Welcome to our travel guide on the best things to do in Puerto Escondido! We are Kaitlyn & Sam, an engaged couple from Australia with a dream to explore as much of this world as possible. We left on a backpacking trip in February, 2023 and still have a long journey ahead of us!
When we met, we were lucky to find out we both had a love for travel and our main goals in life were to travel the world. When the pandemic hit, it made us even more determined to go on a big trip the second it was over (like most travelers). As we were traveling from Australia, it made sense for us to go for as long as possible because the flights back home take so long.
We are currently traveling through Mexico which was our first stop before beginning our Latin America journey. We started by landing in Mexico City where we spent a week. While there, we were fortunate enough to visit and stay in Tolantongo. We then traveled down to the city of Oaxaca where we spent three nights before heading to the coast of Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido for five nights (one of our favorite beach destinations yet).
Our next destination was San Cristobal de las Casas and then Valladolid where we spent two weeks doing volunteer work with a tour agency. We are currently in Isla Holbox and will be making our way down the coast of Quintana Roo to Bacalar. All up, we will be in Mexico for about 60 days.
How We Spent Our Time in Puerto Escondido
While mapping out our Mexico itinerary, and after doing hours of research, Puerto Escondido kept popping up as a place for backpackers. So, for us, we knew it would be one of the top destinations we had to visit in Mexico. As soon as you arrive, you can see why people love it there! We spent five nights in Puerto Escondido but wish we had stayed for a lot longer!
We spent every day exploring and relaxing at the different beautiful beaches Puerto Escondido has to offer. Our favorite thing to do while we were there was to have a drink on the beach while watching the magical sunset every evening! The sunsets in Puerto Escondido are magnificent.
7 Fun Things To Do in Puerto Escondido
1. Watch the Sunset at Playa Bacocho
Playa Bacocho is the best beach we came across in Puerto Escondido for witnessing the sunset. It’s a long beach – so there’s plenty of space to sit, relax and take in the sunset peacefully. There are two or three restaurants and bars close by where you can grab a bite to eat or a drink after!
2. Try Fish Tacos in La Punta
The food scene in Puerto Escondido is a mix of traditional Oaxacan food and locally caught fresh seafood! Our favourite meal in Puerto Escondido was calamari and fish tacos in the La Punta area, and we would highly recommend them to anyone visiting! The place we ate at is called The Fish Shack and it’s located on a sandy path on the way to the beach.
3. Check Out All the Beaches of the Area
The easiest way to visit the beaches of Puerto Escondido is to go by scooter, and the most budget-friendly way is to hail down a local colectivo – ask them what direction they are going and check out all the beaches of the area. Our favorites were Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Bacocho and Playa Zicatela.
4. Take Surfing Lessons at Playa Carrizalillo
Playa Carrizalillo is a popular beach to learn surfing at. Once you gain more confidence by taking a few surfing lessons here, you can move onto the nearby Playa Zicatela by yourself which is known for its big waves!
5. Go to Punta Vida to Watch the Sunset
Punta Vida has an amazing rooftop to watch the sunset at. A bonus is if you’re there on a Sunday, they put on a bbq! For anyone that loves a night out, Punta Vida has events on nearly every night. The one thing that makes this place unique is that it’s an abandoned, half-built hostel on the beach.
6. Have Brunch at Espadin Restaurante
Espadin Restaurante is one of the most beautiful restaurants in Puerto Escondido, with an incredible view of Playa Carrizalillo! Be sure to reserve a table in advance to guarantee a nice spot with a view of the beach.
7. Visit a Beach Club Along Playa Zicatela
There are a couple of cool beach clubs to choose from at Playa Zicatela. You can actually spend the entire day at one of these places – relaxing on the sunbeds and eating food during the day, and then partying the night away!
Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido
The best place to stay depends on the type of holiday you want. If you’re a backpacker and want to socialize and party, we suggest La Punta. If you’re looking for a luxury stay, we would suggest staying along Playa Zicatela. For those on a budget, you can stay downtown which puts you right in the middle of all the beaches – making it the perfect base. This is what we opted for. We stayed at Puerto Dreams Hostel which was incredible!
Tips for Your Visit to Puerto Escondido
We suggest visiting Puerto Escondido between November and March, as it’s a nice temperature during this time and you will encounter little to no rain. We found Puerto Escondido to be safe but our advice for any first time visitors is to try and avoid walking around the beaches late at night.
Two things to know before you go are: mosquito repellent is an absolute must and the tap water is not drinkable, so we suggest bringing a refillable water bottle! The most common way to arrive in Puerto Escondido is by ADO bus which you can book online or at the bus stations. But for those who are flying, there is also a small airport only 3 km from the city center.
