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 seaside city in Oaxaca State nonetheless manages to fly below 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. If you happen to’re keen to place within the legwork to get right here, you’ll be rewarded vastly with beautiful seashores, pleasant locals, and mouth-watering delicacies.
The Final Journey Information for Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is unquestionably one of many finest locations to go to in Mexico, and I’ve spent plenty of time there on a number of completely different visits throughout my greater than 5 years residing in Mexico.
I explored the market in search of one of the best meals, kicked again on a number of seashores, and even tried browsing! All of those Puerto Escondido actions are plenty 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 concerning the high issues to do, the place to remain, and a number of the finest 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. Chances are you’ll be questioning the place the identify comes from. Properly, there’s an attention-grabbing story behind it…
Because the legend goes, pirates as soon as kidnapped a younger lady right here. Whereas they had 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 grew to become often 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 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 a long time, 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 vastly 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 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 difficulty, 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!
High Issues to Do in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Now that you understand a bit extra concerning the city, let’s dive in and try one of the 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 trip 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 trip the legendary waves off the Mexican coast.
The place you determine to go online all relies on your talent stage. Zicatela is world-famous for its huge 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 if you happen to can’t deal with the waves at Zicatela, it’s value it to move there to seize some lunch and possibly a chilly one on the seaside as you watch from a snug distance. They even host huge browsing competitions right here sometimes, so remember to verify 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 methods 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
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 can be simply high quality for chilling out. The aforementioned Playa Carrizalillo is a high quality seaside to go to even and not using a surfboard. You’ll need to stroll down 167 steps to entry the seaside (after which again up once more), however this beautiful 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 highly regarded with locals and home vacationers on the weekends. You 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.
If you happen to’ve bought your individual wheels or don’t thoughts springing for a taxi, you’ll be able to proceed south alongside the coast in direction of the resort city of Huatulco. There are many beautiful seashores alongside the best way, so go forward and make a day of it. If you happen to’d favor to benefit from the seaside in your birthday go well with, you’ll be able to hit Playa del Amor (the Seashore of Love), which is clothes non-obligatory.
Take a Boat Journey
If you happen to can carry your self away out of your seaside chair, there’s a lot extra to do within the waters round Puerto Escondido. One of the vital 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 possibly even some fishing. A half-day boat journey often goes for round 450 pesos ($23) per individual.
*Be aware: happening a whale watching tour is without doubt 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, one of the 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 top-of-the-line 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’ll be able to 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 lodges in Puerto Escondido set up their very own child turtle releases, so ask round whenever you get to city. Alternatively, you’ll be able to simply go to the newborn 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 Membership de Playa Villasol. This seaside membership has two swimming pools, a swim-up bar, and a fantastic restaurant. It’s the right place to get pleasure from a calming day in Puerto Escondido.
You don’t have to be staying on the lodge to get pleasure from their seaside membership. Simply spend a minimal of 200 pesos ($10.50) on foods 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 seaside!
Bounce Out of a Airplane
Adrenaline junkies shall be comfortable to listen to that skydiving is without doubt one of the standard 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 just’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. Make sure you verify 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 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 competition 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 subsequent month. The festivities go on all month, so that you’ll by no means be bored if you happen to journey there in November.
Test 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 together with your digital camera to snap some photographs of the cool murals you bump into.
How you can Get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
One factor that helps maintain 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 you need to join there in any case, I like to recommend spending a minimum of 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 must guide straight with the one airline that runs them. Test AeroTucan’s web site for occasions and costs. It appears as if 2,550 ($133) pesos is the going fee for a one-way flight. Different travellers have advisable calling the airline, as their web site typically has points with bookings.
These AeroTucan flights are inclined to promote out effectively prematurely. An alternative choice is flying AeroVega. Captain Don Vega usually flies the route in his 6-seat Cessna and comes extremely advisable by different travellers. You may contact him at [email protected] or +1 044 954 588 0062 to order a spot on considered one of his flights.
If you happen to’d favor to save cash moderately than time, you’ll be able to 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 may not be that simple on this journey.
You too can hitch a trip in a mini-bus, which may 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 trip!
Lastly, some folks select to simply hire a automotive in Oaxaca Metropolis and drive themselves to Puerto Escondido. Simply be sure the rental insurance coverage settlement is obvious in order to keep away from any shock costs. It’s additionally finest to deal with this drive through the day as a few of these hairpin turns can sneak up on you.
How you can 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’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 hire a automotive.
The place to Eat and Drink in Puerto Escondido
Regardless of being a small city, Puerto Escondido is residence to lots 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 an excellent cup of espresso right here. Listed below are just a few of one of the 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 highly regarded place to go for breakfast, so don’t be shocked to discover a line if you happen to arrive within the morning.
- Benito Juarez Market: The native market is one of the best place to go store for recent fruit and veggies. You too can sit all the way down to an inexpensive 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 bushes, 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 often 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 bought a superb number of mezcal right here.
- Almoraduz (Benito Juárez 12, Rinconada): For high quality eating Puerto Escondido model, 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 seeking to dance into the wee hours of the morning, that is the place to do it.
Consuming and ingesting your manner round Puerto Escondido is unquestionably a spotlight of visiting this chilled out seaside city. When you’ve got another 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 need to guide a room on Playa Zicatela to have easy accessibility to one of the best waves in Puerto Escondido. If you happen to head just a little additional south on the seaside to the world often known as 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 social gathering would possibly need to search out lodging up at Playa Bacocho, the place there are many choices.
When searching for out lodging in Puerto Escondido, it’s necessary 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 need to guide effectively prematurely if travelling there throughout these busy occasions.
Test 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 secure place to journey. That being mentioned, incidents do happen right here, particularly robberies. It’s finest to keep away from strolling on the seaside at evening. Wherever you’re, it’s suggested to remain in a bunch. 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 lots of of individuals yearly, so remember to 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 advisable to skip out on the in a single day buses to Mexico Metropolis. These go via the state of Guerrero, which is without doubt 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 funds airline as an alternative.
In a preferred vacationer seaside city in Mexico, it ought to come as no shock that medicine should not laborious to seek out. I’m not going to let you know what to do or to not do in your trip, however simply bear in mind 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 allotting an enormous bribe are surefire methods to wreck your journey.
FAQs for Puerto Escondido
Listed below are solutions to some regularly requested questions on Puerto Escondido actions and sights.
It’s completely value it to go to Puerto Escondido. It’s often 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 seaside, consuming native meals within the public market, and visiting close by locations like lagoons.
Puerto Escondido is without doubt one of 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 lodges for all budgets and excellent eating places.
Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca normally are a lot safer than many different elements of Mexico, however it’s a good suggestion to take fundamental precautions, corresponding to not strolling alone at evening 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, remember to verify all warnings on the seaside about which locations are secure 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, 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!
Properly there you’ve got it, amigos. As I’m positive you’ll be able to see by now, Puerto Escondido has lots to supply travellers who put forth the trouble to make it to this little slice of paradise in Oaxaca.
I’ve gone a number of occasions, and it’s considered one of my favourite spots in considered one of 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 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 recent seafood with sundown views, this can be a implausible alternative to your subsequent trip.
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