10 Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: Complete Guide
Swimming is a pleasure in Puerto Escondido thanks to its diverse stretch of Pacific coastline. More than one beach in Puerto Escondido boasts turquoise waters, rocky cliffs, and tall palm trees — and they are open every day of the year. Here are the 10 beaches you need to know about.
Puerto Escondido has beaches for everyone and every mood, one of the benefits of visiting this long stretch of Oaxacan coastline. For a full trip-planning resource, see our Puerto Escondido complete travel guide.
They are such diverse places that you could see one every day and still want to revisit a few more.
The visit to Puerto Escondido and its beaches is characterized by diversity and openness. The beaches along the coast are quite accessible.
According to the season and the day, conditions may vary. Our weather guide can help you choose the best month for your beach trip. It is always a good idea to watch the waves before entering the sea. This is good advice for beaches in general. Gain further guidance through those close to you by following their example.
The list is categorized from the proximity of your location.
1. Carrizalillo Beach
Puerto Escondido and its beaches boast Playa Carrizalillo. It has an impressive landscape of golden sand, turquoise waters, tall palm trees and rocky cliffs.
It is often considered the best beach in Puerto Escondido but it can also be the busiest. Do not let that detail prevent you from visiting it if you are nearby.
You can swim at Playa Carrizalillo, the crest level of the waves makes it a pleasant activity. The sea is smooth. It is only necessary to swim a little further to reach the waves.
Beginner surfers will also enjoy this beach. Surfers gather at the surf spot on the left from early morning until sunset.
You can rent a board directly on the beach or organize surf lessons. However, it has higher prices than other beaches.
Playa Carrizalillo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Escondido. While some swim, people rest on the sand near the restaurants in the shade of palapas.
Rinconada is a neighborhood with a strip of restaurants, in addition to those along the beach. There, a tree on the far right casts some shade.
To access the soft golden sand, you must descend 150 steps. The climb back up at the end of your beach day will be worth it as it may just become your favorite beach in Puerto Escondido.
2 y 3. Manzanillo Beach and Puerto Angelito
Between Puerto Escondido and its beaches, Manzanillo is popular with swimmers and walkers beyond the view of the rocks. It is perfect for boarding families, due to its calm waves and the ease of swimming and resting.
It has a large hotel behind a cliff-lined with small palm trees.
Manzanillo Beach and Puerto Angelito are from left to right, as you descend to the beach.
Playa Manzanillo is better for swimming because it has fewer boats nearby. There is also a snorkeling area near the rocks to the left. Always pay attention to boats and currents.
When you buy food or drinks at either of the two beaches, an umbrella will provide shade. The Palapa de Carrasco (Playa Manzanillo) has a good reputation. It does not require a minimum expense.
There is also decent shade in the late afternoon. It is easy to rest in the shade of rocks and trees without having to visit a restaurant. You can book a dolphin and whale tour in Puerto Angelito if you book it.
4. Puerto Escondido and its beaches: Zicatela Beach
Playa Zicatela is a long sandy beach, surrounded by tall palm trees and dense tropical plants.
3.5 km south of Puerto Escondido is Zicatela, the most famous surf beach in Oaxaca. Our surfing guide covers everything you need to know about riding waves here. It is important to note that it is not suitable for swimming. It’s best to leave the surfing to the professionals at Playa Zicatela.
The waves are among the largest in the world. International surfing competitions are held from April to October, during the main season of the sport.
The Selina hostel offers a space next to beach bars and restaurants. Playa Zicatela has the best nightlife in Puerto Escondido.
5. La Punta Beach
It includes auras of surfers, backpackers, and hippies. Read our Zicatela and La Punta neighborhood guide for restaurant, accommodation, and nightlife recommendations in the area. As the setting sun crosses the coast and sets behind the cliffs of La Punta, the fishermen cast their rods on the rocks.
You can see spectacular sunset in La Punta. It is a place for intermediate surfers. Everybody goes to the beach or surfs during the day. At sunset, they all flood the nearby restaurants with international cuisine.
It has a relaxed atmosphere on the unpaved sandy streets. Meanwhile, the sun sets behind the cliff.
In La Punta, there are many of the best beach clubs. If you want to relax on the beach with a cocktail or a beer, go to this beach. It has had a lot of development in recent years. It has a bohemian style that retains some of its Mexican roots.
6. Puerto Escondido and its beaches: bonus
What is behind the great cliff of La Punta? another beach! An isolated. It features a beautiful rock arch and impressive rock formations.
Despite its exposed location and turtle nests, it is not a good beach for swimming. But it is a wonderful place to walk in the mornings or before sunset.
Find the cliff on your left if you walk through La Punta and pass the surfers. The climb is short and there is a short descent back to the beach. If you find yourself there without sturdy shoes you can easily climb in sandals.
7. Bacocho Beach
Between Puerto Escondido and its beaches, there is one with imposing and dense palm trees in the background, with a wonderful stretch to walk as a couple: Playa Bacocho. Also, along the rocky curve of the beach, the waves crash against the shore.
There is no shade along this beach. However, Bacocho is one of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido to take a long walk before sunset. It has a strong underground current.
Among the clubs with swimming pools and palm trees, there are some high-end ones. There are better options with more swimming beaches unless you want a resort feel.
Playa Bacocho has a turtle release at Vive Mar, which takes place before nightfall.
8. Puerto Escondido and its beaches: Coral Beach
While Bacocho is better for swimming, at Playa Coral there are large rocks with deep crevasses, a steep drop, and possible undercurrents. It is better to tread carefully.
Coral is a space with a special cove, with its soft white sand and crystal clear waters. There is no shade in the afternoon, so you will have to bring everything you need.
Playa Coral is best reached on foot from Bacocho. There is a sandy path with large rocks just after the two resorts, near the tall palm trees. You have to do some maneuvering around the rocks at first, but it’s pretty straightforward.
With a fee you can access Playa Coral through Villa Mexicana. Despite the free beer and hamburgers, it doesn’t sound very fair to privatize beach access.
You can walk back to town while enjoying both beaches and the turtle release. The sunset gives you a beautiful afternoon.
9. Main Bay (Bahía Principal)
Bahía Principal is the central beach of Puerto Escondido. You can find several people sitting playing in the sand, couples, men with cowboy hats. There are also several boats anchored in the bay.
It is common for motorboats to anchor in the central bay of Mexican coastal towns. Therefore, Bahía Principal can be quite crowded.
However, the beach is a great place to watch the fishermen bring in the catch of the day. Several Mexican families are also likely to be found playing in the gentle waves.
You can buy some souvenirs at Artesanías El Adoquin. If you plan to visit Mercado Benito Juárez you will probably find better prices there.
10. Puerto Escondido and its beaches: Marinera Beach
Between Puerto Escondido and its beaches, in Marinera there are umbrellas and loungers lined up on the sand, sailboats anchored in the bay, and people strolling. The horizon is in the background.
Marinera is an extension of the main beach. It is common for a lagoon to form between the two in the rainy season. Also, there is access to this beach north of Playa Zicatela, near the large hand sculpture.
Be careful, these waves are smaller than at Playa Zicatela. It is known for body surfing. If you prefer, you can relax on the beach under an umbrella, next to the restaurants.
At sunset, you can stop at La Mariinera for a margarita and a plate of fresh sashimi. You can see the best sunset from this beach.
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