Beginner’s Guide to the Best Puerto Escondido Beaches

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Looking for the best Puerto Escondido beaches? You’re in luck because with seven main beaches (and one hidden stretch of sand) there’s a beach for every day of the week and mood.

This guide to the beaches of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico will help you find the one that’s perfect for you! 

I first discovered Puerto Escondido in 2003. Since then, I’ve been a judge for the Golden Beach Awards, a guidebook author (Lonely Planet and Fodor’s Oaxaca) and experienced some of the world’s most stunning shorelines.

From the hidden beauty of Playa Estacahuite to Cancun’s iconic sands to dreamy Naxos in Greece, I’ve seen it all—and I’m confident in saying that Puerto Escondido’s beaches are among the best in the world.

They’re one of the main reasons we bought a home here! 

This guide will share our favourite beaches in Puerto Escondido (located north of Huatulco and south of Acapulco – Map), for swimming, surfing, snorkelling or just chilling out.

1. Carrizalillo Beach

Best Beach in Puerto Escondido for Swimming, Lounging, Surfing

The name of this beach Playa Carrizalillo (Car-eet-sa-lee-o) might be difficult to pronounce, but scramble 167 stone steps down a cliff and you’ll be rewarded with Puerto’s prettiest (and most swimmable) beach.

It regularly tops the lists of the best beaches in Mexico.

Gentle waves, turquoise waters and sheltered shores make Carrizalillo beach popular with couples and families with kids.

It’s also quite near Puerto Escondido airport – perfect if you want to hop off the plane and head straight to the beach!

There are public washrooms (for a fee) and several restaurants on this beach.

For dining, the Rinconada (the main street above the beach) is home to the best selection of upscale restaurants in Puerto Escondido. 

Seasonally, this beach is also a good option for beginner surfers. 

There are a few surfing schools nearby, where you can take a 2-Hour Surf Lesson to learn the basics.

Along with Manzanillo Beach (described below), Carrizalillo Beach offers the best snorkelling in Puerto Escondido if you’re wondering where to snorkel from shore.

There are coral reefs and the municipality is making effort to promote sustainable tourism and hopefully achieve Blue Flag status, a designation that recognizes environmentally responsible beach management practices.

For the best snorkelling on this stretch of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, your best option is to head south to go snorkelling in Huatulco  where the visibility is better and there are more underwater formations.

Overlooking the beach is  Villas Carrizalillo, one of Puerto Escondido’s best boutique hotels.

However, there are also several condos, AirBnB’s and hostels within easy walking distance.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Puerto Escondido Vacation Rentals for listings.

2. Manzanillo Beach

Best Beach for Lounging, Restaurants, Snorkelling and Swimming

This crescent-shaped Playa Manzanillo beach located near the heart of town shares the bay with the tiny fishing port of Puerto Angelito.

It’s a favourite with local Mexican families who flock to picnic at the edge of the calm waters or go snorkelling among schools of bright-hued fish.

Along with Playa Carrizalillo, Manzanillo Beach is one of the best Puerto Escondido beaches for swimming.

My favourite spot to sip a margarita is la Palapa de Carrasco, operated by restauranteurs Pablo Carrasco and his wife Isadora Rivero.

Lounge chairs come topped with pillows, rainbow-coloured serapes and big-shade umbrellas so plan to spend a full day. Roving mariachis singing romantic ballads and traditional ranchero songs add to the lively vibe. 

Get our playlist of Top Mariachi Songs to Request on the Beach

There are fewer stairs to access Manzanillo beach than Playa Carrizalillo. Plus it’s possible to take a taxi to Playa Angelito and walk across the walkway to Manzanillo beach.

This makes it a good option for families with small children or people with mobility issues.

There are some large rocks in the water at Playa Manzanillo, but they can easily be avoided. No dogs are allowed on the beach. 

For a place to stay near Manzanillo Beach, check out Casa Losodeli, an adults-only co-working place that’s within easy walking distance. Hotel Barlovento is also nearby.

Pro Tip: It’s worth considering an eco-friendly sunscreen. Many beach destinations are banning sunscreen due to the damage its chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate can cause to coral reefs and marine life. 

3. La Punta Puerto Escondido

Laid-back beach with surfing, budget accommodation and  loungers

Full moon parties, sandy streets and tattooed surfers toting custom surfboards create a laid-back vibe at La Punta, a remote stretch of beach at the southeast end of town.

It’s actually an extension of Zicatela Beach so you can walk there from the main beach zone on Calle del Morro.

La Punta is named for the rocky point that lures sunset lovers, fishermen and photographers. It’s also a popular beach for Puerto Escondido surfing and boogie boarding.

It’s ideal for those who like outdoor activities, hanging out over breakfast at cafés with wifi and a generally enjoying a laid-back, alternative lifestyle. 

At nightfall, head to one of the eco-chic bars, clubs and hip restaurants. La Punta is one of the best neighbourhoods for vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Puerto Escondido.

This is the also the best place to find Puerto’s top beachfront hotels as well as hostels, beach bungalows and apartments such as Hotel Casamar Suites.

4. Bacocho Beach

Best Puerto Escondido beach for long walks, seclusion and beach clubs with swimming pools

Play castaway on this windswept beach at the edge of town. Interesting rock formations and an almost endless stretch of sand make Playa Bacocho one of the best Puerto Escondido beaches for strolling couples, nature lovers and fitness buffs.

But pack water if you plan to make a dent in the 25-kilometre long expanse of golden sand. There’s little shade. 

Or choose resort living for a day at Villa Sol Beach Club. With two pools (one a large freeform and the other for kids), a swim-up pool bar, sprawling landscaped gardens and towering palm trees you’ll feel as though you’re at fancy resort.

Check our post about beach clubs in Puerto Escondido for current prices and details.

Happy Hour cocktails are served between 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. It’s also a prime turtle nesting beach so you can often witness a sea turtle nesting or participate in a turtle release.

Although Playa Bacocho has no facilities (apart from a lifeguard), you can eat at Pez Gallo restaurant at Villa Sol Beach Club. It’s one of our top choices for breakfast in Puerto Escondido. 

Check rates and availability at Hotel & Suites Villasol on Booking.com.  

Check rates and availability at Hotel Posada Real on Booking.com. 

5. Playa Coral

Best secluded beach in Puerto Escondido

Also known as “hidden beach” Playa Coral is one of the nicest beaches in Puerto Escondido.

Despite the busloads of tourists that started arriving in 2023 via the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway linking Oaxaca City to the coast, Coral Beach is rarely crowded.

Located next to Bacocho Beach down a steep hill, it features dreamy white sands, clear waters and lofty palm trees.

Getting to Playa Coral isn’t the easiest. To get to this hidden beach you have a few options.

The first is to walk down a rather steep footpath accessed at the eastern end of Benito Juárez Boulevard through the Villa Mexican Hotel. You’ll need to pay a fee of 50 pesos.

Another way to get to Playa Coral is to access it from Bacocho Beach past Coco’s Beach Club. You’ll need to cross over some rocks but at low tide, access is quite easy.

While Playa Coral is one of Puerto Escondido’s most beautiful and romantic beaches, be sure to bring sunscreen plus your own food and drink as the facilities at the abandoned waterpark onsite are not always available.

Leave valuables at home and use caution when swimming in this area as there is a steep drop-off and the undertow can be strong depending on sea conditions.

The closest hotels to Playa Coral are the Posada Real Resort  Hotel Suites Villasol and Hotel Villa Mozart Y Macondo. 

6. Playa Principal Beach

Best beach for Mexican atmosphere, fishing boats and convenience

Sun worshippers are drawn to Principal in the heart of town where the beach is narrower which means the water is just a few steps away. 

Technically, the most traditional of Puerto Escondido beaches, Playa Principal is where pilgrims head after visiting the shrine to the Virgin of Juquila, one of the world’s top Catholic shrines.

It’s also where the annual “Blessing of the Fishes” boat procession takes place each December.

Although this beach isn’t the cleanest in town, you can wind up your afternoon by browsing El Adoquin, a lively pedestrian zone of souvenir shops, beach bars and restaurants.

It’s also quite close to the OCC bus station on Highway 200 so you can easily walk to Playa Principal if you’ve just taken the bus from Huatulco.

7. Playa Marinero

Best beach for body surfing, bbq and live music  in Puerto Escondido

Technically Playa Marinero and Playa Principal are one continuous beach. But during the rainy season, a lagoon sometimes forms, separating them into two distinct areas.

You can also access Playa Marinero from Calle del Morro via a walkway across from Hotel Santa Fe or between the rock formations home to the “hand sculpture” a popular photo-op

Marinero Beach scores high marks from body surfers and you can rent boogie boards from vendors right on the beach.

Check rates and availability at Hotel Santa Fe on Booking.com. 

8.  Zicatela Beach – Playa Zicatela

Best Puerto Escondido beach for nightclubs, restaurants, walking, surfing and the “scene”

If the Kardashians came to Puerto Escondido this is where they’d hang out. It’s one of the most famous beaches of Puerto Escondido and is known as a world-class destination for surfers.

Playa Zicatelas is home to the epic Mexican Pipeline, an unforgiving wave break that draws surfing aficionados from around the world.

It’s an incredible experience to see icons of the surfing world ride monster-sized waves in an international surf tournament. 

To get in on the action, you can take a group surf lessons in English. Or  rent a surf board by the hour, the day or weekly from one of the many surf shops. 

If you brought your own surf board, you can get it custom-painted by local artist/surf instructor Julio Soto Noyola.

You’ll find plenty to do on the promenade of the most popular Puerto Escondido beach. Downward dog it at a yoga class, relax in a temazcal (traditional sweat lodge) or lounge in a breezy Bali bed.

It’s also one of the best places to watch the sunset.

But the gnarly waves and a strong undertow make Playa Zicatela dangerous if you’re not a pro surfer. Sadly, it’s not a good beach for swimming.

But depending on the tides, you can flaunt your new bikini or splash about in one of the shallow tidal pools.

The main strip, Calle del Morro, is packed with bars and some of the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido.

You can also party until dawn at nightclubs such as Barfly and Playa Kabbalah. This is  the best place for nightlife in Puerto Escondido.

Check rates and availability at Selina Puerto Escondido on Booking.com.

Check rates and availability at Hotel Rockaway Puerto Escondido on Booking.com. 

Final Thoughts and Cautions

Whether you’re looking for a surf spot, a tranquil cove or a long stretch of sand for enjoying the sunset, Puerto Escondido’s beaches offer something for everyone making it the ultimate destination for beach lovers.

But you still need to check water conditions before swimming.

Authorities estimate that lifeguards rescue 800 people in the waters of Puerto Escondido each year. Many people actually drown.

Mexico follows a flag system so never enter the water when a red flag or black flag is raised.

The most dangerous beaches in Puerto Escondido are Bacocho, Zicatela and Coral.

Generally, the safest beaches for swimming are Playas Manzanillo/Angelito, Principal and Playa Carrizalillo.

But conditions change rapidly. So always use caution, swim with a buddy, supervise children closely and avoid alcohol or drugs.

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And that’s not the end of our travel tips and things to do in Puerto Escondido Oaxaca, Mexico!

You might also want to swim in a bioluminescent lagoon, take a day trip to Mazunte or Zipolite or indulge in fresh oysters at Agua Blanca.  

 

More Puerto Escondido Travel Ideas