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If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, the month of November is one of the best times of the year to visit Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca. Thanks to the Fiestas de Noviembre — a month-long party festival featuring music, food, culture and sports — it’s definitely worth timing your visit to coincide with one of the signature Fiestas de Noviembre 2019 events.
The schedule of events for the Fiestas de Noviembre is especially exciting in 2019! But beyond the official schedule of activities, there’s lots to do — many of the restaurants are reopening after summer closures and there’s live music most nights. In fact, you never know what will happen!
I once went to Manzanillo Beach for a margarita cocktail and a swim, but ended up judging a food competition, sampling 30 culinary creations and handing out prizes. It’s all just part of the whirlwind of fun activity that’s the Fiestas de Noviembre in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca.
Insider Tip: If you arrive on November 1st or 2nd, you’ll also be in town for Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido and will have the opportunity to experience two unique and memorable events in one visit.
Official Poster of the Fiestas de Noviembre 2019 – A Top Puerto Escondido Event
What are the Fiestas de Noviembre in Puerto Escondido?
Taking place at various locations around Puerto Escondido, this month-long event begins at the end of October and finishes at the end of November. Originally created to drum up tourism during the low season, the Fiestas de Noviembre has grown to become one big celebration, drawing top performers, competitors and visitors.
During the event, Puerto Escondido ramps up the party factor city-wide with a fishing tournament, a torneo de surf / surf competition, two food festivals, cultural dance extravaganzas, beauty pageants, processions, freestyle motocross and performances by popular music artists. Most events are free, except for the competitions such as the International Sailfish Tournament, where there’s prize money to be had.
Be sure to check out our Puerto Escondido Travel Essentials Guide for details on getting to Puerto Escondido, event locations, an overview of the best beaches and transportation around town.
Highlights and Major Events at the Fiestas de Noviembre 2019
With so many fun things to do at the Fiesta de Noviembre, there are far too many activities to list in one space. So we’ve highlighted our favourites of the major events taking place during this month-long celebration of culture, food, sport and music.
Don’t miss out! Check the official Facebook page on the official Fiestas de Noviembre Puerto Escondido Facebook Page for updates or visit Gina Machorro at the Tourist Booth in person for the latest additions and changes so you’re not disappointed.
** All dates and times are subject to change without notice**
Puerto Escondido Surf Competition
Date: November 1-4
Time: 7:00 am
Location: Zicatela Beach
Music Concert by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Coast – Filarmónico de la Costa
Date: November 3
Time: 8 pm and various times
Location: Agencia Municipal
Food Demonstration of Traditional Regional Cuisine
Date: November 10
Time: 2 pm
Location: Playa Manzanillo – Manzanillo Beach
Open Water Swimming Competition
Date: November 9 and 10
Time: 7 am
Location: Playa Principal – Principal Beach
Music Concert (TBA)
Date: November 8
Time: 8 pm
Location: Agencia Municipal
Grand Classic Motocross Race Competition
Date: November 16 and 17
Location: Motocross Park (Rinconada)
International Sport Fishing Tournament – Sailfish Tournament
Dates: November 22, 23 and 24
Time: 7 am
Location: Bahia Principal
International Surf Tournament / Torneo de Surf Puerto Escondido
Dates: November 7, 8, 9, and 10
Time: 7 am
Location: Playa Zicatela
Gastronomy Festival
Date: November 10
Time: 6 pm
Location: Zicatela
Guelaguetza Dance Performance by Dzahuindanda
Dates: November 20
Time: 7 pm
Location: Agencia Municipal
Artisanal Crafts Exhibition and Expo
Dates: November 22, 23 and 24
Time: 7 am
Location: Agencia Municipal
Folkloric Dance Festival at Fiestas de Noviembre
Dates: November 22 and 23
Time: 8 pm and various
Location: Agencia Municipal
Popular Music Concert
Date: November 30
Time: 7 pm
Location: Playa Zicatela
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Travel Guide to the Fiestas de Noviembre Events in Puerto Escondido
Date: October 26-November 30, 2019
Schedule: Dates and times are subject to change without notice. Check the official Facebook page on the official Fiestas de Noviembre Puerto Escondido Facebook Page for updates or visit Gina Machorro at the Tourist Booth for the latest additions and changes.
Mexico Tourism Board: The official Visit Mexico website offers travel and vacation information on the state of Oaxaca including Puerto Escondido.
Hotels: Many of the hotels in Puerto Escondido offer low season rates until the end of October and sometimes into November. Check our post on Finding a Hotel, Apartment or Vacation Rental in Puerto Escondido for a listing of resources
How to Get to Puerto Escondido: If you’re visiting Huatulco, you can easily visit Puerto Escondido on a day trip or overnight. Get instructions on how to travel by bus or taxi in How to Get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido
Getting Around: Most of the events for the Fiesta de Noviembre are easily accessible by taxi or by walking. But if you’d like to attend other events such as the Horse Show in Punta Colorada or get out of town completely at Roca Blanca beach, it’s handy to have your own transportation. Get details in our Guide on How to Rent a Car in Puerto Escondido.
Where to Eat: Another great reason to visit Puerto Escondido in November is that many of the restaurants that closed for the summer, have reopened so food fans have many more options to choose from. Check out our Guide to 10 Amazing Foods to Try in Puerto Escondido
A great place to eat at the beach also happens to have been the Grand Prize winner at the previous Muestra Gastronómica. If you want to eat at La Palapa de Carrasco, you can find then at the far right after you descend the stairs at Playa Manzanillo. They are the final restaurant in the first row of beach palapas.
This post was originally published in 2015 and is updated and republished annually.
This post contains affiliate links. Please check our Disclosure Page for more details.
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Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.
View more posts by Michele Peterson Read more
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Culture Tripper
What a lineup for an under-the-radar month! I’d love to see the dance performances.
Michele Peterson
You’d love it – great live music everywhere!
Rob Taylor
For all of the time we’ve spent in Mexico, I don’t know how we’ve never been to Puerto Escondido, especially since we tend to visit MX in November. Sounds like a blast!
Michele Peterson
Puerto is a bit out of the way but is totally worth it! I hope you add it to your list for your upcoming trip!
Carol Perehudoff
Wow – that never happens when I go for a margarita and a swim. How fun.
George
I like the look of that food!