About Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a Mexican city-port and tourist center in the municipality of San Pedro Mixtepec Distrito 22 in the state of Oaxaca. Prior to the 1930s, there was no town. The bay had been used as a port intermittently to ship coffee, but there was no permanent settlement due to the lack of potable water. The name "Puerto Escondido" had roots in the legend of a woman who escaped her captors and hid there. The Nahuatl word for this area was Zicatela, meaning "place of large thorns". Today, it refers to the area's most famous beach.
Places to visit in Puerto Escondido
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Zicatela Beach
BeachA world-famous surf beach known as the Mexican Pipeline, with powerful waves that attract pro surfers. Watch from the shore unless you're an expert, as the currents are strong.
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Carrizalillo Beach
BeachA small sheltered cove reached by a long staircase down the cliff, with calm water for swimming and beginner surfing. Arrive early to get a spot on the sand.
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Laguna de Manialtepec
Nature · 10 mi from centreA mangrove lagoon west of town known for bird watching and bioluminescent plankton at night. Book a night boat tour on a moonless evening for the brightest glow.
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Lagunas de Chacahua National Park
Nature · 42 mi from centreA park of lagoons, mangroves, and empty beaches with a small fishing village. Take a boat through the mangroves and stay overnight in simple cabins if you want quiet.
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Mazunte
Beach · 37 mi from centreA relaxed beach village west of Puerto Escondido with a sea turtle conservation center and a laid-back traveler scene. Hike up to the Punta Cometa headland for sunset over the Pacific.
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Zipolite
Beach · 40 mi from centreA long, bohemian beach with simple hotels, yoga, and a relaxed clothing-optional culture. Be very careful in the water, as the rip currents are strong.
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Puerto Ángel
Beach · 41 mi from centreA small fishing port with calm, sheltered bays and simple seafood restaurants right by the water. Take a boat trip from the harbor to look for dolphins, turtles, and, in winter, passing whales.
Things to do in Puerto Escondido by type
12 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 7 experiences A Horse Riding Adventure to the Hot Spring Pools - Half-Day Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 6 experiences A Bioluminescence Viewing Experience in the Manialtepec Lagoon - Evening Tour -
Day Trips & Excursions 2 experiences Discover the Bays of Huatulco by Catamaran - Full-Day Private Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences An Exciting Marine Adventure Along the Oaxacan Coast - Tour
- Over 6 hours 5
- 1-3 hours 4
- 3-6 hours 2
- Private 4
Top experiences in Puerto Escondido
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.
Discover the Bays of Huatulco by Catamaran - Full-Day Private Tour
From $567 per adult
A Bioluminescence Viewing Experience in the Manialtepec Lagoon - Evening Tour
From $50 per adult
Release Newborn Sea Turtles Back to the Sea - Tour
From $44 per adult
Discover the Natural Paradise of the Chacahua Lagoons - Full-Day Tour
From $111 per adult
An Exciting Marine Adventure Along the Oaxacan Coast - Tour
From $54 per adult
Oaxaca Express from Puerto Escondido
From $283 per adult
Adventure into Waterfalls and Zip Lines at San Juan Lachao – Full-Day Private Tour
From $574 per adult
Discover Copalitilla Waterfalls – Full-Day Private Tour
From $574 per adult
Explore Four Enchanting Towns of Oaxaca - Full-Day Tour
From $111 per adult
Sunset Horse Ride Along the Beach of Puerto Suelo - Evening Tour
From $119 per adult
A Horse Riding Adventure to the Hot Spring Pools - Half-Day Tour
From $119 per adult
Sport Fishing Experience on the High Seas – Half-Day Private Tour
From $453 per adult
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
Popular hotels in Puerto Escondido, out of 65 properties you can book.
Santa Fe
From $175 per night
Nílu by Selina Puerto Escondido
From $49 per night
Posada Real Puerto Escondido
From $167 per night
Capital O Hotel DC
From $89 per night
Rockaway
From $99 per night
Hotel Costamar
From $62 per night
Suites Villasol
From $90 per night
Hotel Humano
From $300 per night
Caracol Plaza Hotel & Resort
From $75 per night
BUNGALOWS ACUARIO
From $56 per night
Casa Joseph Zicatela - Adults Only
From $566 per night
Aldea del Bazar Puerto Escondido
From $107 per night
Best time to visit Puerto Escondido
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Puerto Escondido is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 89–90°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Puerto Escondido weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 88° 72° 91%
- Thu 22 Oct 88° 71° 83%
- Fri 23 Oct 87° 71° 37%
- Sat 24 Oct 88° 67° 25%
- Sun 25 Oct 86° 73° 12%
- Mon 26 Oct 87° 69° 43%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)1 US dollar ≈ $18.4
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_CityUTC−6
- Capital
- Mexico City
Upcoming public holidays in Mexico
- Revolution DayDía de la Revolución
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Constitution DayDía de la Constitución
- Benito Juárez's birthdayNatalicio de Benito Juárez
- Labour DayDía del Trabajo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Puerto Escondido
These are the airports closest to central Puerto Escondido. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- PXM Puerto Escondido International Airport2 mi (3 km) from the city centre
Getting around Puerto Escondido
Frequent local buses (urbanos) ply the main roads. There is no route map, but all buses have their destination painted on the windscreen and pass through the .mw-parser-output .listing-coordinates{display:none}.mw-parser-output .listing-name{font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output a.mw-kartographer-maplink.mw-kartographer-autostyled.mw-kartographer-link{border:1px solid #FFF}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .listing-external-url{filter:invert(1)}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:da…
By taxi
The fixed price for a taxi in town is M$30-50 (Sep 2014) for the airport and Bacocho beach. Night rates are M$35 (Sep 2014). Some taxis will charge more than the going rate if you do not specify M$30 before the ride. A taxi from the airport to Punta Zicatela should cost you M$200 (Nov 2021), although this very much depends upon your Spanish negotiating skills and will often cost significantly more. You may be able to hire a cab driver for the day for about M$800 (Jan 2008).
By car
There are lots of great spots to visit if you have a vehicle, such as the nearby lagoon of Chacahua, the nudist beach of Zipolite, beach towns like Puerto Angel and Huatulco, all within two hours of Puerto Escondido.
Puerto Escondido travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Puerto Escondido is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 89–90°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Puerto Escondido?
April is usually the warmest month in Puerto Escondido, with average highs of 93°F (34°C). September is the coolest, with average lows of 72°F (22°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 458 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) is the closest airport, about 2 miles (3 km) from the centre of Puerto Escondido.
What currency is used in Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido uses the Mexican peso (MXN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $18.4.
What time zone is Puerto Escondido in?
Puerto Escondido uses the America/Mexico_City time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Puerto Escondido?
Frequent local buses (urbanos) ply the main roads.
What are the best places to visit in Puerto Escondido?
Top sights in Puerto Escondido include Zicatela Beach, Carrizalillo Beach, Laguna de Manialtepec and Lagunas de Chacahua National Park. A world-famous surf beach known as the Mexican Pipeline, with powerful waves that attract pro surfers. Watch from the shore unless you're an expert, as the currents are strong.
What are the top things to do in Puerto Escondido?
Popular experiences you can book in Puerto Escondido include Discover the Bays of Huatulco by Catamaran - Full-Day Private Tour, A Bioluminescence Viewing Experience in the Manialtepec Lagoon - Evening Tour and Release Newborn Sea Turtles Back to the Sea - Tour. Destina Holidays offers 12 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Puerto Escondido?
The most popular types of experiences in Puerto Escondido are outdoor activities & adventure (7), zoo, aquarium & nature (6), day trips & excursions (2) and cruise & water tours (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Puerto Escondido?
Popular areas for hotels in Puerto Escondido include Puerto Escondido. Well-reviewed options include Santa Fe and Nílu by Selina Puerto Escondido.
How many hotels can I book in Puerto Escondido?
Destina Holidays currently lists 65 properties in and around Puerto Escondido, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
