Though its identify interprets as “Hidden Port,” Mexico’s Puerto Escondido is not any secret and has lengthy been a favorite amongst surfers and backpackers. That being mentioned, this chilled out seashore city in Oaxaca State nonetheless manages to fly underneath the radar of most travellers.
Maybe that’s because of the lack of worldwide direct flights and cookie-cutter resorts that carry so many vacationers to locations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. In case you’re keen to place within the legwork to get right here, you’ll be rewarded enormously with gorgeous seashores, pleasant locals, and mouth-watering delicacies.
The Final Journey Information for Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is certainly one of many best places to visit in Mexico, and I’ve spent a number of time there on a number of completely different visits throughout my greater than 5 years residing in Mexico.
I explored the market on the lookout for the most effective 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 wish to return for extra.
Plan your journey to this superior Mexican seashore city with the help of this complete information. I’ll go into element concerning the high issues to do, the place to remain, and a number of the greatest locations to eat and drink. Vamos, amigos!
An Introduction to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido is situated on Mexico’s Pacific coast within the state of Oaxaca. It’s possible you’ll be questioning the place the identify comes from. Nicely, there’s an fascinating 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 regarded for her each time they returned, to no avail. The identify caught, and it will definitely turned generally known as 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 resulting from an absence of potable water, which got here within the Thirties, and with it the muse 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.
Finally, vacationers started to find the attractive seashores of Puerto Escondido. Easy accommodations 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 enormously when surfers found the epic waves of Zicatela Seashore (Playa Zicatela). Today, Puerto Escondido attracts a mixture of surfers, backpackers, Mexican households, and even some digital nomads because the infrastructure develops.
One fascinating factor about Puerto Escondido is that it’s really cut up between two municipalities – Santa María Colotepec and San Pedro Mixtepec.
The border stays a contentious situation, inflicting some enterprise homeowners right here to really pay taxes to each of them. Tensions flare up regularly, together with one incident final 12 months the place a mayor was actually taken prisoner. Let’s hope they resolve it quickly!
High Issues to Do in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Now that you recognize a bit extra concerning the city, let’s dive in and try the most effective 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 determine to go online all relies on your talent degree. Zicatela is world-famous for its large seashore break, which is known as the “Mexican Pipeline” within the browsing group. 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 possibly a chilly one on the seashore as you watch from a cushty distance. They even host large browsing competitions right here sometimes, so you should definitely examine and see if one is happening.
Freshmen can head as a substitute to La Punta or Carrizalillo. You’ll discover a lot smaller waves at each seashores that are perfect for studying the best way to surf. There are many instructors round and boards for rent. You may count on to pay round 500 pesos ($25) per hour, together with board rental.
Hit the Seashore
In case 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 can be simply superb for chilling out. The aforementioned Playa Carrizalillo is a superb seashore to go to even with no surfboard. You’ll should stroll down 167 steps to entry the seashore (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 sights are good for enjoyable and swimming, and are very talked-about with locals and home vacationers on the weekends. Yow will discover a number of eating places right here, lots of which have seashore loungers you should utilize as long as you’re ordering one thing.
In case you’ve received your personal wheels or don’t thoughts springing for a taxi, you may proceed south alongside the coast in the direction of the resort city of Huatulco. There are many attractive seashores alongside the best way, so go forward and make a day of it. In case you’d want to benefit from the seashore in your birthday swimsuit, you may hit Playa del Amor (the Seashore of Love), which is clothes non-compulsory.
Take a Boat Journey
In case you can carry your self away out of your seashore chair, there’s lots extra to do within the waters round Puerto Escondido. One of the crucial common actions right here is taking a ship journey seeking 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 possibly even some fishing. A half-day boat journey normally goes for round 450 pesos ($23) per particular person.
*Observe: 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 residence to plankton that lights up at evening. The darker it’s, the extra you’ll see. As such, the most effective 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 price between 250-350 pesos ($13-18) per particular person. This contains round-trip transportation from city in addition to the boat journey to see the glowing plankton. This expertise is certainly the most effective things to do in all of Mexico.
Expertise a Child Turtle Launch
One other common exercise in Puerto Escondido is releasing child sea turtles again into the water. If there was a hatching that morning, you may go and launch a number of the cute child turtles within the night.
The ocean turtles solely lay eggs between late October and Could. Many accommodations in Puerto Escondido manage their very own child turtle releases, so ask round once you get to city. Alternatively, you may simply go to the child turtle launch centre on Bacocho Seashore.
Chill Out at a Seashore Membership
Talking of Bacocho Seashore, that’s the place you’ll discover the superior Club de Playa Villasol. This seashore membership has two swimming pools, a swim-up bar, and an awesome restaurant. It’s the proper place to take pleasure in a calming day in Puerto Escondido.
You don’t have to be staying on the lodge to take pleasure in their seashore membership. Simply spend a minimal of 200 pesos ($10.50) on food and drinks for adults or 100 for youngsters and also you’re good to go. They even present films on Wednesday nights – a cinema proper on the seashore!
Leap Out of a Airplane
Adrenaline junkies might be completely happy to listen to that skydiving is likely one of the common 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 certain to be speaking about for years to come back!
Skydiving solely goes on in Puerto Escondido within the excessive season, normally round Christmas-New 12 months’s Eve or Easter. Make sure you examine the web site of Skydive Puerto Escondido to see after they’re working. A tandem leap prices 2,900 pesos (about $150).
Take Half in a Native Pageant
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 event, browsing competitions, magnificence pageants, concert events, a meals competition and a lot extra.
Travelling to Puerto Escondido in November is the proper solution 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 Road Artwork
Whereas it’s not fairly as widespread as it’s in greater cities like Mexico City or Guadalajara, there’s an rising avenue artwork scene in Puerto Escondido. Learn our informative information to avenue artwork in Mexico earlier than you go, after which hit the streets along with your digital camera to snap some photographs of the cool murals you come upon.
The best way to Get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
One factor that helps preserve 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 may be discovered for as little as $40. If it’s a must to join there anyhow, I like to recommend spending not less than a few days to reap the benefits of all of the superior things to do in Mexico City.
There are additionally flights from Oaxaca Metropolis, however you’ll must ebook straight with the one airline that runs them. Examine AeroTucan’s website for occasions and costs. It appears as if 2,550 ($133) pesos is the going charge for a one-way flight. Different travellers have advisable calling the airline, as their web site usually has points with bookings.
These AeroTucan flights are likely to promote out properly prematurely. Another choice is flying AeroVega. Captain Don Vega often flies the route in his 6-seat Cessna and comes extremely advisable by different travellers. You may contact him at aerovegapto@gmail.com or +1 044 954 588 0062 to order a spot on one in all his flights.
In case you’d want to save cash relatively than time, you may catch a bus from Oaxaca alongside the windy mountain roads to Puerto Escondido. The larger, extra snug buses price round 250-350 pesos ($13 – $18) and take 10 hours or so. Many backpackers select to take the in a single day bus to save cash on lodging, though sleeping won’t be that straightforward on this journey.
You can too hitch a journey in a mini-bus, which is perhaps slightly 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 folks select to simply hire a automotive in Oaxaca Metropolis and drive themselves to Puerto Escondido. Simply be sure that the rental insurance coverage settlement is evident in order to keep away from any shock costs. It’s additionally greatest to sort out this drive in the course of the day as a few of these hairpin turns can sneak up on you.
The best way to Get Round Puerto Escondido
To get round Puerto Escondido, you’ll probably use a mixture of taxis and native public transportation. Getting a taxi from the airport to city ought to price round 40-50 pesos ($2-2.50), or about 70 ($3.50) if headed to Punta Zicatela. Taxi rides inside city solely price 30-35 pesos ($1.50-2).
For public transportation in Puerto Escondido, you may select between colectivos (shared taxi vans), native buses, and camionetas (pick-up vehicles). These all run from dawn until round 8:30 PM and solely price 8 pesos (lower than $0.50) every.
To go to factors additional outdoors of city, you may 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 residence to a whole lot 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 wonderful espresso beans, so it’s not arduous discovering a superb cup of espresso right here. Listed here are just a few of the most effective 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 very talked-about place to go for breakfast, so don’t be shocked to discover a line should you arrive within the morning.
- Benito Juarez Market: The native market is the most effective place to go store for contemporary fruit and veggies. You can too sit all the way down to an inexpensive lunch at one of many many distributors there.
- Brad’s Break up Coconut (Av. Del Morro, Playa Zicatela): Set proper on the seashore amongst palm timber, this can be a enjoyable spot to go for dinner and drinks. They’re all the time cooking up some scrumptious BBQ right here, and the place is normally rocking with some stay music.
- El Espadin (Camino Carrizalillo No 125, Carrizalillo): Head to Playa Carrizalillo round sundown to take pleasure in a meal at this improbable 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 basic Oaxacan dishes in distinctive methods. They’ve additionally received a wonderful number of mezcal right here.
- Almoraduz (Benito Juárez 12, Rinconada): For superb eating Puerto Escondido type, head to this wonderful 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): Stay music, low-cost drinks, and a raging occasion are what you’ll discover right here.
- Bar Fly (Av. Del Morro, Playa Zicatela): In case you’re seeking to dance into the wee hours of the morning, that is the place to do it.
Consuming and consuming your means round Puerto Escondido is certainly a spotlight of visiting this chilled out seashore city. When you’ve got every other suggestions for excellent locations to seize a chunk or a drink, please go away 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 wish to ebook a room on Playa Zicatela to have easy accessibility to the most effective waves in Puerto Escondido. In case you head slightly additional south on the seashore to the world generally known as La Punta, it’s slightly bit extra laid-back and fewer centered on browsing.
Households and {couples} seeking to avoid the occasion would possibly wish to hunt down lodging up at Playa Bacocho, the place there are many choices.
When in search of out lodging in Puerto Escondido, it’s essential to contemplate the time of 12 months you’ll be travelling there. Locations replenish quick over Christmas, New 12 months’s, and Semana Santa (Holy Week). To keep away from disappointment, you’ll wish to ebook properly prematurely if travelling there throughout these busy occasions.
Examine for distinctive lodging and inexpensive locations to remain on web sites like Booking.com.
Puerto Escondido Security
For probably the most half, Puerto Escondido is a very safe place to journey. That being mentioned, incidents do happen right here, particularly robberies. It’s greatest to keep away from strolling on the seashore at evening. 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 most important hazard in Puerto Escondido is the water. Life guards right here rescue a whole lot of individuals yearly, so you should definitely take these purple flag warnings severely and keep out of the water when suggested to take action.
When travelling to or from Puerto Escondido, it’s advisable to skip out on the in a single day buses to Mexico Metropolis. These go by means of the state of Guerrero, which is likely one of the most harmful areas in Mexico. There are lots of reviews of armed robberies on these buses, so that you’re significantly better off springing for a flight with a price range airline as a substitute.
In a preferred vacationer seashore city in Mexico, it ought to come as no shock that medication will not be arduous to search out. I’m not going to let you know what to do or to not do in your trip, however simply remember that cops right here wish to cease gringos at evening for random inspections to see if they will discover something.
Spending a while in a Mexican jail and/or dispensing an enormous bribe are surefire methods to smash your journey.
FAQs for Puerto Escondido
Listed here are solutions to some incessantly requested questions on Puerto Escondido actions and sights.
It’s completely value it to go to Puerto Escondido. It’s generally known as the browsing capital of Mexico, however there are various extra Puerto Escondido actions to take pleasure in, like lounging on the seashore, 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 attractive Pacific Coast of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It has a number of massive, sandy seashores with nice browsing. There are many accommodations for all budgets and excellent eating places.
Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca on the whole are much safer than many different components of Mexico, but it surely’s a good suggestion to take primary precautions, equivalent to not strolling alone at evening and never leaving your possessions unguarded on the seashore when you swim.
Sure, Puerto Escondido is swimmable, however due to sturdy undercurrents, don’t go too removed from shore. Additionally, you should definitely examine all warnings on the seashore about which locations are secure 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 in all places else within the nation, Puerto Escondido can get crowded.
Pack Your Baggage for Puerto Escondido!
Nicely there you’ve gotten it, amigos. As I’m certain you may 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 case you make it all the way down to the southern Pacific Coast, I’m certain you’ll agree.
From browsing a number of the most epic waves on the earth, to free-falling above the ocean and mountains on a skydiving journey, to eating on contemporary seafood with sundown views, this can be a improbable selection on your subsequent trip.
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