Puerto Escondido Travel Guide

  Water Truck
by rubioro
 
  • Water Truck
      Water Truck
    by rubioro
  • rainy season, washed out - this often happens
      rainy season, washed out - this often...
    by rubioro
  • plenty of these sad little guys
      plenty of these sad little guys
    by rubioro
  • it is beautiful . too bad it's not up close
      it is beautiful . too bad it's not up...
    by rubioro
  •   Warnings and Dangers
    by rubioro
 

Flights to Puerto Escondido

All fares Ashburn (IAD) to Puerto Escondido (ACA) found by travelers in past 48 hours*
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Pro

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 Away from it all. 


Con

Luis_A profile photo

 Away from it all. 


In a nutshell

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 Beautiful place to relax 

 

Explore Puerto Escondido

Things to Do  

Playa Carrizalillo.

Playa Carrizalillo., Puerto Escondido

 cachaseiro Says:  Playa Carrizallilo is a small secluded beach in the northern outskirts of Puerto Escondido.it´s a small hideaway that is real nice if you like a more quiet surf and a few beach bars to hang out at with snacks and drinks.I personally really like this beach even if you need to... 

Playa Zicatela.

Playa Zicatela., Puerto Escondido

 cachaseiro Says:  Playa Zicatela is the surfers beach.It´s also a very long beach with lot´s of space if you like to be alone and sun tan.It´s wider and longer than the other beaches around Puerto Escondido and many people love it because of that.I personally prefer the smaller and more curvy... 

Bahia Principal.

Bahia Principal., Puerto Escondido

 cachaseiro Says:  Bahia Principal is the "city beach" of Puerto Escondido.This is where you have most of the social life, the restaurants and the football games.Some people might say it´s a little cramped, but i think it´s the nicest beach in Puerto Escondido cause i like when there is life... 

other beaches

other beaches, Puerto Escondido

 rkearns Says:  take a cab ($3) to the other beaches...manzanillo is the one that pops into mind. it´s an oasis of clear water and you can lounge on the chairs and order drinks pretty cheaply. it gets crowded but you don´t feel like there are tons of gringo tourists. from here, there are... 

Visit the sea turtles

Visit the sea turtles, Puerto Escondido

 Arial_27 Says:  You pay about $50 pesos (about $5 USD) and will be taken out on a boat far out into the water to see sea turtles. This experience was fun, although not at all what I was expecting. Once they spot a sea turtle, they will dive into the water and catch it. You then have the... 

La Playa Carrizalillo

La Playa Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido

 Arial_27 Says:  Very nice small beach - but a bit crowded during the day. I came here during the Samana Santa (spring break) and there were quite a few people which didn't make it as nice. I'm sure its more empty at different times of the year though. If you come early in the day say at... 

Hotels  

Quinta Lili

 270 Opinions

Restaurants  

el jardin: the freshest food!

el jardin: the freshest food!, Puerto Escondido

 rkearns Says:  at this point in my trip, my body was not agreeing with ANYTHING i put into it. i needed fresh, clean food, and we found el jardin. el jardin serves pizza, pasta dishes, and the best salad that is on par with american (california) cuisine. i had a beet, carrot and jicima... 

Restaurants Crotos and Junto del Mar: Eating by the seaside

Restaurants Crotos and Junto del Mar: Eating by the seaside, Puerto Escondido

 Marie-France Says:  These two restaurants both have tables overlooking the beach and specialize in seafood. Crotos is more expensive than Junto del Mar. Crotos has some interesting breakfasts including the "Desayuno de la Costa" (breakfast from the coast) which, surprisingly, features not... 

Transportation  

getting to puerto escondido from zihuatanejo

getting to puerto escondido from zihuatanejo, Puerto Escondido

 rkearns Says:  from the main bus terminal in zihuatanejo, you can take a bus directly to puerto escondido, but be sure to get to the bus station early in the morning. there are only one or two buses a day, and they sell out quickly. we ended up having to take a bus to acapulco, then... 

Shopping  

Mercado Benito Juarez: Mexican Walmart
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jacquiblueyes 1 reviews
Fruits and Vegetables at El Mercado

El Mercado Benito Juarez is the second largest Mercado in Oaxaca and not to be missed. It's an outdoor, covered shopping center that offers everything from flowers, fruit, vegetables, local homemade cheeses, fish, poultry, meat, baskets, dishes, clothing, and household goods. The best day to go to the Mercado is Wednesday; early in the morning around 8:00. That's the day the local farmers bring fresh produce to the Mercado. In addition, there are several small cafes so it's ideal for breakfast. The Mercado is located in the town proper along 3a Poniente, between 8a Norte and 9a Norte and is a short taxi ride from any destination. It's not a feasible walk, unless you like walking up steep hills. If you are looking for a truly 'Mexican Experience', you must go to the Mercado.

What to buy: Cheese! Absolutely out of this world Oaxacan Cheese!!! Pick up a package of home made corn tortillas and you have a meal! Also, many different types of durable shopping bags that will make you the envy of everyone back home at your local grocery store as they are sturdy and large. Most have advertising from various stores throughout Oaxaca. I purchased woven tortilla baskets for between $3.50-$5.00 U.S. for myself as well as gifts for friends. If you are staying in a condo, this is the place to purchase most of your food. Just remember to also purchase the local fruit and vegetable anti-bacterial wash and use it before you eat anything without a peel.

What to pay: Varies upon the season and the vendor, but compared to home, it's cheap.

Written Sep 20, 2009

Address: 3a Poniente and 8a Norte

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Local Customs  

Puerto Escondido is still a fishing town.

Puerto Escondido is still a fishing town., Puerto Escondido

 cachaseiro Says:  One of the charms of Puerto Escondido is that it is still an active fishing town.They don´t have a real harbour but pull the boats up on the beach, but there are still a fair bunch of guys making a living from the sea and it gives it a bit more of a feeling of being a real... 

driving boats at 25 knots onto the beach

driving boats at 25 knots onto the beach, Puerto Escondido

 rkearns Says:  the first time i saw this, i was VERY VERY concerned for the safety of snorkelers and beach dwellers alike. you will see a boat going about 25 knots, heading straight for the shore. it's not stopping. people begin to notice and start to part on the shore, and they all have... 

Warnings and Dangers  

getting worse in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca Mexico

getting worse in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca Mexico, Puerto Escondido

 rubioro Says:  i lived there for a year and at first it was great but then u get to see the real culture, and it has turned itself into a tourist resort town - not on a big scale - but the bad things tourist towns attract this town excels in.. unfortunately... I could not even go walking... 

only one local atm machine

only one local atm machine, Puerto Escondido

 rkearns Says:  Beware! There is only one easily accessible ATM machine at Zicatela beach, and it broke while I was there, not to be repaired until the following Monday. We had to take a cab into the city to find an ATM machine. Be sure to bring plenty of cash. 

Waves

Waves, Puerto Escondido

 Arial_27 Says:  Be careful when playing in the waves out here, because the undertoe is REALLY strong. Watch for the signals from lifeguards, and pay attention to the colours of the flags - red is dangerous, yellow is moderately dangerous and green is safe. I wouldn't swim anywhere but the... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Watch sea turtles mate in July

Watch sea turtles mate in July, Puerto Escondido

 rkearns Says:  One of the highlights of my trip to Mexico was being able to watch sea turtles mate. From Puerto Escondido, take a cab to Manzanillo beach (about 10 minutes, $3). We were approached by a vendor who basically charges people to go out on his boat for a few hours early in the... 

Playa Roca Blanca - west of Puerto Escondido

Playa Roca Blanca - west of Puerto Escondido, Puerto Escondido

 leffe3 Says:  To the west of Puerto Escondido, on the way to Acapulco, and our favourite beach by far, found independently, is Playa Roca Blanca. Sign-posted through the roadside village of Cacalotepec (50kms from PE), this is glorious. White sands, palm-fringed, azure seas, cascading... 

Favorites  

PJ´s book bodega.

PJ´s book bodega., Puerto Escondido

 cachaseiro Says:  PJ´s book bodega is a bit of many things.It´s a second hand bookstore with a great selection of second hand books.It´s also a cinema showing movies of all kinds in the cinema room and it often turns in to a bit of a bar at night as the owner tends to bring a few dozens beer... 

Beach vendors.

Beach vendors., Puerto Escondido

 cachaseiro Says:  In Puerto Escondido you have quite a few people making a living from selling food and drink on the beach.They are usually not the hustling type and very friendly and polite so i like to support them when i am there.In my opinion you get the best food in Mexico from buying... 

watch the sunset

watch the sunset, Puerto Escondido

 rkearns Says:  i think what makes the sunset in mexico so spectacular is that there are frequent storm clouds looming, making the color of the sky unusual. sunset photos rarely do the moment justice, but these are some i particularly enjoyed. 

Comments

 
* Pricing and fares have been collected during the three days prior to today's date. Actual pricing and fares are provided by air carrier and suppliers, whose prices change frequently and without notice.
Map of Puerto Escondido