Experience the best of Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is a laid-back fishing town on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, known for powerful surf at Zicatela, sheltered coves and mangrove lagoons.
Read moreShow less
Puerto Escondido curves around a series of bays on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, with steep streets climbing from the fishing beach to the main road. Playa Zicatela, the long beach to the east, is a famous surf spot with heavy, hollow waves, while Playa Carrizalillo is a small cove reached by a stairway, with calmer water for swimming. The town's central beach has fishing boats and seafood shacks.
West of town, the Manialtepec lagoon has mangroves and birdlife, and on dark nights the water glows with bioluminescence. Chacahua Lagoons National Park, farther west, has beaches and mangrove channels. To the east, Mazunte and Zipolite are small beach villages, and Mazunte has a sea turtle centre. Coffee grows in the mountains behind the coast.
Fresh tuna and snapper, ceviche and tostadas are the beach staples, with tlayudas, large crisp Oaxacan tortillas topped with beans, cheese and meat, and mole negro in the restaurants of the town. Waves are largest in the summer rains from June to October, and the dry months from November to April are sunnier and calmer. Mezcal is the local spirit.
- Free cancellation on 92% of experiences
- 4.7 across the top 12
Top 3 attractions in Puerto Escondido
Signature experiences in Puerto Escondido
Go beyond Puerto Escondido
![]()
Huatulco · 101 kmHuatulco National Park (Parque Nacional Huatulco)
![]()
Huatulco · 101 kmMaguey Bay (Bahía Maguey)
![]()
Acapulco · 319 kmLa Quebrada Cliff Divers
![]()
Acapulco · 319 kmDiego Rivera Mural (Exekatlkalli)
![]()
Puebla · 372 kmAlley of the Frogs (Callejón de los Sapos)
![]()
Veracruz · 381 kmEl Tajin
![]()
Veracruz · 381 kmCoatepec
![]()
Cuernavaca · 409 kmXochicalco
![]()
Mexico City · 451 kmTeotihuacán
![]()
Mexico City · 451 kmBasilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
![]()
San Cristóbal de las Casas · 483 kmCentro de Textiles del Mundo Maya
![]()
Zihuatanejo · 516 kmPlaya Las Gatas
Questions about Puerto Escondido
- What are the top attractions in Puerto Escondido?
- Ranked by the experiences that visit them, the top attractions in Puerto Escondido are Playa Zicatela, Laguna Manialtepec, Cascadas de Llano Grande (Llano Grande Waterfalls).
- What is the most popular experience in Puerto Escondido?
- By number of traveller reviews it is "Dolphin & Whale Watching in Puerto Escondido", rated 4.8 out of 5 from 361 reviews.
- How long do tours and tickets in Puerto Escondido take?
- The typical experience in Puerto Escondido lasts about 3.5 hours; the middle half run between 2.5 hours and 5 hours.
- Can I cancel a booking in Puerto Escondido?
- The operator lists free cancellation on 92% of the 89 experiences we hold for Puerto Escondido. The cut-off differs by experience and is shown on each product page before you choose a date.
Why book here
Compare before you buy
Every ticket, tour and pass we carry for a city, side by side on one page.
Free cancellation on most experiences
Where the operator offers it, the card says so before you click.
Real reviews, real photos
Ratings and reviews are collected from travellers by our booking partner and Tripadvisor; nobody pays for placement.
Secure checkout on our partner’s site
Card details are entered on our booking partner’s site, never on ours.