"A good place to chill out for a few days" Top 5 Page for this destination Puerto Escondido by Marie-France

Puerto Escondido Travel Guide: 68 reviews and 164 photos

From calm little bays to...

In Puerto Escondido you can take your pick of beaches: little bays with calm waters for swimming like Playas Manzanillo and Carrizalillo, or even Playa Principal (if you don't mind the crowds and the boats). Or long and wide windswept beaches with pounding waves for surfers, like Playa Zicatela.

The climate is tropical (hot and humid), so you ought to keep yourself near the ocean or the pool, or risk melting into your sandals! And this is especially true at mid-day.

PE is a laid back town where Mexicans vacation with their family and fishermen still go out fishing in the morning (and give boat tours to tourists in the afternoon).

It's not Cancun, but it's definitely not undiscovered! Fortunately prices are still at Mexican (not international) levels, and that means you can rent a beach chair for $2 for the whole day.

There is a good selection of restaurants and many shops selling handicrafts and beach wear on the main (tourist) drag: Perez Gasga. Some visitors spend several weeks here, so they may need to build a wardrobe I guess... bikinis, sarongs, sundresses... :-)

Pounding surf!

Playa Zicatela

Playa Zicatela is a world renown surfers beach, and swimming is not recommended. Watch the waves for a little while and you will understand why. Since it faces west it offers beautiful sunsets.

Like Playa Principal, the main street runs along it with its contingent of hotels, restaurants and shops, although here the shops are geared more toward the surfer's need rather than the casual swimmer. You can walk for kilometers along this beach!

I WILL ADD SOME TIPS SOON. DO COME BACK!

Last visit to Puerto Escondido: Jan 2006
Intro Updated Mar 9, 2006
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Reviews (8)

Watch the sunset from Playa Zicatela - Puerto Escondido

Watch the sunset from Playa Zicatela Things to Do (4)

Playa Zicatela, the surfer's beach, faces west, so you can go and watch the sunset. Half an hour or so before sunset,... more travel advice

Plaza Manzanillo before the tour buses arrive... - Puerto Escondido

Spend time on small quiet beaches Things to Do (4)

To the west of Playa Principal are two small bays: Plaza Manzanillo, a short walk away, and even tinier Playa... more travel advice

Resident lizard at Hotel Nayar - Puerto Escondido

Affordable accommodation Hotels (2)

Hotel Nayar is just a few minutes from the beach, and has a view to the beach from some of the rooms and the... more travel advice

Mexican idea of breakfast! - Puerto Escondido

Eating by the seaside Restaurants (2)

These two restaurants both have tables overlooking the beach and specialize in seafood. Crotos is more expensive than... more travel advice

Comments (4)

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Greggor58 Sep 26, 2010 at 8:18 AM

Im already thinking of some time to spend South..GREAT page and really good tips.. I think I'm heading this way again.I DID loose my room key..from a wave and my stuff too close to the water...arggggggg...THERE'S a story!
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laughingsun69 Aug 18, 2008 at 8:30 AM

Maybe januarys the best time to go there , cheaper hotels and less crowded beaches :) thanks for the info ..happy travels !!
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madamx Jan 8, 2007 at 7:31 PM

That breakfast looks like it has a healthy dose of Chilaquiles, my husband's favorite dish! Puerto Escondido looks like our kind of place but we just came back from Zihuatanejo, and that was hot enough. Enjoyed your little page.
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Srechko Oct 8, 2006 at 12:48 AM

Very helpful - I just decided to add 2 days here to my itinerary.