Puerto Escondido itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Puerto Escondido, day by day: the surf at Playa Zicatela, the swimming coves of Puerto Angelito, Manzanillo and Carrizalillo and sunset at La Punta first, then the Mercado Benito Juárez, Playa Principal and El Adoquín, a boat on the Laguna de Manialtepec and a baby-turtle release at Playa Bacocho as you add a day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Puerto Escondido in 1 day
Day 1
Playa Carrizalillo
A small, calm cove reached by about 160 steps down the cliff, popular for swimming, snorkelling and beginner surf lessons.
Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo
Twin sheltered coves with calm water for swimming and snorkelling, small seafood restaurants and boats for fishing or dolphin trips.
Playa Principal and El Adoquín
The town beach with its fishing boats, and the pedestrian Adoquín street above it, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Playa Zicatela
The long surf beach known as the Mexican Pipeline, with heavy waves for experienced surfers; watch from the sand and stay for sunset.
La Punta Zicatela
The laid-back southern end of Zicatela, with a gentler point break, surf schools, bars, taco stands and a lively sunset crowd.
Puerto Escondido in 2 days
Day 1
Mercado Benito Juárez
The town's busy local market in the upper town, with fruit, cheese, mole, fresh juices and simple food stalls for breakfast.
Playa Principal and El Adoquín
The town beach with its fishing boats, and the pedestrian Adoquín street above it, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.
Playa Zicatela
The long surf beach known as the Mexican Pipeline, with heavy waves for experienced surfers; watch from the sand and stay for sunset.
La Punta Zicatela
The laid-back southern end of Zicatela, with a gentler point break, surf schools, bars, taco stands and a lively sunset crowd.
Day 2
Laguna de Manialtepec
A mangrove lagoon about 30 minutes west of town, toured by boat at dawn for birds or at night for glowing bioluminescent plankton.
Playa Carrizalillo
A small, calm cove reached by about 160 steps down the cliff, popular for swimming, snorkelling and beginner surf lessons.
Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo
Twin sheltered coves with calm water for swimming and snorkelling, small seafood restaurants and boats for fishing or dolphin trips.
Playa Bacocho (baby-turtle release)
A wide beach west of town where conservation groups release baby turtles at sunset in season; strong currents make it unsafe for swimming.
Watch: Puerto Escondido
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Puerto Escondido
The dry season, from November to April, brings sunny days, calmer seas and the most visitors, with crowds at Christmas and Easter. From about June to October is the rainy season, with heavy afternoon storms, high humidity and a risk of hurricanes. The biggest surf at Zicatela usually arrives in the summer months.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Puerto Escondido on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Puerto Escondido on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Puerto Escondido on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Mexico from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Puerto Escondido
- Many beaches here have strong waves and rip currents: swim in the sheltered coves of Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo, and only watch the surf at Zicatela.
- Taxis are cheap and plentiful between the beaches and neighbourhoods; agree the fare before you get in, as most do not use meters.
- Bird-watching boat tours on the Laguna de Manialtepec leave around dawn, while bioluminescence tours run after dark and are best on moonless nights.
- Baby-turtle releases at Playa Bacocho happen in the nesting season, roughly July to January, usually around sunset; outside it, go there for the sunset alone.
- The sun is strong all year: carry water, reef-safe sunscreen and cash for small beach restaurants, and eat fresh fish at the palapas on the coves.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Laguna de Manialtepec: Jaumahell, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Playa Bacocho (baby-turtle release): Gzzz, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Playa Carrizalillo: Axolotesonriente, CC0
- Playa Principal and El Adoquín: Nsaum75, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Playa Zicatela: Gzzz, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo: holachetumal, CC BY 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
