Plan Your Trip to Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido lies on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, 15 minutes from its own international airport (PXM). The best time to visit is November through April; for big surf, May through September. These are our guides, written from Casa Leah, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, 47 steps from Zicatela Beach.
Puerto Escondido at a glance
| What to know | |
|---|---|
| Where it is | The Pacific coast of Oaxaca, southern Mexico |
| Getting here | Nonstop flights into PXM from Houston, Dallas, Mexico City, Guadalajara and more |
| Best time | November to April (dry). Big surf: May to September |
| Climate | Warm all year; the sea between 81 and 86°F (27–30°C) |
| Swimming | Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo. Not Zicatela: strong currents |
| Where to stay | Zicatela and Brisas de Zicatela to walk everywhere; Rinconada for something quieter |
Our Puerto Escondido guides
- Best time to visit (/best-time-to-visit-puerto-escondido): the short answer on seasons, rain and surf.
- How to get here (/how-to-get-to-puerto-escondido): nonstop flights into PXM, the highway from Oaxaca City, and Huatulco as an alternative.
- Where to stay (/where-to-stay-in-puerto-escondido): Zicatela, La Punta, Rinconada, Carrizalillo and the town center, and who each one suits.
- Surfing in Zicatela (/surfing-in-zicatela): the Mexican Pipeline, when the big swells come, and where to learn.
- Best restaurants (/best-restaurants-in-puerto-escondido): from the two Michelin Guide selections to the taco stands of La Punta.
- Day trips (/day-trips-from-puerto-escondido): bioluminescence, Chacahua, Mazunte, Huatulco and whales.
- Internet for remote work (/best-internet-in-puerto-escondido): what happens to the signal in the rains, and how to work without interruption.
- Romantic getaways (/romantic-getaways-puerto-escondido): honeymoons, dinners, sunsets and suites for two.
- Family vacations (/family-vacations-puerto-escondido): safe beaches for children, things to do and two-bedroom suites.
From the journal
- The best time to visit Puerto Escondido, month by month (/blog/best-time-to-visit-puerto-escondido-guide): weather, rain, hurricanes, surf, turtles and whales, with a twelve-month table.
- The best boutique hotels in Puerto Escondido (/blog/best-boutique-hotels-puerto-escondido): an honest guide by neighborhood and by kind of trip.
- Hotel or Airbnb in Puerto Escondido? (/blog/hotel-vs-airbnb-puerto-escondido): which suits your stay.
When should you visit Puerto Escondido?
From November to April rain is rare and the skies are clear; November and February are the most balanced months. From May to October the rains arrive in the afternoons, the coast turns green and Zicatela's swells grow large. September is the wettest month and the quietest.
The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30. If you travel during those months, keep an eye on the forecast.
Distances from Casa Leah
| Place | How you get there |
|---|---|
| Zicatela Beach | 47 steps, under 100 m |
| PXM airport | 6.6 km, 15 to 20 min by car |
| La Punta (south Zicatela) | 2.2 km, about 8 min by car; 2.0 km, about 27 min on foot |
| Carrizalillo Beach | 4.5 km, about 14 min by car |
| Rinconada | 5.8 km, about 18 min by car |
| El Adoquín (main bay) | 3.5 km, about 11 min by car |
| Benito Juárez market | 4.6 km, about 14 min by car |
| Manialtepec lagoon | About 20–30 min by car |
| Mazunte | Just over 1 h by car |
| Huatulco | About 2 h by car |
What to pack for Puerto Escondido
Pool and beach towels are already waiting in your suite. And if something is left behind, our front desk will tell you where to find it in town.
- Light cotton and linen; no sweater required.
- A hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen.
- Sandals, plus walking shoes for a day at Chacahua.
- A light rain shell and insect repellent from May to October.
- Some cash in pesos for taxis, boats and market stalls.
Getting around Puerto Escondido
Taxis are plentiful and the easiest way between Zicatela, Rinconada, Carrizalillo and the town center. For Chacahua, Mazunte or Manialtepec, a rental car or a tour with transport is simplest.
From Casa Leah you can walk to Zicatela Beach, to the restaurants of Brisas and, along the sand, to La Punta.
A word about the ocean
Zicatela is one of the heaviest waves in the world and its currents are strong. It is for watching and for experienced surfers, not for swimming. To swim, go to Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito or Manzanillo.
Your base in Puerto: Casa Leah
We are a Beach Boutique Hotel of fifteen suites in Brisas de Zicatela. All the freedom of a home, all the service of a hotel.
Every suite has a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, air conditioning, a 55" smart TV, a hammock, a rain shower and 850 Mbps fiber with Starlink backup. There are two pools, a poolside bar, breakfast from 8 to 11, daily housekeeping, and a front desk open from 7 am to 11 pm to help with tours, massages and restaurants.
Check-in begins at 3:00 pm; check-out is until 12:00 pm.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Puerto Escondido?
Four or five days cover the essentials: Zicatela, the swimming bays, a dinner in Rinconada and one excursion, such as Manialtepec or Mazunte. A week adds Chacahua or Huatulco, and days of doing nothing at all.
Where is Puerto Escondido?
On the Pacific coast of the state of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. It has an international airport (PXM) with nonstop flights from Houston, Dallas, Mexico City and Guadalajara, among others.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?
November through April, the dry season. November and February combine fine weather with fewer people. For big surf, come between May and September.
Where can you swim in Puerto Escondido?
At Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo, which are sheltered bays. Zicatela has very strong currents and is not a swimming beach.
How far is Casa Leah from the airport and the beach?
Fifteen minutes by car from Puerto Escondido's airport and 47 steps from Zicatela Beach. The address is Calle Framboyanes 11, Brisas de Zicatela, with the entrance on Av. del Morro.
