A growing tourism hotspot, there are many options for where to stay in Puerto Escondido.
Situated on the Pacific Ocean in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido is one of the most popular destinations along Mexico’s west coast.
In this post, you’ll get the details for the best hotels in Puerto Escondido plus a few hidden gems from someone who’s visited this perfect Mexico beach town 10 times in the last five years (I even got married there in Feb. 2022).
To keep this guide easy to follow, I organized the best places to stay in Puerto Escondido by location:
- Zicatela Beach (Playa Zicatela)
- La Punta
- Carrizalillo Beach (Playa Carrizalillo)
- Playa Principal (Principal Beach)
- Playa Bacocho (Bacocho Beach)
- Downtown Puerto Escondido
If you’re already familiar with Puerto Escondido, please feel free to skip to the specific area where you plan on staying.
DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS (AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU). PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE POLICY FOR MORE INFO.
How to Get to Puerto Escondido
If you’re trying to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City, you have several options.
- OCC first class bus
- Time: 12-13 hours
- Cost: Approximately $17 USD (one-way)
- Tip: Take the overnight bus to save on accommodation. The road twists and turns through the mountains, so don’t count on a good night’s sleep. But, hey, you’ll save a buck!
- Shared van (colectivo)
- Time: 7-8 hours
- Cost: Approximately $10 USD (one-way)
- Tip: This journey isn’t for the faint of heart. Passengers are packed into a large van/minibus, and the driver drives FAST.
- Flight from Oaxaca City
- Time: 35 minutes
- Cost: Approximately $75-210 USD
- Tip: Aerotucán offers daily flights to/from Oaxaca City in a 13-seat Cessna. You can find more information on Frommer’s.
Puerto Escondido International Airport
At this time, no international flights fly directly to Puerto Escondido. You will most likely need to connect in either Mexico City or Guadalajara.
The Puerto Escondido International Airport is located on the edge of Puerto Escondido, and it’s a very short drive from the airport to anywhere you want to go in the city.
While you can catch a cab or colectivo (shared taxi) from right outside the airport exit, I always exit the airport and follow the sidewalk down to the main road.
Across the highway (it’s really just a two-lane road), you will see taxis waiting. Their fares are always significantly less than the ones bombarding you outside the airport exit.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?
For the best weather, you should plan your trip to Puerto Escondido between November and March. These are the dry season, and the average temperature during the winter months is 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius).
However, this is the peak season for tourism. If you plan to visit Puerto Escondido between November and March, book your accommodation early.
As for months to avoid when planning your trip to Puerto Escondido, keep in mind that April and May are the hottest months of the year. Then, in June, the rainy season begins.
Will this be your first trip to Puerto Escondido?
At first glance, Puerto Escondido might not seem big, but each area of the town has something different to offer travelers.
This destination is particularly growing in popularity with digital nomads working remote in Mexico.
Before I share where to stay in each part of Puerto Escondido, I will provide a short description of the area (with a focus on the best beaches) plus my personal recommendation for who I think will be most comfortable there.
Zicatela Beach (Playa Zicatela)
If it’s your first time visiting Puerto Escondido and you’re the kind of traveler who likes to be in the center of the action, look no further than Zicatela Beach.
While it’s not technically downtown Puerto Escondido (that’s on the other side of the highway), Avenida del Moro (sometimes called Calle del Moro) is the city’s main tourism drag. Along this strip you’ll also find some of the best local restaurants, beach clubs, shops, nightlife and an ATM.
It’s important to note that Playa Zicatela is predominantly a surfing beach. The waves can make swimming dangerous.
Zicatela Beach is great for walking, running or just kicking back with an ice cold cerveza to watch the sunset.
Where to Stay near Zicatela Beach
Zicatela Beach is one of the best places to stay for first-time visitors to Puerto Escondido. Here are my picks for the best hotels:
Hotel Santa Fe
During all my trips to Puerto Escondido since 2018, one of the best places I’ve stayed is Hotel Santa Fe.
Location makes this one of the best hotels in Puerto Escondido. You’re just steps away from restaurants and nightlife. Situated right on Avenida del Moro, the main terrace and restaurant dining area overlook Playa Zicatela.
Hotel Santa Fe is a total vibe. This colonial-style hotel features two outdoor pools, free wi-fi, spacious rooms with air conditioning and an ample seating area with lounges where you can work on your tan.
Book a stay at the Hotel Santa Fe.
Selina
Solo travelers, backpackers and digital nomads wishing to stay near Zicatela Beach should check out Selina. This hostel offers dorms and private rooms (both with air conditioning).
At the Selina tour desk, you can arrange excursions such as horseback riding, snorkeling and surf lessons. There is also an outdoor pool, bar and a comfortable seating area that’s perfect for coworking (Selina offers free wi-fi throughout the property).
Punta Zicatela Hotel
It’s tough to beat the beautiful views from the balconies of private rooms at Punta Zicatela Hotel. Every room has air conditioning and a private bathroom.
This hotel also offers free parking, two swimming pools (outdoor & indoor) and free wi-fi throughout the property.
Book a stay at Punta Zicatela Hotel.
Hotel Rockaway
This intimate boutique hotel is one of the best places to stay in Puerto Escondido. At Hotel Rockaway, you can stay in a private room with a private bathroom or upgrade to one of the property’s scaled residences (both with air conditioning).
In addition to an outdoor swimming pool, Hotel Rockaway has its own small supermarket, bar and fitness center as well as free wi-fi.
Book a stay at Hotel Rockaway.
La Punta
Backpackers, surfers and hippies will feel right at home in La Punta. This part of Puerto Escondido consists of one main dirt road with a few restaurants, cafes and a convenience store.
Like Zicatela Beach, La Punta’s waves make it a better spot for surfers than swimmers. But if you want a more private beach experience, this is a great place to bring your cooler and spread out your towel.
Where to Stay near La Punta
If you’re planning on staying near La Punta, you might want to consider renting a scooter to make it easier to get to other parts of Puerto Escondido. Taxis are a safe and affordable option.
From La Punta, it’s about a 10-minute drive to the restaurants and nightlife of Playa Zicatela. It’s a 15-minute drive to the Puerto Escondido International Airport.
Cost-friendly comfortable accommodation (Airbnb)
Budget travelers will appreciate the price per night of this Airbnb that’s just a two-minute walk from La Punta. It’s a good size for two travelers and is equipped with a small but full kitchen.
I stayed here on my first trip in Nov. 2018 and still think it’s one of the best deals in Puerto Escondido. Although there isn’t air conditioning, a pleasant breeze came through the screen doors from the terrace.
Carrizalillo Beach (Playa Carrizalillo)
In my humble opinion, the best beach in Puerto Escondido is Playa Carrizalillo. Not only is it one of Mexico’s most Instagramable beaches, but this little cove is perfect for swimming, paddle boarding and taking beginner surf lessons.
In addition to selling food and drinks, the restaurants lining the beach rent lounge chairs either for a flat fee or consumption minimum. I recommend arriving early in the day (by 11 a.m.) to stake out your spot.
The only downside to Carrizalillo Beach is the mega staircase you must descend to access it. Well, going down isn’t all that bad, but walking up 200 steps at the end of a long day in the sun isn’t for the faint of heart.
Where to Stay Near Carrizalillo Beach
When you’re searching for accommodation near Playa Carrizalillo, the area where you should look is La Rinconada. The main road has restaurants, cafes, bars, small shops, tour operators, a convenience store and an ATM.
La Rinconada is very walkable and taxis pass by frequently making it easy (and affordable) to catch rides to other areas of Puerto Escondido.
Casa Losodeli
For comfortable accommodation that’s also adults-only, check out Casa Losodeli. This hostel and coworking space offers both private rooms and shared dormitories. You can also upgrade to a modern apartment with a full kitchen.
Other amenities at Casa Losodeli include free wi-fi, an outdoor swimming pool and air conditioning. The shared lounge on the terrace is the ideal setting to connect with other travelers or get some work done.
Spacious Apartment with a Pool (Airbnb)
One Airbnb that I keep going back to in Puerto Escondido is the Apartment Villa Sofia. This property can accommodate up to four guests (two bedrooms and one bathroom).
It’s a short walk to La Rinconada’s main drag and about 10 minutes on foot to Playa Carizalillo. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool in the common area that you share with other guests.
If you’re planning an extended stay in Puerto Escondido, this is a good option for a short-term long-term rental. The host offers weekly and monthly discounts.
Playa Bacocho (Bacocho Beach)
From the Puerto Escondido International Airport, Playa Bacocho is less than a five-minute taxi ride. Like some of the other beaches in Puerto Escondido, the waves and rocks here don’t make it ideal water for swimming.
This is one of the cleanest beaches in all of Mexico since it’s a protected area for sea turtles.
Where to Stay Near Playa Bacocho
As with staying near La Punta, it’s a good idea to have a plan for how you will access restaurants on Playa Zicatela which is where many of the best dining options are located. You can always ask the front desk to call you a taxi (as of this writing, Uber is not available in Puerto Escondido).
There are also restaurant options in La Rinconada which is a short walk from the Playa Bacocho hotels listed below:
Hotel Posada Real Puerto Escondido
In Feb. 2022, Taylor and I got married in Puerto Escondido, and the majority of our guests stayed at Hotel Posada Real. The ceremony and reception were held on Playa Bacocho at Club de Cocos which is the hotel’s private beach club.
With its meals and drink packages, Hotel Posada Real is a good option for people traveling with children or a large group. There are two outdoor swimming pools (one at the hotel and one at the beach club) plus access to Playa Bacocho. Located in the lobby, the tour desk can help you organize excursions.
The week of my wedding, I stayed in room 224 which has a corner balcony with a fabulous ocean view.
Book at stay at Hotel Posada Real Puerto Escondido.
Hotel Aldea del Bazar
For riad vibes in Puerto Escondido, consider booking your stay at Hotel Aldea del Bazar. A six-minute walk from Playa Bacocho, this Arabian-style hotel features between a spacious room with a garden, pool or sea view.
In addition to private rooms with two double beds and private bathrooms, Hotel Aldea del Bazar has an onsite temazcal and offers an array of spa treatments such as massage. The seating areas by the pool and in the gardens have sun loungers and hammocks.
Book a stay at Hotel Aldea del Bazar.
Tower Bridge Hostel
Perfect for backpackers and solo travelers, Tower Bridge Hostel offers beds in shared dormitories as well as private rooms with private bathrooms. It’s an 11-minute walk to the beach, or you can relax by the outdoor pool in the garden seating area which also features a bar.
The hostel organizes a variety of activities which makes it easy to meet other travelers, and a continental breakfast is included in the price of your stay.
Book a stay at Tower Bridge Hostel.
Playa Principal (Principal Beach)
Just down the coast from Playa Zicatela, Playa Principal sits in a small curved bay that is lined with palm trees. Close to downtown Puerto Escondido, this beach is popular with fisherman and boat tour companies.
The water is safe for swimming, and nearby restaurants make it an easy place to spend the day. Adoquin, a commercial area and pedestrian-only walkways, runs parallel to Playa Principal.
Where to stay near Playa Principal
If you’re planning your first trip to Puerto Escondido but aren’t sure about staying on Zicatela Beach, another solid option is to stay near Playa Principal. Staying in this part of Puerto Escondido puts you within walking distance of the most popular beaches as well as restaurants and shops of the commercial walkway.
Casa Mia
A short walk from Playa Principal and close to the commercial walkway, Casa Mia is in the perfect location for first-time Puerto Escondido visitors who want the ability to walk to several different beaches including Zicatela and Carrizalillo.
This family-run hotel is a good value for the price, and from the outdoor swimming pool, there’s a view of the Pacific Ocean. Other amenities include air conditioning, free wi-fi, private bathrooms, free parking and designated luggage storage space.
Downtown Puerto Escondido
Located on the other side of the highway from the beach, downtown Puerto Escondido is a lively city center that offers both a traditional Mexican mercado as well as modern supermarkets.
Where to stay near Downtown Puerto Escondido
Travelers on a budget will find the best deals on accommodation near Downtown Puerto Escondido. If you don’t mind a slightly longer walk to the beach, this area is close to Mercado Benito Juarez, restaurants and shops.
Pargos Hotel
Even though Pargos Hotel is located in Downtown Puerto Escondido, it’s right next to the bridge to the beach (location on a budget). In addition to private rooms with air conditioning, this hotel features two outdoor swimming pools and a terrace that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
It’s next door to a supermarket and a short walk to restaurants. The reliable wi-fi and coworking spaces make this a good spot for digital nomads visiting Puerto Escondido.
More Places to Stay in Puerto Escondido
Really, you have many choices for places to stay in Puerto Escondido. Other popular options include:
If you’re looking to splurge on your stay in Puerto Escondido, don’t overlook…
Hotel Escondido
For a truly remote retreat, escape to Hotel Escondido (a 45-minute drive from Puerto Escondido) which is regarded as one of the best luxury hotels in this part of Mexico. Each bungalow at this adults-only property comes with air conditioning, a private bathroom, free wi-fi, a private swimming pool and a sea view.
Hotel Escondido’s restaurant is open from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. daily and serves international cuisine. The tour desk at the property can arrange activities such as surfing, kayaking, boat trips to see humpback whales and horseback riding.
Book a stay at Hotel Escondido.
Related Posts about Puerto Escondido
If you’re curious about what to do while you’re in Puerto Escondido, check out this post about the best things to do in Puerto Escondido.
For more helpful Mexico travel tips, you’ll love these articles:
- 35 Must-Know Tips for Your First Trip to Mexico
- What NOT to Wear in Mexico (Practical Packing List)
- Complete Travel Guide to Puerto Escondido
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