13 Wonderful Things to Do in Puerto Escondido

Planning a trip to Puerto Escondido?

Our guide will help you plan the perfect stay – whatever your travel style. Keep reading for our favourite things to do in Puerto Escondido.

Updated October 2024

We didn’t like Puerto Escondido the first time we visited, ten long years ago.

In fact, we were very grumpy toward it.

We’d finally dragged ourselves away from our beach shack in Zipolite – home for three weeks – and nowhere else on the Oaxacan coast was going to come close.

Looking back, we should really have headed further away, rather than to bunk beds under fluorescent lights in a place which, in comparison, felt more like a holiday destination for spring breakers and surfers.

Overpriced and overrated: that’s what our first guide to Puerto Escondido said.

So, on our return to Mexico last year, ending our trip here wasn’t the obvious choice. And, to be frank, we weren’t sure it was a good idea either given we love so many other spots along this glorious stretch of Pacific coastline, and would happily have spent our final days there instead.

But this was a place that over the years, a fair few people told us we were wrong about – that we’d written it off too harshly in a fight it could never win – and we felt it was only fair to give Puerto Escondido a second chance.

Here at Along Dusty Roads, we always say that it’s you, rather than the place, which is responsible for how much you enjoy it and, back then, bitter about leaving Zipolite, counting every single penny, speaking no Spanish, staying in the crappest of the crap hostels, and with a lot of Latin America backpacking ahead of us on that two-year trip, Puerto was perhaps never going to be a good fit.

Thankfully, on this second stay, we left with a much better feeling than when we arrived…

With several stunning beaches, world class waves, tropical sunshine year-round, and many of the distinctive cultural and culinary elements that make Oaxaca such an enjoyable place to travel, it’s no surprise that ‘The Hidden Port’ is now such a hot destination.

But it’s not as straightforward as it seems.

A thriving town with distinct neighbourhoods, paradise beaches, and accommodation catering to various budgets and desires, it has something and somewhere for everyone and every travel style. And, unlike many other places in Mexico, two visitors could leave here with quite different experiences and impressions of the place based on the choices they make before arriving.

Get it right and you’ll probably love it; get it wrong and you may leave with thoughts on what all the fuss was about.

So, for anyone travelling on a first-time trip, the most important question to ask is “which version of Puerto Escondido are you here for?”

Surfing and the digital-nomad hipster lifestyle? Snowbird vacations for a little luxury and winter sun? A social hostel vibe and those chilled Instagram beaches? Mexican culture and staying in a stylish retreat overlooking the sea? A convenient holiday base to explore the Oaxacan coast? A mezcla of all of the above?

In this guide, we’ve shared everything you need to make sense of it all and plan your visit. As well as sharing all best things to do in Puerto Escondido, we’ve got everything you need know to find secluded beaches, where to eat, sunset spots, the best areas to stay in, getting around, and lots of other useful ‘travel better’ tips.

This is 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.

Puerto Escondido Essentials

Waves / Try your first surf experience or find serious barrels – hire a board or a teacher at the beach or book a lesson in advance

Eat / Antojitos in Mercado Benito Juárez or join a small group food tour like this one

Hang / Out at La Punta Beach then enjoy the sunset

Go / Dolphin & whale watching – this boat tour is super popular

Visit / A lazy day on Playa Carrizalillo

Book / A wild dolphin watching boat tour

Drink / Craft beer at Nodo or coffee at Binisa

Adventure / A day trip to The Manialtepec Lagoon or further along the Oaxacan Coast

Stay / We highly recommend staying in La Punta. Opt for one of our picks: Boutique Hotel – Mid Range Hotel – Chill Hostel – Party Hostel – Airbnb or read Where To Stay in Puerto Escondido

Hang Out At La Punta Beach

Although it’s the 3.5km long Zicatela beach that put Puerto Escondido on the map as a world-class surfing destination, La Punta is the better pick for a chilled out beach day.

At the southern end of Zicatela, it’s technically part of the beach, but the further toward the gentle curve and the hill you go, the clearer the divide and the greater appeal La Punta becomes.

There are a few beach clubs and palapa restaurants, which are ideal if you want a sunbed and umbrella for a full-on day of sunbathing with drinks and a fresh seafood lunch. However, there’s also loads of space to simply lay your towel down on the soft sand. The sea is calmer here for swimming, it’s impeccably clean, and the atmosphere and aesthetic is suitably on point.

Where | You can find Playa La Punta here on Google Maps.

Know | ‘La Punta’ is also the name for the neighbourhood backing onto the beach, and it’s the area that most travellers and backpackers will want to be based in or near.

An ever-expanding network of dusty streets, it’s changed a lot since we were there nearly a decade ago, and is now home to the sorts of cool coffee shops, concept stores, trendy mezcal bars, restaurants, hangouts, and craft beer joints one would expect for an increasingly popular destination. It also offers stylish Airbnbs aplenty, a few boutique hotels, and several large ‘spring break’ social hostels up the hill.

This means it’s got more of a generic international hipster traveller vibe at times, and is at that transition point from backpacker-bohemian to boojie; thankfully some distinctly Mexican locally-run businesses and aspects remain but may get squeezed out as time goes on.

We share more about the places we recommend eating + drinking La Punta further on in this guide, but if you want to stay here, start with our top picks (Boutique Hotel – Mid Range Hotel – Chill Hostel – Party Hostel – Airbnb) then head over to check out all our accommodation recommendations in ‘Where To Stay in Puerto Escondido’.

Go Surfing in Puerto Escondido

Surfing is what really put Puerto Escondido on the map, and it’s one of the most popular and renowned surf destinations in the Americas.

This is principally due to the presence of the ferocious Mexican Pipeline, a deadly, thundering wave that can reach 25 feet and scares us shitless (see this video).

Playa Zicatela is the place for big, consistent swells and serious surfers: beginners and intermediates there should stick to the sand and enjoy the show. Late April to September is the best time for serious surfing in Puerto Escondido, which helpfully falls outside of the peak tourism of the dry season.

There are a bunch of surf comps and championships held here too.

The good news for the less experienced is that Puerto still has a couple of spots to take your first steps on gentler, baby waves (which we’ll share below). For newbies, it’s best to dip your toe in from December to early April – which is handily around the time most of you will be planning to visit – as the waters are generally calmer and the waves smaller.

Although surfers of all levels and abilities head here to find the perfect waves, it’s incredibly important that new, intermediate or experienced surfers know their level: the number of painted tributes and memorials to those who have died at sea chasing a wave in Zicatela are a reminder that this is serious business, and not something to enter into lightly.

First-Timer Surf Spots

The places to have your first lessons or try to improve your stand-up skills are La Punta and Playa Carrizalillo, both of which have gentler waters and waves, and are well-established for beginners.

You’ll find board rental and schools on or near the sand, with lessons costing in the range of M$700 for a two hour class, and board rental for around M$150 per hour.

If you prefer, you can also advance book a two-hour surf lesson.

The downside of La Punta is that it can become really busy with other learners, and the later you arrive, the less space you’ll have to feel comfortable or get decent time on the board.

Do be aware that when there are bigger swells, La Punta’s point break does become a popular spot with more experienced surfers, so it’s important to read the room and know when it’s a not a day for you. 

Travel Tip // Looking to properly get to grips with the waves? Consider joining a surf camp in Puerto Escondido – you can see lots of options here.

Experienced Surfers

We won’t patronise the more serious, big wave surfers reading this post – we have had umpteen ‘first’ lessons in the water, never really been able to get seriously into it, and Andrew often puts a wetsuit on back to front.

Instead, you’ll be better off reading more in-depth specialist surf guides and speaking with in-the-know surfers based in Puerto for advice on this, but the main thing to note is that Zicatela is the place to go for the pipeline and barrels.

Please do be aware of your level and limitations though, as by all accounts these are seriously big waves and can be seriously dangerous if you’re out of your depth. It’s also common to break a board or two.

Also, if it’s not already on your route, you should seriously start considering nearby Laguna de Chacahua for your itinerary.

There are a number of surf camps in the area that cater for more experienced and advanced surfers.

Visit Mercado Benito Juárez

Surf and sunshine are the main reasons that most will come to Puerto Escondido, but beyond the town’s beautiful beaches there is a lot to uncover – beginning with the vibrant local market, Mercado Benito Juárez.

The daily market represents the colourful, bustling, beating heart of ‘centro’, and will alight your senses from the moment you step through the door. Limbs of butchered animals, pig heads, still flinching fish on ice, and stacks of yellow chickens juxtaposed with stalls selling fresh flowers, socks, shoes, mops, and traditional medicines.

Although it attracts some tourists, it is by no means a tourist market, and wandering its aisles surrounding streets is absolutely one of the best things to do in Puerto Escondido, if sometimes a little overwhelming.

Crucially, although there’s a foodie scene emerging in La Punta with a slew of modern or fusion restaurants with a price to match (more on those later), we prefer to take the Bourdain approach:

“All of the things I need for happiness: Low plastic stool, check. Tiny little plastic table, check. Something delicious in a bowl, check.”

You’ll find lots of traditional restaurants and comedors here, and it’s by far and away the best place to escape your comfort zone and sample some new flavours and authentic dishes. The larger restaurants are on the same side as the general stalls, but if you go through the white framed doorway with ‘Antojitos’ painted in red, you’ll find the smaller comedors offering up quick bites and Mexican street food staples.

The smaller size of these stalls and plates make this an ideal place to spread the tourism dollar and try out a few different places; we ate at #64 Antojitos Belem, #65 Ely, as well as one we wish we could remember for you, but really just follow your nose and belly, and see where’s busy.

This is also the place to find handmade pottery, plates and artisanal goods at a much fairer price than the hideously marked-up hipster-friendly facing spots in La Punta. We bought several little pots and bowls from the sweetest lady in the market, and we’d encourage you to generously buy from here if you can too.

Where + When | Open seven days a week from 6am to 7pm, it’s easy to give yourself an hour or two for the market before an afternoon at the beach. It’s best to either go in the morning or around lunch time, as some places stop serving after 2pm (and lots run out of certain menu items sooner).

Tours | Don’t speak Spanish or would prefer to go deeper? Then check out this highly-rated Made in Oaxaca Food Tour, which includes the market.

Travel Tip // On the side of the busy Highway 200, you can also head to Mercado de Zicaleta (maps). It’s in a big modern shed, and great for fresh fruit and veg shopping, whilst it’s also got a good selection of restaurants on the sea-facing side.

Go Dolphin & Whale Watching In Puerto Escondido

Ever dreamed of seeing dolphins or whales? Now’s your chance to do it in the only way you should, with the animals wild and free, rather than held captive and cramped in those ghastly wildlife ‘attractions’ and aquariums.

Humpbacks migrate to the warm waters around Puerto with their newborns, and you have a fantastic opporutnity to watch these magnificent beasts play and breach the surface right before your eyes. The recent creation of a large protected marine zone off the coast has supported this wildlife watching activity, and the best way to do it head out with a responsible, licensed whale-watching tour boat.

The whale-watching season generally runs from late November to March, with December, January and Febraury offering the best chance; you can however get lucky a few weeks either side of this. Tours tend to last for three hours, with some offering the chance to stop off for swimming and snorkelling, and there’s usually a good chance of seeing turtles and dolphins too!

We’ve shared three highly-rated tours below, which will focus on whales when the season is right, and include accommodation pick-up.

· Dolphin Watching in Puerto Escondido | book here

· Three-hour dolphin + whale-watching | book here

Alternatively, you can also find a few guys on Playa Principal offering tours, as well as various companies advertising in hostels and tourist-facing businesses.

If you’re travelling elsewhere along Oaxaca coast, we saw whale watching and dolphin spotting tours advertised in Zipolite, Mazunte, and San Augustinillo (and even saw a few humpback whales right from our sunbeds on the day we got engaged in Zipolite!).

Visit Playa Carrizalillo

Playa Carrizalillo offers a stark contrast to the widths and wild waves of Zicaleta, and for many, the perfect beach experience in Puerto Escondido. There’s a reason it’s the most sought after stretch of sand in these parts!

Accessed by a steep set of seemingly never-ending concrete steps in the cliffside, the cramped set-up of shack restaurants and sunbathers gives everything a slightly chaotic feel when it’s high tide and peak busy (and it does become quite crowded as the day goes on) but it offers a gorgeous setting in a sheltered bay.

Trust us, those steps are worth the effort and, if you’ve not got long in Puerto, you need to make time for a few hours on the sand here.

With calm water for paddling and swimming, it’s also got baby waves, so is an ideal spot for that first lesson.

Where | Find Playa Carrizalillo on Google Maps. You can find all the details on transport, restaurants, amenities in our best beaches in Puerto Escondido post.

Stay | Rinconada, the area that sits just behind Carrizalillo is a popular alternative to staying in La Punta, with several excellent accommodation options for all travel styles, like Casa Conicarit, Hotel Suites Villasol, and this fantastic Airbnb.

For more picks and advice on where to base yourself in the town, read Where To Stay in Puerto Escondido

FIVE POPULAR TOURS & EXPERIENCES IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Save / Releasing Baby Turtles

Dip / Small-group Bioluminescence Swimming

Ride / Countryside Horseback + Hot Springs Tour

Sip / The Mezcal Making Experience

Trip / Oaxacan Coast Adventure

See Baby Turtles & Support Conservation

For a long time, turtles were big business in this part of Mexico.

With the arribada phenomenon seeing thousands of sea turtles arrive to nest on the sand, and being commonly found in the ocean, there was entire trade and culture around hunting them and taking their eggs. Their meat was often used too, and fishermen had an annual capture quota of 4-5,000.

This was outlawed in the 1990s, with many locals and enterprises now focussed on conserving the species against environmental and man-made threats (which includes the level of tourism development and construction in Oaxaca state).

This is why you’ll find several turtle sanctuaries and protected nesting sites along the Oaxacan coast including Playa de Escobilla Sanctuary in Huatulco (maps), Palmarito Turtle Conservation organisation and the National Turtle Centre in nearby Mazunte.

The main nesting season is July to September, but there are often turtles nesting in the months before and after this. Many of their eggs are dug up and held in centres to protect them, before responsibly releasing the babies back into the ocean.

Turtle conservation has naturally evolved into a popular tourist activity, which helps fund conservation efforts, and one of the most popular things to do in Puerto Escondido is join a tour to learn more and help release the babies.

You’ll find lots of turtle release tours advertised in Puerto Escondido during the nesting season, and on the beautiful Playa Bacocho there’s also a small sanctuary which does releases around 5 or 6pm. These cost M$150 per person (with all funds going towards conservation efforts).

You can also book a highly-rated tour to this sanctuary that includes transfers from your accommodation in Puerto Escondido.

There are also tours available to the Escobilla Sanctuary in Huatulco we mentioned earlier, but it doesn’t appear that they currently offer transfers from Puerto Escondido. Definitely worth checking out the specific tour in case this is an option that they begin to offer again.

There are a few other turtle release tours available on Viator and GetYourGuide but the reviews aren’t fantastic; please contact us if any others you join in Puerto Escondido are encouraging or allowing irresponsible interactions or handling of the turtles, and we will take action.

Travel Tip // On a late night, drunken walk along the beach in Zipolite, we were blessed to witness a big mama turtle make her way back to the ocean! It was a surreal and unforgettable experience, but we did have to chase off a few dogs as well as warn other drunken travellers returning home (it would have been easy trip over her in the dark). Of course, some people want to get to close or shine a torch or take photos, and we unfortunately had to remind them not do this – so please do keep an eye out and encourage other responsible behaviours around these magnificent beast if you’re fortunate enough to see one unexpectedly.

Eat & DrinK in La Punta

Although there are plenty of popular places to eat and drink along the strip of Northern Zicaleta – like El Cafecito, Mar & Wana, and great little place called Lindo Oaxaca for Mexican breakfasts – as well as on its side streets and beachfront restaurants, we spent more of our mornings and evenings eating in La Punta.

The pace and scale of development in the encalve since our first visit to Puerto is quite remarkable. Although it’s not all very budget-friendly and some of it is a bit scene-y, there are a lot of really good options for authentic Mexican, modern fusion, and everything in between.

It’s definitely a place to make a beeline for in the evenings, though the crowd and atmosphere on a particular night makes a big difference on enjoyment levels (sometimes it feels like the Spring Break, Gold Coast, and Bali-set have all arrived at once, and other times it’s much better!)

A few of our favourites to seek out include:

Nodo Brewhaus (maps) | Although few things in life taste better than an ice-cold chela on a Mexican beach, good beer does just hit different. This cool little microbrewery bar serves up their own beers as well as a guest selection from other craft breweries in Mexico. If you’re not sure what you fancy, get a flight (they also do excellent cocktails too).

Casa de los Abuelitos | Excellent little spot for Mexican breakfasts, we highly recommend it! They don’t appear on Google Maps, but you’ll find them on Alejandro Cárdenas Peralta (the main street of La Punta where most of these places are). Make sure to try the chilaquiles verde!

A similar place our hostel recommended us is Dammy (we think that was the name), but they unfortunately were low on veggie options that day. They seem to focus on doing a few set dishes daily, rather than a big menu, so do drop in and see what’s cooking!

Malagua Café, as we’ll explain later, is probably the most in-demand brunch spot with travellers.

NATIVO (maps) | Another good option in La Punta for tasty local dishes. Tlayudas, tacos, enchiladas, and more!

The Boneyard (maps) | Cool wee place with a simple bar set up around a small skate bowl. Food is mainly pizzas and burgers, whilst there’s also a thrift store. It opens at noon, but we’d say it’s a better pick for the music, skaters, and atmosphere at night.

Fish Shack La Punta (maps) | Seriously good fish tacos and sandwiches at this incredibly popular side-street spot – it deserves all the custom though. We half-expected to find it over-rated but god I’d pay to fly back just to have another few. It can be difficult to get a table and get quite crowded. A great shout if you’re hungover or in-between sunbathing on La Punta. It’s reasonably priced, and you can also pay by card, which helps.

Piyoli Superfoods (maps) | Open 8am-1pm, it’s a good pick for healthy bowls and cold press shots.

Bikini Bar (maps) | A good spot for a pre-dinner cocktail, they do a very decent Americano.

El Bicho La Punta (maps) | On the beach, with vegan/veggie options as well as carnivorous dishes. Has some decent live music at nights and a good pick for sunset.

Chicama (maps) | Two people recommended this place to us, but there were queues out the door the evening we tried to go. It’s a modern Peruvian restaurant, with a focus on ceviche and cocktails. Quite pricey, especially when you can get very decent ceviche at all the beach shack restaurants elsewhere, but people rave about it. A lot quieter for lunch.

For vegans and veggies, there are options at pretty much all of the above. However, one place to make a note of is Ya’Ab Vegan Kitchen, which we didn’t have time to eat at.

Travel Tip // Pepe’s Fish Tacos up in town was also one of the most recommended places by our Instagram followers. We didn’t make it and still regret that decision – find it here on Google Maps.

Explore The Beaches & Coast of Oaxaca

We’ve been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time on the coast of Oaxaca, and we absolutely love it. Many of reading this will be travelling slowly and staying in several other nearby towns and villages as well, with only a few days in Puerto before moving on.

However, as Puerto Escondido is the main gateway and a destination all on its own, more visitors are visiting for a standalone vacation. And, whilst the beaches of Puerto offer more than enough to keep you occupied for a week, you’ll be missing out if you don’t take the chance to either split your time up with another place on the coast or venture out on a day trip or two to a few of our favourites.

With Puerto Escondido acting as the main transport hub on the coast, it’s easy enough to do it as an independent day trip with public transport, or you can opt for the quicker, more direct experience of a private taxi or tour.

Whichever you go for, the following places need to be on your radar:

Mazunte | The main hippy and traveller town on the coast, some people love Mazunte whilst others don’t really vibe with it. Nearby San Agustinillo is also home to one of the most beautiful beaches on the whole coast.

Zipolite | Mexico’s first and biggest nudist beach, and the place where we got engaged, Zipolite is a really special spot (and you don’t even have to get your willy or fanny out to enjoy it). Find out more in our guide.

Estacahuite | A tiny village with three gorgeous little beaches, a few shack restaurants, and not much else at all. Read our guide for all the deets.

If time is short but your curiosity is strong, then you can opt for the Oaxacan Coast Adventure which takes you to two of the above, includes all transportaiton, and a boat ride through the mangrove forest.

Travel Tip // There are a bunch of places in Puerto offering scooter rental to explore the coast, with a few companies in La Punta and Zicatela. Prices we noted down were M$350 / 24 hours for a scooter and $2,100/week, whilst a150cc motorcycle was M$500 and M$3,600 respectively. As ever, make sure to double check the small print on your travel insurance as many exclude coverage – find out more in 13 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Travel Insurance

Plan | The Best Beaches in Oaxaca

Grab a Beer On Playa Principal

What a difference nearly a decade can make.

We really didn’t rate Playa Principal back on that first visit, but that was most definitely on us.

This is very much an authentic local’s beach, filled with families and fishermen, and all the small joys of Mexican beach culture. Stallholders serving up fresh ceviche, chopped fruit, and cold beers on red plastic tables, colourful boats zooming in off the waves, arguments, music, and laughter from big groups.

In comparison to other beaches in Puerto Escondido, it may not offer traditional ‘vacation vibes’, but don’t count it out! Undoubtedly one of our favourite late afternoon spots, it is the ideal place for a golden hour beer, a bit of people-watching, and the chance to experience the small joys of being somewhere so different to home. After all, you’ve come to Mexico to be in Mexico, not a hipster-traveller version of it.

Travel Tip // Avenida Del Morro begins a short walk away from Playa Principal, and it’s really the central tourism and nightlife street in the town. Running parallel to Playa Zicatela, it’s not unpleasant at all and home to several popular restaurants, bars, and accommodations, but we preferred the vibe elsewhere in Punta. One spot to make a point of visiting there however is the Mirador Romance de Verano (maps) – the ‘summer romance viewpoint’ which gives views over both Bahia Principal and Playa Zicatela.

Oaxacan Coffee & Digital Nomad Days

A real highlight of this trip was going deeper into Mexico’s coffee culture.

The majority of the country’s beans are produced in four southern states – Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Puebla – and you rarely, if ever, see it available over in the UK or Europe.

Whilst Ciudad de Mexico and Oaxaca City are, understandably, streets ahead of Puerto in the number of third-wave coffee shops, there are several places here to imbibe some of the best, local roasts.

Malagua Café (maps) is a super popular option for travellers in La Punta, and for good reason. The coffee is on the money (especially if you’ve been craving a decent flat white), the fresh juices and smoothies revitalising on first suck, and their brunches will hit the spot. It’s also a good pick for digital nomads.

A few streets parallel and away from the beach is little along the road is Café Suku’un (maps), which is another good choice for a decent cup.

However, our main recommendation is quite a bit away and very much off-the-beaten-track.

Café Binisa is up the in the town centre, tucked away a five-minute walk from the market. Family-run, they’re passionate about what they do, serving up freshly roasted coffee from the Sierra Madre mountains, as well as variety of homemade nut-milks, butters, and baked treats. It’s a calming space with natural wood and plants (and a wonderful pooch), and a place that coffee lovers should definitely make a point of stopping. One of the owners speaks excellent English too if you’d like to know more about their story and the coffee! Find it here on Google Maps.

As we’ve already touched upon, Puerto Escondido is a great choice for aspiring or established digital nomads. Many businesses and Airbnbs are set-up for laptop workers, offering reliable and fast connections when you’re doing the 9-5 before / after the beach. Malagua Café is a good spot, whilst nearby Bruja in La Punta offers co-working spaces and Starlink internet. Co-Work Puerto (maps) is another to consider if you want a more formal space to work from.

Visit The Lagoons & Mangroves

Tear yourself away from the beaches and buzz, and you can see a very different side to the coast of Oaxaca.

Just 20 minutes from Puerto Escondido, visiting the Manialtepec lagoon is a popular activity at sunrise or under cover of darkness. Early-risers will be rewarded by the tranquilility amongst nature and birdlife as they explore the lagoon by kayak in the first light. Tours are offered all over Puerto, and include round-trip pick up from your accommodation in town.

Two options include the Mangrove Kayaking Tour + The Manialtepec Lagoon by Kayak

By night, the lagoon shimmers under a dark sky with bioluminscent plankton. We’ve swam in similar environments in Colombia and Cambodia, and it’s a wonderful experience of starlight constellations under water! This Bioluminescent Lagoon Experience is highly-rated.

However, for surfers, backpackers, slow travellers and nature lovers, you’ll be rewarded if you venture further afield to the National Reserve of Lagunas de Chacahua.

We do need to keep some secrets though, so you’ll have to read our Lagunas de Chacahua guide to find out why it’s so special (and why you need to keep it that way).

A few hours At Playa Manzanillo

We promise that the best things to do in Puerto Escondido don’t justrevolve around the beaches, but it’s fair to say that they are the big draw.

And with good reason.

As we expand further on in The Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido guide, there’s quite a diversity in terms of aesthetic, vibe, crowds, swimmability, surf potential, and different travellers will prefer different ones based on what they’re looking for that day.

Playa Manzanillo (and its neighbouring beach, Angelito) is the final beach we’ll give a shout out to in this guide to the best things to do in Puerto Escondido, and is a good shout for those looking for more of an intimate beach experience.

Manzanillo is the more popular and photogenic option, whilst Angelito tends to have more fishing boats up on the sand. Separated by rocks, there’s a walkway to quickly and easily cross between the two.

Due to their proximity to the town, they can become quite crowded as the day goes on, but they are particularly lovely at sunset and one of the few bays where you swim with a little more confidence. We’ve heard the snorkelling is lovely here too!

Where | Find Playa Manzanillo here on Google Maps. It’s an easy walk down the stairs from the town centre, and you can find a few alternative entry points and details on visiting it over in the guide to theBest Beaches in Puerto Escondido

Stay |Whilst Manzanillo and Puerto Angelito don’t have accommodation directly on them, the hill overlooking hill them is the place for travellers or vacationers looking for something a little more considered in a secluded setting with endless views onto the Pacific Ocean.

Casa Cascada is a stunning adults-only boutique hotel, this Poolside Cabaña is an ideal choice for a solo traveller or a couple, and the Ocean View Villa is a decadent treat.

Savour Those Sunsets

Exploring done? Sunbathing done? Surfing done?

Then the only thing to do in Puerto Escondido is to grab yourself a strong cocktail or a cold chela at one of the best sunset spots in town, and reflect on the passing of a good travel day and start thinking about all the rest to come in Mexico.

Any of the beaches we’ve mentioned will do nicely, with most offering uninterrupted views over the water to the horizon, but these are the places we’d seek out at least half an hour before sundown:

· Near the beginning of the La Punta side of Playa Zicatela, by the lifeguard tower (here on Google Maps). El Bicho La Punta is a good bar there if you don’t want to be on the sand.

· From the curved end of Playa La Punta on the sand or terrace at Savanna Cafe, or head up to the hill, rocks, and lighthouse for a more dramatic vantage point (here on Google Maps)

· Many Puerto Escondido hotels have rooftop social area for guests, and our hostel’s (Real Juquilita) was perfect for savouring the sunset. Mirador Las Tortugas is the most popular sunset spot here (maps)

· On the more commercial size of Playa Zictela, there are various bars offering happy hour deals with good sunset vantage points

· Playas Coral and Bacocho offer a more secluded, romantic spot for sunset strolls, but you’ll be walking back in the dark. Sunset on the rocks from nearby Mirador Las Tortugas (maps) is increasingly becoming established as the sunset spot here, but does involve a little bit of a scramble and you need to take shop drinks with you.

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