Puerto Escondido began as a quiet fishing cove and coffee-export port, then exploded onto the world surf map in the late 1960s thanks to Zicatela—nicknamed the Mexican Pipeline. Today, the town balances laid-back beach life with a vibrant food scene and eco-experiences that protect the coast’s rich wildlife.

Beyond the famed waves, you’ll find calm turquoise bays for swimming and snorkeling, mangrove lagoons that glow with bioluminescence, and seasonal migrations of dolphins and whales offshore. Sea turtles nest here year-round, and community-led releases at sunset are one of the coast’s most moving rituals.

On the practical side, bring strong reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and cash (ATMs are common in town but scarce near remote beaches). Swim only where conditions are friendly—Zicatela is for expert surfers, while Carrizalillo and Manzanillo suit casual swimmers. December–April is dry and breezy; June–October is lush and warm with afternoon showers.

Puerto Escondido

Puerto is a patchwork of distinct neighborhoods. Rinconada/Carrizalillo is perfect for peaceful swims and café hopping. Zicatela hums with surf culture and sunset strolls, while La Punta leans boho-chic with beach bars, boutiques, and beginner-friendly surf peaks.

• Top beaches: Carrizalillo (calm, cliff-framed bay), Manzanillo & Puerto Angelito (family-friendly), Bacocho (long, wild sands and sunset turtle releases), Zicatela (experts-only surf).
• Signature experiences: Sunrise dolphin watching, a sunset turtle release, bioluminescent lagoon, mezcal distillery visit, beach-hopping with fresh seafood under palapas.
• Where to eat: Modern Oaxacan at Almoraduz; oceanview date-nights at Espadín (above Carrizalillo); legendary breakfasts at El Cafecito; fish tacos at La Olita; Middle Eastern wraps at El Sultan; great coffee and bread at Pan con Madre.

Stay: Browse mid-range hotels and beachfront condos on Hotels.com or spacious villas and apartments on VRBO. For a relaxing vibe on a mid-range budget, target Rinconada/Carrizalillo or La Punta; Zicatela puts you near the surf and nightlife.

Getting there: Fly into Puerto Escondido (PXM). Nonstops from Mexico City take ~1h15–1h30 and often run ~$60–$180 round-trip depending on season. Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Airport taxis to town are ~10–15 minutes (budget ~150–250 MXN); rideshares and colectivos operate in town for short hops.

Day 1: Arrival, Rinconada Stroll, and Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive at PXM and check into your hotel or apartment near Carrizalillo or La Punta. Shake off the flight with a light bite—try espresso and pastries at Pan con Madre (excellent sourdough and conchas). Wander Rinconada’s walkable strip for beachwear boutiques and corner fruit stands.

Evening: Head to broad, golden Playa Bacocho for an unhurried first sunset; it’s perfect for long walks and big skies. For dinner, book oceanview seats at Espadín (above Carrizalillo) for memelas, pescado a la talla, and Oaxacan moles; or keep it casual at La Olita with beer-battered fish tacos and hibiscus margaritas.

Night: Ease into vacation mode with a moonlit stroll along Zicatela’s beachfront road. Early night—tomorrow starts at sunrise.

Day 2: Sunrise Dolphins and a Calm-Bay Swim

Morning: Set out before dawn for Dolphin & Whale Watching in Puerto Escondido. Boats scan the coastline for pods of dolphins, sea turtles, and in season (roughly Dec–Mar) migrating whales. Bring a light layer and a dry bag for your phone.

Afternoon: Brunch at El Cafecito (Rinconada or Zicatela)—order chilaquiles rojos and a licuado. Then descend the stone steps to Playa Carrizalillo, a postcard-perfect cove ideal for relaxed swims and beginner snorkeling (rent masks from beach vendors; seas are usually friendliest before mid-afternoon).

Evening: Treat yourself to a reservation at Almoraduz, Puerto’s modern Oaxacan standout—think hoja santa, local herbs, and coastal seafood on a seasonal tasting or à la carte menu. For a low-key nightcap, sip a pour of espadín or tobalá mezcal at a small mezcalería along Rinconada.

Day 3: Market Morning and a Sunset Turtle Release

Morning: Browse Mercado Benito Juárez for tropical fruit, string cheese from the Sierra, and colorful textiles. Breakfast at Dan’s Café Deluxe (fluffy pancakes, hearty omelets) or grab a tamal Oaxaqueño from a market stall if you prefer local and light.

Afternoon: Beach-hop to Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo—twin coves with gentle waters and palapa restaurants. Order a whole grilled fish “al mojo de ajo,” fresh salsas, and a cold coco to share under the shade.

Evening: Join a soul-stirring Release of Sea Turtles at Sunset. You’ll learn about conservation and carefully guide hatchlings to the surf—an unforgettable, responsible experience for all ages.

Day 4: La Punta Lounging and a Bioluminescent Night

Morning: Ease into the day with beachside yoga or a long coffee in La Punta, then claim a shaded spot on the sand. This end of the beach often has mellow surf; watch learners catch their first rides while you read or nap.

Afternoon: Trade salt for pool time with a day pass at Club de Playa Villasol (Bacocho). Expect loungers, a pool, and food-and-beverage credit with your pass—ideal for a mid-trip reset.

Evening: After an early dinner (try grilled octopus or a tlayuda back in town), head out on a Bioluminescent Night Tour on Laguna de Manialtepec. On darker, moonless nights the water blooms with light at your fingertips—bring a swimsuit and quick-dry towel.

Day 5: Slow Food, Shops, and Sunset Views

Morning: Sleep in, then sample specialty coffee and warm pastries at Pan con Madre. If you’re tempted by gentle activity, try a beginner surf session at Playa Carrizalillo with a local school—protected waters and soft takeoffs make it friendlier than Zicatela.

Afternoon: Browse La Punta’s boutiques for linen, handcrafted jewelry, and beachwear. Lunch at El Sultan for falafel, chicken shawarma, and fresh juices—budget-friendly and quick.

Evening: Catch the golden hour at La Punta’s rocky mirador where the coastline curls in both directions. Dinner at Lychee (Thai staples, seafood curries, and a nice selection of mezcal cocktails) or return to La Olita for Baja-style fish and shrimp tacos if you’re craving seconds.

Day 6: Mezcal Traditions and Oceanview Dining

Morning: Coffee and a light breakfast near your stay; take a leisurely walk along the cliffs above Carrizalillo for panoramic photos. Hydrate well—Oaxacan sun is real.

Afternoon: Learn the spirit of Oaxaca on a Guided tour of an ancestral Mezcal distillery with transport. Visit a family palenque, see earthen-pit roasting, and taste varietals like tobalá and madrecuixe—an eye-opening, aromatic journey.

Evening: Reserve an oceanview table back at Espadín for a last big dinner, or try Almoraduz if you haven’t yet. If you prefer casual, grab pizzas or seafood pastas along Rinconada and finish with Oaxacan chocolate ice cream.

Day 7: Last Swim and Departure

Morning: One final dip at Carrizalillo or a shoreline walk at Bacocho. Brunch favorites: El Cafecito for enfrijoladas or Dan’s Café Deluxe for a classic American-Mexican spread.

Afternoon: Pick up souvenirs—Oaxacan coffee, handwoven textiles, or small ceramic pieces from local shops—then taxi to the airport (10–15 minutes). Check flight options and updates on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening (if you have time): Squeeze in a last coffee on Rinconada, then say hasta pronto to the Oaxaca coast.

Where We Book and Eat (Quick Picks)

• Stay: Browse Puerto Escondido stays on Hotels.com or VRBO. Aim for Carrizalillo/Rinconada for tranquil swims; La Punta for a breezy, boho vibe.
• Breakfast/Coffee: El Cafecito (hearty classics), Pan con Madre (artisan breads), Dan’s Café Deluxe (big breakfasts), Café Losodeli (smoothie bowls, cowork-friendly).
• Lunch: La Olita (fish tacos), El Sultan (Middle Eastern wraps), palapa seafood at Manzanillo/Puerto Angelito.
• Dinner: Almoraduz (modern Oaxacan), Espadín (oceanview, coastal Oaxacan), Lychee (Thai and mezcal cocktails), El Nene (grill/seafood).
• Relaxing add-ons: Chair-and-umbrella rentals at calm bays (~200–300 MXN), taxis around town (most rides 5–15 minutes; budget 60–150 MXN).

From dawn dolphin encounters to a candlelit mezcal tasting and the quiet of Carrizalillo at noon, this week in Puerto Escondido lets you fully exhale. You’ll leave with sandy pages in your book, a camera roll of pink sunsets, and a new appreciation for Oaxaca’s coastal rhythms.