Puerto Escondido is undoubtedly one of the best places we’ve ever been. The tropical haven is full of culture, beauty, and epic surfing conditions. If you’re looking for the perfect place to plan a surf trip, then Puerto Escondido is a great choice.
Booking a Puerto Escondido surf trip will find you visiting the Oaxaca region of Mexico. Located on the southwest coastline of Mexico, the surfing town offers all that you’ll need for a memorable experience, and have you looking to come back again!
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Overview of Puerto Escondido Surfing Opportunities
Planning a surf trip means that the conditions should be at the front of your mind. There are certain times of the year when Puerto Escondido boasts some of the best waves in the world – and you’ll want to be prepared! One of the first things I suggest you do is buy a sim card with data when you arrive so you can keep an eye on the surf forecasts at all times.
Read our month-by-month surf guide here, for the best spots around the world throughout the year.
Puerto Escondido Surf Season
The prime surf season in Puerto Escondido is neatly packaged between late April until early September. During this time, the swell comes alive and arrives in full force. The crowds arrive in June, July, and August, so book your trip for the shoulder seasons to avoid the masses.
Throughout the year, the water stays a toasty warm 29℃. So, you can leave the wetsuit at home and pack a rash vest for UV and chafe protection.
Best Puerto Escondido Waves
Puerto Escondido is notoriously known for its killer swell that will put you in an early grave if you’re not ready. With that being said, it also offers a more mellow break that is suited for beginners learning to surf.
- Playa Zicatela, also known as the Mexican Pipeline, is a gnarly beach break that hikes up power and size
- Playa Carrizalillo is the beginner beach that offers calm waves and mellow breaks
- Punta Zicatela is a 30-minute walk along the beach from Playa Zicatela and is also best suited for more advanced surfers
We’ve written a whole blog dedicated to the beaches in Oaxaca. Read more there.
Puerto Escondido Surf Schools and Camps
While many people choose to travel solo and surf as they go, others choose surf camps to meet new people and enjoy the benefits of a local guide. Here are a few options to whet your appetite.
Being on a budget doesn’t eliminate the opportunity to enjoy a surf camp. Oasis Surf and Language school offer this amazing week-long surf camp for surfers of all levels, offering guidance and community for surfers of all skills.
If your time in Puerto Escondido is short and sweet, then this 3-day surf camp is the best way to introduce you to the surfing opportunities in the town. Designed for all levels, and including accommodation, breakfast, and board rental, this is an awesome all-inclusive surf camp opportunity.
Planning to spend some time in the surfing town, soaking up the waves? Then a four-week surf camp in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca is a great choice. Enjoy the best that Puerto Escondido has to offer, regardless of your level.
Everyone knows that surf and yoga go together like Ollie and Candi. An 8-day yoga and surf camp in Puerto Escondido offers a thrilling experience with the opportunity to balance the wild with the zen.
Kill two birds with one stone by booking this Spanish language surf camp in Puerto Escondido. Indulge in the local Mexican culture and learn the language, while spending time in the natural beauty of Puerto Escondido’s coastline.
Puerto Escondido Rentals
In many ways, Puerto Escondido has developed around surfing, meaning that you can easily rent surfboards from a choice of shops in the town.
Surfboard rental on the beach will cost you roughly USD $5 an hour, or USD $18 for the full day. Discounts are offered for long-term rentals which may work out more affordable if you plan on surfing the same board.
Flights and Getting To Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido Airport makes visiting the surfing town a breeze. Although, airlines are limited and we flew to Mexico City first, and then caught a domestic flight to Puerto Escondido.
From Mexico City, there are four airlines with direct flights to Puerto Escondido, namely Aeromar, Aeromexico, VivaAerobus, and Volaris.
Once arriving in Puerto Escondido, you can get a taxi from the airport to your accommodation. Keep in mind that the cheapest time to fly to Puerto Escondido is around September, but you’ll be able to find deals throughout the year.
Book flights to Puerto Escondido here.
Most visitors can enter Mexico visa-free for up to 180 days, regardless of whether you’re traveling for business or leisure. However, it’s always good to do a little bit of research on whether your country of origin requires any documentation.
Getting Around Puerto Escondido
Depending on where you stay in Puerto Escondido, the whole town is potentially walkable. However, if you want to explore the surf spots or go further than close proximity, then you’ll most likely use a combination of public transport and taxis (or Uber).
Expect to pay roughly USD $2,50 from the airport to the center, and up to USD $2 to move around the town once you’re settled.
Public transport includes colectivos, local buses and camionetas. Each runs from sunrise until 8:30 pm and costs a fraction of private transportation (roughly USD $0,50).
A lot of Puerto Escondido’s beauty lies on the outskirts of the town. To explore these areas, you can rent a car from the airport. Doing so will offer flexibility and comfort. While we were there, we rented a scooter while there and this served the same convenient purpose.
Book a car rental from Puerto Escondido airport here.
Surf Resorts in Puerto Escondido
It goes without saying that you’d want to spend as much time by the ocean as possible on your surf trip. A general rule of thumb is the closer to the surfing beach, the better.
Areas Near the Best Surf Spots
There are a few areas that are recommended to stay, especially if you want easy access to the best breaks.
- Playa Zicatela
Zicatela is home to the surfing town’s main strip and is always bustling with action. There are countless beach bars and restaurants, right on the doorstep of the renowned “pipeline” of Mexico.
- Punta Zicatela
Travel a little bit further along the strip and you’ll find Punta Zicatela, a rustic, chilled out area. There are a few restaurants and places to chill, but offers a far more laid-back atmosphere – with great surf for those that are experienced.
- Carrizalillo
Carrizalillo may not be in the heart of downtown Puerto Escondido, but it certainly has its own charm. This is a great area to stay for beginner surfers and those looking to learn the sport. It’s a scenic area and a quiet alternative to the busy main strip.
- Playa Principal
Playa Principal offers a truly authentic Mexican experience and the chance to rub shoulders with the locals. However, this is not a surfing beach and if you choose to stay in this area then you’ll either have to travel or take part in other types of watersports.
Puerto Escondido Surf Resorts
When planning your accommodation in Puerto Escondido, we highly recommend that you book to stay at a place that supports the surfing lifestyle. If you plan to work a couple of hours on your trip, then it’s even better if your surf resort has a space to be productive.
Here are our suggestions on the best surf resorts in Puerto Escondido for the surfing nomad.
Casa Losodeli offers comfort and style a few minutes away from Carrizaillo. There’s a fully established coworking space on the premises and a social community of nomads, freelancers, and surfers. Take your pick from the selection of rooms available including dorms, private rooms, studios, and apartments.
Selina has earned a reputation for being a global community space for surfing nomads. Located on the doorstep of Zicatela beach, Selina makes an effort to encourage social behavior. They offer an extensive social calendar that is packed with events, and plenty of space to relax in communal areas.
One Love Hostel boasts a rustic, surfing getaway space in a laid-back setting. Choose from dorms or bungalows and enjoy the convenience of surfboard rentals and yoga sessions. One Love Hostel offers the perfect combination of jungle haven and beach access for the easygoing traveler.
Suites La Hacienda offers a chic environment for the cultural surfer. Nestled in an oasis of trees nearby Carrizalillo Beach, the spot combines a rustic mood with comfort and style. Suites La Hacienda offers a home away from home, in a tropical setting.
With direct beach access and unbeatable views, Villas Carrizalillo is hard to beat. Located close to Carrizalillo beach, the villa offers plenty of space and common areas to hang out after a surf. As an added bonus, the complimentary continental breakfast is too delish!
Read more about the best places to work and surf in Puerto Escondido here.
Coworking In Puerto Escondido
As surfing nomads, we’re always on the hunt for epic surfing destinations that can also accommodate the remote work lifestyle. And Puerto Escondido passes the test with flying colors.
Need guidance on picking the best digital nomad destination? Read our blog here.
There are several reasons that we highly recommend working remotely in Puerto Escondido, and here are a few of them.
- Affordable cost of living
- High quality of life
- Decent internet (although not the fastest)
- Long-stay tourist visas
- Fantastic food
- Countless awesome things to do in Puerto Escondido during your down time
- Amazing surf beaches
What to Pack for a Surf Trip to Puerto Escondido, Mexico
There’s a good chance that your excitement for your trip to Puerto Escondido will find you leaving a critical item behind. Here’s a very rough packing list to make sure that you cover all of the essentials.
Essential Surfing Items
Considering that your trip will be centered around surfing, these items should be on the top of your list.
Puerto Escondido has a selection of surf shops that sell the perfect wax for the water, but it doesn’t hurt to have a stick handy. Especially if you’re arriving when the swell is good and you want to jump straight in.
Read our guide on the best wax for surfboards here.
A hybrid board is a useful piece of equipment when visiting a destination with a choice of surf spots. Packing an extra pair of fins (and a key to change them) could take your surf from being good to being epic.
The break in Puerto Escondido doesn’t mess around, and there’s a decent chance that you will have a whoopsie or two. If you get a small ding in your board, then a surfboard repair kit could be your saving grace!
Even the winter months in Puerto Escondido are toasty, and the sun is relentless. Make sure that you pack enough sunblock to protect your skin during the long hours in the water.
Have we mentioned that the waves at Zicatela are very powerful? Packing a spare leash could be one of the smartest things that you’ve ever done!
- Surfboard
While there are plenty of places to rent a board in Puerto Escondido, advanced surfers may prefer their own piece of equipment when tackling swell that size. Make sure to do your research on how much it will cost to fly with your own board beforehand to see if it’s worth it.
General Items to Pack
Although surfing may be the focus of the trip, the rest of life goes on. Make sure that you have other items essential for your trip.
- Documentation
- Boardshorts or costume
- Sunglasses
- Enough clothing
- Swimming towel
- Sun hat
Embrace the Ultimate Mexico Surf Trip
Mexico is a vibrant and exciting surf destination, with plenty of fun spots to surf and enjoy. Prepare to spend long days in the sun and long nights under the stars. Take the time to enjoy every bit of swell, every sip of tequila, and every moment of cultural immersion.
If this trip inspires you to explore other parts of the world, then you can read up on our other blogs in the series.
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