Last Updated on April 3, 2024
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As far as beach destinations in Mexico go, Puerto Escondido is one of my absolute favorites. Beautiful, laid back, with several beaches, spectacular sunsets, marine life and some of the best seafood I’ve ever had. Most things to do in Puerto Escondido revolve around water and beaches. There are not many attractions per se, but you can definitely stay busy for a few days exploring different parts of town.
The great thing about Puerto, as locals call it, is that it’s a place where you can be as relaxed or as busy as you want. I was there for a full week and stayed busy exploring different beaches, taking boat trips and trying many of the local restaurants. If you need a change of scenery, you can also squeeze in day trips to Mazunte or Huatulco.
But, if you want to just spend your days beach hopping, relaxing and enjoying good food/drinks, it’s the perfect place for that as well.
Known to surfers and backpackers for many years, Puerto Escondido’s popularity is on the rise, but it still manages to fly somewhat under the radar. The number of visitors is just a fraction of those in other beach destinations like Tulum, Cancún or Puerto Vallarta. You won’t find any high rise hotels or big resorts, which helps retain authenticity and local charm.
If you are thinking about visiting and are wondering what to do in Puerto Escondido, keep reading. After spending a full week there, I put together this guide to help you plan your trip. From ways to get there, how to get around, where to stay and most importantly a list of things to do in Puerto Escondido.
Where is Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a town located in the state of Oaxaca, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Getting there is not the easiest and requires a little extra effort, which is probably why it still flies under the radar. While it’s not a complete secret anymore, it definitely is not overrun by tourists like other Mexican beach destinations.
How to get to Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Getting to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca
Plane – the quickest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is by a small hopper flight by Aerotucán. It’s a small Mexican airline, that flies to only four destinations within Oaxaca and Puerto is one of them. There’s only one flight a day: Monday – Saturday at 7 am and Sunday at 10 am. It’s a small 14 passenger plane and the flight takes about 35 minutes. The cost is around 3,700 MXN, which is a bit pricey, but those flights always sell out. Best way to book is to call them, they also have a counter at Oaxaca airport.
Bus – you can also take the ADO bus, which will get you from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido in about 3 hours. In February 2024, the long awaited Barranca Larga-Ventanilla toll highway opened, which bypasses the winding roads and cuts travel time from 8-9 hours to just 3. Currently the ADO bus runs several times a day and there are plans to increase to 15 journeys.
Getting to Puerto Escondido from Mexico City
Plane – this is the best and easiest way to travel from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido. Aeromexico, Viva and Volaris have daily flights several times a day and the flight time is 1 hour 15 min long. If you are flying from a different part of Mexico, you will most likely be connecting through Mexico City too.
Bus – ADO bus also runs from TAPO bus station in Mexico City to Puerto Escondido, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it. It takes about 18 hours and it’s not that much cheaper than a flight. So it really makes very little sense to put yourself through that kind of journey vs a quick flight.
How to get from Puerto Escondido Airport
Puerto Escondido International Airport ( PXM ) is tiny and despite its name, serves domestic flights only. It’s just a few minute taxi ride to Centro. Depending on which area you stay, it will take anywhere from 5-20 minutes.
When it comes to transportation you have a choice of a private taxi or Colectivo. Taxi will cost 250-350 MXN, depending on the distance. I paid 250 MXN to get to Centro. Colectivo costs just 50 MXN, but you need to wait until it’s full or nearly full, which can take some time.
How to get around Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Scooter – the most popular way to get around Puerto Escondido is by scooter and there are plenty of places you can rent one. The price is about 300-400 MXN a day. You can also get a discounted rate if you rent for a week or a month. You will need your driver’s license, passport and deposit. And of course some experience!! Do not rent one if you’ve never been on a scooter before!
Walk – I would say Puerto Escondido can be walkable depending on where you’re staying. Centro to La Punta is about 1 hour walk, same the other way to Playa Bacocho. Walking from Centro to Playa Carrizalillo took less than 30 minutes. It does get very hot during the day, so that can be the biggest problem for some.
Taxi – if you don’t want to deal with renting and driving, taxis are a great way to get around. There are everywhere, very easy to catch and very affordable. Anywhere you want to get in Puerto Escondido will be a 10-20 min drive, depending the part of town you’re heading to. Always ask and agree on the price before getting in.
Things to do in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Go on a whale and dolphin watching boat tour
If you had time to do one thing only in Puerto Escondido, then that is to take a boat tour to go whale and dolphin watching. You can see dolphins year round, but whales are seasonal. The season for humpback whales is from November – March, with best months being January and February. That’s when they are making their way through Pacific waters off Oaxaca towards
Seeing dolphins wild and free where they belong, not in cramped cage of an aquarium, is truly incredible and in Puerto Escondido you get a chance to see many of them. At some point, our boat was surrounded by dolphins, I didn’t know which way to look. They swim alongside the boat, they playfully jump out of the water
Boats leave throughout the day, but the best time to go is the first thing in the morning, when the wildlife is most active. Many boats leave at 7 am for a 3-hour trip. You can book your whales and dolphins boat tour here.
You can also go down to Playa Angelito or Playa Principal one day before and talk to one of the local boat guys. It’s also very likely, that someone will approach you offering a tour. That’s how I met Ever, who asked me if I was interested in a whale and dolphin watching tour and I ended up going with him not once, but twice during my week in Puerto Escondido.
It was one of the most incredible experiences and I promise you, it will be one of the top things to do in Puerto Escondido, no matter how long your stay is.
Enjoy a beach day
Puerto Escondido is home to several amazing beaches and they are all different. Some are good for swimming, others for surfing, some are busy with lots going on, while others are secluded and quiet.
Best beaches for swimming are Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Angelito, Playa Manzanillo and Playa Coral. All of these beaches are in sheltered coves, which protects them from huge waves. Be warned though, to access all of them requires some stairs or ramps. But they are definitely worth the climb down and later up.
Playa Principal, right in Centro, is also swimmable, but it gets very busy with locals and a lot of boat traffic.
Due to big waves and strong undercurrent on Playa Zicatela and Playa Bacoccho, swimming is not safe. Do not ignore these red flags, these waves are fun to watch, but can be really dangerous, unless you are are a professional surfer. Playa Zicatela is one of the top surfer destinations in the world and it’s amazing to take a stroll down and watch them in action.
Playa Bacocho is long stretch of gorgeous beach, perfect if you are looking for piece and quiet. It’s also where the baby turtle release takes place.
Watch the waves at Playa Zicatela
Playa Zicatela is known for having epic wave break, known as Mexican Pipeline, which attracts surfers from around the world. It’s one of the Puerto Escondido beaches, where swimming is not allowed and only advanced surfers should be in the water.
But even if you don’t surf, be sure to spend some time watching the waves. It really is quite a show and truly mesmerizing. Taking long beach walks on Playa Zicatela was one of my favorite things to do in Puerto Escondido.
Walk the Andador Escénico
There is a beautiful coastal walk in Puerto Escondido called Andador Escénico, which seems to be overlooked.
The 1 mile walk takes starts at Playa Principal and goes all the way to the view point Sueño Posible. There are many beautiful spots to take pictures, if that’s what you enjoy. It takes anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour to complete the walk, depending on how many stops you make.
This is a really beautiful walk, but there a a couple things you should know before deciding to do it. About half way there is a section, where the bridge washed away and it was never repaired, but if you are cautious you can make it over to get back on the path. Good shoes are a must.
Also, because of the proximity to the ocean, taking that walk is only recommended during low tide.
Release a baby turtle
Another one of the incredible things to do in Puerto Escondido is to participate in baby turtle release. This happens every night at 5 pm at Playa Bacocho and it’s run by an organization Vive Mar.
Out of 7 species of sea turtles in the world, 4 can be found in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. They face a lot of threats like poachers, humans and climate change and Vive Mar works to protect them from those threats. They patrol the beaches and collect the eggs, so they can hatch safely. This takes from 45-60 days and on the day they hatch, they are released into the sea and you can be part of it for just 150 MXN.
There’s no need to show up early, as at 5 pm they just start the registration process and that takes a while. After you register and pay 150 MXN, there’s a short introduction about the organization and what the release is going to look like ( both in Spanish and English ). Next, you are given your cone and eventually your turtle to release. You can snap a few photos, but they ask not to prolong it, as these little babies are eager to get out and head towards the water.
It might seem like a short distance to us, but when you are that little, it takes a while to reach the ocean with threats along the way. Sadly, some of them are snatched by birds or crabs and never make it.
Playa Bacocho is about a 10 minute drive from Centro and if you don’t have your own ride, taxi costs about 100 MXN. There will be plenty of taxis waiting by the beach afterwards as well, but expect to be a bit ripped off. The price to go back to Centro was nearly a double of what it cost getting to Playa Baccocho.
Mirador Romance de Verano
At the beginning or the end of Playa Zicatela, depending which way you’re coming from, there is a nice viewpoint resembling a castle. You can walk up the stairs for a great view of Playa Marinero, Playa Zicatela and Principal. I was there mid day, but it seems like it’s a nice place to watch the sunset.
In front of the Mirador, there’s also a sculpture Las Manos.
Visit Mercado de Zicatela
Mercado de Zicatela, is located between Playa Zicatela and the highway 200 and it’s a great place to find souvenirs, food, local goods and have a cheap meal. There are several casual restaurants with seating overlooking the ocean. Doña Claudia seems to be one of the favorites and it’s always packed.
This market is very neat and well organized, which is very different from the usual local mercados I experienced in Mexico.
Visit Mercado Benito Juárez
If you want to experience a traditional Mexican market, with all the chaos, noise and everything you can imagine to buy, head to Mercado Benito Juárez. This is the biggest market in Puerto Escondido and it’s located in the city center.
There you will find stalls with vendors selling anything from fish, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables to spices, flowers and Oaxacan delicacy chapulines. Mercado Benito Juárez is a must visit to get a sense of the local every day Mexican life.
Watch the sunset
The Pacific coast of Mexico is known for spectacular sunsets and there are many places in Puerto Escondido to enjoy it.
Pretty much any one of the beaches is a good place to be. Each evening both visitors and locals head to one of them and wait for the sky During my week in Puerto Escondido I watched the sunset from La Punta, Playa Zicatela, Playa Principal, Playa Carrialillo and Playa Bacocho. All were spectacular.
Another popular spot to watch the sunset in Puerto Escondido is Mirador Las Tortugas. And if you are looking for the best restaurant to be at the end of the day, Espadin is the place. The restaurant is sitting up on the hill above Playa Carrizalillo, so you get an amazing unobstructed view of the sunset. They don’t take reservations, but if you show up around 5 pm, you have a big chance of scoring a good table.
Timing of the sunset depends on the time of year you visit, between 6-7 pm.
Enjoy a meal with the best view in town
If you are looking for a restaurant with the best view in Puerto Escondido, Espadin is the place. The restaurant sits up on the cliff overlooking Playa Carrizalillo.
Prices are a bit higher than at most places in Puerto, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Any place with an amazing view, anywhere in the world, will charge more for exactly that, an amazing location.
The reviews on food I’ve read were mixed, but I have to say, the couple appetizers I ordered and a drink were very good.
The most popular time to go is around sunset. They do not take reservations, but if you show up around 5 pm, you should be able to find a table on the terrace overlooking the beach and the ocean.
Eat your way through Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido has some of the best food I’ve ever had in Mexico. During my week there I did not have one bad meal. Oaxacan cuisine is recognized as one of the best in the country. And in Puerto, besides the traditional dishes like mole, tlayudas or tamales, you also have the freshest and most delicious sea food.
The list of amazing restaurants in Puerto Escondido is endless and eating out is very affordable. Especially if you compare it to other places in Mexico.
If you are not familiar with Oaxacan food, you might enjoy taking a food tour. These are always a great introduction to a local cuisine and you get a chance to try many different dishes. The places you go to are always the best local spots, some you might not have found otherwise. This 3 hour food tour includes 8-10 tastings and gets very high reviews.
Have fresh oysters beachside at Los Buzos
Speaking of sea food, if you love oysters, you can’t miss Los Buzos, which is a restaurant right on Playa Angelito. They serve a variety of sea food dishes, but they are especially known for oysters, both raw or fried. They are as fresh as can be, taken right out of the ocean.
Los Buzos came highly recommended by a local guy and did not disappoint. It’s on the same beach where boats for whale and dolphin watching tours leave from, so you can have an early lunch there right after your tour.
Enjoy the view from Mirador La Tortuga
There’s no shortage of scenic spots in Puerto Escondido and another place to put on your list to check out is Mirador La Tortuga. The views are beautiful any time of the day, but they are especially impressive around sunset. This is also the most popular time to go, so try to get there a bit earlier to get a good spot.
I was there during the day and it was completely empty, but don’t expect to be the only one there if you go to watch the sunset.
Mirador La Tortuga is located in Rinconada, a short walk off the main street. To get there, you will walk through a residential neighborhood first. Once you get to the end of the street, there is a steep sandy path, that leads to the view point.
Stop at a scenic view point Sueño Posible
Another spot to take in beautiful water views is a small lookout point called Sueño Posible. This one is very easy to get to. It’s located between Playa Manzanillo and Playa Principal, a very short walk from either one.
Also, if you decide to take the scenic coastal walk Andador Escénico from Playa Principal, this is where it ends.
Check out the street art
While street art in Puerto Escondido is not like in other places in Mexico, it’s definitely growing. There are some nice murals scattered around town. They are mostly inspired by marine life and nature.
Finding them while exploring the town is definitely one of the fun and free things to do in Puerto Escondido.
Take a surf lesson
If you are not a surfing pro yet, but would like to learn, you are in the right place. While Playa Zicatela with its huge waves is for advanced surfers, there are a couple of beaches, that are perfect for beginner surfing lessons.
Both Playa Carrizalillo and La Punta are good places to start and there are many places to book your lessons. If you go walking around La Punta, you can find plenty of surf shops, where you can sign up for private lessons.
Check out the Night Market in Centro
Every night on the main street in Centro, Alfonso Pérez Gasga, closes to traffic and turns into a market. It’s mostly vendors selling hand crafts and souvenirs. You can also grab some street food from one of the carts or a drink.
Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s one of the fun things to do in Puerto Escondido at night, if you happen to be in Centro. The market starts around 5 pm and goes until late.
Experience Bioluminescence
One of the most unique things to do in Puerto Escondido is without a doubt seeing the amazing bioluminescence. This natural phenomenon happens when planktons light up as a reaction to water around them being disturbed. There are only a few places in Mexico where you can experience it and Puerto Escondido is one of them.
Laguna de Manialtepec is about a 20-minute ride away from Puerto Escondido and that’s the closest and most popular place to go for that experience. To do this you need to book a guided tour, which lasts about 3 hours and includes pick up/drop off from your hotel. This particular Bioluminescence experience in La Laguna de Manialtepec is very highly rated.
In this area, you can witness bioluminescence year-round, but certain months are better than others. July – September are the best months and if you can time it with the new moon (which is the opposite of full moon), the visibility will be the best. The darker the better.
Book your Bioluminescence tour here
Where to eat in Puerto Escondido
Food in Puerto Escondido is insanely good. Some of the very best food I’ve had in Mexico so far. Below are the places I tried and loved, to some I returned because they were so good.
La Morena – one of my favorite restaurants in Centro. Order Tostadas La Morena and thank me later.
El Chilaquiles / Cevicheria – this small restaurant is located at the end of the main street in Centro, right by the highway, BUT don’t be put off by the location. The place is run by one man, Octavio, who does it all. He is the owner, chef and server. And he makes the best ceviche. Dishes are on the spicy side. If you’d like some mezcal with your meal, he has a nice selection as well.
Non Solo Pizza – if you need a break from Mexican food, try this small Italian restaurant in Centro. They serve great pizza and their pasta is made fresh daily.
El Cafecito – one of the favorites for breakfast. Many delicious choices, large portions and reasonably priced. They also have fresh baked breads. They have two locations, one in Zicatela, the other in Rinconada. Both very popular and there’s often a line to get in.
Fish Shack – small place, located in a narrow alley in La Punta. Try their grilled coconut shrimp tacos.
Los Buzos – if you are an oyster fan, you must come to this place. It’s located at the end of Playa Angelito. They have variety of sea food on the menu, but they are especially known for fresh, delicious and cheap oysters. Great place to have a meal and watch all the beach and boat action.
Smoked Fish El Viejo – this taco place is close to Playa Carrizalillo and serves amazing smoked fish tacos. Be sure to get an order of tacos de pescado ahumado.
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
There are five main areas in Puerto Escondido: Centro, Zicatela, La Punta, Rinconada and Bacocho.
Centro
Centro is very local, with many restaurants, cheap breakfast places, street food, small stores and and a big supermarket. This is the most central area in Puerto Escondido, which is very convenient for exploring other parts of town. Both La Punta on one end and Playa Bacocho on the other are about a 10 min drive away ( or 1 hour walk ). Accommodations are also cheaper in Centro.
Casa Mia – this is where I stayed during my week in Puerto Escondido. I wanted a hotel in a central location and Casa Mia ended up being a perfect choice. I had one of the sea view rooms, and enjoyed the view from my hammock each day. There’s also a roof top terrace with amazing views, as well as a pool.
Rancho Escondido – another great and highly rated hotel in Centro, not far from Casa Mia. Plenty of restaurants, stores and the main beach are just a short walk away.
Zicatela
This is the best area in Puerto Escondido to stay if you want to party. Plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs, with parties going into the morning hours. Avoid staying in Zicatela if you are looking for a peaceful and quiet place to stay.
Santa Fe – colonial style hotel, just across the street from two beaches Playa Zicatela and Playa Marinero and a short walk to town.
Bungalows Santa Cruz – another great option in Zicatela ( next door to Santa Fe hotel ). Beautiful property, lush gardens, two pools to cool off and a restaurant on site.
Hotel Rockaway – highly rated hotel steps away from Playa Zicatela. Right on the main street with many restaurants and stores. Some of the amenities include a small fitness center, pool and breakfast is complimentary.
La Punta
This is a very laid back part of town, very popular among backpackers. It kind of gave me Tulum vibes, but not as obnoxious and without the outrageous prices. Plenty of bars, cafes and surf shops, so if you want to learn to surf, La Punta is a a great place to stay. I read somewhere, that if you stay in La Punta it’s kind of hard to get out and see other parts of Puerto. I can totally see how that’s true.
Casa de Olas Boutique Hotel – beautiful boutique hotel in a great and quiet location, just a short walk to the beach and main street. Great amenities like a roof top bar, pool and free bikes to use. Also, complimentary tropical breakfast is included.
Hotel Casamar Suites – highly rated hotel with 16 suites in a beautiful garden setting. Short walk to the beach and many restaurants.
Rinconada
This is a mostly residential neighborhood and a great area to stay if you are looking for peace and quiet. The main street has plenty of restaurants and cafes. You also have three great swimmable beaches within a short walk: Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Manzanillo and Playa Angelito.
Villas Carrizalillo – one of the best hotels in Puerto Escondido, in a perfect location overlooking Playa Carrizalillo. You also have the Espadin restaurant on site.
Bacocho
This is a very quiet area, but a bit far from all the other areas. You will need a scooter, if you plan on exploring other parts. Not much there in terms of restaurants ( besides a couple of beach clubs ), so your closest dining options will be in Rinconada. One of the pros of staying in Bacocho is the proximity to two of the quietest beaches: Playa Bacocho and Playa Coral.
Things to know before visiting Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Cash – there are a lot of places that are cash only. Many restaurants don’t accept credit cards, and those that do, will add a small fee for paying with a card.
It’s hot – the heat during the day is no joke. You’d want to be near a beach and have a hotel with a pool.
Learn some Spanish – very little English is spoken in Puerto Escondido, so it’s good to have at least some basic Spanish.
READ MORE:
- 28 Fun Things to do in Cozumel, Mexico
- The Absolute Best Things to do in Bacalar, Mexico
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