a close up of a plant near a red wall
sea waves crashing on shore during daytime
a bird's eye view of the ocean and a small town
Waves crashing against rocky coastal formations.
Boat sailing towards rocky islands and distant coastline.

Holiday in Puerto Escondido

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.

Relaxation
100
Beach
90
Food
80
Families
80
Adventure
77

Top 5 highlights in Puerto Escondido

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Playa Zicatela (Mexican Pipeline)

One of the strongest waves in the world – international surfing competitions are held here annually, fascinating even from the beach.

2

Playa Carrizalillo

Picturesque cove with gentle waves, turquoise water, and rocky cliffs – perfect for beginners and families.

3

Bioluminescent Lagoon

The lagoon of Manialtepec glows magically blue on certain nights – an unforgettable natural spectacle.

4

Turtle Release

From June to December, baby sea turtles are released on the beach – a touching experience for all ages.

5

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.

Über 700.000 Hotels
Kostenlose Stornierung
Bestpreis-Garantie
Hotels in Puerto Escondido vergleichen

* 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

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5 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!

Tlayudas (large crispy tortillas)
Pescado a la Talla (grilled fish)
Ceviche from the market
Mezcal cocktails
Mole Negro
Tamales Oaxaqueños
Suitable for:SurfingBeachPacificBioluminescenceBudgetTurtlesBohemianYoga

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