Puerto Escondido

The beaches

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Where to actually swim

Three coves on the town side are protected by cliffs, with gentle entry and calm water:
  • Carrizalillo — a small cove at the bottom of a long stairway. The calmest water and where beginners take their first surf lesson.
  • Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo — two neighboring coves joined by a short path, both good for swimming and snorkeling, with palapa restaurants on the sand.
Mornings are usually the calmest hours.
Photo: Raúl García / Google

Zicatela and La Punta

Zicatela is the famous one — the "Mexican Pipeline", a world-class wave. It is beautiful to walk and to watch, and it is not a swimming beach: the shore break is violent and the rip currents drown people every year, nearly always visitors who didn't know. The red flags are not decoration.

La Punta, at the south end, is smaller and gentler and it is where surf schools teach — but it is still open ocean and still a surf beach, not a place for a casual swim.
Photo: Juan Camilo Toro Osorio / Google

Playa Zicatela

Mexico's most famous wave, a short drive from the house. Beautiful to walk and to watch surfers; not a swimming beach.

Playa zicatela

Things to do / Beaches

Coral, 71984 Puerto Escondido, Oax.

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Playa Carrizalillo

A sheltered cove of calm water at the bottom of a long stairway. The best one for swimming and for a first surf lesson.
Photo: juan carlos lopez santiago / Google

Playa Carrizalillo

Things to do / Beaches

VVMR+GR, 71983 Puerto Escondido, Oax.

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Playa Puerto Angelito

A sheltered bay with gentle water, good for swimming and snorkelling, with palapa restaurants on the sand.
Photo: Miriam Chirinos / Google

Puerto Angelito

Things to do / Beaches

Puerto Angelito, Hidalgo, 71983 Puerto Escondido, Oax.

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The sunset beach

Playa Bacocho is a long open beach on the west side of town. Strong currents, so it is for walking rather than swimming — and it is the classic place to watch the sun go down. Go twenty minutes early; this close to the tropics the light goes fast.
Photo: ÉDRIAN CALLEJA / Google

Playa Bacocho

Things to do / Beaches

Bacocho, 71983 Puerto Escondido, Oax.

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