Puerto Escondido Travelers Recommend

Three days in Puerto Escondido give you time to go surfing, sample the best of Oaxaca’s cuisine, see dolphins, and swim with bioluminescent plankton. Here’s how to make the most of three days in the Hidden Port. 

Day 1: Shopping, Surfing, and Sea Turtles

Get to know Puerto Escondido’s historic streets and markets by visiting the shop-lined El Adoquinado and Benito Juarez Market, where you can discover local crafts and sample authentic cuisine. From there, make your way to Playa Zicatela to watch expert surfers tackle huge waves. While the display is sure to inspire you, don’t be enticed by the expert-only waves. Instead, book a surf lesson at one of the nearby beginner or intermediate surf breaks. 

Wrap up your first day in Puerto Escondido at a turtle conservation camp. Educational tours typically provide round-trip transport to the secluded camp and give you the opportunity to help baby sea turtles to the water for the first time. 

Day 2: Get Out of Town

On day two, explore the surrounding jungle on an adventure tour. Itineraries typically feature hiking to waterfalls, ziplining over the treetops, and visiting small mountain villages. Along the way, a guide shares information about local culture and history that provides a new perspective of the region. 

If you prefer to skip the mountains in favor of the beach, book a day trip to the beach towns of Ventanilla, Puerto Angel, Zipolite, and Mazunte. Tours tend to include boat rides through the mangrove-lined lagoons, a visit to the National Mexican Turtle Center, and local tips from your guide. When you return to PE, head to Playa Zicatela for dinner and drinks, or spend your night bar hopping on the beachfront.

Day 3: Dolphins and Bioluminescent Plankton

See the coastline from a different perspective on a dolphin-watching cruise. With luck, you’ll spot up to five different wild dolphin species and learn about their different lifestyles and habitats. Then, spend your afternoon on a horseback riding adventure to the thermal pools outside of Manialtepec. Once there, you can typically enjoy free time to soak in the pools. 

On your final night in Puerto Escondido, go swimming in sparkling bioluminescent waters. The lagoons surrounding Puerto Escondido are home to bioluminescent plankton that create a natural light show below the surface After-dark boat tours enable you to see the show from above or snorkel in the vibrant water.

Famous for its world-class surf break, Puerto Escondido appeals to both expert surfers and travelers looking to relax on white-sand beaches. Two days in the port city give you time for more than just the beach—you can embrace culture, wildlife, jungle, and surf. Here’s how.  

Day 1: Surf and Turf Adventures

**Morning:**Kickstart your time in PE at the beach. If you’re an expert surfer, head to Playa Zicatela for world-famous waves and pro surfers. Aspiring surfers can book a lesson at a beginner-friendly surf break such as Playa Cardisarillo. Tours typically include board rental and transport. 

**Afternoon:**Take a break from the waves on an afternoon horseback ride to the Manialtepec thermal pools. Excursions tend to combine horseback riding through the jungle with relaxation time, and give you the opportunity to sample food at stalls around the thermal pools. Round-trip transfers are typically included.

**Night:**As darkness falls, it’s time for Puerto Escondido’s famous natural light show. The waters surrounding the town are home to bioluminescent plankton that can be viewed from the deck of a boat. Better yet, book a cruise that lets you snorkel in the sparkling waters. 

Day 2: Sealife and Nightlife

**Morning:**Get up early for a dolphin-watching cruise off the coast of Puerto Escondido. Cruises typically grant you the chance to spot up to five different dolphin species, and offer a new perspective of Puerto Esondido’s beaches and coves.

**Afternoon:**Experience local culture on El Adoquinado, a historic street lined with restaurants and vendors. From there, embark on an excursion to a nearby sea turtle conservation camp. Late-afternoon tours usually include the chance to help newborn turtles make their way to the sea for the first time. 

**Evening:**Spend your last evening in Puerto Escondido in Playa Zicatela. Get dinner at a beachfront seafood restaurant while watching surfers carving in the sunset. Then, wrap up the night at a bar or nightclubs.

As a secluded beach town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Puerto Escondido is a perfect escape for surfers and food lovers. This off-the-beaten-path town lets you break away from Mexico’s larger tourist hubs while still enjoying gorgeous beaches and Mexican culture. Here’s how. 

Morning: Surf’s Up

Kick off your first day with a walk along the beach that brought Puerto Escondido to the attention of international travelers. Playa Zicatela’s waves draw surfers from across the globe, so it’s a great spot to watch the world-class action. Though these waves are only suitable for experienced surfers, there are ample beaches for swimming and beginner surfing opportunities. If you’re a first-time surfer, book a surf lesson on Playa Cardisarillo. Intermediate surfers can rent a surfboard or take lessons at La Punta.

Afternoon: Seafood and Sea Turtles

After a morning of surfing or relaxing on the beach, refuel at a seafood restaurant on the seashore. Follow a cliffside path to the quiet cove of Puerto Angelito, where you can enjoy freshly-caught fish and take a break from the crowds of the beach. 

Then, see a different side of the region on a tour of a sea turtle conservation camp. Tours typically reveal the importance of sea turtle conservation and let you help newly-hatched sea turtles make their way into the ocean for the first time. Then, watch the sunset from the remote beach before the return trip to PE.

Night: Bioluminescent Displays

To sample authentic Mexican cuisine such as Oaxaca State’s renown mole sauce, head to the bustling El Adoquinado. The historic strip is lined with souvenir shops and restaurants and is closed to cars at night. Be sure to pick up locally-made crafts and souvenirs here.

Spend your evening on a boat tour that reveals the bioluminescent plankton of the Manialtepec Lagoon. As darkness sets in, you can swim through the sea of underwater stars or appreciate the natural phenomenon from aboard the boat. Either way, its a grand finale for your last day in Puerto Escondido.