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 beneath the radar of most travellers.
Maybe that’s because of the lack of worldwide direct flights and cookie-cutter resorts that deliver so many vacationers to locations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. If you happen to’re keen to place within the legwork to get right here, you’ll be rewarded tremendously with gorgeous seashores, pleasant locals, and mouth-watering delicacies.
The Final Journey Information for Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is unquestionably one of many greatest locations to go to in Mexico, and I’ve spent lots 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 lots 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 prime 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 situated on Mexico’s Pacific coast within the state of Oaxaca. You might be questioning the place the identify comes from. Properly, 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 lady managed to flee. They referred to her as “La Escondida” (The Hidden One) and seemed for her each time they returned, to no avail. The identify caught, and it will definitely grew to become 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 as a consequence of a scarcity of potable water, which got here within the Nineteen 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 gorgeous seashores of Puerto Escondido. Easy motels 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 tremendously when surfers found the epic waves of Zicatela Seaside (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 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 truly 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 you recognize a bit extra concerning 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 prime Puerto Escondido actions is to trip the waves. In any case, it was surfers who initially put this city on the vacationer map. Surfers from all around the world come right here to trip the legendary waves off the Mexican coast.
The place you resolve to log on all depends upon your ability degree. Zicatela is world-famous for its huge 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 when 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 huge browsing competitions right here once in a while, so you’ll want to verify and see if one is happening.
Inexperienced persons 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 easy methods to surf. There are many instructors round and boards for rent. You possibly can count on to pay round 500 pesos ($25) per hour, together with board rental.
Hit the Seaside
If you happen to’re like me and fail in any respect boards (skate, snow, surf, ironing), by no means concern – there are many seashores in Puerto Escondido which might be simply wonderful for chilling out. The aforementioned Playa Carrizalillo is a wonderful seashore to go to even with no surfboard. You’ll need to 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 points of interest are good for stress-free and swimming, and are extremely popular with locals and home vacationers on the weekends. You’ll find a number of eating places right here, lots of which have seashore loungers you need to use as long as you’re ordering one thing.
If you happen to’ve received your individual wheels or don’t thoughts springing for a taxi, you’ll be able to 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. If you happen to’d desire to benefit from the seashore in your birthday go well with, you’ll be able to hit Playa del Amor (the Seaside of Love), which is clothes non-compulsory.
Take a Boat Journey
If you happen to can deliver your self away out of your seashore chair, there’s lots extra to do within the waters round Puerto Escondido. Some of the fashionable actions right here is taking a ship journey in the hunt for 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 often goes for round 450 pesos ($23) per individual.
*Word: happening a whale watching tour is among the prime 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 sometimes price between 250-350 pesos ($13-18) per individual. This consists of round-trip transportation from city in addition to the boat journey to see the glowing plankton. This expertise is unquestionably among the finest issues to do in all of Mexico.
Expertise a Child Turtle Launch
One other fashionable exercise in Puerto Escondido is releasing child sea turtles again into the water. If there was a hatching that morning, you’ll be able to go and launch among the lovable child turtles within the night.
The ocean turtles solely lay eggs between late October and Might. Many motels in Puerto Escondido manage their very own child turtle releases, so ask round whenever you get to city. Alternatively, you’ll be able to simply go to the infant 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 seashore membership has two swimming pools, a swim-up bar, and a terrific restaurant. It’s the right place to get pleasure from a soothing day in Puerto Escondido.
You don’t must be staying on the resort to get pleasure from 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 motion pictures on Wednesday nights – a cinema proper on the seashore!
Leap Out of a Airplane
Adrenaline junkies shall be blissful to listen to that skydiving is among the fashionable Puerto Escondido actions. I had a good time flying above the breathtaking Mexican coast after leaping from almost 4,000 meters. It’s an exhilarating expertise that you simply’re positive to be speaking about for years to come back!
Skydiving solely goes on in Puerto Escondido within the excessive season, often round Christmas-New 12 months’s Eve or Easter. You’ll want to verify 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 through 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 pageant and a lot extra.
Travelling to Puerto Escondido in November is the right technique 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 when you journey there in November.
Verify Out the Road Artwork
Whereas it’s not fairly as widespread as it’s in larger cities like Mexico Metropolis or Guadalajara, there may be 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 along with your digital camera to snap some photographs of the cool murals you come across.
Methods to Get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
One factor that helps hold this place the “Hidden Port” is the dearth 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 might be discovered for as little as $40. If you need to join there anyhow, I like to recommend spending at the very least a few days to reap the benefits of all of the superior issues to do in Mexico Metropolis.
There are additionally flights from Oaxaca Metropolis, however you’ll have to guide immediately with the one airline that runs them. Verify AeroTucan’s web site for occasions and costs. It appears as if 2,550 ($133) pesos is the going price 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 properly prematurely. Another choice is flying AeroVega. Captain Don Vega repeatedly 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 among his flights.
If you happen to’d desire to economize quite than time, you’ll be able to catch a bus from Oaxaca alongside the windy mountain roads to Puerto Escondido. The larger, extra comfy 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 economize on lodging, though sleeping may not be that straightforward on this journey.
You may also hitch a trip in a mini-bus, which may be 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 trip!
Lastly, some individuals select to only lease a automotive in Oaxaca Metropolis and drive themselves to Puerto Escondido. Simply ensure that the rental insurance coverage settlement is evident in order to keep away from any shock prices. It’s additionally greatest to deal with this drive through the day as a few of these hairpin turns can sneak up on you.
Methods 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 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’ll be able to 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’ll be able to attempt to rent a driver for the day or simply lease 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 wonderful espresso beans, so it’s not laborious discovering cup of espresso right here. Listed below are a couple of 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 places – 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 when you arrive within the morning.
- Benito Juarez Market: The native market is the very best place to go store for recent fruit and veggies. You may also sit all the way down to an affordable 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 bushes, it is 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 often rocking with some stay music.
- El Espadin (Camino Carrizalillo No 125, Carrizalillo): Head to Playa Carrizalillo round sundown to get pleasure from a meal at this unbelievable 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 received a superb choice of mezcal right here.
- Almoraduz (Benito Juárez 12, Rinconada): For wonderful 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): Dwell music, low cost drinks, and a raging social gathering are what you’ll discover right here.
- Bar Fly (Av. Del Morro, Playa Zicatela): If you happen to’re trying to dance into the wee hours of the morning, that is the place to do it.
Consuming and consuming your manner round Puerto Escondido is unquestionably a spotlight of visiting this chilled out seashore city. If in case you have some other suggestions for nice locations to seize a chew or a drink, please depart them within the feedback under!
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 most likely wish to guide a room on Playa Zicatela to have quick access to the very best waves in Puerto Escondido. If you happen to head slightly additional south on the seashore to the realm generally known as La Punta, it’s slightly bit extra laid-back and fewer centered on browsing.
Households and {couples} trying to avoid the social gathering may wish to hunt down lodging up at Playa Bacocho, the place there are many choices.
When looking for 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 12 months’s, and Semana Santa (Holy Week). To keep away from disappointment, you’ll wish to guide properly prematurely if travelling there throughout these busy occasions.
Verify for distinctive lodging and inexpensive locations to remain on web sites like Reserving.com.
Puerto Escondido Security
For essentially the most half, Puerto Escondido is a very protected 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 night time. Wherever you’re, 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 tons of of individuals yearly, so you’ll want to take these crimson flag warnings severely 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 move by way of the state of Guerrero, which is among 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 price range airline as a substitute.
In a well-liked vacationer seashore city in Mexico, it ought to come as no shock that medication usually are not laborious to search 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’ll discover something.
Spending a while in a Mexican jail and/or meting out an enormous bribe are surefire methods to break your journey.
FAQs for Puerto Escondido
Listed below are solutions to some ceaselessly requested questions on Puerto Escondido actions and points of interest.
It’s completely value it to go to Puerto Escondido. It’s generally known as the browsing capital of Mexico, however there are a lot of extra Puerto Escondido actions to get pleasure from, like lounging on the seashore, consuming native meals within the public market, and visiting close by locations like lagoons.
Puerto Escondido is among the nicest cities on the gorgeous Pacific Coast of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It has a number of giant, sandy seashores with nice browsing. There are many motels for all budgets and excellent eating places.
Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca basically are a lot safer than many different components of Mexico, but it surely’s a good suggestion to take fundamental precautions, corresponding to not strolling alone at night time and never leaving your possessions unguarded on the seashore whilst you swim.
Sure, Puerto Escondido is swimmable, however due to robust undercurrents, don’t go too removed from shore. Additionally, you’ll want to verify all warnings on the seashore about which locations are protected to swim or not.
The dry season takes place through the cooler months from November to March. Keep away from mid-December to mid-January, nevertheless, as a result of that’s excessive season for journey in Mexico, and like in every single place else within the nation, Puerto Escondido can get crowded.
Pack Your Luggage for Puerto Escondido!
Properly there you’ve got it, amigos. As I’m positive you’ll be able to 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 among my favourite spots in one among my favourite areas in Mexico. If you happen to 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 recent seafood with sundown views, it is a unbelievable selection to your subsequent trip.
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