Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca – The Tropical Paradise You Didn’t See Coming
Puerto Escondido is a small town at the base of Mexico that feels raw, unfiltered, and full of international characteristics.
This isn’t Cancun.
It’s not polished with infinity pools, bar services or lines of luxury resorts.
Puerto Escondido is equally wild and mellow, tropically abundant, and still blissfully under Instagram’s radar.
It’s full of international nomads, moody red-orange sunsets, rugged coastlines, turquoise coves and unique cuisine.
Surprisingly, it has flown under the radar by most travelers looking for this type of laid-back lifestyle. I want to share with you why this town was so surprising to me and all the must-do’s to make an unforgettable experience here.
Why Puerto Escondido Surprised Me
Puerto Escondido is a magnet for global surfers chasing monster waves, digital nomads setting up laptops in crowded cafés, and barefoot travelers who settle here for yoga retreats.
Alongside the diverse visitors, this town also has a wide variety of international cuisine from Thai food, to freshly made ceviche, to Italian style pizza.
The lack of direct flights and resorts is basically the secret to why it hasn’t been blown up with tourists. That’s what keeps this place so authentic.
You have to earn your way to Puerto Escondido.
What’s Actually Worth Your Time:
City Exploring
Puerto Escondido’s “centre” is a market place full of pottery, woven baskets, jewelry, and even a dried meat market (scents and all).
We wandered through maze-like aisles, grabbed shot glasses as souvenirs, and soaked up the chaos before heading back to the beaches.Â
Most of our trip was spent navigating from beach to beach, rather than exploring the city, but the city is a great place to locate various excursion tours with plenty of reputable travel companies.
Where to Eat
La Punta and Zicatela (sectors of Puerto Escondido) had some of the best food during our trip. It’s an international hub of cuisine that hit every one of our cravings. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in the area:
Lychee (La Punta): A Thai-Japanese fusion cuisine with moody lighting, live music, and the occasional stray wondering cat.
Cafe Ole (La Punta): Pancakes, waffles, and fresh juices for those morning you need calories for a fun day ahead.
Fish Shack (La Punta): A great sea food option in La Punta. A perfect stop for an after swim/surf sesh.
Bruxa (La Punta): Easily the best lunch spot in La Punta. TV’s to watch international sports games, and good vibes all around.
La Mariinera (Zicatel): Sunsets and ceviche with oceans views. This restaurants lies right on the sandy beach. We actually had our American Thanksgiving here – no turkey though, just insanely good sashimi.Â
The Beaches – Each With Its Own Personality
A mecca for pro surfers, thanks to waves the size of small buildings. Too rough for casual swimming, but worth it for the sunset ritual and the awe-inspiring roar of the waves crashing every few seconds.
Locals and travelers gather here on the sand every evening as the sky turns into a warm-toned sunset. A beautiful time to make new friends or simply enjoy nature’s masterpiece.
Nights here pulse with bars, music, and dancing. One of the best sectors of Puerto Escondido for night life.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Escondido is Playa Carrizalillo.
It’s a popular beach that offers crystal-clear turquoise waters, gentle waters for swimming and beginner surfing, and a medium-sized sandy beach.
This beach was gorgeous, and the views from the top says it all.
There’s also a small cafe at the bottom for food and drinks, as well as a rental shop for paddle or surf boards.
Side-by-side beaches with plenty of shade, piña coladas, and calm waters for dipping.
Slightly more crowded at times, and less pristine, but still an easygoing escape and worth the fun.
There’s a small coastal pathway that goes alongside the beach if entering from Playa Principal. It’s a great way to catch the coastline and experience some scenic views.
A personal favorite of mine was Playa La Punta.Â
There are surfboards to rent, international eats, barefoot wanderers, and the best people-watching in town.
Sunsets here feel like a paradise oasis of vibrant red-orange colors throughout the sky.
La Punta is also a fun beach town to explore. There’s plenty of food, shopping and rentals along the road.Â
Surf Travel Friends and Puerto Surf rentals are both great options for booking single or group surf sessions.
Where to Stay
There are three main zones:
- Centro – Bustling, local, authentic – but not exactly tranquil.
- Zicatela – Beachfront with endless restaurants and bars. Can get noisy at night.
- La Punta – Relaxed, creative, and laid-back
We stayed between Zicatela and La Punta – far enough from the party noise but close enough to both parts of town.
Bonus: many rentals here come with rooftop views, dipping pools, and outdoor kitchens!
Unforgettable Experiences
Riding through farmland, across a river (yes, the horses swim and no, you don’t swim with them), and along the beach into a firefly-lit nightly return.Â
Easily one of my most magical and adventurous travel moments.
Baby Turtle Release
Helping hatchlings make their way to the ocean is equal parts heartwarming and humbling.
Sea turtles face various threats, including habitat destruction, pollution, and poaching. The conservation efforts often involve protecting their nesting sites and supporting the survival of hatchlings.
Surf Lessons
Puerto Escondido is known for its renowned and powerful waves.
As challenging as they may seem, La Punta and Carrizalillo are great beginner-friendly options.
Zicatela? That’s for the pro’s only.
What to Pack
-
- Bug Spray (especially around dusk, mosquitos are other bugs are relentless) .
- Reef-safe sunscreen.
- Sneakers for hikes or horseback riding.
- Long sleeve shirts and pants for evenings.
- A light daypack for beach-to-market adventures.
Final Verdict
Puerto Escondido isn’t for everyone – and that’s its magic.
If you want five-star luxury, keep scrolling.
But if you want an untamed, tropical escape where each day feels like an adventure you stumbled into… this is it.
Go now, before the secret’s out.Â
*This blog contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links.
ashleykatechristian
Whatever you have always dreamed of doing, I want to help you get there.
Leave a Reply