Top Things to do in Puerto Escondido
Top Restaurants in Puerto Escondido
10 Things to do in Puerto Escondido That You Shouldn't Miss
Looking for a tropical Mexican fishing village with relaxing beaches, oceanfront seafood bars and restaurants, unspoiled reefs for diving and snorkeling, and waves suitable for championship surfing? Puerto Escondido has all that plus the Laguna de Manialtepec mangrove lagoon for tours combining kayaking, boating, bird-watching, and swimming in phosphorescent waters. Regularly scheduled airline service links Mexico City and Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM)Rent an umbrella at the town beach, Playa Principal, which parallels the Avenida Perez Gasga hotel and restaurant row. Stop in one of the hotels near the beach for a drink or take the family horseback riding. A small freshwater lagoon at the mouth of the river, Rio Rigadillo, marks the border with Playa Marinero, which has waves suitable for beginning surfers. The whole family will enjoy the mile-long shoreline walkway known as Andador Escénico, which leads across the rocks to El Faro lighthouse and the Sueño Posible scenic overlook. Beyond the lighthouse, Playa Principal transitions into Playa Manzanillo, a swimmable beach with clear waters extending towards Puerto Angelito. Rent a boogie board or equipment to snorkel the coral and rocks. If Playa Manzanillo gets too crowded on a holiday weekend, catch one of the water taxis linking Puerto Escondido’s seven beaches. Hire a skiff to take the family sightseeing or dolphin and sea turtle viewing. Fish for trophy sailfish or catch a dinner of yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi (dorado), grouper, roosterfish, mackerel, or snapper. Watch the experts surf the 6-15 foot swells and hollow tubes of Playa Zicatela. International competitions in August and November draw the pros to demonstrate their prowess on the Mexican Pipeline. Snorkel or surf the clear shallow waters beneath the high cliffs surrounding Playa Carrizalillo. High red cliffs, housing, and hotels surround riptide-plagued Playa Bacocho, which is good for long romantic beach walks and sunsets. For more adventure, dive Pressure Point’s tectonic plate fault lines or Punta Colarada’s volcanic overhangs, ledges, and lava rock swimthroughs. If you are lucky you will see lobsters, stingrays, moray and snowflake eels, barracudas, yellow tangs, parrotfish, and puffers.
Restaurants in Puerto Escondido
1. Sweet Retreats Casa Chango
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
Sweet Retreats are vacation style intensive training retreats focused on circus fitness, creativity, and healthy lifestyle. Sweet Retreats are a way to bridge the gap between intensive training, healthy lifestyle choices, and beach get-a-ways. We are a small, family run, family friendly business offering welcoming experiences for various skill levels. Sweet Retreats are held at Casa Chango Mexico.
Reviewed By 188salliec - London, United Kingdom
When it looked like the world was going to shut down, I asked myself: What would I need to be happy and content? My answer: Good company, good food, to feel safe, and of course, aerials. Here at the Sweet Retreats Artists Residency I get all of that and more! I am surrounded by some of the most supportive and open people I have ever met. Here, I can truly be myself—I can share my hopes and fears, I can laugh and cry, and am totally accepted for who I am. Kerri and Stuart create a supportive family environment that makes me feel totally at home. I have developed friendships that will last well beyond the time I spend here. If I was at home in lockdown (or even pre-covid!), I would be eating vaguely healthily with a lot of sugary snacks and alcohol. Here, Yaz and Stuart make delicious healthy meals every day, which we mostly eat together around the pool. Snacks are fresh mangoes and most of my alcohol consumption has been replaced by fresh juices... except on the weekend when some of us will have a few drinks together. Many people thought I was crazy to go to Mexico in a time of crisis, however I feel far safer here than I would back home. We don’t have to go to the shop or come into contact with people outside of our Sweet Retreats bubble. I don’t have to trust that other people are safe, because we are all in agreement with being careful, and we all socially distance when there is a new arrival to be extra careful. I feel safe and cared for. And aerials. My main driving force to get here—I knew without aerials I would struggle physically and mentally in lockdown. Here, we have classes most days, focusing on skills and artistry. Kerri is the most amazing coach—She encourages everyone to live in their own body, and recognises the strengths and limitations of each person, with no judgement, and a clear focus of how to help you meet your goals. Teaching here is not one-size-fits-all: Kerri tailors training to the individual. I have already made so much progress in my aerial practice: I feel confident in exploring new pathways and movements with my body I am developing a sense of musicality and performance I am starting to break bad habits feel as though I am on the pathway to becoming an artist . In short: if you want to feel safe, spend time with some incredible individuals you can call family, if you want fresh and amazing food and to take your aerial training to the next level (whatever that level is!), come to Casa Chango for the Sweet Retreats Artists Residency.
2. Playa Carrizalillo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 540 reviews
Small, lesser-known cove that isnt usually crowded.
Reviewed By nhbezerkeley
We were lucky enough to stay at a hotel on this gorgeous beach, so spent a lot of time there. The water was warm and beautiful and great for swimming or bobbing in the gentle waves. Renting loungers is a must to get some shade (the place with blue loungers was 250 for two, the next door place with orange loungers was 150 each), or claim a restaurant table and order food.
3. Playa Bacocho
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 418 reviews
The westernmost beach in Puerto Escondido.
Reviewed By blumtnguy - Blue Mountains, Canada
Unrivalled in the area for its thunderous waves on a virtually deserted beach that seems to go on forever Playa Bacocho is the gem in the crown of Puerto Escondido (secret port). Easily accessed by taxi and through either of the two beach clubs at the southern end. Every day at sunset the turtle rescue center releases baby turtles to the ocean ... a must see for the children in your group or even for the child in you! Pez Gallo Restaurante at Playa VillaSol Beach Club provides excellent cuisine as well as an amazing view of the beach as the waves crash onto the rocks.
4. Laguna de Manialtepec
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 601 reviews
Lagoon a few miles away from Puerto Escondido featuring lush plant life and pristine beaches.
Reviewed By 98chips - Calgary, Canada
Look! Look! Look! Wherever you turn, there is a new bird and this was in March, off of breeding season for many species when song activity is not high. It's local folks who are making their living here. Support them and see nature up close. It's the only way to really SEE this extensive mix habitat. Go early. Take the 6:30 launches and avoid the heat. Best for pics, too. Be sure to bring binoculars. Funny how many people think that they'll see everything like on TV.
5. El Mercado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Open air market where many local arts, crafts and delicacies can be tried.
Reviewed By DawnyKnott - Kansas City, United States
Fun place to visit. They have everything at good prices. Fresh fruits and vegetables. Meats, cheeses, spices and snacks as well as crafts and local items.
6. Playa Zicatela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,206 reviews
Beachfront in Puerto Escondido.
Reviewed By Bibliokos - Jalisco, Mexico
Amazing beach right south of Puerto Escondido. Great for riding the waves or hanging out on the beach and taking a quick dip in the ocean. This is not a beach for swimming or hanging out in the ocean unless you have a surf or bodyboard. The surf and undertow are dangerous along this beach. Also, stay away from the over-priced and mediocre to poor quality food that is offered at the restaurants along the main drag of Av del Morro. If all you want is a cold drink and some guacamole and chips that's fine... but don't waste your money on dinner at these places. Take the beautiful walk to the southern area.... La Punta/Brisas (keep reading) The only place you can really just sit in calm waters is at the far south end near the lighthouse. There you can relax and sunbathe and wade out into the water to cool off. This is also where you find the kids who are learning to surf. It's really quite fun watching them tackle the mini waves. This Brisas de Zicatela neighborhood is also the place to stay if you want a younger and more hip and lively bunch to hang out with. Plenty of lodging and good restaurants and the best coffeehouse are down there.
7. Lagunas de Chacahua Parque Nacional
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Lagoon to the west of Puerto Escondido.
Reviewed By annelab23 - San Diego, United States
Not much to do here but surf, swim, kayak, eat, drink, sleep. No nightlife or parties here, except for the locals celebrating a birthday on the weekend. Laid back and sleepy town, takes about 20 minutes to get your cup of coffee. Call / Whats App my new friend Suan at the number in the picture for meals, lodging or a good conversation.
8. Puerto Escondido Fishing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Puerto Escondido Fishing will take in search of fish from trophy Marlin to edible Yellow Fin Tuna. We do fishing from the shore, and from boats. Deeps-sea or close to shore. Also take a Dolphin and Turtle Watching private tour. Puerto Escondido Fishing is for all your fishing and ocean sightseeing options in Puerto Escondido.
Reviewed By mariapG2619SY
Levy has a great boat and knows how and where to fish around PE - I have fished with him many times. He rigs a good trolling spread of bait and lures and works hard to get you on the fish. I like to cast poppers and jigs to tuna when there are schools of them around, and his boat has good clearance around the bow for casting. I carry my own reels & rods, but Levy has Shimano/Penn/Avet reels with fresh line on very good rods. He is a former San Diego long-range sport fishing fleet deck hand. We didn't find many fish on my trip 2 days ago, but that's fishing. The previous day he landed a marlin and sailfish.
9. Playa Coral
10. Puerto Angelito Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 382 reviews
Small town featuring fresh seafood restaurants and safe cove swimming.
Reviewed By jaymacdonald57 - Bucerias, Mexico
We visited this beach almost every afternoon of our week in Puerto. Crowded? Yup. Gringos? Nope. Very calm waters here while 15’ surf pounded Playa Zicatela. Lots of local families. Lots of tropical fish (we bought a decent snorkel from the fishing store on the Playa Principal. Great food at Buzos restaurant on the west end of beach. Helps to speak spanish : )
