What currency is used in Puerto Escondido?

Puerto Escondido uses the Mexican peso (MXN).

How much does a day in Puerto Escondido cost?

Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-150 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Puerto Escondido?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Puerto Escondido without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Puerto Escondido travel guide

Mexico

A laid-back surf town on the Oaxaca coast, known for one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world. Away from the big waves there are sheltered coves, fresh seafood and long, slow sunsets.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; English spoken in surf schools and many cafés
Currency: Mexican peso (MXN)
Plugs: Type A and B, 127 V
Emergency number: 911
Tipping: 10-15% in sit-down restaurants is standard; tip surf instructors and boat crews if they have looked after you.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $30-50, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $90-150, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Puerto Escondido

Zicatela: the famous surf beach, lined with cafés, hostels and surf shops.
La Punta: the southern end of Zicatela, with gentler waves for learners and a young backpacker crowd.
Rinconada: a quieter, residential strip near the calm swimming bays of Carrizalillo.

Getting around Puerto Escondido

Taxis are cheap and plentiful between the beaches, and colectivos run along the main roads. The town has its own airport, and the road from Oaxaca city takes several hours through the mountains.

Best time to visit Puerto Escondido

November to April, dry and sunny; the biggest surf tends to arrive between May and September.

Top things to do in Puerto Escondido

Watch the big-wave surfers at Zicatela from the beach in the late afternoon
Walk down the long staircase to the sheltered cove of Playa Carrizalillo
Take a beginners' surf lesson at La Punta
Join a night boat trip to see bioluminescence in Laguna de Manialtepec
Watch the sunset from the rocks at the end of Playa Bacocho

What to eat in Puerto Escondido

Tlayuda: a large, crisp Oaxacan tortilla spread with beans, cheese and meat
Pescado a la talla: whole fish split open, rubbed with chilli paste and grilled over coals
Mole negro: Oaxaca's dark, rich sauce of chillies, spices and chocolate, served over chicken
Mezcal: the smoky agave spirit of Oaxaca, sipped slowly with orange and chilli salt

Day trips from Puerto Escondido

Mazunte and Zipolite: two small beach villages with a slower pace, about an hour east by road
Laguna de Manialtepec: mangroves full of birdlife, around 30 minutes west
Lagunas de Chacahua: a national park of lagoons and a remote beach, roughly an hour and a half to two hours west

Local etiquette

Surf etiquette matters here: do not drop in on someone else's wave, and stay out of the line-up if you are unsure of your level. Dress a little more modestly away from the beach.

Staying connected

Telcel and other prepaid SIMs are sold in convenience stores, eSIMs work, and most cafés and hostels have Wi-Fi, though power and signal can drop in storms.

Staying safe

The rip currents and shore break at Zicatela are genuinely dangerous, even for strong swimmers, so swim only in the sheltered bays. Petty theft from beaches and dorms happens; use lockers and take taxis after dark.

A local tip

Swim at Carrizalillo or Puerto Angelito and leave Zicatela's waves to experienced surfers.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Puerto Escondido on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Puerto Escondido for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Puerto Escondido, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Puerto Escondido

What currency is used in Puerto Escondido?: Puerto Escondido uses the Mexican peso (MXN).
What is the emergency number in Puerto Escondido?: In Puerto Escondido, call 911.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?: November to April, dry and sunny; the biggest surf tends to arrive between May and September.
How much does a day in Puerto Escondido cost?: Roughly $30-50 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $90-150 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Puerto Escondido?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Puerto Escondido without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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