Though its identify interprets as “Hidden Port,” Mexico’s Puerto Escondido isn’t any secret and has lengthy been a favorite amongst surfers and backpackers. That being stated, this chilled out seaside city in Oaxaca State nonetheless manages to fly beneath the radar of most travellers.
Maybe that’s as a result of lack of worldwide direct flights and cookie-cutter resorts that carry so many vacationers to locations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. In the event you’re keen to place within the legwork to get right here, you’ll be rewarded significantly with gorgeous seashores, pleasant locals, and mouth-watering delicacies.
The Final Journey Information for Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is certainly one of many greatest locations to go to in Mexico, and I’ve spent a number of time there on a number of completely different visits throughout my greater than 5 years dwelling in Mexico.
I explored the market on the lookout for the very best meals, kicked again on a number of seashores, and even tried browsing! All of those Puerto Escondido actions are a number of enjoyable and made me need to return for extra.
Plan your journey to this superior Mexican seaside city with the help of this complete information. I’ll go into element in regards to the high issues to do, the place to remain, and among the greatest locations to eat and drink. Vamos, amigos!
An Introduction to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido is positioned on Mexico’s Pacific coast within the state of Oaxaca. You might be questioning the place the identify comes from. Effectively, there’s an attention-grabbing story behind it…
Because the legend goes, pirates as soon as kidnapped a younger girl right here. Whereas they have been docked within the bay, the girl managed to flee. They referred to her as “La Escondida” (The Hidden One) and appeared for her each time they returned, to no avail. The identify caught, and it will definitely grew to become often called Bahía de la Escondida (Bay of the Hidden One).
The port was established round 1900 to ship espresso. There was no settlement right here at the moment because of an absence of potable water, which got here within the Thirties, and with it the inspiration of a brand new city. Within the ensuing many years, an airport and the coastal Freeway 200 helped join Puerto Escondido to the remainder of Mexico.
Ultimately, vacationers started to find the gorgeous seashores of Puerto Escondido. Easy lodges sprang up, as did eating places housed in palapas the place native fishermen ready the day’s catch.
The event of tourism right here elevated significantly when surfers found the epic waves of Zicatela Seaside (Playa Zicatela). Lately, Puerto Escondido attracts a mixture of surfers, backpackers, Mexican households, and even some digital nomads because the infrastructure develops.
One attention-grabbing factor about Puerto Escondido is that it’s truly cut up between two municipalities – Santa María Colotepec and San Pedro Mixtepec.
The border stays a contentious challenge, inflicting some enterprise homeowners right here to really pay taxes to each of them. Tensions flare up frequently, together with one incident final 12 months the place a mayor was truly taken prisoner. Let’s hope they resolve it quickly!
Prime Issues to Do in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Now that a bit extra in regards to the city, let’s dive in and check out the very best issues to do in Puerto Escondido.
Go Browsing
Whether or not you’re a newbie or a professional, one of many high Puerto Escondido actions is to journey the waves. In any case, it was surfers who initially put this city on the vacationer map. Surfers from everywhere in the world come right here to journey the legendary waves off the Mexican coast.
The place you resolve to go online all relies on your talent degree. Zicatela is world-famous for its large seaside break, which is known as the “Mexican Pipeline” within the browsing neighborhood. These waves are higher left to superior surfers, as they are often fairly unforgiving.
Even should you can’t deal with the waves at Zicatela, it’s value it to go there to seize some lunch and perhaps a chilly one on the seaside as you watch from a cushty distance. They even host massive browsing competitions right here every so often, so you should definitely test and see if one is happening.
Novices can head as an alternative to La Punta or Carrizalillo. You’ll discover a lot smaller waves at each seashores that are perfect for studying the right way to surf. There are many instructors round and boards for rent. You possibly can anticipate to pay round 500 pesos ($25) per hour, together with board rental.
Hit the Seaside
In the event you’re like me and fail in any respect boards (skate, snow, surf, ironing), by no means worry – there are many seashores in Puerto Escondido which are simply positive for chilling out. The aforementioned Playa Carrizalillo is a positive seaside to go to even with no surfboard. You’ll need to stroll down 167 steps to entry the seaside (after which again up once more), however this gorgeous cove is value it.
Heading down the coast, you’ll discover two bays sitting proper subsequent to one another – Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo. Each of those Puerto Escondido points of interest are good for enjoyable and swimming, and are extremely popular with locals and home vacationers on the weekends. Yow will discover a number of eating places right here, a lot of which have seaside loungers you should use as long as you’re ordering one thing.
In the event you’ve acquired your personal wheels or don’t thoughts springing for a taxi, you possibly can proceed south alongside the coast in the direction of the resort city of Huatulco. There are many attractive seashores alongside the way in which, so go forward and make a day of it. In the event you’d choose to benefit from the seaside in your birthday swimsuit, you possibly can hit Playa del Amor (the Seaside of Love), which is clothes elective.
Take a Boat Journey
In the event you can carry your self away out of your seaside chair, there’s loads extra to do within the waters round Puerto Escondido. One of the standard actions right here is taking a ship journey in quest of sea turtles, dolphins, or whales relying on the season.
Each tour operator on the town can set you up for a day of wildlife recognizing, snorkeling, and perhaps even some fishing. A half-day boat journey normally goes for round 450 pesos ($23) per particular person.
*Notice: happening a whale watching tour is likely one of the high things to do in Cabo San Lucas. If you end up in that a part of Mexico, don’t miss it!
See the Bioluminescent Lagoon
One of many coolest issues to do in Puerto Escondido is swimming within the glowing bioluminescence of the Manialtepec Lagoon. This lagoon is dwelling to plankton that lights up at night time. The darker it’s, the extra you’ll see. As such, the very best time to go to is across the new moon.
Most journey brokers on the town can set you up on a visit out to the lagoon. Excursions usually value between 250-350 pesos ($13-18) per particular person. This consists of round-trip transportation from city in addition to the boat journey to see the glowing plankton. This expertise is certainly probably the greatest issues to do in all of Mexico.
Expertise a Child Turtle Launch
One other standard exercise in Puerto Escondido is releasing child sea turtles again into the water. If there was a hatching that morning, you possibly can go and launch among the cute child turtles within the night.
The ocean turtles solely lay eggs between late October and Could. Many lodges in Puerto Escondido set up their very own child turtle releases, so ask round while you get to city. Alternatively, you possibly can simply go to the child turtle launch centre on Bacocho Seaside.
Chill Out at a Seaside Membership
Talking of Bacocho Seaside, that’s the place you’ll discover the superior Membership de Playa Villasol. This seaside membership has two swimming pools, a swim-up bar, and a terrific restaurant. It’s the proper place to get pleasure from a calming day in Puerto Escondido.
You don’t must be staying on the lodge to get pleasure from their seaside membership. Simply spend a minimal of 200 pesos ($10.50) on food and drinks for adults or 100 for kids and also you’re good to go. They even present motion pictures on Wednesday nights – a cinema proper on the seaside!
Bounce Out of a Airplane
Adrenaline junkies might be completely satisfied to listen to that skydiving is likely one of the standard Puerto Escondido actions. I had a good time flying above the breathtaking Mexican coast after leaping from practically 4,000 meters. It’s an exhilarating expertise that you just’re positive to be speaking about for years to return!
Skydiving solely goes on in Puerto Escondido within the excessive season, normally round Christmas-New Yr’s Eve or Easter. Make sure you test the web site of Skydive Puerto Escondido to see once they’re working. A tandem leap prices 2,900 pesos (about $150).
Take Half in a Native Competition
Initially attracting guests in the course of the off-season, the Fiestas de Noviembre has grown right into a month-long celebration with tons of various occasions. There’s a fishing match, browsing competitions, magnificence pageants, concert events, a meals pageant and a lot extra.
Travelling to Puerto Escondido in November is the proper option to keep away from the bigger crowds (and better costs) that begin arriving the following month. The festivities go on all month, so that you’ll by no means be bored should you journey there in November.
Examine Out the Avenue Artwork
Whereas it’s not fairly as widespread as it’s in larger cities like Mexico Metropolis or Guadalajara, there’s an rising road artwork scene in Puerto Escondido. Learn our informative information to road artwork in Mexico earlier than you go, after which hit the streets together with your digicam to snap some photographs of the cool murals you come upon.
The way to Get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
One factor that helps hold this place the “Hidden Port” is the shortage of direct flights from the Puerto Escondido airport to the US or Canada.
Whereas there are direct flights from Mexico’s North American neighbors to the close by resort city of Huatulco, that’s nonetheless a 90-minute drive away. To get from there to Puerto Escondido, your choices vary from a $3 bus as much as a $90 pre-arranged taxi.
Many individuals select to reach in Puerto Escondido by connecting in Mexico Metropolis. Flights from the capital take about 70 minutes and could be discovered for as little as $40. If it’s important to join there anyhow, I like to recommend spending at the least a few days to benefit from all of the superior issues to do in Mexico Metropolis.
There are additionally flights from Oaxaca Metropolis, however you’ll have to ebook straight with the one airline that runs them. Examine AeroTucan’s web site for occasions and costs. It appears as if 2,550 ($133) pesos is the going charge for a one-way flight. Different travellers have really helpful calling the airline, as their web site usually has points with bookings.
These AeroTucan flights are inclined to promote out nicely prematurely. Another choice is flying AeroVega. Captain Don Vega usually flies the route in his 6-seat Cessna and comes extremely really helpful by different travellers. You possibly can contact him at aerovegapto@gmail.com or +1 044 954 588 0062 to order a spot on one in all his flights.
In the event you’d choose to economize reasonably than time, you possibly can catch a bus from Oaxaca alongside the windy mountain roads to Puerto Escondido. The larger, extra comfy buses value round 250-350 pesos ($13 – $18) and take 10 hours or so. Many backpackers select to take the in a single day bus to economize on lodging, though sleeping may not be that simple on this journey.
You too can hitch a journey in a mini-bus, which is likely to be just a little cramped however solely takes 6-7 hours for a price of round 200 pesos ($10.5). Simply be ready for movement illness because it’s fairly the bumpy journey!
Lastly, some individuals select to simply hire a automotive in Oaxaca Metropolis and drive themselves to Puerto Escondido. Simply be certain that the rental insurance coverage settlement is evident in order to keep away from any shock expenses. It’s additionally greatest to deal with this drive in the course of the day as a few of these hairpin turns can sneak up on you.
The way to Get Round Puerto Escondido
To get round Puerto Escondido, you’ll seemingly use a mixture of taxis and native public transportation. Getting a taxi from the airport to city ought to value round 40-50 pesos ($2-2.50), or about 70 ($3.50) if headed to Punta Zicatela. Taxi rides inside city solely value 30-35 pesos ($1.50-2).
For public transportation in Puerto Escondido, you possibly can select between colectivos (shared taxi vans), native buses, and camionetas (pick-up vans). These all run from dawn until round 8:30 PM and solely value 8 pesos (lower than $0.50) every.
To go to factors additional outdoors of city, you possibly can attempt to rent a driver for the day or simply hire a automotive.
The place to Eat and Drink in Puerto Escondido
Regardless of being a small city, Puerto Escondido is dwelling to tons of of locations to eat and drink. It being a fishing city, seafood is clearly the best choice right here. The state of Oaxaca additionally grows some fairly superb espresso beans, so it’s not onerous discovering a great cup of espresso right here. Listed below are just a few of the very best locations to eat and drink on the town:
- Cafecito (Boulevard Benito Juárez 1, Seccion C, Native 11, Rinconada): This Puerto Escondido staple has two areas – one on the town and one on Zicatela. It’s a extremely popular place to go for breakfast, so don’t be stunned to discover a line should you arrive within the morning.
- Benito Juarez Market: The native market is the very best place to go store for contemporary fruit and veggies. You too can sit all the way down to an affordable lunch at one of many many distributors there.
- Brad’s Cut up Coconut (Av. Del Morro, Playa Zicatela): Set proper on the seaside amongst palm timber, this can be a enjoyable spot to go for dinner and drinks. They’re at all times cooking up some scrumptious BBQ right here, and the place is normally rocking with some dwell music.
- El Espadin (Camino Carrizalillo No 125, Carrizalillo): Head to Playa Carrizalillo round sundown to get pleasure from a meal at this implausible restaurant. Order the catch of the day or no matter different seafood you fancy.
- Cayuco (Av. Del Morro 4, Playa Zicatela): One other beachfront restaurant, Cayuco cooks up traditional Oaxacan dishes in distinctive methods. They’ve additionally acquired a wonderful collection of mezcal right here.
- Almoraduz (Benito Juárez 12, Rinconada): For positive eating Puerto Escondido type, head to this superb restaurant. The cooks right here whip up conventional Oaxacan delicacies with a twist. Additionally they make some killer drinks, like a hibiscus margarita with mezcal.
- Congo Bar (Alfonso Pérez Gasga 605): Reside music, low cost drinks, and a raging occasion are what you’ll discover right here.
- Bar Fly (Av. Del Morro, Playa Zicatela): In the event you’re seeking to dance into the wee hours of the morning, that is the place to do it.
Consuming and consuming your method round Puerto Escondido is certainly a spotlight of visiting this chilled out seaside city. When you’ve got some other suggestions for nice locations to seize a chunk or a drink, please depart them within the feedback beneath!
The place to Keep in Puerto Escondido
Lodging in Puerto Escondido ranges from easy backpacker-style hostels as much as luxurious beachfront resorts. As such, there’s one thing for all tastes and budgets right here.
These centered on browsing will in all probability need to ebook a room on Playa Zicatela to have quick access to the very best waves in Puerto Escondido. In the event you head just a little additional south on the seaside to the realm often called La Punta, it’s just a little bit extra laid-back and fewer centered on browsing.
Households and {couples} seeking to keep away from the occasion may need to search out lodging up at Playa Bacocho, the place there are many choices.
When in search of out lodging in Puerto Escondido, it’s vital to contemplate the time of 12 months you’ll be travelling there. Locations refill quick over Christmas, New Yr’s, and Semana Santa (Holy Week). To keep away from disappointment, you’ll need to ebook nicely prematurely if travelling there throughout these busy occasions.
Examine for distinctive lodging and inexpensive locations to remain on web sites like Reserving.com.
Puerto Escondido Security
For probably the most half, Puerto Escondido is a very protected place to journey. That being stated, incidents do happen right here, particularly robberies. It’s greatest to keep away from strolling on the seaside at night time. Wherever you might be, it’s suggested to remain in a gaggle. Don’t carry an excessive amount of money or valuables on you in order to keep away from drawing consideration to your self.
Maybe the largest hazard in Puerto Escondido is the water. Life guards right here rescue tons of of individuals yearly, so you should definitely take these crimson flag warnings critically and keep out of the water when suggested to take action.
When travelling to or from Puerto Escondido, it’s really helpful to skip out on the in a single day buses to Mexico Metropolis. These cross by way of the state of Guerrero, which is likely one of the most harmful areas in Mexico. There are a lot of experiences of armed robberies on these buses, so that you’re significantly better off springing for a flight with a funds airline as an alternative.
In a preferred vacationer seaside city in Mexico, it ought to come as no shock that medicine usually are not onerous to seek out. I’m not going to inform you what to do or to not do in your trip, however simply remember that cops right here wish to cease gringos at night time for random inspections to see if they will discover something.
Spending a while in a Mexican jail and/or meting out an enormous bribe are surefire methods to smash your journey.
FAQs for Puerto Escondido
Listed below are solutions to some regularly requested questions on Puerto Escondido actions and points of interest.
It’s completely value it to go to Puerto Escondido. It’s often called the browsing capital of Mexico, however there are numerous extra Puerto Escondido actions to get pleasure from, like lounging on the seaside, consuming native meals within the public market, and visiting close by locations like lagoons.
Puerto Escondido is likely one of the nicest cities on the gorgeous Pacific Coast of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It has a number of massive, sandy seashores with nice browsing. There are many lodges for all budgets and excellent eating places.
Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca on the whole are a lot safer than many different elements of Mexico, but it surely’s a good suggestion to take fundamental precautions, comparable to not strolling alone at night time and never leaving your possessions unguarded on the seaside whilst you swim.
Sure, Puerto Escondido is swimmable, however due to sturdy undercurrents, don’t go too removed from shore. Additionally, you should definitely test all warnings on the seaside about which locations are protected to swim or not.
The dry season takes place in the course of the cooler months from November to March. Keep away from mid-December to mid-January, nonetheless, as a result of that’s excessive season for journey in Mexico, and like all over the place else within the nation, Puerto Escondido can get crowded.
Pack Your Luggage for Puerto Escondido!
Effectively there you could have it, amigos. As I’m positive you possibly can see by now, Puerto Escondido has rather a lot to supply travellers who put forth the hassle to make it to this little slice of paradise in Oaxaca.
I’ve gone a number of occasions, and it’s one in all my favourite spots in one in all my favourite areas in Mexico. In the event you make it all the way down to the southern Pacific Coast, I’m positive you’ll agree.
From browsing among the most epic waves on this planet, to free-falling above the ocean and mountains on a skydiving journey, to eating on contemporary seafood with sundown views, this can be a implausible selection in your subsequent trip.
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