fare before you set off.
Start early at Playa Principal to see the fishermen, then walk the Andador Escénico to Puerto Angelito.
Swim at Carrizalillo in the morning, lunch on the sand and relax at Marinero.
Join a boat trip on Manialtepec, or travel to Chacahua for a canoe ride.
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