La Laguna

Two days is never enough

by McBare

She starts early walking up and down the beach. Her soft shadow passes by draped in sarongs or hammocks. As the sun stretches its fingers, taking the pink sky and turning the silky-grey water into brilliant blue, the beach hawkers of Puerto Escondido Mexico move in like the tide.

Each day they watch and wait for you to settle and then quietly pass by singing their songs. "Ju want to buy a hammaka?" If you move from your spot they wait, come back and gently remind you about their wares. °Look at the calores, very beautiful, no?" °Si, not today, we might buy one manana. Gracias".

Over breakfast the mid-morning sea breeze is your gentle wake-up call. Sunglasses shield you from the sparkling reflections. You settle on the beach and sink into the white sand that coats you like a warm blanket. The sun energizes every cell in your body. Palm trees dance and warm tropical waves beg you to come and play. The endless Pacific Ocean meets the horizon.

Another day glides by on Playa Zicatela and as sure as the tide rolls in so does the hammaka lady. A deal was struck "you can take a photo as long as we talk hammakas manana!" A hammock is purchased to the delight of all who were playing the barter!

You think two nights will surely be enough before you move on. It stretches to three, then four. How can you leave this place? With each breath you relax, as each hour goes by the atmosphere envelopes you. The newly purchased hammock is slung up on the hotel balcony offering the perfect spot to sit and watch the sun slip into the ocean as you contemplate your next move.

The next day you escape the midday sun by strolling past the beachside cafes, shops and hotels. A familiar voice calls out ¨hammaka"? There's that cheeky smile inviting you to stop and see her wares. She's deep in the shade of a local cafe resting with friends. Her smile holds a magic secret - one you will only discover by moving with the Mexican tide.

Puerto is all about Surfing,...

by mocca

Puerto is all about Surfing, but you can get cultural too, there are some hidden Aztec sites in hills about an hour from puerto, just ask around and try to arange an ride with a cab to get there, I didn't go, but many sources said that is beautifull.

Playa Agua Blanca - midway between PE and PA

by leffe3

Mid-way between Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angelo is Playa Agua Blanca (small dirt road the only access - but at least sign posted in both directions of approach). Here is a glorious stretch of beach and rocks which attracts predominantly local families fishing off the shoreline. There are no facilities whatsoever and looked too dangerous to go swimming - but perfect for the sunset!

Lower key touristy town with an awesome beach

by Srechko

"Overall..."

I spent 2 nights in Puerto Escondido during my 2 month long Mexico & Central America long trip.

Town's main attraction is the beach that is endless and beautiful. Waves are high so this is predominately a paradise for surfers.

The town itself is not very interesting, and other than surfing and hanging out at the beach - there is not much to do.

"Still somewhat authentic"

I got here after visiting Acapulco and the difference between the two is big. Even though Puerto Escondido is getting more and more developed there still are only a few high rise hotels - more in town than on the beach. Beach is lined up with smaller hotels and hostels and at least while I was there - it was very quiet. The town does not feel very touristy, prices are lower, and you can browse and look at souvenirs without being abused by vendors. I hope the town does not get spoiled...

"Plenty of options for exploring"

There is a wild, deserted beach to the north of the town - a few kilometers away there is a small authentic village where I had the best fish ever!

Hammok Heaven

by McBare

She starts early walking up and down the beach. Her soft shadow passes by draped in sarongs or hammocks. As the sun stretches its fingers, taking the pink sky and turning the silky-grey water into brilliant blue, the beach hawkers of Puerto Escondido Mexico move in like the tide.

Each day they watch and wait for you to settle and then quietly pass by singing their songs. "Ju want to buy a hammaka?" If you move from your spot they wait, come back and gently remind you about their wares. °Look at the calores, very beautiful, no?" °Si, not today, we might buy one manana. Gracias".

Over breakfast the mid-morning sea breeze is your gentle wake-up call. Sunglasses shield you from the sparkling reflections. You settle on the beach and sink into the white sand that coats you like a warm blanket. The sun energizes every cell in your body. Palm trees dance and warm tropical waves beg you to come and play. The endless Pacific Ocean meets the horizon.

Another day glides by on Playa Zicatela and as sure as the tide rolls in so does the hammaka lady. A deal was struck "you can take a photo as long as we talk hammakas manana!" A hammock is purchased to the delight of all who were playing the barter!

Days start slowly with a tasty breakfast (desayuno). A selection of juice, coffee/tea, toast or sweet rolls (pan dulce), eggs anyway you like them in an omelet, poached, scrambled, or fried huevos rancheros style on tortillas covered in tomato salsa. If you like your eggs with a bit of zing try huevos mexicanos with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, chilies and onions!

Lunch (la comida) is the main meal of the day. It can be a five-course feast in a restaurant or at a busy market comedor. Try a do-it-yourself picnic by the beach with handpicked fresh season delicacies from the food markets: avocados, tomatoes, cheese, and crusty bread.

As you watch the surfers catch one more before the sun disappears, you sip your favorite tropical treat made with tequila of course! Dinner or supper (la cena) is a delight to experience. The tantalizing mix of lime, chilies, onion, tomato and garlic are essential flavours that send your taste buds wild as they're washed down with a beer (cerveza) or two.

The reliable tempting starters are guacamole and a chili salsa before the main feast. A choice of Oaxacan tamales of corn dough stuffed with chicken/beef smothered in a spicy chocolate sauce (mole) and wrapped in corn husks/banana leaves and steamed. The Mexican speciality mole negro varies from region to region and is mainly made up of chillies, nuts, seeds, bread, bananas, raisins, tomatoes and chocolate. Then there are the mouth-watering enchiladas of rolled tortillas stuffed with cheese, chicken/beef or seafood seasoned with salsa or chili, dipped in sauce and baked or fried. If you can still fit anymore try a dessert (postre) like the local creme caramel (flan).

October is quiet before the wave of surfers hit the ®Mex Pipe. The tube-shaped waves known as the Mexican Pipeline, reach heights up to 8 meters making it a hot spot for surfers around the world.

Another day, another beach, back to the hotel for a siesta. You think two nights will surely be enough before you move on. It stretches to three, then four. How can you leave this place? With each breath you relax, as each hour goes by the atmosphere envelopes you. The newly purchased hammock is slung up on the hotel balcony offering the perfect spot to sit and watch the sun slip into the ocean as you contemplate your next move.

Te next day you escape the midday sun by strolling past the beachside cafes, shops and hotels. A familiar voice calls out ¨hammaka"? There's that cheeky smile inviting you to stop and see her wares. She's deep in the shade of a local cafe resting with friends. Her smile holds a magic secret - one you will only discover by moving with the Mexican tide.