What to do in Puerto Escondido
Things to do
•
April 23, 2025
What to do in Puerto Escondido
Things to do
•
April 23, 2025
If you can tear yourself away from the beach, there’s plenty to do in this coastal town. Here are some of our favourites…
What to do in and around Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a beautiful, beachside surf town just a 1 hour plane journey from Mexico City, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
If you don't know it, expect super surf breaks, beautiful beaches, fish tacos, yoga, and some of the most mesmerising sunsets you can imagine.
Whether you're a first-time visiter, a solo traveler, or a long-time lover looking for something new to do, in this blog post we're going to talk about what to do in Puerto Escondido.
But before we get into that, a little bit about the place itself...
About Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a port and resort town in the state of Oaxaca. It's less than an hour's flight from Mexico City or around a 3 hour bus journey from Oaxaca city.
There are different areas within Puerto Escondido itself, including...
El Centro: The main, 'downtown' area, full of local shops, a Chedraui supermarket, and a few banks.
Rinconda: A smaller area slightly west of El Centro. Rinconada is set mostly along one main street, which has several restaurants, shops, and cafes along it.
Brisas de Zicatela: A busier area of Puerto with plenty of hotels, restaurants on the sand, and some clubs for late night party lovers.
La Punta: A backpackers paradise toward the end of Playa Zicatela, La Punta has loads of trendy cafes, hostels, bars, and independent shops.
Wondering what to do in Puerto Escondido?
Head to the playa
If you're a fan of the sun, the first thing you're going to want to do is head to one of the many beaches Puerto Escondido has to offer.
Being on the Pacific side of Mexico, the beaches in Puerto aren't all white sand and turquoise water, like they are on the Cancun/Carribean side of the country. Instead, they're wild, rugged, a little bit dangerous, but super beautiful. The Pacific Ocean is not to be underestimated, so be aware of that if you plan on going for a dip.
Here are some of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, to add to your list...
Playa Carrizalillo - perfect for swimmers
Playa Carrizalillo is a small, cove beach, just off the main road in Rinconada. If you want smaller waves, this is the one for you. Whilst the water is still pretty choppy, you can get in and out ok, as long as you are comfortable in the water. If you're a beginner surfer, this is one of the best beaches for a first lesson.
There are several beach shacks along the sand, with cold cervezas and ceviche. Just be warned that the short walk down the steps to the beach isn't quite so fun on the way back up! Also, this beach is very popular spot with locals and backpackers alike, and so it does get very busy.
Playa Bacocho - a sunset favourite
A little but outside of the main town down a steep hill and along a dirt road is Playa Bacocho, a long strip of wild coastline. This is probably one of the quieter beaches in the area, with just one shack serving a basic menu of drinks and snacks, and a baby turtle release centre (more on that later).
The waves are wild and so are the sunsets.
Playa Zicatela - some of the biggest waves in Mexico
Playa Zicatela is 3.5km of golden sand and massive waves. It has three distinct sections...
Playa Principal
At the top end, closest to El Centro, is Playa Principal. The waves are calmer here as the beach curves into a small cove at this end. There will also be fishing, dolphin and whale watching boats moored up in the shallows, which offer a little bit of protection from swell, if you want a quick dip.
The Mexican Pipeline
Just slightly south of Playa Principal is the incredible Mexican Pipeline this town is becoming so well-known for. This spot is home to the biggest surf in Southern Mexico, with up to 15’, 20’, 25’+ surf from 3’-4’ of swell. You definitely don't want to swim here, but it is the best place to watch the pros.
La Punta
At the southern end of Playa Zicatela is La Punta, an area we touched on earlier. The waves here aren't quite as big as the Mexican Pipeline, but they're still pretty intimidating for swimmers. Whilst there is usually a lifeguard on duty here, you should still be super careful in the water. You can also take surf lessons here, if you're up for a bit more of a challenge.
Turtle release (liberación de tortugas)
There are a few places to release sea turtles in and around Puerto Escondido, but we're just going to talk about Vive Mar on Playa Bacocho. The releases start from around 16:30/17:00 every day, and there is no need to pre-book.
Once you get to the beach you'll see a wooden shack along the sand. You need to head there to check in and pay your donation (200 pesos as of April 2025). Then, you'll listen to a short talk about the turtles, the conservation efforts and some rules for releasing your baby turtle.
Dolphin and whale tours
Animal lovers, you're in luck. If you head to Puerto Escondido at the right time you might be able to catch humpback or grey whales just off-shore. The best time to do this is November to March (which coincides with the dry season), but there are dolphin watching tours all year round.
We did this in December around Christmas time, and we saw dolphins, a humpback and even killer whales. Definitely worth the 5:30am start!
Eat
For foodies, Puerto is a paradise. There are so many great places to eat you really are spoiled for choice. Going out for food is one of our favourite things to do, so we have written a whole separate blog about that. Check out the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido here, or keep reading below for the higlights.
Where to eat in La Punta:
Fish Shack: This place is a bit of a rites of passage for anyone visiting Puerto Escondido for the first time. The coco fried shrimp gets a special mention, along with the po boy and the miso aubergine basket for vegetarians and vegans. Expect a big queue during peak times
La Olita: A personal favourite for breakfast, La Olita is just off the main road towards the beach, so it doesn't get too busy. The food is super fresh and the breakfast is brilliant, the Chilaquiles and the salmon tostada are personal favourites.
Casa Del Surfer: The freshest fish tacos you might ever taste. Casa Del Surfer is all about conscious food. Fish is caught fresh on the day, cooked on the BBQ. Once it's gone it's gone so don't leave it too late in the day to head here. The smoothies and juices are also incredible, as well as the breakfast and the service!
Where to eat in Zicatela:
Palapita Beach Club: A front-row to the Pacific sunsets, incredible ceviche and happy hour piña coladas, what more could you want?
El Cafecito: Mexican cuisine connoisseurs, this one's for you. El Cafecito is a proper local's cafe and the perfect place for a traditional Oaxacan breakfast. The portions are big, the prices are low, the food is * chef's kiss *, and the coffee's great too. If you think you can handle the challenge, go for the hot cakes (a big stack of fluffy pancakes which you can have savoury or sweet). El Cafecito also have a site in Rinconada, if you're in that neck of the woods.
Where to eat in Rinconada:
Spezia Restaurante: If you're here for the Mexican food you might want to skip this one. If you're open to anything and just looking for a good place to eat, Spezia Restaurante gets a special mention. Incredible sourdough pizza, brilliant topping choices and to-die-for Tiramisu. We think it might be the best pizza in the area.
El Nene: If you're on a backpacker's budget, El Nene might be pushing it a little bit, but it's totally worth it if you can stretch! Amazing ceviche, fish dishes, cocktails and dessert. We love the shrimp and oyster mushroom dish, as well as the catch of the day.
Fitness classes
There's a huge health and wellness scene in Puerto Escondido, so you can easily stay fit and active whilst you visit.
Whether you're into yoga, callisthenics, body building, spin or pilates, there are so many fitness classes in the area. Here are a couple of suggestions:
Shred host various classes at various hostels, hotels and co-working spaces in the area. Classes include circuits, yoga, pilates and box fit, and prices are around 200 pesos/10 usd each. If you're going to be here a while you can buy a class pass to make things a little cheaper, too.
If you're just looking for a quick gym session, try El Workout in La Punta or Su Gym in Rinconada. A day pass is around 130 peso, or you can join a Crossfit class for 200. There's no AC, so bring a towel and plenty of water!
Cleta is an indoor cycling studio in La Punta, they also offer functional training classes, pilates, boot camp, barre classes and a Thursday run club (though a warning, running in this tropical climate is not for the faint-hearted).
If you're looking for something a bit different to the usual yoga and weights, Cubo Bouldering is a new(ish) bouldering space in La Punta. It can get pretty hot in there but it's a brilliant workout.
More on the best gyms in Puerto Escondido here.
Hire a scooter
There's no Uber in Puerto Escondido, so hiring a scooter is a brilliant way to get around. There are an endless number of places to rent mopeds from, whether you're in La Punta, Rinconada or El Centro, the price is usually around the same per day.
If getting on a moped isn't your style, there are plenty of place to hire a taxi or a quad bike, too.
Visit the markets
There are a few markets in the area with a great selection of food, souvenirs, clothing, and handmade crafts.
Benito Juarez market
Mercado Benito Juarez is toward El Centro. You can buy fresh produce like fish, meat, and fruit and veg, as well as flowers, and souvenirs like jewellery, mugs and spices.
Mercado Zicatela/Mercado 12 de Diciembre
Mercado Zicatela has a similar selection of stalls and goods, the biggest difference is that this one has a huge terrace overlooking the ocean right out the back, where you can eat at some brilliant restaurants.
Surf (or watch the surfers)
And last, but of course not least, surfing is an absolute must for anyone visiting Puerto Escondido. Whether you're a complete beginner, a pro, or someone who's just interested in the sport, there's a break for everyone here.
Like we said, Playa Carrizalillo is a great place for beginners, the Mexican Pipeline is for those with serious experience, and for anyone else who's a bit in the middle, the south end of Playa Zicatela is a good spot. There are tonnes of surf schools and prices for a 2 hour lesson are around 1200 pesos, or to rent a board for 2 hours you're looking at about 400 MXN.
If you don't fancy getting wet, but you want to get in on the action, head to 'The Arena' early in the morning. The Arena is just in front of the lifeguard tower, on Zicatela beach. Here, you'll get the best view of the famous Mexican Pipeline, and the surfers who are brave enough to ride it. Grab a coffee from El Cafecito and walk onto the beach directly in front, you'll know you're in the right place when you see the waves.
Visit a beach club
For a coastal town there aren’t actually too many beach clubs in Puerto Escondido, which surprised us. However, we did manage a visit to the main one, Club Bacocho.
Club Bacocho is a sprawling beach club, on Bacocho beach, it’s about a 10 minute taxi from El Centro or 20ish from La Punta. Entry is pretty pricey, at 2000 MXN. You can use around half of that amount on food and drinks for the day.
The club has a huge pool, a chillout section, padel and courts, a couple of restaurants, a volleyball court and a giant chessboard. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, or you can spend the whole day lounging around and getting in and out of the water. Whilst we had a great day there, we weren’t sure the price tag was worth it, but that’s just our opinion!
We have a whole blog about pool and hotel days, if you're looking for a day pass Puerto Escondido.
Watch the sunset
The best thing about being on the east coast of Oaxaca State? The sunsets. The sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are just mind blowing. A few favourite places to watch it below:
Mirador Las Tortugas: A simple viewpoint in Rinconada. No need to buy drinks or pay for a table.
La Punta: You won't see the sunset from the top end of Zicatela beach, because of the way the land curves round, but if you're right at the end by La Punta you'll get a front-row seat.
Punta Vida: One of our favourite bars to watch the sunset, Punta Vida has a great roof terrace, brilliant cocktails, and pretty good tunes. It can get very busy in the high season so make sure you get there early!
Bacocho beach: A little bit quiter, depending on what time of year you go. Bacocho is one of the more wild and rugged beaches in the area to watch the sunset.
Things to do near Puerto Escondido
If you've got time to travel a bit further away from Puerto Escondido itself, there are some great day trips in the surrounding areas:
Casacada La Reforma: A huge waterfall around 1.5 hours from Puerto Escondido. We made this journey on a moped, which was a little hairy. You could arrange a group tour instead, catch a taxi, or drive to the main town (La Reforma) then hike the 3 miles to the waterfall.
Mazunte: A smaller, quieter, hippier version of Puerto Escondido. Beautiful beaches, great places to eat, and a more relaxed vibe around 1 hour from Puerto.
Lagunas de Chacahua: A national park and nature reserve with gorgeous lagoons, beautiful waves and back-to-basics accommodation (wifi's not guaranteed!). This place is a breath of fresh air, around 2 hours from Puerto Escondido.
Blog most recently updated on October 30th, 2025.
What to do in and around Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a beautiful, beachside surf town just a 1 hour plane journey from Mexico City, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
If you don't know it, expect super surf breaks, beautiful beaches, fish tacos, yoga, and some of the most mesmerising sunsets you can imagine.
Whether you're a first-time visiter, a solo traveler, or a long-time lover looking for something new to do, in this blog post we're going to talk about what to do in Puerto Escondido.
But before we get into that, a little bit about the place itself...
About Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a port and resort town in the state of Oaxaca. It's less than an hour's flight from Mexico City or around a 3 hour bus journey from Oaxaca city.
There are different areas within Puerto Escondido itself, including...
El Centro: The main, 'downtown' area, full of local shops, a Chedraui supermarket, and a few banks.
Rinconda: A smaller area slightly west of El Centro. Rinconada is set mostly along one main street, which has several restaurants, shops, and cafes along it.
Brisas de Zicatela: A busier area of Puerto with plenty of hotels, restaurants on the sand, and some clubs for late night party lovers.
La Punta: A backpackers paradise toward the end of Playa Zicatela, La Punta has loads of trendy cafes, hostels, bars, and independent shops.
Wondering what to do in Puerto Escondido?
Head to the playa
If you're a fan of the sun, the first thing you're going to want to do is head to one of the many beaches Puerto Escondido has to offer.
Being on the Pacific side of Mexico, the beaches in Puerto aren't all white sand and turquoise water, like they are on the Cancun/Carribean side of the country. Instead, they're wild, rugged, a little bit dangerous, but super beautiful. The Pacific Ocean is not to be underestimated, so be aware of that if you plan on going for a dip.
Here are some of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, to add to your list...
Playa Carrizalillo - perfect for swimmers
Playa Carrizalillo is a small, cove beach, just off the main road in Rinconada. If you want smaller waves, this is the one for you. Whilst the water is still pretty choppy, you can get in and out ok, as long as you are comfortable in the water. If you're a beginner surfer, this is one of the best beaches for a first lesson.
There are several beach shacks along the sand, with cold cervezas and ceviche. Just be warned that the short walk down the steps to the beach isn't quite so fun on the way back up! Also, this beach is very popular spot with locals and backpackers alike, and so it does get very busy.
Playa Bacocho - a sunset favourite
A little but outside of the main town down a steep hill and along a dirt road is Playa Bacocho, a long strip of wild coastline. This is probably one of the quieter beaches in the area, with just one shack serving a basic menu of drinks and snacks, and a baby turtle release centre (more on that later).
The waves are wild and so are the sunsets.
Playa Zicatela - some of the biggest waves in Mexico
Playa Zicatela is 3.5km of golden sand and massive waves. It has three distinct sections...
Playa Principal
At the top end, closest to El Centro, is Playa Principal. The waves are calmer here as the beach curves into a small cove at this end. There will also be fishing, dolphin and whale watching boats moored up in the shallows, which offer a little bit of protection from swell, if you want a quick dip.
The Mexican Pipeline
Just slightly south of Playa Principal is the incredible Mexican Pipeline this town is becoming so well-known for. This spot is home to the biggest surf in Southern Mexico, with up to 15’, 20’, 25’+ surf from 3’-4’ of swell. You definitely don't want to swim here, but it is the best place to watch the pros.
La Punta
At the southern end of Playa Zicatela is La Punta, an area we touched on earlier. The waves here aren't quite as big as the Mexican Pipeline, but they're still pretty intimidating for swimmers. Whilst there is usually a lifeguard on duty here, you should still be super careful in the water. You can also take surf lessons here, if you're up for a bit more of a challenge.
Turtle release (liberación de tortugas)
There are a few places to release sea turtles in and around Puerto Escondido, but we're just going to talk about Vive Mar on Playa Bacocho. The releases start from around 16:30/17:00 every day, and there is no need to pre-book.
Once you get to the beach you'll see a wooden shack along the sand. You need to head there to check in and pay your donation (200 pesos as of April 2025). Then, you'll listen to a short talk about the turtles, the conservation efforts and some rules for releasing your baby turtle.
Dolphin and whale tours
Animal lovers, you're in luck. If you head to Puerto Escondido at the right time you might be able to catch humpback or grey whales just off-shore. The best time to do this is November to March (which coincides with the dry season), but there are dolphin watching tours all year round.
We did this in December around Christmas time, and we saw dolphins, a humpback and even killer whales. Definitely worth the 5:30am start!
Eat
For foodies, Puerto is a paradise. There are so many great places to eat you really are spoiled for choice. Going out for food is one of our favourite things to do, so we have written a whole separate blog about that. Check out the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido here, or keep reading below for the higlights.
Where to eat in La Punta:
Fish Shack: This place is a bit of a rites of passage for anyone visiting Puerto Escondido for the first time. The coco fried shrimp gets a special mention, along with the po boy and the miso aubergine basket for vegetarians and vegans. Expect a big queue during peak times
La Olita: A personal favourite for breakfast, La Olita is just off the main road towards the beach, so it doesn't get too busy. The food is super fresh and the breakfast is brilliant, the Chilaquiles and the salmon tostada are personal favourites.
Casa Del Surfer: The freshest fish tacos you might ever taste. Casa Del Surfer is all about conscious food. Fish is caught fresh on the day, cooked on the BBQ. Once it's gone it's gone so don't leave it too late in the day to head here. The smoothies and juices are also incredible, as well as the breakfast and the service!
Where to eat in Zicatela:
Palapita Beach Club: A front-row to the Pacific sunsets, incredible ceviche and happy hour piña coladas, what more could you want?
El Cafecito: Mexican cuisine connoisseurs, this one's for you. El Cafecito is a proper local's cafe and the perfect place for a traditional Oaxacan breakfast. The portions are big, the prices are low, the food is * chef's kiss *, and the coffee's great too. If you think you can handle the challenge, go for the hot cakes (a big stack of fluffy pancakes which you can have savoury or sweet). El Cafecito also have a site in Rinconada, if you're in that neck of the woods.
Where to eat in Rinconada:
Spezia Restaurante: If you're here for the Mexican food you might want to skip this one. If you're open to anything and just looking for a good place to eat, Spezia Restaurante gets a special mention. Incredible sourdough pizza, brilliant topping choices and to-die-for Tiramisu. We think it might be the best pizza in the area.
El Nene: If you're on a backpacker's budget, El Nene might be pushing it a little bit, but it's totally worth it if you can stretch! Amazing ceviche, fish dishes, cocktails and dessert. We love the shrimp and oyster mushroom dish, as well as the catch of the day.
Fitness classes
There's a huge health and wellness scene in Puerto Escondido, so you can easily stay fit and active whilst you visit.
Whether you're into yoga, callisthenics, body building, spin or pilates, there are so many fitness classes in the area. Here are a couple of suggestions:
Shred host various classes at various hostels, hotels and co-working spaces in the area. Classes include circuits, yoga, pilates and box fit, and prices are around 200 pesos/10 usd each. If you're going to be here a while you can buy a class pass to make things a little cheaper, too.
If you're just looking for a quick gym session, try El Workout in La Punta or Su Gym in Rinconada. A day pass is around 130 peso, or you can join a Crossfit class for 200. There's no AC, so bring a towel and plenty of water!
Cleta is an indoor cycling studio in La Punta, they also offer functional training classes, pilates, boot camp, barre classes and a Thursday run club (though a warning, running in this tropical climate is not for the faint-hearted).
If you're looking for something a bit different to the usual yoga and weights, Cubo Bouldering is a new(ish) bouldering space in La Punta. It can get pretty hot in there but it's a brilliant workout.
More on the best gyms in Puerto Escondido here.
Hire a scooter
There's no Uber in Puerto Escondido, so hiring a scooter is a brilliant way to get around. There are an endless number of places to rent mopeds from, whether you're in La Punta, Rinconada or El Centro, the price is usually around the same per day.
If getting on a moped isn't your style, there are plenty of place to hire a taxi or a quad bike, too.
Visit the markets
There are a few markets in the area with a great selection of food, souvenirs, clothing, and handmade crafts.
Benito Juarez market
Mercado Benito Juarez is toward El Centro. You can buy fresh produce like fish, meat, and fruit and veg, as well as flowers, and souvenirs like jewellery, mugs and spices.
Mercado Zicatela/Mercado 12 de Diciembre
Mercado Zicatela has a similar selection of stalls and goods, the biggest difference is that this one has a huge terrace overlooking the ocean right out the back, where you can eat at some brilliant restaurants.
Surf (or watch the surfers)
And last, but of course not least, surfing is an absolute must for anyone visiting Puerto Escondido. Whether you're a complete beginner, a pro, or someone who's just interested in the sport, there's a break for everyone here.
Like we said, Playa Carrizalillo is a great place for beginners, the Mexican Pipeline is for those with serious experience, and for anyone else who's a bit in the middle, the south end of Playa Zicatela is a good spot. There are tonnes of surf schools and prices for a 2 hour lesson are around 1200 pesos, or to rent a board for 2 hours you're looking at about 400 MXN.
If you don't fancy getting wet, but you want to get in on the action, head to 'The Arena' early in the morning. The Arena is just in front of the lifeguard tower, on Zicatela beach. Here, you'll get the best view of the famous Mexican Pipeline, and the surfers who are brave enough to ride it. Grab a coffee from El Cafecito and walk onto the beach directly in front, you'll know you're in the right place when you see the waves.
Visit a beach club
For a coastal town there aren’t actually too many beach clubs in Puerto Escondido, which surprised us. However, we did manage a visit to the main one, Club Bacocho.
Club Bacocho is a sprawling beach club, on Bacocho beach, it’s about a 10 minute taxi from El Centro or 20ish from La Punta. Entry is pretty pricey, at 2000 MXN. You can use around half of that amount on food and drinks for the day.
The club has a huge pool, a chillout section, padel and courts, a couple of restaurants, a volleyball court and a giant chessboard. There’s plenty to keep you entertained, or you can spend the whole day lounging around and getting in and out of the water. Whilst we had a great day there, we weren’t sure the price tag was worth it, but that’s just our opinion!
We have a whole blog about pool and hotel days, if you're looking for a day pass Puerto Escondido.
Watch the sunset
The best thing about being on the east coast of Oaxaca State? The sunsets. The sunsets over the Pacific Ocean are just mind blowing. A few favourite places to watch it below:
Mirador Las Tortugas: A simple viewpoint in Rinconada. No need to buy drinks or pay for a table.
La Punta: You won't see the sunset from the top end of Zicatela beach, because of the way the land curves round, but if you're right at the end by La Punta you'll get a front-row seat.
Punta Vida: One of our favourite bars to watch the sunset, Punta Vida has a great roof terrace, brilliant cocktails, and pretty good tunes. It can get very busy in the high season so make sure you get there early!
Bacocho beach: A little bit quiter, depending on what time of year you go. Bacocho is one of the more wild and rugged beaches in the area to watch the sunset.
Things to do near Puerto Escondido
If you've got time to travel a bit further away from Puerto Escondido itself, there are some great day trips in the surrounding areas:
Casacada La Reforma: A huge waterfall around 1.5 hours from Puerto Escondido. We made this journey on a moped, which was a little hairy. You could arrange a group tour instead, catch a taxi, or drive to the main town (La Reforma) then hike the 3 miles to the waterfall.
Mazunte: A smaller, quieter, hippier version of Puerto Escondido. Beautiful beaches, great places to eat, and a more relaxed vibe around 1 hour from Puerto.
Lagunas de Chacahua: A national park and nature reserve with gorgeous lagoons, beautiful waves and back-to-basics accommodation (wifi's not guaranteed!). This place is a breath of fresh air, around 2 hours from Puerto Escondido.
Blog most recently updated on October 30th, 2025.
Related
Website design by
© Pieces of Puerto
2025
Everything shared here is based on our personal experiences and opinions. We are not paid, sponsored, or given freebies to write about anything. We just write what we love (or don’t). If you decide to follow any of our tips, just know you're doing it on your own terms.
Website design by
© Pieces of Puerto
2025
Everything shared here is based on our personal experiences and opinions. We are not paid, sponsored, or given freebies to write about anything. We just write what we love (or don’t). If you decide to follow any of our tips, just know you're doing it on your own terms.
Website design by
© Pieces of Puerto
2025
Everything shared here is based on our personal experiences and opinions. We are not paid, sponsored, or given freebies to write about anything. We just write what we love (or don’t). If you decide to follow any of our tips, just know you're doing it on your own terms.