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Planning a beach vacation in Oaxaca, Mexico and wondering which is better Huatulco or Puerto Escondido?
This travel guide breaks down everything you need to know to choose the right coastal town for your travel style, budget and interests.
I’ve spent every winter (and more than a few summers) along this stretch of Oaxaca’s coast since 2003.
While I used to have a clear favourite between Huatulco and Puerto Escondido, these days I split my time between the two.
Each town has its own rhythm, and I’ve come to appreciate both for very different reasons.
Sometimes I want the laid-back, surf-town chaos of Puerto. Other times I’m all about Huatulco’s calm bays for swimming and easy comforts.
Both have their magic. It just depends on what kind of trip you’re craving.
Quick Overview: What’s The Vibe of Each?
Puerto Escondido
- Think barefoot, surfboards, mezcal at sunset, nightlife and a casual, anything-goes kind of energy.
- It’s a magnet for digital nomads, surfers, backpackers and independent travellers.
- Sewage infrastructure is lacking, some streets are unpaved, stray dogs roam freely.
- It draws an international crowd as well as Mexican tourists.
Huatulco
- Designed for eco-tourism by FONATUR (Mexico’s tourism agency), Huatulco is clean, organized and surrounded by the vast, protected Bahias Huatulco National Park.
- Expect quiet streets with manicured boulevards, unpolluted Blue Flag beaches, sidewalks in good state of repair as well as garbage/recycling receptacles.
- It caters more to families, older couples, and those craving a more polished vacation.
- It draws Canadians, cruise ship passengers and Mexican tourists.
Summary: These two beach towns couldn’t feel more different: Huatulco is polished, planned, and perfect for resort-style relaxation, while Puerto Escondido is gritty, bohemian, and full of wild energy.
Beaches: Calm Bays or Wild Waves?
Puerto Escondido has eight beautiful beaches, but most are not ideal for swimming. Playa Carrizalillo (accessed via 167 stairs) is a gem for calmer waters, while Zicatela and La Punta are world-famous for their surf.
Huatulco is all about the bays (nine to be exact), with 36 beaches perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing without worrying about the surf.
Which beaches are busier? The new Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway brings 4,000+ vehicles (and domestic tourists) to Oaxaca’s coast daily.
The beaches in Puerto Escondido are more crowded than those in Huatulco. They’re also not as clean. Some regularly land on SEMARNAT’s list of Mexico’s dirtiest beaches due to poor sewage treatment.
But Puerto Escondido’s beaches are longer. Both Zicatela and Bacocho are ideal for long walks with your feet in the surf, seabirds overhead, and that wide-open, free kind of feeling — with a cocktail with your name on it just steps from the tide.
Huatulco’s closest counterpart, La Bocana, has its own beauty but often feels more desolate than inviting.
Verdict: If you’re craving nice swimming beaches (without stairs), Huatulco takes the win here.
Sunsets and Views
Puerto Escondido is the clear winner when the sun goes down. Zicatela, La Punta, and Playa Bacocho are all showstoppers for golden hour, with a raw, cinematic kind of beauty you won’t soon forget.
Huatulco doesn’t actually face west so are best viewed from a catamaran far out in the bay or at the lighthouse.
Verdict: If sunset-chasing is your thing, Puerto is where you’ll want to be.
Traditional Mexican Atmosphere
Unlike the manicured all-inclusive luxury resorts of Cancun-Riviera Maya the state of Oaxaca offers a genuine Mexican experience of outdoor markets, street food vendors and authentic local food.
Puerto Escondido: Set against the backdrop of the Sierra Madre Sur Mountains, the coastline around Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca has remained untouched by mega-development. It has two large and bustling traditional food markets, Mercado Benito Juarez and Mercado Zicatela.
The Benito Juárez Market (also known as Mercado Principal) is Puerto’s cultural and economic heart. The sprawling, but surprisingly orderly, market stretches an entire city block and spills out onto surrounding sidewalks on busy days.
Wednesdays and Saturdays are the best days to shop at Benito Juárez Market as that’s when the vendors from outside of Puerto Escondido arrive and there’s the freshest produce and other goods.
Huatulco: It’s home to the weekly Santa Cruz Organic Market (artisan products) and features produce stands near the Cinco de Mayo Mercado in La Crucecita.
But to shop at a traditional Mexican market, you need to travel to Pochutla to the street market that takes place on Monday mornings.
Verdict: Puerto Escondido wins with its two major traditional food markets.
Outdoor Adventure
Puerto Escondido: It’s a world-class surf town, from the massive waves at Zicatela to the beginner-friendly breaks at La Punta. Beyond the beach, it’s got some unforgettable experiences: glowing swims in a bioluminescent lagoon, horseback rides to hot springs and peaceful kayaking tours through bird-filled mangroves.
You’ll also find waterfalls and dolphins here, but Puerto’s magic lies in its raw edges and rustic charm. Expect pangas rather than catamarans and yachts for your boat tours.
Huatulco: The snorkeling here isn’t just good—it leaves Puerto in the dust. If clear water, coral reefs, and boat tours with dolphin sightings are your thing, this place delivers.
You’ll also find jungle waterfalls like the Magic Waterfalls at Copalitilla for a cool freshwater dip, plus Eco-Park Copalita, an archaeological site with sweeping ocean views.
There’s also Hagia Sofia botanical gardens for ziplining as well as Mazunte with its lagoon tours. Everything feels organized, clean and pristine. No surprise, since Huatulco is part of Parque Nacional Huatulco, a federally protected area covering over 11,000 hectares of land and sea.
It’s also one of the few destinations in the world certified as a Green Globe and EarthCheck sustainable tourism destination. Perfect if you like your adventure with a side of comfort, eco-conscious planning, and a well-cared-for natural setting.
Co-working in Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco
Puerto Escondido is a growing destination for digital nomads who are drawn to the surfing culture. It’s also a popular alternative to Tulum and Playa del Carmen where they can work while enjoying sun and sea in their spare time.
While internet service can be unreliable in some neighbourhoods, in recent years coworking in Puerto Escondido has grown in popularity with the introduction of Starlink and fiber optic service.
Puerto Escondido’s communal work spaces offer stable, high-speed internet as well as a selection of amenities such as private meeting rooms, printers, lounge areas, AC and kitchens.
Selina Hostal, Casa Losodeli and NUU Coworking Rinconada (Google Map) are all good options for coworking spaces in Puerto Escondido.
In Huatulco, Starlink wifi with fast download and upload speeds is available in many of the condo and apartment rentals. The only co-working space is at Golden Circle within the Best Western Hotel. It features an air-conditioned space with private meeting rooms and shared group space with work stations.
For mobile data on the go, I recommend using a Global eSIM such as Airalo. You can stay connected when you travel at very affordable rates.
Check rates for local and regional eSIMs at Airalo.com.
Verdict: Which is better Huatulco or Puerto Escondido when it comes to coworking spaces? Puerto Escondido is the clear winner.
Restaurant Scene: Huatulco vs Puerto Escondido
Beyond the outdoor activities, Puerto Escondido is also a prime destination for food lovers.
The cuisine is drawn from a rich indigenous heritage and features lots of fresh seafood as well as an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Puerto Escondido’s restaurants offer a diverse culinary mix. Cuisine from Italian, Middle Eastern and Thai cuisine.
It’s also home to several restaurants specializing in Oaxacan regional dishes such as tlayudas, moles and more. When it comes to breakfast there are many restaurants to choose from in both Huatulco and Puerto Escondido.
However, Puerto Escondido is the clear winner when it comes to vegetarian and vegan restaurants to choose from. There are dozens of restaurants featuring plant-based dining, especially in La Punta.
If you’re keen on fine-dining Puerto Escondido is also home to two restaurants — Almoraduz and Attaraya — listed in the Michelin Guide to Mexico.
Verdict: Puerto Escondido
Safety and Crime in Oaxaca
Whether you’re on a trip to Oaxaca’s Coast for the winter season or a short family vacation, it’s worth considering the safety situation.
In September 2024, the U.S. Department of State’s Mexico Travel Advisory listed the entire state of Oaxaca as Exercise Increased Caution.
There are restrictions for U.S. government employees for travel in the Isthmus region of Oaxaca, defined by Highway 185D to the west, Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca/Chiapas border to the east.
This includes the towns of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa. U.S. government employees may not use Federal Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.
These areas are hours away from Puerto Escondido and Huatulco and not often frequented by tourists even on day trips.
The Government of Canada currently has NO travel warnings in effect for the state of Oaxaca.
By far, the biggest risk to travellers in Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are accidents and drownings before crime.
Petty crime does exist so use precautions when walking at night, avoid displays of wealth (flashy jewellery) and watch for scams at ATMs.
Verdict: It’s a draw with a slight edge to Huatulco as there can be late night issues at Puerto Escondido’s nightclubs.
Medical Resources
Both Huatulco and Puerto Escondido have hospitals and private clinics. In Puerto Escondido, Clínica Ángel Del Mar has the most number of medical specialists.
Clinica Oromed is its private clinic counterpart in Huatulco.
- The EMERGENCY number for both police and medical is 911.
- Medical attention is also available in Oaxaca City.
- Air Ambulance service is available between Canada/US and Puerto Escondido. Aeromedevac has been recommended by some. Cost is upwards of $45,000 USD.
- Another emergency air option is www.airlinkambulance.com.
- Centro de Salud Puerto Escondido 954 168 69 42
Verdict: Which is better Huatulco or Puerto Escondido for medical care? It’s a draw. No matter which one you choose, be sure to get Medical Insurance before you travel.
Cost of Living
Eating Out
The costs for food, restaurants and daily expenses are generally lower in the state of Oaxaca than other parts of Mexico.
Many budget travellers and backpackers are drawn to Puerto Escondido due to its low-cost hostels and shared accommodations.
If you take a look at our Huatulco Cost of Living post, you’ll see that a typical order of grilled fish at a beach restaurant will cost up to 250 MXN pesos (around $10 USD) and a local beer 50 MXN pesos (under $2 USD).
Prices drop considerably the further away from the main beaches you go. For example, prices for seafood at Roca Blanca and Agua Blanca beach are lower than those in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.
Accommodation Costs
Increasingly, the sargassum seaweed problem in Tulum and Cancun has prompted many people to switch their vacation to the Pacific Coast where there is no problem with seaweed.
In Puerto Escondido there’s only one all-inclusive hotel and it’s the rather disappointing 3-star Posada Real Puerto Escondido.
So if you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort-style vacation, then choose Huatulco. The most popular resorts on a beach are Secrets Huatulco Resort and Spa (adults-only), Dreams Resort and Spa, the Barcelo Huatulco and Las Brisas Resort.
Huatulco also has more condominiums available for rent via vacation rental agencies.
🌟 Pro Tip: Subscribe to our free biweekly newsletter and you can score a free airport transfer via Bayside Vacations.
Puerto Escondido has many more suites in home via AirBnB, VRBO and rentals agencies.
For the best choice and prices, begin your search early. Browse our accommodation guide for tips on Finding a Vacation Rental in Puerto Escondido.
Demand for vacation apartments, condos and homes is high and competition steep for peak periods such as January to March. Hostels are more readily available.
Verdict: Puerto Escondido is slightly cheaper than Huatulco due to its supply of budget accommodations, traditional food markets and comedors (local eateries).
Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco Weather
April and May are very hot and humid (expect 35 C and up) while August, September and October are the rainiest months, with many of the local restaurants closed for business.
November and December (excluding Christmas) are great times to visit. The weather in both Puerto Escondido and Huatulco is sunny and warm but not too hot.
Huatulco is generally two or three degrees warmer than Puerto Escondido. It also often feels hotter than that as it doesn’t receive cooling breezes off the ocean or from the mountains.
Festivals and Celebrations
Festivals are a big part of life throughout Mexico. Here are a few you can expect to see on Oaxaca’s coast.
Day of the Dead
Although Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos rituals in Guatemala and cities in Mexico such as Oaxaca City and Patzcuaro deservedly get lots of attention, it’s also possible to take part in authentic ceremonies for Day of the Dead in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco as well.
In Puerto Escondido, Benito Juarez Market will have vendors selling bunches of marigolds, there will be ofrendas (Day of the Dead altars) and special traditional Day of the Dead foods.
Fiestas de Noviembre
Another popular festival is the Fiestas de Noviembre, a month-long event when Puerto Escondido ramps up the party factor city-wide. There are fishing tournaments, folkloric dance extravaganzas, food festivals, motocross and surfing competitions.
Most events are free. For the complete schedule, visit our post on What Everyone Should Know About the Fiestas de Noviembre.
Las Fiestas de Chila
For such a tiny town, the Bajos de Chila puts on a big party to celebrate its patron saint San Isidro Labrador. The festivities begin in early February and include fishing derbies, rodeos, displays of prancing horses, livestock competitions, midway, dances, cockfights and more.
It’s an important cultural, social and religious event that reaches its peak on February 14th with fireworks, music and the Quema del Castillo.
If you’ve never seen the spectacle of a Mexican fireworks castle, this is a must-see! These five-storey, hand-assembled pyrotechnic castles spin, whirl and burst into flame to music.
Chila is only 10 km from Puerto Escondido so it’s easy to get to.
Festival Santa Cruz – Carnival
Huatulco’s biggest festival is the Festival of Santa Cruz. It features a religious parade, a large midway, fishing tournament, traditional dance performances, a vendor’s market, street food and more.
There’s also a Quema del Castillo, but on a smaller scale than at Chila. It takes place the first Friday of Lent so the date changes every year.
Verdict: Overall, Puerto Escondido has more festivals and they’re generally bigger.
Getting There: Which One’s Easier?
Huatulco wins when it comes to ease of access. It has a modern international airport (HUX) with direct flights from several Canadian and U.S. cities.
Puerto Escondido’s airport (PXM) mostly serves domestic routes (usually via Mexico City) and doesn’t yet support many international flights, apart from United Airlines’ partner Mesa Airlines that began direct flights in April 2025..
That said, the brand-new Barranca Larga–Ventanilla highway now makes it much easier (and faster!) to reach Puerto Escondido by road from Oaxaca City. ADO buses and shuttles make the trip in just 3 hours instead of 8+.
So, if you’re flying in from abroad and want to keep it simple, Huatulco is your best bet. But if you’re already in Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido is now more accessible than ever.
🌟 Pro Tip: Many people fly into HUX and transfer to Puerto Escondido. Get details on shuttles and buses in How to Get to Puerto Escondido from Huatulco Airport.
Day Trips from Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco
One of the top things to do in Puerto Escondido is to take a day trip to one of the pristine beaches such as Agua Blanca or Roca Blanca. They’re less than an hour away. The Shrine to the Virgin of Juquila in Santa Catarina Juquila is also doable in one day.
Huatulco also has several has several natural attractions, such as Playa Estacahuite in Puerto Angel, that make perfect day trips. There’s also Pluma Hidalgo, the coffee growing mecca as well as waterfalls.
Verdict: There are slightly more options for day trips in Puerto Escondido.
Nightlife: Laid-Back or All-Night Parties?
Puerto Escondido is where you go if you want to stay out late. Or accidentally watch the sunrise.
The Zicatela strip pumps with energy, and many of the nightclubs there stay open until 5 a.m. It’s a happening beach-party scene, especially on weekends, with DJs, mezcal, theme parties and a barefoot vibe.
A long-time expat crowd keeps the live music scene alive, with blues and jazz at Brad’s Split Coconut and other favourite haunts.
Huatulco, on the other hand, winds down early. You’ll find a handful of chill spots in La Crucecita. Think live music and mezcal bars, but it’s more about mellow evenings than wild nights. For more on the vibe, check out my full guide to Nightlife in Huatulco.
Verdict: If nightlife is a priority, Puerto Escondido wins by a long shot. Huatulco’s for early dinners, not sunrise dance floors.
Verdict: Huatulco vs Puerto Escondido. Which is Better?
- Beaches are longer and better for walking in Puerto Escondido. While Huatulco has more beaches (36 vs 8) and they’re cleaner, several are quite short.
- Which has better beaches for swimming? Playa Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido’s best swimming beach has steep stairs ( 167 of them!) so it isn’t the easiest to access. Its second best swimming beach (Playa Manzanillo) also has several stairs and quite a few rocks.
- Zicatela Beach, Puerto Escondido’s main beach, is too dangerous for swimming. So, considering the cleanliness of the water and safety, Huatulco has better swimming beaches.
- Huatulco has more all-inclusive resorts so should be your top choice if you’re looking for a luxury beach destination. Puerto Escondido has more hostels, AirBnB’s and independent hotels. It’s not necessarily cheaper for long term vacation rentals as prices have risen in recent years.
- Huatulco is further south so is hotter and sunnier than Puerto Escondido.
- Puerto Escondido is better than Huatulco for sunsets as it faces west directly.
- It’s easier to find yoga classes, dance parties and nightlife. While nightlife in Huatulco has picked up in recent years, Puerto Escondido is more of a party town.
- There are more stray dogs in Puerto Escondido than there are in Huatulco. It’s possible to encounter packs of stray dogs roaming Zicatela Beach (especially in la Punta) and the entrance to Playa Angelito.
- There’s a wider selection of restaurants in Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco.
- Puerto Escondido has bigger and better food markets. Mercado Benito Juarez is one of Mexico’s best markets so has a major advantage over Huatulco.
Can’t decide? Do both! Why not split your time and get the best of both worlds?
The drive between them takes about 2.5 hours and offers some gorgeous coastal views along the way.
Puerto Vallarta vs Puerto Escondido
If you’re trying to decide between Puerto Vallarta or Puerto Escondido for your next vacation, although both are located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast there are several differences between the two destinations.
Many people say Puerto Escondido is like Puerto Vallarta was 40 years ago.
Here are the main factors to consider between Puerto Vallarta vs Puerto Escondido:
- With its population of 203,000, Puerto Vallarta is much larger than Puerto Escondido, which has around 45,000 residents.
- There are more foreigners (Americans and Canadians) in Puerto Vallarta than Puerto Escondido. The literacy rate of the population and workforce in Jalisco is much higher than in the state of Oaxaca. English is widely spoken in shops, restaurants and businesses in Puerto Vallarta.
- There is a very large selection of all-inclusive luxury hotels and hotels on the beach in Puerto Vallarta. In Puerto Escondido there’s only one all-inclusive hotel. Few of the condos, hostels and hotels in Puerto Escondido are directly on a beach.
- Puerto Escondido is much further south than Puerto Vallarta (1,009 km or 627 miles as the crow flies). This means Puerto Escondido is hotter than Puerto Vallarta. The average temperature in Puerto Vallarta in January is 27 C. In Puerto Escondido it’s 30 C.
- Puerto Escondido receives less rain and more sunshine than Puerto Vallarta. This means that outside the rainy season, the landscape is dry, tropical forest, cactus and scrub brush rather than lush, humid vegetation.
- There are more cultural activities in Puerto Vallarta such as choir and music concerts, art galleries, dance performances and high-end restaurants. But Puerto Escondido has live music such as rock, blues and jazz as well as nightclubs and a rich indigenous culture.
- The US Department of State Mexico Travel Advisory lists the state of Jalisco as a Level 3 for safety (Reconsider Travel). The State of Oaxaca is a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). This is important if you’re planning to leave either city on day trips.
- If you’re interested in going surfing, seeing sea turtle nestings or seeing dolphins in the wild, Puerto Escondido is superior to Puerto Vallarta.
- If you enjoy long beach walks, Puerto Escondido’s main beach (Zicatela Beach) is longer than either Los Muertos and Olas Altas beach in Puerto Vallarta and has few (if any) beach vendors.
- When it comes to swimmable beaches, Carrizalillo Beach (Playa Carrizalillo) is prettier, has gentle waves and better for swimming than any of the beaches near the centre of Puerto Vallarta. However, it can only be accessed by steep stairs (or boat) which makes it unsuitable for people with mobility issues. The best beach for swimming in Puerto Vallarta is Playas Gemelas, located south of the city on the way to Playa Mismaloya. You need to take a car or bus to reach it.
- With its poverty rate of 62% ( 2012), the state of Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s poorest states. Puerto Escondido is generally scruffier, has worse infrastructure and is rougher around the edges than Puerto Vallarta.
FAQs
The rainy season in Puerto Escondido begins in May and continues through October. This coincides with the Pacific hurricane season. While there is a risk of tropical storms during this season, quite often the rainfall is intense for short bursts of time and it’s sunny the rest of the day. May to October is Puerto Escondido’s greenest season.
Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca is popular for its surfing, laid-back atmosphere, wealth of beaches, abundant sunshine and Mexican culture, including its famous Oaxacan cuisine. It’s become increasingly popular as a destination for digital nomads as an alternative to Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Huatulco is very popular among foreign visitors( especiallly Canadians) as it’s clean, safe and not as commercialized as the Mexican Caribbean. It’s an eco-friendly destination that offers an authentic Mexican culture, a wealth of well-maintained, modern accommodation options from vacation condos to luxury all-inclusive resorts as well as several swimmable beaches.
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