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Major city · Mexico

Puerto Escondido

Give Puerto Escondido 4–5 nights: surf and beach-hop by day, sleep in La Punta or Zicatela, and day-trip to Mazunte or Chacahua.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
MXN
Best months
Nov–Apr (dry, sunny)
avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm swell), Semana Santa (crowded)
Airports
PXM · HUX
Nights
4–5
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
  • Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
  • Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
  • Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.

Puerto Escondido is a surf town on the Oaxaca Pacific coast, about 3 hours by road from Oaxaca city since the new highway opened in 2024. It is not walkable like Mazunte or Zipolite: the beaches and neighbourhoods sit 5–10 minutes apart by taxi or colectivo. Most travellers come for the waves, the beach restaurants and the sunsets, and use it as a base for the turtle beaches and lagoons nearby.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Puerto Escondido, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Street or quick mealFish tacos or a taco plateM$60–150 (≈ US$4–9)
  • Beerdraught / bottle at a beach barM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4)M$30–50 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi in townM$30–50 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Metro or bus rideLocal bus rideM$5 (≈ under US$1)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400 (≈ US$11–25)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomMX$1,500 (≈ US$85)
  • High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomMX$3,500 (≈ US$190)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,500 (≈ US$85) · High MX$3,000 (≈ US$170)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Mexican Pipeline at Playa ZicatelaSurf lessons and board hirePlaya Carrizalillo and Playa ManzanilloBeach sunsets and seafood
Airports
PXM Puerto Escondido International (Close to town; colectivo about M$35 per person, taxi more. Flights from Mexico City (MEX) with Aeroméxico and Viva Aerobus; a weekly United flight from Houston on Saturdays.) · HUX Huatulco (Alternative airport; about 90 min by road, US$50–60 by pre-arranged taxi.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Puerto Escondido: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

32°C

21°C

1 rd

Feb

32°C

21°C

1 rd

Mar

33°C

22°C

1 rd

Apr

33°C

23°C

2 rd

May

33°C

24°C

6 rd

Jun

32°C

24°C

13 rd

Jul

32°C

24°C

13 rd

Aug

32°C

24°C

14 rd

Sep

31°C

23°C

16 rd

Oct

32°C

23°C

9 rd

Nov

32°C

22°C

3 rd

Dec

32°C

21°C

1 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Local buses (urbanos) run along the main roads and all pass the crucero at Carr. Costera and Av. Oaxaca; fare about M$5. Colectivos along fixed routes cost about M$10 in town. Taxis in town run M$30–50 by day; night rates about M$35 (check). Agree the price before you get in. Airport to Punta Zicatela is about M$200.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Mazunte

go

Door to door: About 1.5 h (check)

Colectivo or bus toward Pochutla, then local transport

Turtle centre and quiet beach; combine with Zipolite.

Zipolite

go

Door to door: About 1.5–2 h (check)

Colectivo or bus toward Pochutla, then local transport

Clothing-optional beach; strong shore break, swim with care.

Lagunas de Chacahua National Park

go

Door to door: About 2 h (check)

Colectivo toward Río Grande, get off at El Zapotalito, then boat

Mangroves, lagoons and a crocodile nursery; a full day.

Playa Escobilla turtle sanctuary

caution

Door to door: About 1 h (check)

Tour or colectivo toward Mazunte

Olive ridley turtles nest Jul–Sep; day trips from town run about M$500.

Cascada de la Reforma

caution

Door to door: About 1–1.5 h (check)

Tour or car; the last road is rough

Swimming basins and a simple restaurant; go with a tour if you have no car.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

La Punta (Punta Zicatela)

Backpacker and surf end of Zicatela; hostels, cheap tacos, bars. Noisy at night.

Zicatela / Brisas de Zicatela

Beach strip with mid-range hotels and restaurants; walk to the sand, taxi to town.

Centro and Adoquín

Town centre near Playa Principal and the pedestrian Adoquín mall; market, buses, cheapest beds.

Rinconada and Carrizalillo

Quieter hills above Playa Carrizalillo; good for couples and longer stays.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
M$600–1,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
Mid
M$1,200–2,200 (≈ US$65–120) excl. bed
High
M$2,500 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room1 × 4 nights × MX$1,500MX$6,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × MX$1,500MX$12,000
Airport colectivo, both ways2 × MX$70 · 2026 estimateMX$140
Surf lesson, two hours2 × MX$600 · 2026 estimateMX$1,200
Boat trip to see turtles and dolphins2 × MX$300 · 2026 estimateMX$600
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeMX$1,994
Trip total≈ MX$2,742 per person per day, bed includedMX$21,934≈ US$1,200

2026 estimate

2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4)
Fish tacos or a taco plateM$60–150 (≈ US$4–9)
Beer: draught / bottle at a beach barM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4) / M$30–50 (≈ US$2–3)
Local bus rideM$5 (≈ under US$1)
Taxi in townM$30–50 (≈ US$2–3)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400 (≈ US$11–25)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Puerto Escondido is generally safe for tourists; the real risks are the ocean at Zicatela, unlit roads at night and overpriced taxis. Keep valuables out of sight on the beach.
  • Playa Zicatela is for expert surfers and strong swimmers only: there is a strong rip current and people have drowned.
  • Do not drive Highway 131 to Oaxaca after dark; the surface can be washed out and there are sudden craters.
  • Semana Santa overwhelms the town's water and waste infrastructure: book beds weeks ahead.
  • Some male surf instructors have a reputation for roaming hands; female instructors are available if you prefer.
  • Ask the taxi fare before the ride or you may be quoted more than the going rate.

Emergency numbers

All emergencies
911
Tourist assistance
078

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Puerto EscondidoPuerto Escondido

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • All emergencies911
  • Tourist assistance078

Embassy

No US or UK consulate in town; the US has a consular agency in Oaxaca city and an embassy in Mexico City. Check your own country's list.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport → town, colectivo: about M$35 (≈ US$2) per person
  • Airport → Punta Zicatela, taxi: about M$200 (≈ US$11)
  • Oaxaca → Puerto Escondido, ADO bus: about 3 h

Say or show

  • Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh)
  • Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-as)
  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
  • La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
  • ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DON-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah)
  • ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)

Carry small peso notes for colectivos, taxis and beach vendors.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Puerto Escondido. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr (dry, sunny) · avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm swell), Semana Santa (crowded) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for PXM: colectivo and taxi fares field-checked, late-arrival fallback.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: La Punta, Zicatela, Centro/Adoquín, Carrizalillo.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Carrizalillo steps, Zicatela rip, Chacahua boat) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Storm and Semana Santa fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Mexico

Sources