Experiences and local guides in Puerto Escondido

Nature

Puerto Escondido, on the Oaxaca coast, is famous for Zicatela, the "Mexican Pipeline", a beach break reaching 6 m in summer that draws the world's best surfers. Around it: calm-water coves like Carrizalillo and Puerto Angelito, the Manialtepec lagoon with mangroves and glowing plankton, turtle nesting beaches at Escobilla and Ventanilla, and to the south Mazunte and Zipolite, the Pacific's hippie coast.

Activities

• Surfing: lessons at La Punta and Carrizalillo to start, Zicatela for experts (May to October)
• Night-time bioluminescence in the Manialtepec lagoon, swimming among blue lights
• Dawn boat trips: dolphins, turtles, rays and humpback whales from December to March
• Turtle releases at Escobilla and Ventanilla, crocodiles in the Ventanilla lagoon, Punta Cometa at Mazunte
• Artisanal fishing with local fishermen, diving at Puerto Angelito, temazcal and the Puerto market

When to go

November to April is the dry season, with calmer seas for learning and whales in winter. May to October brings afternoon rain and Zicatela at full size; November hosts the international surf tournament. Hot all year, between 25 and 33 °C.

How to get there

Puerto Escondido airport (PXM) is 10 minutes from the centre, with flights from Mexico City (1 h 15), Oaxaca and Guadalajara. From Oaxaca, 7 hours by van over the sierra (route 175) or 3 h 30 on the new coastal motorway. Shared taxis between Zicatela, La Punta, Carrizalillo and the centre; Mazunte and Manialtepec 40 minutes away.