The 19 Best Things to do in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
If you asked me what beach in Mexico you should visit, I’d quickly tell you to head to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca! This beach town has it all! From surfing to gorgeous beaches, shopping, nightlife, wildlife, and more.
With the wide variety of things to do here, it’s no wonder this destination is on the backpacker route!
When you think of beaches in Mexico, most vacationers head out to Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta. But in Puerto Escondido, you find a different vibe and a different type of traveler. Here, you primarily run into the backpackers and the laid-back crowd who enjoy nature and lying by the beach.
It almost feels like a hidden gem that most of the world hasn’t yet discovered, and even then, it still gets a lot of visitors.
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The 19 Best Things to do in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is amazing because you can lay beachside, try surfing for the first time, swim with wild dolphins, release baby sea turtles into the ocean, taste incredible food, or party away at the lively nightlife. It’s the perfect place to visit in Mexico and one of my favorite places in the country!
Although the beaches aren’t as turquoise as those found on the Caribbean side of the country, these Pacific beaches are incredible and still warm enough to swim in.
If you are looking for a beach destination in Mexico that is still authentic to the Mexican culture, then Puerto Escondido is the perfect place to visit. It is safe, beautiful, and has tons of things to do.
Let me share the 19 best things to do in Puerto Escondido.
About Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is on the Pacific side of Mexico, and as I mentioned above, you won’t find turquoise beaches, but they are beautiful nonetheless. It’s mainly a small surf town with only 45,000 residents.
You can get around anywhere in less than 10 minutes. However, you can explore various beaches that stretch along the coast. Each offers different things. Some beaches are great for swimming, others for learning to surf, others for a fun nightlife, and some offer boat tours and delicious seafood.
What’s unique and special about Puerto Escondido is how authentic it is to the Mexican culture compared to other famous beaches in Mexico, such as Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta.
The town is a hidden charm, although it’s not so secret. Instead of massive resorts, you mainly find hostels, guesthouses, and small boutique hotels owned by families.
You also find street food, nightlife with local people and tourists, and many locally owned shops. It’s truly a Mexican gem.
When to Visit
Mexico has excellent weather all year long, even during the rainy season. But if you want to avoid the rain and get the best weather, you can visit from November to May.
If you’re a surfer, the rainy season from May to November may be a great time to visit to catch the best waves. July to October is said to have the best waves. Budget travelers will also find the lowest prices during the rainy season.
If the rain does come down, it only lasts about two hours, and you can still enjoy your time in the town. If you go during high season, keep an eye out for the accommodations, as prices can go up and some places are booked out.
The 19 Best Things to do in Puerto Escondido
So what exactly should you do in Puerto Escondido now that you know it’s one of the best beaches in Mexico? Here we go. Let me share some of the most incredible things to do in Puerto Escondido.
1. Go Beach Hopping
Puerto Escondido has many beaches to explore. These beaches are often referred to as Playas de Oro or golden beaches. I highly recommend hopping around to explore as many as possible. You can rent a scooter to make it easier. Some beaches to explore include the following.
Playa Carrizalillo is a beautiful beach where people want to try surfing for the first time. The calmer waves make it perfect for beginners. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a few wooden pop-up restaurants are set up.
To get there, you go down a steep staircase that’s easy going down but not as much going up. It’s worth it, though, because the view is incredible from the stairs. If you decide to try surfing, lessons start at about 40 USD.
Ask for different prices from the instructors hanging out around the beach. If you only want to rent a board, it will cost you about 150 MXN.
Playa Zicatela is the beach where surf experts can catch huge waves. However, even if you don’t surf, you can enjoy Playa Zicatela since it’s highly commercialized, and you can find shops, restaurants, cafes, and more.
You can find Playa Punta at the southeasternmost point of Zicatela. It is one of the most popular beaches in Puerto Escondido and one of the most laid back. Lots of tourists gather here to watch the sunset each afternoon. The bohemian vibes here make it the perfect hangout spot.
Plus, you’ll find shops and restaurants to explore. If you’re a surfer, this is another great beach to surf. If not, you can still enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand and some friends at your side.
Playa Angelito is a small port with boats offering dolphin, whale-watching, and sea turtle tours. Whale-watching season in Puerto Escondido runs from December to January.
Playa Bacocho is a long stretch of beach with plenty of space to go for a stroll or to sit and watch a sunset or sunrise. At this beach, you can find a sea turtle release program every day at 5 pm. The waves here can get rough, but you can enjoy drinks at one of the beach clubs and spend the day at the pool with your friends.
Playa Coral is near Playa Bachocho and is the perfect place for swimming and snorkeling. However, bring your own beach chairs and blankets, as no vendors are here.
This beach sits on the property of the Villa Mexican Hotel. Therefore, you won’t find many people there. You’ll need to order a hamburger and drink for about 80 pesos to get access.
However, it’s definitely worth it because you will feel like you are on a private beach with fewer people around.
2. Swim with Dolphins
If there is one thing that made my trip worth going to Puerto Escondido, it was the dolphin-watching tour I took. We must have seen hundreds of wild dolphins in the ocean!
A salesman approached us at the beach, and we decided to book for the following day. At first, we had no luck with dolphins, but we saw many sea turtles.
However, after about 1.5 hours into our tour, hundreds of dolphins started swimming all around. The guide told us we could swim with them into the ocean. Trust me, I didn’t hesitate one second before taking off my shorts to jump into the sea with them.
Although the dolphins were a bit shy and didn’t get too close to us once we jumped in, we could still hear their echolocation sounds underwater. It was one of the coolest, most memorable experiences of my life.
The best part is they were wild dolphins, and the tour was an ethical animal encounter. Our guide was also excellent. Although I speak Spanish, he was very helpful to my group of friends, who got to listen to the tour in English.
He gave us lots of information and was very kind. At the time, our tour cost about 40 USD. You can book a tour ahead of time if you prefer. If you get seasick easily, I recommend taking pills for motion sickness. However, the boat goes quite a bit into the ocean, and you might experience a few big waves along the way.
3. Try a Surfing Lesson
You don’t need to be a pro to surf in Puerto Escondido. Instead, this is THE place to learn for first-time triers. There’s no shame if you are not good because many other people on the beach are trying this sport for the first time. So relax if you keep falling off your board. No one here judges.
Many instructors along the beach offer lessons that cost about 40 USD for a 2-hour lesson. The first half hour is spent on the sand, learning to stand on the board properly. Then, the instructor takes you to the beach to help you paddle and catch the first wave.
To be honest, I was terrible at it. One, I wasn’t fit at the time. Two, I had a terrible balance. It turns out it’s not the same as snowboarding which I’m not too bad at.
However, I kept going and was damn proud of myself for trying, even if I only caught three very short waves and stood only a few seconds on that board.
Don’t let my experience discourage you. On the contrary, I promise it will be worth trying it for the first time, along with many other learners who are also in the water.
If you’re already a surfer, you can surf at this beach, and the waves will be decent-sized. Or, you can go to Playa Zicatela to catch more giant waves.
4. Release Baby Turtles into the Ocean
Turtle conservation is a crucial issue in Puerto Escondido, and it is one of the best places to volunteer to release baby turtles into the ocean. In addition, you can find volunteers monitoring the beaches to ensure turtle eggs don’t get stolen by people.
When you visit, the conservation organizations will teach you about eggs, temperature, and much more about sea turtles. To experience releasing turtles into the ocean, you must arrive at Playa Bacocho at 5 pm and give the organization 100 MXN pesos (5 USD).
The proceeds go towards conservation, so it counts as a great cause.If you want a more intimate experience with fewer people around, you can book a tour that goes out to Playa Palmarito instead.
5. Go Snorkeling
If you love seeing the underwater world, I recommend you book a tour that goes by catamaran to nearby beaches with more interesting reefs to explore and clearer water.
For example, some of them go to Huatulco Bay which is considered beautiful. On the way there, you’ll get a chance to see turtles and perhaps other marine life.
Your other choice is to snorkel on your own around Playa Carrizalillo. However, the waves can be rough, and the rocks can be sharp. You can also go to Playa Coral, a beach on private property.
6. Spend the Night Partying
I must admit, I don’t think I’ve partied harder anywhere else in Mexico besides Puerto Escondido and Cancun. Puerto Escondido has a wild nightlife!
The difference between the nightlife in Puerto Escondido and Cancun is that it is much more laid back. Everyone gets fancy and dressed up in Cancun, but in Puerto Escondido, many backpackers are laid back, walking around in their sandals and shorts.
It’s also a smaller atmosphere, and you’ll most likely run into friends you made back at the hostel or even on the backpacker route through Mexico.
Most partying goes on in the area of Zicatela. This main road near the beach has many bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to choose from. In addition, you can find various types of Latin music, such as reggaeton and salsa clubs.
Or, if you prefer, you can find places that play house music and techno. Drinking is cheaper here than in other party cities in Mexico, too.
7. Do Some Shopping
There are many places to shop in Puerto Escondido. Some include cute shops with gorgeous clothes, and others are souvenir and beach shops to get items you need while at the beach.
If you head to the local market, you will find better prices, and you can grab some delicious food while you’re there. Don’t forget to haggle but don’t go too low out of respect for the locals.
8. Swim with Bioluminescent Plankton
Swimming with bioluminescent plankton is one of the coolest bucket list items to do, and it’s one of the most popular activities in Puerto Escondido. If you have the time, it’s a must-do activity.
I had the opportunity to swim with bioluminescent plankton twice, once in Cambodia and once in Cartagena. Let me tell you, it is such a fantastic activity! But what exactly are bioluminescent plankton? Plankton are tiny organisms found in the sea and serve as food for other sea animals.
When you go swimming with them, you’ll need to create movement in the water to see them. Once you do, it feels like you’re swimming in a sea of shining stars. It’s such a crazy experience and hard to explain, but once you try it, you will think it’s incredibly awesome!
Tours in Puerto Escondido pick you up around 8 pm and take you to a boat. You’ll get life jackets on the boat, and the captain will drive until they find the perfect spot. You can see them better on a new moon when there is less light in the sky.
So although it might feel a bit scary because it’s dark, swimming with shining plankton makes this experience worth it. You can book your tour in advance or with random salespeople at the beaches.
If you try booking at the beach, make sure you ask around, as different salespeople will give you different prices. Also, ask what language the tour is offered in if you need an English tour.
The 19 Best Things to do in Puerto Escondido
9. Visit Chacahua
Chacahua National Park is a beautiful area to explore if you want to get away from Puerto Escondido to enjoy a more quiet and relaxing atmosphere in nature. To get there, you must drive an hour and then cross the Chacahua lagoon by boat.
It’s the perfect spot to relax for a couple of days, but you can also visit by day trip. There are some great beaches for surfing, other islands to explore, and a reptile sanctuary with crocodiles to see.
10. Kayak the Manialtepec Lagoon
If you enjoy kayaking, you can drive a short 20 minutes to the Manialtepec Lagoon. This is a bird sanctuary and the same place where you can go on the bioluminescent plankton tours.
You can kayak through mangroves and spot birds and fish along the way. The tour lasts about 3 hours, and you will be picked up early to enjoy the sunrise while the guide teaches you about the wildlife.
11. Rent a Scooter
I don’t know about you, but riding a scooter for me is an adventure and feels like so much fun. So many tourists rent them because it’s a great way to get around from beach to beach and you don’t have to pay a taxi each time.
The traffic in Puerto Escondido isn’t as heavy as in other popular cities in Mexico. Therefore riding one here is a perfect place to do so. A scooter will cost about $25 for the day, so if you share the cost with a friend, the price isn’t bad.
12. Experience a Sunset
If you’re a sunset lover like me, Puerto Escondido is the perfect place to catch them since the sun sets on the Pacific side of the country. You have many beaches to choose from, but most people gather at Playa Zicatela.
The beach is an excellent spot for having a picnic with drinks while you enjoy the view with your friends.
13. Ride an ATV through the Jungle
If you like being outdoors and having adrenaline adventures, you can book an ATV tour that goes into the dense jungle of the Sierra Madre mountains. This tour also includes rafting, picture spots, and lots of fun.
14. Go on a Food Tour
If you ask me which state in Mexico has the best food, I would answer Oaxaca! The food in Mexico is incredibly delicious, but it is so much more in Oaxaca!
Therefore, I recommend a food tour to explore the different flavors and delight your taste buds. You can book a tour ahead of time to make sure you find a spot.
15. Taste Mezcal
The state of Oaxaca is famous for its Mezcal! If you don’t know what that is, let’s just say it’s a much stronger version of tequila, and you can rarely find it anywhere else in the world.
The reasons for this are Oaxaca’s dry land and roasting process. If you don’t go on a tour in Oaxaca City, make sure to book one in Puerto Escondido. The mezcal is raw and authentic to its region. You can learn all about the process and taste quite a few shots by booking a tour.
I must confess that I left Oaxaca, never wanting to taste mezcal again, but only because I might have had a few too many! But that was a lie. I now prefer mezcal over tequila because of its roasted taste.
16. Ride a Horse at the Beach
One of the most popular activities in Puerto Escondido is horseback riding. You can book a sunset tour and ride your horse along the beach at sunset.
The tour picks you up from your hotel and takes you to the beach to ride their well-taken-care of horses. The tours will normally go to Playa La Punta and Playa Zicatela.
17. Take a Daytrip to Mazunte
One popular day trip that’s only an hour away is to Mazunte. Mazunte is a small beach town known for its strong surf and sea turtle conservation. For this reason, it is named one of Mexico’s Pueblitos Mágicos.
Mazunte is a great place to view sunsets, explore mangroves, and see migrating whales when it’s the right season.
18. Visit Huatulco
Huatulco is a beach sitting only two hours away from Puerto Escondido that has recently gained more population as a tourist destination. The area has incredible turquoise water that’s perfect for snorkeling and swimming.
Along the shore, you’ll find many expensive resorts with beautiful beaches. You can visit by day tour on a catamaran from Puerto Escondido, or you can arrive by local bus and spend the night.
19. Go on a Road Trip Along the Pacific Coast of Oaxaca
If you like exploring as many places as possible, rent a car to take a road trip along the coast of Oaxaca. You can start with Puerto Escondido and visit Zipolite, Puerto Angel, and Mazunte, and go as far as Huatulco and San Jose del Pacifico, another popular spot amongst backpackers.
Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido
Playa Carrizalillo
Playa Carrizalillo is away from the busy streets but still close enough to local restaurants and markets. If you want to join the nightlife, a taxi ride is only 40 pesos away. Vivo Escondido Hostel is a great choice for budget travelers.
Playa Zicatela
Playa Zicatela is where most hotels, bars, and restaurants are. So if you want great nightlife, this is the perfect area to stay in. However, the beaches are rougher, and there is less shade. A hostel you can stay at is Che Puerto Escondido Hostel & Bar.
Playa Punta
Playa Punta is where you can find the hippie vibe in town. The zone has cute bohemian shops and many restaurants to hang out at. There is some nightlife, but you can also head to Zicatela, a short taxi ride away or within walking distance. Bonita Escondida Hostel is a popular hostel amongst backpackers.
How to Get to Puerto Escondido
The easiest way to get to Puerto Escondido is flying, but you have other options too. It also depends on where you’re coming from. You can reach Puerto Escondido via flight, bus, rental car, or taxi service.
If you’re traveling from abroad, you’ll most likely have a stopover in Mexico City. From there, you’ll fly to Puerto Escondido International Airport.
Unfortunately, not many cities in Mexico offer direct flights to Puerto Escondido, so you’ll most likely have a stopover in Mexico City if you fly from another state.
From Huatulco
Rent a Car
You can also fly from Mexico City to Huatulco. Once in Huatulco, you can rent a car to drive all along the coast of Oaxaca to make stops at Puerto Angel, Zipolite, Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, and more places along the way.
Taxi
If you prefer, from Huatulco, you can take a private taxi that can take you to Puerto Escondido for about 1500 MXN.
Shuttle Van
Your other option is to ride a shuttle van holding about 14 people. The cost will be lower than a private taxi, and they have enough space for your luggage.
From Oaxaca City
Fly
If you have the option to fly, please do so! I’ll explain why in a bit. Flying is the fastest and easiest way, even if it’s a bit more expensive. The flight is about 45 minutes and operates once a day from a small airline called Aerotucán.
Any other flight will have a stopover in Mexico City first. Meaning you’ll fly from Oaxaca City to Mexico City and then to Puerto Escondido.
Bus or Colectivo
Your next option is a bus or a shuttle van called a colectivo. It is the cheapest way to travel from Oaxaca and the most popular option for backpackers. You can do the overnight route and try to get some sleep.
However, this is one of the windiest roads I have ever traveled on. Thankfully, I’m not prone to motion sickness, but if you are, beware. If possible, book the bus instead of the Colectivo.
The ADO buses and Omnibus Cristobal Colon buses will range from 600-800 MXN and take about 10 hours. If you want to save the most amount of money possible, you can take the Colectivo with Servicios Express La Solteca or Villa de Pacifico for about 250-300 MXN.
The ride will be about 6 to 8 hours. Please note that these colectivos don’t have the best reputation. The road is a long one, and there are lots of curves and steep cliffs. Plus, some drivers are fast and aggressive.
As mentioned above, if you are prone to motion sickness, this will not be a good option for you. Personally, I would not do it again, and I would either take the large buses or fly if I had to repeat the experience of getting from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.
Rent a Car
If you prefer driving so you can have the freedom to stop along the way, you can rent a car from Oaxaca City. You can go on Highway 131 or Highway 175, which are both long and windy. Highway 131 is the most popular, but if you want to make a stop at San Jose del Pacifico in the mountains, you can take Highway 175. Either choice will be about 6 to 8 hours long.
Taxi
If you don’t feel comfortable riding on the roads of Mexico but still want to get to Puerto Escondido by car, you can hire a taxi driver.
However, this option will be pricey and cost you nearly 4,000 MXN. So instead, you can break the trip into parts by hiring a taxi to drop you off in San Jose del Pacifico and then continuing to Puerto Escondido.
From Mexico City
Fly
As mentioned above, getting to Puerto Escondido is easiest and most comfortable by flying there. The direct flights from CDMX will be 1 hour and 15 minutes. Depending on the seasons, the cost will vary. You can find flights for 800 MXN and up to 3,000 MXN.
Bus
There is also a bus option for getting to Puerto Escondido. However, the journey will take anywhere from 16-18 hours and stops in many places along the way. You can ride with the OCC bus company, which will cost about 1500 MXN. At this price and the time used up, I recommend the flight instead.
Car Rental
Lastly, if you are an adventurous traveler who likes to explore along the way, you can rent a car from Mexico City. If you drive directly, it will take you about 14 hours. Or, you can stop to explore many cities on your way there.
How to Get Around Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is small, so getting around is relatively easy. Uber does not function here, but the taxis were reliable and inexpensive. Most rides will cost 30-40 MXN, or further distances about 50-60 MXN. The next best option is to rent a scooter.
Renting a scooter allows you to move around the town and go beach-hopping. The prices will be about 25 USD, so sharing them with a friend will help if you rent them for more than one day.
Also, driving in this city is easy because traffic isn’t as wild as it is in other Mexican cities. You can also get around by public transportation, but I suggest you ask the locals about the routes.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe?
The meaning of safe is different for everyone, but in my opinion, it felt safe. I was out late with friends at the nightclubs, drove around on a scooter, and walked the town without ever feeling threatened.
However, always practice standard safety procedures you’d follow anywhere else. For example, don’t walk around drunk by yourself at 2 am or leave valuables unattended.
What to Pack for Mexico
Here is a list of my favorite items I packed for my trip to Mexico.
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
The 19 Best Things to do in Puerto Escondido
