Puerto Escondido Travel Guide

Puerto Escondido is a surf town on the Oaxacan Pacific coast, 365 km southeast of Puerto Vallarta. The surf break at Zicatela — known as the Mexican Pipeline — is one of the most powerful beach breaks in the world; the main season (May–October) brings large barrels and surf competitions. But Puerto Escondido is more than a surf destination: it has a crocodile lagoon, a bioluminescent lagoon, sea turtle nesting beaches, and some of the best fish tacos in Oaxaca.

The beaches

Zicatela is the main surf beach — long, powerful, exposed. It’s not suitable for swimming except at the southern (calmer) end. Playa Principal and El Adoquín (the pedestrianised main street above) form the town centre — beach bars, fish restaurants, and a lively evening scene. Carrizalillo is a small, sheltered cove south of the main town, calm enough for swimming and snorkelling, reached by stairs down a cliff. Punta Zicatela (south of Carrizalillo) is the newest and most rapidly developing stretch — boutique hotels and upmarket beach clubs.

Laguna de Manialtepec

The bioluminescent lagoon is 16 km west of Puerto Escondido. On moonless nights, disturbances in the water trigger bioluminescence from dinoflagellates — kayaking through the lagoon produces glowing trails. Tours run from Puerto Escondido; check conditions before booking (the effect is reduced during rainy season and when there’s significant moonlight).

Sea turtles

Several beaches in the area — particularly near the village of La Escobilla — are Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting sites. Mass nestings (arribadas) occur between July and December. Turtle release programmes allow visitors to watch hatchlings head to the sea.

Food and nightlife

The best seafood is from the fishing boats that come in at Playa Principal in the early morning. The fish market and the tostada stalls near the fish market are excellent. The Adoquín strip (pedestrianised street above the main beach) has the main restaurant and bar concentration.

Getting there

Puerto Escondido has a small airport (PXM) with direct connections to Mexico City and Oaxaca City. Buses from Oaxaca City take 7–8 hours on mountain roads. Some travellers fly into Huatulco (110 km east) and taxi or bus across.

When to go

Surf season: May–October (biggest swells). Turtle nesting: July–December. Bioluminescence: best in September–November. December–April is the driest and most comfortable for beach holidays.