La Punta
Backpackers, beginnersThe south end of Zicatela, with hostels and bars.
Town guide
Things to do in Puerto Escondido
Oaxaca's surf town on the Pacific: the heavy barrels of Zicatela, beginner waves at La Punta and Carrizalillo, turtle releases, glowing lagoons at night, and long sunsets over the sea.
46
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 19,823 reviews
3
Main surf beaches
4–5
Days
The Mexican Pipeline
Puerto Escondido is a fishing town turned surf town on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca. Its main beach, Zicatela, has one of the most powerful beach breaks in the world, nicknamed the Mexican Pipeline, and draws pro surfers in the big swells of the middle of the year.
You do not need to surf it to enjoy the town. La Punta, at the south end of Zicatela, is the backpacker hub, with a gentler left-hand wave, hostels, yoga and bars. Carrizalillo, a small cove down a long staircase, is where beginners learn.
Around the town are lagoons with bioluminescence, turtle beaches and, an hour south, the small beach villages of Mazunte and Zipolite. Give it four or five days; plenty of people stay much longer.
Where to base yourself
La Punta for the backpacker scene and beginner waves; Zicatela for the big surf and bars; Rinconada for quieter coves.
Zicatela
Surfers, barsThe big-wave beach, lined with places to stay.
Rinconada
Quiet, covesNear Carrizalillo, with calmer beaches.
El Centro
Local, budgetThe town, the market and the bay.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Puerto Escondido
Watch the surfers at Zicatela at sunrise, and take a surf lesson at Carrizalillo or La Punta. Swim at the calmer coves of Puerto Angelito, Manzanillo and Carrizalillo, not at Zicatela.
Take a night trip to Laguna de Manialtepec to swim in the bioluminescence, best on dark, moonless nights. Join a baby turtle release at sunset in the nesting season, roughly from late summer to winter.
Take a boat out to see dolphins and, in winter, humpback whales, and visit Chacahua lagoon and its beach village.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
All the beaches are public. Watching the big waves at Zicatela and the sunset from La Punta cost nothing.
The walk along the coastal path between Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo is free.
Bioluminescence and boat trips, surf lessons and some turtle releases charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
La Punta has cheap taquerías, smoothie stalls and fish tacos for €1 to €3. Try pescado a la talla, grilled fish with chilli paste, and tlayudas from Oaxaca.
The Mercado Benito Juárez in town has cheap set lunches.
Breakfast bowls, smoothies and coffee cost €3 to €6 in La Punta. A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in sit-down restaurants; check the bill first, as some add a service charge (propina).
Nightlife
Going out
La Punta has bars, hostel parties and reggaeton most nights, busiest in the high season. Zicatela has beach bars and clubs.
Sunset drinks are a ritual.
A beer costs €1.50 to €3, and a mezcal €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around
Puerto Escondido's airport has flights to Mexico City and Oaxaca. Buses and vans go to Oaxaca in roughly 4 to 7 hours, depending on the route, and along the coast to Mazunte and Huatulco.
Taxis between the beaches are cheap; agree the fare first. Colectivos run along the coast road.
La Punta and Zicatela are walkable along the beach.
Costs
What Puerto Escondido costs
Hostel beds start at around €10 to €20 a night, more in the high season. Tacos cost €1 to €3.
A surf lesson costs about €25 to €40, a bioluminescence tour about €15 to €25, and board rental about €8 to €15 a day.
Pay in pesos. Carry cash, as some places are cash only and ATMs can run out.
Safety
Safety and scams
The ocean is the main risk. Zicatela has strong rip currents and heavy waves; do not swim there, and surf it only if you are experienced. Swim at the sheltered coves.
Do not walk empty beaches after dark, and take a taxi at night. Petty theft happens, so leave valuables in the hostel.
Do not drink the tap water; use bottled or filtered water, which most hostels provide. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Lagoons and beach villages.
Mazunte
A small beach village and Punta Cometa.
Zipolite
A laid-back beach.
Huatulco
Bays and snorkelling.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Surf contests and holidays.
Roughly May to September
Big-wave season
Zicatela
Pro surfers and contests.
Late summer to winter
Turtle releases
Local beaches
Baby turtles at sunset.
December to March
Humpback whales
Offshore
Boat trips.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Puerto Escondido, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Casa Losodeli & Coworking - Adults only
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Hostal Akumal La Punta
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Nopalero Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Bonita Escondida
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
CHE Puerto Escondido Hostel & Bar
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Straw Hat Surf Hostel & Bar
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Casa Punta
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Punta Kai Hotel & Hostal Boutique
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Tower Bridge Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Viajero Puerto Escondido Hostel
Dorms from €5 a night
See dates and book
La Palmera Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Puerto Dreams H
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
When to go
November to April is dry and sunny, with smaller waves. The biggest swells arrive roughly from May to September, with afternoon rain and some heavy storms; hurricane season runs from June to November. December, Easter and July are busiest.
Jan
Dry, busy
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Easter
May
Big swells
Jun
Rain, big swells
Jul
Busy
Aug
Rain
Sep
Peak storm risk
Oct
Rain
Nov
Drying
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Hot all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Puerto Escondido prices.
Treat these as a guide. Surf lessons and tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Puerto Escondido questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can beginners surf in Puerto Escondido?
Yes, at Carrizalillo and La Punta, with lessons.
Can I swim at Zicatela?
No, the waves and rip currents are dangerous; swim at the coves.
Where should I stay?
La Punta for backpackers; Zicatela for surfers.
How do I get there?
Fly from Mexico City or Oaxaca, or take a bus or van from Oaxaca.
When can I see bioluminescence?
On dark, moonless nights at Manialtepec lagoon.
Is Puerto Escondido safe?
Generally, but avoid empty beaches after dark.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April, or May to September for big waves.
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