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Beach in Mexico — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇲🇽
Country
Mexico
Type
Beach
Best time to travel
November–May (dry season), May–September (best waves for surfers)
Budget/day
40–85 € (800–1,700 MXN)
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Puerto Escondido (PXM) via Mexico City or Oaxaca. Alternatively, a spectacular 6-hour bus ride from Oaxaca through the Sierra.
About Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is Mexico's surfing capital and one of the most exciting coastal towns on the Pacific coast of the state of Oaxaca. The famous Playa Zicatela produces the feared Mexican Pipeline – one of the strongest barrel waves in the world, which should only be ridden by experienced professionals and attracts international surfing competitions every year. However, Puerto Escondido has much more to offer than just extreme surfing. For beginners and families, there are the gentle waves of the sheltered Playa Carrizalillo, a picturesque cove that you descend to via 167 steps, enticing visitors with turquoise water and golden sand. Playa Manzanillo is ideal for snorkeling, while the main beach La Principal forms the center of fishing life, where fresh catches are sold directly from the boat in the morning. In the evening, the beachfront promenade transforms into a lively place with cocktail bars, fresh seafood, and live music. An unforgettable experience is offered by the bioluminescent lagoons of Manialtepec, where the water glows bright blue at night due to microorganisms. In the lagoon of Chacahua, accessible by boat through mangrove forests, pelicans and frigatebirds nest in large numbers. In recent years, Puerto Escondido has developed into a digital nomad hotspot, with co-working spaces, healthy restaurants, and an international community. The high season for surfers is between May and September, with the most pleasant travel time from October to May.
Top 5 highlights in Puerto Escondido
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Playa Zicatela (Mexican Pipeline)
One of the strongest waves in the world – international surfing competitions are held here annually, fascinating even from the beach.
Playa Carrizalillo
Picturesque cove with gentle waves, turquoise water, and rocky cliffs – perfect for beginners and families.
Bioluminescent Lagoon
The lagoon of Manialtepec glows magically blue on certain nights – an unforgettable natural spectacle.
Turtle Release
From June to December, baby sea turtles are released on the beach – a touching experience for all ages.
Punta Zicatela
The emerging neighborhood with yoga studios, cafes, boutique hotels, and the best sunset view in the city.
Hotels in Puerto Escondido
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Puerto Escondido
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Puerto Escondido
Recommended travel time
November–May (dry season), May–September (best waves for surfers)
Summer
Hot and humid, 30–35 °C, big waves and rainy season
Winter
Warm and dry, 26–32 °C, smaller waves, ideal for beginners
How much does a holiday in Puerto Escondido cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
18–35 € (360–700 MXN)
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
40–85 € (800–1,700 MXN)
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
100–250 € (2,000–5,000 MXN)
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
Book a package holiday to Puerto Escondido
Compare thousands of package holidays to Puerto Escondido and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Puerto Escondido
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
Zicatela is only for experienced surfers – the current and waves are life-threatening for the inexperienced.
Take surfing lessons at Playa Carrizalillo or La Punta – the conditions are perfect for beginners.
Book bioluminescence tours during the new moon – and check in advance if the season is active.
Puerto Escondido is one of the cheapest beach destinations in Mexico – perfect for long-term travelers.
The bus ride from Oaxaca is spectacular, but not for sensitive stomachs – bring travel pills.
Food & drink in Puerto Escondido
These specialties you must try!
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