04 Jan Puerto Escondido Mexico Travel Guide
An increasingly popular beach destination in Mexico, Puerto Escondido is a surfer’s paradise, a Tulum alternative, and the perfect place to enjoy Mexico’s sandy beaches. Here you’ll find delicious cafes, fruity mezcal drinks, waves for professional and beginner surfers, blue beaches, a glowing lagoon and ocean wildlife.
Because of it’s beautiful beaches and affordable prices, Puerto Escondido is a must visit whether you’re looking for a vacation to splurge on or you’re a long-term backpacker.
In this guide I give advice on how to get to Puerto Escondido, how to get around, recommendations for where to stay, places to eat, and things to do. Also, because I’m a solo traveler and digital nomad, I offer some perspective in those areas, as well. Enjoy!
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How to Get to Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is located in Oaxaca state on the Pacific coast of Mexico. You can reach it by either plane, bus or car.
If flying to Puerto Escondido from within Mexico, direct flights are only available from Mexico City and sometimes Guadalajara. Most other destinations will involve a layover in Mexico City. Prices vary but if bought in advance and with little, flights luggage can be affordable.
If flying to Puerto Escondido from outside Mexico, you’ll first fly to Mexico City for a layover then to Puerto Escondido.
Search for flights here
If you’re coming from Oaxaca City, taking a bus is the most popular way to get to Puerto Escondido. It is a far drive, so it will take up your whole day or all night. I chose the overnight option because I hate to waste a whole day being on the road, so I figured might as well save money on accommodation and sleep on the bus. For this reason, I recommend going overnight, however, I’ll preface it by saying it wasn’t the best ride. While I usually can pass out anywhere, I had trouble sleeping on this one, so bring as much Dramamine or sleeping pills as needed. The bus is about 8-10 hours and you can book it here on BusBud, ADO is my favorite bus company.
If you’re coming from San Jose del Pacifico, you’ll need to purchase a shuttle from the Cafe Express, most likely where you were dropped off on arrival. The shuttle will take you to Santa María Huatulco and then you can get a bus to Puerto Escondido with OCC, which can be booked at the bus terminal or online. The shuttle from San Jose del Pacifico to Santa María Huatulco is about 150 pesos (~ $7 USD) and takes about 3 hours. Then the bus from Santa María Huatulco to Puerto Escondido is about 6-7 hours and costs 224 pesos (~ $10 USD).
If coming from San Cristobal, you can either take a bus to Tuxtla Gutiérrez then fly to Puerto Escondido (layover in Mexico City), or to avoid all the connections take a long bus from San Cristobal to Puerto Escondido. I did this but the opposite way, and I recommend taking the overnight option because of the length of this trip. However, just know it’s a long journey, there may be a few checkpoints in the middle of the night, and you may find sleeping difficult. For me this was a rough ride, so bring as much Dramamine or sleeping pills as needed. The bus from San Cristobal to Puerto Escondido is about 16 hours and costs around 760 pesos (~ $37 USD).
From the Puerto Escondido bus terminal, grab a taxi to wherever you’re staying. There is no Uber here, but taxis should be right out front and between 50 – 100 pesos (~ $2.50 – $5 USD).
Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido
There are three areas to choose from to stay in Puerto Escondido: the northernmost part called El Centro near Playa Carrizalillo, the middle area near Playa Zicatela and the southern corner Brisas de Zicatela near La Punta.
Out of everywhere, I recommend staying in the La Punta area. In this little surf town you can easily walk to several cafes and one of the best beaches to surf and sunbathe. With dirt roads and boho vibes, La Punta is also a much more laid back atmosphere.
El Centro is also a good option, it’s close to some nice beaches. However, I wouldn’t recommend staying in the middle strip near Playa Zicatela. I visited the area once and it was similar to a boardwalk, so I wasn’t a fan of the commercialized feel. Plus Playa Zicatela has massive waves for professional surfers only and definitely not a safe place to swim.
HOSTELS:
The most popular hostels in Puerto Escondido are Puerto Dreams Hostel and Tower Bridge Hostel which are located in El Centro.
However, if you’re set on staying in La Punta (which is what I recommend) there are a several options:
Hostal Akumal La Punta is only 2 minutes walk from the beach with a terrace view of the beach. It’s very highly rated including for cleanliness, which is a rarity for beach hostels. At around $16 USD a night, this is a good deal for Puerto Escondido. Check availability on Hostelworld here.
Villa Bonobo is a beautiful stay with panoramic views of the coast and a refreshing pool, a pretty big plus in hot weather. It is however a pricier hostel than most, with dorm beds starting at $25 USD. But if you’re set on a pool and can afford it, Villa Bonobo may be the relaxing stay you need. Check availability on Hostelworld or Booking.com.
Pacific Buddha is only 30 meters from the beach and in a prime location along the La Punta strip. As a part of a surf school, this hostel is all about fun experiences but does offer more basic, grungy accommodation. If you’re cool with that sounds and like the vibe, dorm beds are $16 USD a night. Check availability on Hostelworld here.
A happy combination of the above two options is Casa Punta Hostel. It’s just two blocks from the beach and also in a great location in relation to the market and restaurants. Casa Punta is clean and brags of their new mattresses and pillows. Many have also left reviews saying the atmosphere was great here. If I were to travel back to Puerto Escondido alone, this would probably be my pick. Dorm beds are about $19 USD a night. Check availability on Hostelworld.
Search for more hostels in Puerto Escondido here5
BOUTIQUE HOTELS AND AIRBNBS:
If you have a travel buddy or can afford private rooms as a solo traveler, there are some truly beautiful stays in Puerto Escondido, especially in the Brisas de Zicatela/La Punta area.
Usually a hostel dweller and budget traveler myself, I splurged on this trip for my friend’s birthday and we booked a stunning boho room at Casa Leone. The simple designs and peaceful space made this beautiful hotel a highlight of our trip.
When I booked this space, it was $65 USD a night but has recently jumped to $100 a night. While it might not be in the cards for uber-budget travelers, it is a really reasonable price for those looking to treat themselves on vacation. Check availability at Casa Leone here.
Similar stays of modern, simple design in boutique hotels are listed below:
→ Search for more hotels in Puerto Escondido here
Things to Do in Puerto Escondido
1. Surf
Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a beginner, Puerto Escondido has a wave for you. For the beginners, I suggest heading to a surf shop and asking for an instructor. They’ll take you out, show you the basics and help you catch some waves. If you’re nervous, don’t be! You won’t be the only beginner and it’s loads of fun! Trust me, you’ll want to move to a surf town after.
A lesson for 60 minutes with an instructor and board should be around 600 pesos (~ $30 USD) and can be booked with a number of surf schools along the La Punta strip.
2. Explore La Punta
La Punta has a lot to offer. When you’re not surfing, the beach is perfect for sunbathing and a good place to swim if the waves aren’t too strong. On the far left, there’s also a small cove which is fun to explore at low tide.
Along the coast, you’ll find a number of cafes serving smoothies, sandwiches, and cocktails. My favorite is Cafe Ole, but do some exploring of your own and find a favorite! Also be sure to check out the local corner markets, they have delicious natural popsicles made from fresh fruit and coconuts.
3. Visit Bacocho Beach and do a baby turtle release
Releasing baby turtles into the ocean is one of the most unique experiences you can have in Mexico. They’re the cutest little animals, and you can learn all about conservation efforts. At the Baby Turtle Release Centre, turtles are released daily, so you just need to get a taxi there.
A taxi from La Punta to the Baby Turtle Release Centre at Bacocho Beach is about 60 pesos (~ and participating in the release is about 100 pesos (~ $5 USD).
4. Swim at Playa Carrizalillo
If you’re looking for calm waters to swim in, Playa Carrizalillo is the place for you. In this blue cove, you can swim, sunbathe, and even kayak. Surfing is also an option, but the waves were so small, you could barely ride them at all so if it’s calm, I suggest sticking to swimming. And keep your eyes out, we saw a sea turtle here!
5. Sunbathe at Puerto Angelito
Another cove to enjoy beach day is Puerto Angelito. This spot does become a little more crowded but you’ll enjoy calm waters great for swimming and some local seafood.
6. Watch sunset at La Punta
Bring a blanket and grab some snacks because this is a great place to enjoy the sunset with a little picnic. Around 5 PM, everyone in La Punta will gather to collectively watch the sun dip behind the horizon decorated with stray surfers catching some final waves. I suggest making this a part of your daily routine while in Puerto Escondido, but at the very least catch it once.
7. Swim in the Bioluminiscente Manialtepec Lagoon
At the Bioluminiscente Manialtepec Lagoon, you can go for a night swim with the glow in the dark plankton. While I didn’t go here in Puerto Escondido, I did experience bioluminescent plankton in Thailand and it really is amazing to see the water glow as you move.
There are many tours, most of which are between $20-50 $USD. Because this is a less popular thing to do in the area, if you’re a budget traveler or on a timeline and trying to decide where to spend your time and money, this activity doesn’t need to be a priority. However, if you have the time, this is a unique opportunity to try.
8. Skydiving
Speaking of opportunity, while skydiving is available in many places, why not try it at a tropical location overlooking Mexico’s coast? For the daredevils looking for a rush, check out Puerto Escondido Skydive who have a lot of reviews and offer a tandem dive for $190 USD.
Places to Eat & Drink in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido has some super cute, beachy cafes especially in – you guessed it! – the La Punta area. Here are a few of my favs:
Cafe Ole – this is a can’t miss cafe on the main La Punta strip, close to just about everything. It’s the perfect place for breakfast whether you want a mango acai bowl or a savory omelet with thick grainy toast.
Ala burger – the best burgers in the area and a fun place to hang out!
Amarisa cafe – not only does this cafe have refreshing iced coffee (which can be difficult to find), it also has great wifi for those working online. I was nervous about the wifi in Puerto Escondido because I had heard a lot of mixed reviews from digital nomads, but Amarisa cafe made sure I met my deadlines with their fast internet.
Chicama – if you’re looking for delicious combinations of flavors in superb seafood, this is your place. I’ll admit the plates are small, especially for the price but the Peruvian flavors are worth it.
Piyoli – this restaurant has many gluten free options and a wonderful vegetarian burger.
Juana Mezcala – head here to enjoy some tasty cocktails, I recommend trying one with mezcal, Oaxaca’s typical drink.
Cafe Elefante – this cafe is in the Zicatela area, it has many vegan and vegetarian options. The milkshakes especially are amazing as well as the vegan baked goods. Their carrot cake is my favorite!
How to Get Around Puerto Escondido
Most of the places I’ve mentioned in this blog post are in the La Punta/Brisas de Zicatela area where practically everything is walking distance. It’s one of the main reasons I recommend staying here.
But no matter where you’re staying, at some point you’ll want to make a trip to the other side of Puerto Escondido. To do so, just grab one of many taxis circling the area. A one way trip from one side to the other (for example La Punta to El Centro) is 50 pesos (~ $2.50 USD).
Solo Travel in Puerto Escondido
While I did not go to Puerto Escondido alone (my friend flew in to join me for her birthday), I am typically a solo traveler and feel I can offer some perspective here.
I think Puerto Escondido is a great beach destination for solo travelers.
In terms of safety, the level of crime is low, it feels very safe, and I had absolutely no issues at all including taking the bus alone from Oaxaca city. As always I recommend doing your own research and following general safety tips as a solo traveler, but this area felt very safe to me.
In terms of meeting people, there are tons of friendly travelers around and lots of opportunity to meet others whether it’s through staying in a hostel, joining a tour, striking up a conversation in a coffee shop (yes, I met a friend here this way!), or taking surf lessons. I also highly recommend visiting Oaxaca city before heading to the coast. I met SO many people there and almost everyone was on their way to Puerto Escondido which meant I had a group of friends waiting for me at the beach.
And there you have it for Mexico’s dreamy surf-town destination. If you have any questions about visiting, leave a comment below and enjoy your beach vacation!
More Resources for Your Trip to Mexico
Planning your own trip? Here’s some resources I used to book and coordinate my itinerary through Mexico along with some recommendations:
Hostels
If you’re a budget traveler or looking for an easy way to meet others, Hostelworld is the best place to search. Below are some of my recommendations, click to search for availability!
- Mexico City: Casa Pepe
- Tulum: Che Tulum Hostel & Bar OR Mayan Monkey
- Valladolid: Hostel La Candelaria
- San Cristobal: Posada del Abuelito OR Puerto Vieja
- Puerto Escondido: Hostal Akumal La Punta
- Oaxaca City: Casa Angel
- Guanajuato: Corral d Comedias Hostel
- Guadalajara: Hostel Hospedarte Guadalajara Centro
- Cabo San Lucas: Mayan Monkey
Hotels
Booking.com is the way to go when search for hotels in Mexico because they typically offer free cancellation with plenty of affordable to more luxurious stays.
Flights
Flights to Mexico are typically cheapest to Mexico City, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Monterrey and San Jose del Cabo. Domestic flights within Mexico also tend to be pretty affordable especially if traveling light. To find the best deal & prices I recommend using Skyscanner.
BUSES
The easiest way to search for and book buses in Mexico is with BusBud where you can easily compare options and use a platform in English. Check it out here. My most used and favorite bus companies tended to be ADO (and their partner OCC) and Primera Plus.
Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for every trip, especially when coming to a destination like Mexico where you may be doing adventurous activities, taking a lot of buses, and theft is a higher risk. Make sure you’re covered! My go to is always WorldNomads which has a generous coverage and is made for backpackers. You can search for coverage here. However if you’re looking for a cheaper option for travel medical emergency insurance, I suggest Safety Wing.
Tours & Experiences
There’s a lot of free thing to do in Mexico or experiences you can do on your own. I always recommend checking blog posts for inspiration. If you’re interested in tours though like visiting Chichén Itzá, taking a hot air balloon over Teotihuacan, snorkeling in Cancun, and more then I suggest checking on GetYourGuide & Viator. Airbnb Experiences also offer some options.
Know Before You Go
Check out my Mexico Destination Page here for information on visas, health requirements, currency, outlets, and more.
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