About Puerto Escondido in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico

Puerto Escondido (in English the "Hidden Port") is a port city and tourist center in the Mexican State of Oaxaca. The town was established more than a century ago as a fishing village with a small port for shipping coffee. The primary attractions are the beautiful beaches and championship surfing. Puerto Escondido attracts thousands of surfing enthusiasts annually and is also an extremely popular destination for backpackers from all over the world including being quite a famous hippie culture getaway.

A brief history of Puerto Escondido

At the beginning of the 20th century Puerto Escondido was first known as Punta Escondida and then later Puerto Escondido. It was started as a small fishing village that intermittently was used to ship coffee which was grown in Oaxaca. During that time period, Puerto Escondido suffered from a lack of portable water which in turn caused people to settle in other places. There was not a real town until the 1930’s when Puerto’s activity as a port was more firmly established. Then from the 1940’s to the 1960’s a church was constructed and the first school was built. Wells were eventually dug to alleviate the water supply problems and generators were brought in to supply electricity. 
By the 1960’s the highway 200 was built that connected the Oaxacan coastal towns to Acapulco. Surfers and other tourists from neighboring towns began to find the quiet beaches and tourism begin to flourish, and with this new importance as a tourist attraction, hotels and resorts began to start showing up.

Puerto Escondido tourism

Puerto Escondido is a traditional tropical fishing village with relaxing beaches, oceanfront seafood bars and restaurants. There are unspoiled reefs for scuba diving and snorkeling and beyond the reefs or swimming holes waves big enough for championship surfing. 

The Laguna de Manialtepec mangrove lagoon is perfect for kayaking, boating, bird watching and swimming in phosphorescent waters. If you prefer just relaxation then rent an umbrella at the towns beach Playa Principal which parallels the Avenida Perez Gasga hotel and restaurant row. You can stop in one of the hotels for a drink or take your family horseback riding on the beach.

Playa Zicatela is the other major beach in Puerto Escondido and is known as a world class beach for surfing. There are many different options for lodging when you travel to Puerto Escondido. You can choose from smaller botique hotels to full service resorts. Whether you travel to Puerto Escondido for a few days or a few weeks you will find many different options of things to do to enjoy your trip and leave you wanting to come back again and again.

Travel information for visiting Puerto Escondido

Airport: Puerto Escondido International Airport 
Address: Carretera Costera Km. 6.5, 71980 Puerto Escondido, Oax., Mexico
Local phone number: +52 954 582 0492

Is a passport or travel visa required? This depends on your nationality and your country of origin. We recommend that you check with your travel agent or Mexican Consulate in your area to know what you will require to travel to Puerto Escondido.
Read about the next beach destination > or select another beach destination yourself using the quick links below:

Cancun | Cabo San Lucas | Puerto Escondido | Puerto Vallarta | Zihuatanejo | Ensenada | Mazatlan | Playa Del Carmen | Guaymas
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