Puerto Escondido
The Zicatela wave, gentle coves to learn to surf and a laid-back Oaxacan coastal vibe, with lagoons and beach villages close by.
Your Puerto Escondido trip
Find low fares and travel to your ideal destination.
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
Updated prices for 3 nights and 2 adults in Zicatela, La Punta, Rinconada and Bacocho.
Beaches and outings near Puerto
From Mexico's most famous wave to a lagoon that glows at night, here's what you shouldn't miss.
- Nov–AprDry, sunny season
- May–SepBig-wave season at Zicatela
- ≈1 hFlight from Mexico City
- ≈3 hFrom Oaxaca City on the new highway
Puerto Escondido in pictures
Sea turtles, surf and sunsets: the Oaxacan coast as it really is.
- A hatchling heads for the sea · Gzzz (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- A family evening by the Pacific · Miguel angel jose diaz (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Palms and surf on the coast · Javiermartinez76 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Sunset at Zicatela · Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Carrizalillo cove · https://www.flickr.com/photos/elfidomx/ (CC BY 2.0)
- Manialtepec Lagoon · Lunita28mx (CC BY 4.0)
Puerto Escondido FAQs
Waves, seasons, getting there and where to stay.
When should I go to Puerto Escondido?
For sunshine and little rain, November to April. May to September brings the biggest swells to Zicatela, great for watching pro-level surfing. June to October is the rainy and Pacific hurricane season, with humid afternoons and the odd stormy day, so check the forecast before you go.
How do I get to Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) is a few minutes from downtown and Bacocho; flights from Mexico City take about an hour. You can also fly into Oaxaca City and take the new highway, roughly 3 hours, or fly into Huatulco (HUX) and drive about 2 hours along the coast road.
Can I surf Zicatela as a beginner?
No. Zicatela's main break, known as the Mexican Pipeline, crashes hard close to shore and is for experts only. To learn, head to La Punta at the south end of Zicatela or to Carrizalillo, where you'll find surf schools and board rentals.
Which beaches are good for swimming?
Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito, Manzanillo and the main town beach usually have calmer water. Zicatela and Bacocho have strong currents and open-ocean surf, so stay near the shore there. Always follow the flags and lifeguards.
Which neighborhood should I stay in?
Zicatela has the surf scene, restaurants and nightlife. La Punta is more bohemian and budget-friendly, with hostels and cafés. Rinconada and Carrizalillo are quiet and residential, close to swimmable beaches. Bacocho has cliff-top hotels with pools near the airport.
When can I see the bioluminescence at Manialtepec?
The plankton glows brightest during the rainy season, roughly May to November, and on moonless nights. Tours leave by boat after dark; in the morning, the same lagoon is great for birdwatching among the mangroves.
Where can I see sea turtles?
At Bacocho, conservation groups hold hatchling releases during nesting season, usually around sunset. In Mazunte, about an hour away, there's the Mexican Turtle Center, and boat tours sometimes spot turtles and dolphins offshore.
What day trips can I take from Puerto Escondido?
Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite, ending with sunset at Punta Cometa; Manialtepec Lagoon; and Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, with lagoons, mangroves and remote beaches. Each one works as a day trip.
What should I eat in Puerto Escondido?
The day's fish and seafood at beach palapas, tlayudas and Oaxacan street snacks at night, and coffee from the Oaxaca highlands in the morning. La Punta and Zicatela also have plenty of international food.
Check your Puerto Escondido flight and hotel on your phone between a surf session and sunset.
