Puerto Escondido boasts rich land and marine wildlife, including a plethora of exotic and migratory birds, turtles, whales, crocodiles, iguanas and much more. All these can be observed in their natural habitat because Puerto Escondido and its people are committed to protecting the ecosystem and preserving the area as an ecological reserve. It was not until 1982 that both the state and federal governments stepped in and gave total support for promoting Puerto Escondido as a travel destination with construction of an airport, land communication and completion of the Pan American Highway.
Another early name for Puerto Escondido was "Zicatela", a Nahuati word meaning "place of the large thorns". Playa Zicatela remains a principle beach but is now know as "The Mexican Pipeline", a world class surfing beach with an annual international surfing contest.
Puerto Escondido has two seasons, the summer/wet season, and the winter/dry season. With temperatures ranging from 75-95 in the summer and 65-85 in the winter, Puerto enjoys the perfect tropical climate. Sunrise enjoyers will want to bring a sweatshirt for the breezy dawns; otherwise, a wardrobe of swim suits, shorts, and t-shirts will suffice. Most important: bring sun screen and mosquito repellant for all tropical climates.
The Puerto Escondido Airport (airport code: PXM) is about 4km (2 1/2 miles) north of the center of town, near Playa Bacocho. Puerto Escondido is solely served once a day, 7 days a week, by Mexicana from Mexico City airport. A minimum of two hours should be allowed for all connections at Mexico City airport - a daunting experience for the first time visitor.
Visit Puerto Escondido...the Easy Way! Just call Vista World Travel for the best flights and fares into Puerto Escondido. We most always beat the internet agencies! Call 1-800-880-8068 and ask for Gene.
Bus transportation offers a inexpensive way to travel in Mexico. They generally run day and night. If you are able to sleep in fairly cramped surroundings, this is the way to go. Most cities in Mexico have a Primero Clase (First Class) bus station. They are comfortable and safe. Find first class Mexico bus information at Premara Plus or Christobal Colon.
Looking NW from the point at Playa Marinaro to Playa Principal and the Puerto lighthouse.
Playa Principle is the main beach in the harbor area and includes the "Audoquin" - a pedestrian shopping, eating and nite life area which parallels the harbor. This is a family beach area where the panga and other fishing boats moor and depart from for the daily catch.
Puerto Escondido Beach Aerial & Puerto Attractions |
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The southern end of Playa Principal offers and softer beach for boogie boarding and body surfing.
Great for afternoon lazing under a palapa with cooling on shore breezes. |
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Playa Marinaro offers the great morning off shore breezes with beach front palapas and restaurant services.
Visit Puerto Escondido Info for visitor guide and great photos. |
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Looking SE from the point at Playa Marinaro in front of the Hotel Santa Fe. Playa Zicatela starts about halfway on the photo with La Punta (The Point) at the top. This is a wonderful 2 or 3 mile walk during the day with palapas for food and cold beverages along the way.
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Playa Zicatela was the first public beach in all of Mexico to initiate volunteer lifeguard services and water safety programs. These programs have been aided and sponsored by the Friends of Puerto and the International Lifesaving Federation. Always swim on a guarded beach! It is always recommended to shuffle your feet rather than hi stepping through shoreline waters due to the presence of sting reys. |
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Further up the coast, below the Riconada retirement area is the emerald green Carrizalillo Cove with Palapa style food and beverage service at the base of 100 foot cliffs. The outer cove has a nice left point reef break for surfing and a quiet interior cove for swimming and snorkling.
Visit Puerto Escondido Info for visitor guide and great photos. |
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Puerto Escondido is home to a beautiful cliffside walk. With its endless expanse of deep blues, the ocean needs no adornment to be appreciated. Yet the sheer audacity of this path rivals the majestic sea. Fashioned out of stone and cement, these steps hug the cliff at sea level, offering tourists and locals alike a wonderful walking experience. The trail follows the natural line of rocks and includes some subtle jags out to look at tidepools.
Puerto Escondido Beach Aerial & Puerto Attractions |
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| Playa Bacocho is another white sand beach bordered by massive granite rocks that meanders for several miles and is a favorite for beach walks. Enjoy Coco's Beach Club at the beginning, lower end of Playa Bacocho. |
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