| Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca: The Final Journey Information for 2023 - My Blog Though its title interprets as “Hidden Port,” Mexico's Puerto Escondido isn't any secret and has lengthy been a favorite amongst surfers and ... |
Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca:
The Final Journey
Information for 2023
Though its title interprets as “Hidden Port,” Mexico’s Puerto Escondido isn’t any secret and has lengthy been a favorite amongst surfers and backpackers. That being mentioned, this chilled out seaside city in Oaxaca State nonetheless manages to fly below the radar of most travellers.
Maybe that’s as a result of lack of worldwide direct flights and cookie-cutter resorts that deliver so many vacationers to locations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. For those who’re prepared to place within the legwork to get right here, you’ll be rewarded enormously with beautiful seashores, pleasant locals, and mouth-watering delicacies.
The Final Journey Information for Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is certainly one of many finest locations to go to in Mexico, and I’ve spent quite a lot of time there on a number of completely different visits throughout my greater than 5 years dwelling in Mexico.
I explored the market in search of one of the best meals, kicked again on a number of seashores, and even tried browsing! All of those Puerto Escondido actions are quite a lot of enjoyable and made me need to return for extra.
Plan your journey to this superior Mexican seaside city with the help of this complete information. I’ll go into element concerning the prime issues to do, the place to remain, and among the finest locations to eat and drink. Vamos, amigos!
An Introduction to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido is situated on Mexico’s Pacific coast within the state of Oaxaca. Chances are you’ll be questioning the place the title comes from. Properly, there’s an attention-grabbing story behind it…
Because the legend goes, pirates as soon as kidnapped a younger lady right here. Whereas they have been docked within the bay, the lady managed to flee. They referred to her as “La Escondida” (The Hidden One) and regarded for her each time they returned, to no avail. The title caught, and it will definitely grew to become referred to as Bahía de la Escondida (Bay of the Hidden One).
The port was established round 1900 to ship espresso. There was no settlement right here at the moment as a result of a scarcity of potable water, which got here within the Thirties, and with it the muse of a brand new city. Within the ensuing a long time, an airport and the coastal Freeway 200 helped join Puerto Escondido to the remainder of Mexico.
Ultimately, vacationers started to find the attractive seashores of Puerto Escondido. Easy lodges sprang up, as did eating places housed in palapas the place native fishermen ready the day’s catch.
The event of tourism right here elevated enormously when surfers found the epic waves of Zicatela Seaside (Playa Zicatela). Nowadays, Puerto Escondido attracts a mixture of surfers, backpackers, Mexican households, and even some digital nomads because the infrastructure develops.
One attention-grabbing factor about Puerto Escondido is that it’s really break up between two municipalities – Santa María Colotepec and San Pedro Mixtepec.
The border stays a contentious subject, inflicting some enterprise house owners right here to truly pay taxes to each of them. Tensions flare up regularly, together with one incident final yr the place a mayor was really taken prisoner. Let’s hope they resolve it quickly!
Prime Issues to Do in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Now that you realize a bit extra concerning the city, let’s dive in and check out one of the best issues to do in Puerto Escondido.
Go Browsing
Whether or not you’re a newbie or a professional, one of many prime Puerto Escondido actions is to trip the waves. In spite of everything, it was surfers who initially put this city on the vacationer map. Surfers from everywhere in the world come right here to trip the legendary waves off the Mexican coast.
The place you determine to go online all will depend on your talent stage. Zicatela is world-famous for its huge seaside break, which is known as the “Mexican Pipeline” within the browsing group. These waves are higher left to superior surfers, as they are often fairly unforgiving.
Even should you can’t deal with the waves at Zicatela, it’s price it to move there to seize some lunch and possibly a chilly one on the seaside as you watch from a snug distance. They even host massive browsing competitions right here on occasion, so make sure to test and see if one is occurring.
Learners can head as an alternative to La Punta or Carrizalillo. You’ll discover a lot smaller waves at each seashores that are perfect for studying the best way to surf. There are many instructors round and boards for rent. You’ll be able to count on to pay round 500 pesos ($25) per hour, together with board rental.
Hit the Seaside
For those who’re like me and fail in any respect boards (skate, snow, surf, ironing), by no means worry – there are many seashores in Puerto Escondido which are simply superb for chilling out. The aforementioned Playa Carrizalillo is a superb seaside to go to even and not using a surfboard. You’ll must stroll down 167 steps to entry the seaside (after which again up once more), however this beautiful cove is price it.
Heading down the coast, you’ll discover two bays sitting proper subsequent to one another – Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo. Each of those Puerto Escondido points of interest are good for stress-free and swimming, and are very talked-about with locals and home vacationers on the weekends. You’ll find a number of eating places right here, a lot of which have seaside loungers you should utilize as long as you’re ordering one thing.
For those who’ve acquired your individual wheels or don’t thoughts springing for a taxi, you possibly can proceed south alongside the coast in direction of the resort city of Huatulco. There are many beautiful seashores alongside the way in which, so go forward and make a day of it. For those who’d want to benefit from the seaside in your birthday swimsuit, you possibly can hit Playa del Amor (the Seaside of Love), which is clothes non-compulsory.
Take a Boat Journey
For those who can deliver your self away out of your seaside chair, there’s loads extra to do within the waters round Puerto Escondido. Probably the most widespread actions right here is taking a ship journey seeking sea turtles, dolphins, or whales relying on the season.
Each tour operator on the town can set you up for a day of wildlife recognizing, snorkeling, and possibly even some fishing. A half-day boat journey normally goes for round 450 pesos ($23) per individual.
*Observe: occurring a whale watching tour is without doubt one of the prime things to do in Cabo San Lucas. If you end up in that a part of Mexico, don’t miss it!
See the Bioluminescent Lagoon
One of many coolest issues to do in Puerto Escondido is swimming within the glowing bioluminescence of the Manialtepec Lagoon. This lagoon is dwelling to plankton that lights up at evening. The darker it’s, the extra you’ll see. As such, one of the best time to go to is across the new moon.
Most journey brokers on the town can set you up on a visit out to the lagoon. Excursions sometimes value between 250-350 pesos ($13-18) per individual. This contains round-trip transportation from city in addition to the boat journey to see the glowing plankton. This expertise is certainly the most effective issues to do in all of Mexico.
Expertise a Child Turtle Launch
One other widespread exercise in Puerto Escondido is releasing child sea turtles again into the water. If there was a hatching that morning, you possibly can go and launch among the cute child turtles within the night.
The ocean turtles solely lay eggs between late October and Could. Many lodges in Puerto Escondido arrange their very own child turtle releases, so ask round while you get to city. Alternatively, you possibly can simply go to the newborn turtle launch centre on Bacocho Seaside.
Chill Out at a Seaside Membership
Talking of Bacocho Seaside, that’s the place you’ll discover the superior Membership de Playa Villasol. This seaside membership has two swimming pools, a swim-up bar, and an ideal restaurant. It’s the proper place to take pleasure in a soothing day in Puerto Escondido.
You don’t must be staying on the resort to take pleasure in their seaside membership. Simply spend a minimal of 200 pesos ($10.50) on foods and drinks for adults or 100 for kids and also you’re good to go. They even present motion pictures on Wednesday nights – a cinema proper on the seaside!
Leap Out of a Airplane
Adrenaline junkies might be completely happy to listen to that skydiving is without doubt one of the widespread Puerto Escondido actions. I had a good time flying above the breathtaking Mexican coast after leaping from almost 4,000 meters. It’s an exhilarating expertise that you simply’re certain to be speaking about for years to come back!
Skydiving solely goes on in Puerto Escondido within the excessive season, normally round Christmas-New Yr’s Eve or Easter. Make sure you test the web site of Skydive Puerto Escondido to see after they’re working. A tandem soar prices 2,900 pesos (about $150).
Take Half in a Native Pageant
Initially attracting guests in the course of the off-season, the Fiestas de Noviembre has grown right into a month-long celebration with tons of various occasions. There’s a fishing match, browsing competitions, magnificence pageants, live shows, a meals pageant and a lot extra.
Travelling to Puerto Escondido in November is the proper strategy to keep away from the bigger crowds (and better costs) that begin arriving the subsequent month. The festivities go on all month, so that you’ll by no means be bored should you journey there in November.
Verify Out the Road Artwork
Whereas it’s not fairly as widespread as it’s in greater cities like Mexico Metropolis or Guadalajara, there’s an rising road artwork scene in Puerto Escondido. Learn our informative information to road artwork in Mexico earlier than you go, after which hit the streets together with your digicam to snap some images of the cool murals you bump into.
The right way to Get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
One factor that helps hold this place the “Hidden Port” is the dearth of direct flights from the Puerto Escondido airport to the US or Canada.
Whereas there are direct flights from Mexico’s North American neighbors to the close by resort city of Huatulco, that’s nonetheless a 90-minute drive away. To get from there to Puerto Escondido, your choices vary from a $3 bus as much as a $90 pre-arranged taxi.
Many individuals select to reach in Puerto Escondido by connecting in Mexico Metropolis. Flights from the capital take about 70 minutes and could be discovered for as little as $40. If you must join there anyhow, I like to recommend spending at the least a few days to reap the benefits of all of the superior issues to do in Mexico Metropolis.
There are additionally flights from Oaxaca Metropolis, however you’ll have to e book straight with the one airline that runs them. Verify AeroTucan’s web site for occasions and costs. It appears as if 2,550 ($133) pesos is the going charge for a one-way flight. Different travellers have beneficial calling the airline, as their web site typically has points with bookings.
These AeroTucan flights are inclined to promote out effectively upfront. An alternative choice is flying AeroVega. Captain Don Vega commonly flies the route in his 6-seat Cessna and comes extremely beneficial by different travellers. You’ll be able to contact him at aerovegapto@gmail.com or +1 044 954 588 0062 to order a spot on one in every of his flights.
For those who’d want to economize slightly than time, you possibly can catch a bus from Oaxaca alongside the windy mountain roads to Puerto Escondido. The larger, extra snug buses value round 250-350 pesos ($13 – $18) and take 10 hours or so. Many backpackers select to take the in a single day bus to economize on lodging, though sleeping may not be that simple on this journey.
You can too hitch a trip in a mini-bus, which is likely to be just a little cramped however solely takes 6-7 hours for a value of round 200 pesos ($10.5). Simply be ready for movement illness because it’s fairly the bumpy trip!
Lastly, some individuals select to simply lease a automotive in Oaxaca Metropolis and drive themselves to Puerto Escondido. Simply be sure the rental insurance coverage settlement is evident in order to keep away from any shock fees. It’s additionally finest to deal with this drive in the course of the day as a few of these hairpin turns can sneak up on you.
The right way to Get Round Puerto Escondido
To get round Puerto Escondido, you’ll probably use a mixture of taxis and native public transportation. Getting a taxi from the airport to city ought to value round 40-50 pesos ($2-2.50), or about 70 ($3.50) if headed to Punta Zicatela. Taxi rides inside city solely value 30-35 pesos ($1.50-2).
For public transportation in Puerto Escondido, you possibly can select between colectivos (shared taxi vans), native buses, and camionetas (pick-up vehicles). These all run from dawn until round 8:30 PM and solely value 8 pesos (lower than $0.50) every.
To go to factors additional outdoors of city, you possibly can attempt to rent a driver for the day or simply lease a automotive.
The place to Eat and Drink in Puerto Escondido
Regardless of being a small city, Puerto Escondido is dwelling to tons of of locations to eat and drink. It being a fishing city, seafood is clearly the best choice right here. The state of Oaxaca additionally grows some fairly superb espresso beans, so it’s not exhausting discovering an excellent cup of espresso right here. Listed here are a couple of of one of the best locations to eat and drink on the town:
- Cafecito (Boulevard Benito Juárez 1, Seccion C, Native 11, Rinconada): This Puerto Escondido staple has two places – one on the town and one on Zicatela. It’s a very talked-about place to go for breakfast, so don’t be stunned to discover a line should you arrive within the morning.
- Benito Juarez Market: The native market is one of the best place to go store for recent fruit and veggies. You can too sit all the way down to an affordable lunch at one of many many distributors there.
- Brad’s Break up Coconut (Av. Del Morro, Playa Zicatela): Set proper on the seaside amongst palm timber, this can be a enjoyable spot to go for dinner and drinks. They’re all the time cooking up some scrumptious BBQ right here, and the place is normally rocking with some dwell music.
- El Espadin (Camino Carrizalillo No 125, Carrizalillo): Head to Playa Carrizalillo round sundown to take pleasure in a meal at this incredible restaurant. Order the catch of the day or no matter different seafood you fancy.
- Cayuco (Av. Del Morro 4, Playa Zicatela): One other beachfront restaurant, Cayuco cooks up basic Oaxacan dishes in distinctive methods. They’ve additionally acquired a wonderful choice of mezcal right here.
- Almoraduz (Benito Juárez 12, Rinconada): For superb eating Puerto Escondido type, head to this superb restaurant. The cooks right here whip up conventional Oaxacan delicacies with a twist. Additionally they make some killer drinks, like a hibiscus margarita with mezcal.
- Congo Bar (Alfonso Pérez Gasga 605): Stay music, low cost drinks, and a raging social gathering are what you’ll discover right here.
- Bar Fly (Av. Del Morro, Playa Zicatela): For those who’re trying to dance into the wee hours of the morning, that is the place to do it.
Consuming and consuming your manner round Puerto Escondido is certainly a spotlight of visiting this chilled out seaside city. When you’ve got some other suggestions for nice locations to seize a chunk or a drink, please go away them within the feedback under!
The place to Keep in Puerto Escondido
Lodging in Puerto Escondido ranges from easy backpacker-style hostels as much as luxurious beachfront resorts. As such, there’s one thing for all tastes and budgets right here.
These targeted on browsing will in all probability need to e book a room on Playa Zicatela to have easy accessibility to one of the best waves in Puerto Escondido. For those who head just a little additional south on the seaside to the realm referred to as La Punta, it’s just a little bit extra laid-back and fewer targeted on browsing.
Households and {couples} trying to keep away from the social gathering may need to hunt down lodging up at Playa Bacocho, the place there are many choices.
When in search of out lodging in Puerto Escondido, it’s vital to think about the time of yr you’ll be travelling there. Locations replenish quick over Christmas, New Yr’s, and Semana Santa (Holy Week). To keep away from disappointment, you’ll need to e book effectively upfront if travelling there throughout these busy occasions.
Verify for distinctive lodging and inexpensive locations to remain on web sites like Reserving.com.
Puerto Escondido Security
For essentially the most half, Puerto Escondido is a very protected place to journey. That being mentioned, incidents do happen right here, particularly robberies. It’s finest to keep away from strolling on the seaside at evening. Wherever you’re, it’s suggested to remain in a bunch. Don’t carry an excessive amount of money or valuables on you in order to keep away from drawing consideration to your self.
Maybe the largest hazard in Puerto Escondido is the water. Life guards right here rescue tons of of individuals yearly, so make sure to take these pink flag warnings significantly and keep out of the water when suggested to take action.
When travelling to or from Puerto Escondido, it’s beneficial to skip out on the in a single day buses to Mexico Metropolis. These cross by the state of Guerrero, which is without doubt one of the most harmful areas in Mexico. There are numerous stories of armed robberies on these buses, so that you’re a lot better off springing for a flight with a price range airline as an alternative.
In a well-liked vacationer seaside city in Mexico, it ought to come as no shock that medication are usually not exhausting to seek out. I’m not going to inform you what to do or to not do in your trip, however simply remember that cops right here wish to cease gringos at evening for random inspections to see if they’ll discover something.
Spending a while in a Mexican jail and/or doling out an enormous bribe are surefire methods to spoil your journey.
FAQs for Puerto Escondido
Listed here are solutions to some incessantly requested questions on Puerto Escondido actions and points of interest.
It’s completely price it to go to Puerto Escondido. It’s referred to as the browsing capital of Mexico, however there are a lot of extra Puerto Escondido actions to take pleasure in, like lounging on the seaside, consuming native meals within the public market, and visiting close by locations like lagoons.
Puerto Escondido is without doubt one of the nicest cities on the attractive Pacific Coast of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It has a number of massive, sandy seashores with nice browsing. There are many lodges for all budgets and excellent eating places.
Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca usually are a lot safer than many different components of Mexico, but it surely’s a good suggestion to take fundamental precautions, corresponding to not strolling alone at evening and never leaving your possessions unguarded on the seaside whilst you swim.
Sure, Puerto Escondido is swimmable, however due to sturdy undercurrents, don’t go too removed from shore. Additionally, make sure to test all warnings on the seaside about which locations are protected to swim or not.
The dry season takes place in the course of the cooler months from November to March. Keep away from mid-December to mid-January, nevertheless, as a result of that’s excessive season for journey in Mexico, and like all over the place else within the nation, Puerto Escondido can get crowded.
Pack Your Luggage for Puerto Escondido!
Properly there you’ve it, amigos. As I’m certain you possibly can see by now, Puerto Escondido has so much to supply travellers who put forth the trouble to make it to this little slice of paradise in Oaxaca.
I’ve gone a number of occasions, and it’s one in every of my favourite spots in one in every of my favourite areas in Mexico. For those who make it all the way down to the southern Pacific Coast, I’m certain you’ll agree.
From browsing among the most epic waves on the earth, to free-falling above the ocean and mountains on a skydiving journey, to eating on recent seafood with sundown views, this can be a incredible alternative in your subsequent trip.
