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Puerto Escondido is a Pacific beach town on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, best known for Playa Zicatela’s heavy surf break and a string of calmer coves to the north. The climate is tropical and hot all year, with a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from June to October that brings 1,185 mm of annual rainfall. Sea temperatures stay between 27.5C and 30C, so the ocean is swimmable every month, while the big south swells that power the surf arrive from May to September. Use the guides below to plan around the weather, pick a neighborhood and lock in a hotel.
Welcome to Puerto Escondido
About 45,000 people live in Puerto Escondido, spread along roughly 10 km of coastline rather than in one dense core. The town splits into distinct districts: Zicatela, the surf and nightlife strip; La Punta, its bohemian southern end; Carrizalillo and Rinconada, the quiet cliff-top district above the calmest swimming cove; and Centro, the downtown market area where most locals live and eat. The airport is small but has grown fast, with direct flights from Mexico City taking under 90 minutes, which has turned the town from a surfers’ secret into one of Mexico’s most popular Pacific beach destinations.
Puerto Escondido Weather at a Glance
Temperatures barely move through the year. January is the coolest month at 25.5C average and May the warmest at 27.8C, with daily highs between 28.7C and 30.2C in every month. What changes is rain: February and March average 0 mm, while September averages 270 mm across about 13 rainy days. The dry season from December to April delivers 8 to 9.5 hours of daily sunshine, and the rainy season from June to October brings short, heavy late-afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. The Sierra Madre del Sur mountains to the north block cold fronts, so nights stay warm, with January lows around 22.2C. For the full month-by-month numbers, rainfall totals and sea temperatures, read the Puerto Escondido weather by month guide.
Puerto Escondido Seasons: A Snapshot
- Dry season (December to April): 0 to 25 mm of rain per month, 8 to 9.5 hours of daily sun, and the busiest, most expensive stretch around Christmas and Easter.
- Shoulder (May and November): May warms to 27.8C and brings the first big south swells; November dries out to 25 mm and hosts the Fiestas de Noviembre.
- Rainy season (June to October): 125 to 270 mm of rain per month, hot and humid, with the best big-wave surf and the lowest hotel prices.
- Hurricane season (June to November): tropical storm risk peaks August to October, so check forecasts before booking those months.
Puerto Escondido Travel Guides
These seven guides cover everything from month-by-month climate to hotels. Start with the weather and best-time pages, then drill into activities and neighborhoods.
- Puerto Escondido weather by month: temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours and sea temperatures for every month, with a data table.
- Best time to visit Puerto Escondido: the dry season, surf season, cheapest weeks and wildlife calendars, with a month-by-month summary.
- Things to do in Puerto Escondido: Zicatela, Carrizalillo, turtle releases, the bioluminescent lagoon and day trips to Mazunte and Chacahua.
- Puerto Escondido events and festivals: the Fiestas de Noviembre, surf competitions, Semana Santa, Day of the Dead and whale and turtle seasons.
- Puerto Escondido neighborhoods: Zicatela, La Punta, Carrizalillo, Bacocho and Centro compared, with typical room prices.
- Where to stay in Puerto Escondido: hotel picks for every area, from surf-side Zicatela to calm Carrizalillo and budget Centro.
- Puerto Escondido travel tips and FAQ: the airport, colectivos and taxi costs, money, tipping, safety and answers to common questions.
Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido
Your base shapes the trip. Zicatela suits surfers and nightlife, Carrizalillo and Rinconada suit couples and families who want calm water, La Punta suits nomads and long-stayers, and Centro suits budget travelers who want local life. Room prices span from 300 pesos for a hostel bed in Centro to 4,500 pesos for a cliff-top villa in Carrizalillo. The where to stay in Puerto Escondido guide breaks down each area with specific hotel recommendations.
Suggested Hotels in Puerto Escondido
Villas Carrizalillo
Cliff-top suites and villas with an infinity pool and direct stair access down to the calm waters of Carrizalillo Bay. Best for couples who want the best sea views in town. Check rates and availability
Hotel Santa Fe
A colonial-style hotel set between Zicatela and Marinaro beaches with three outdoor pools, tropical gardens and a respected Oaxacan restaurant. Best for travelers who want comfort and beach access in the surf district. Check rates and availability
Casa Losodeli and Coworking
An adults-only hostel and coliving space with a pool, fast Wi-Fi and a coworking area about 650 metres from the beach. Best for solo travelers and digital nomads who want community on a budget. Check rates and availability
Puerto Escondido Quick Facts
- Best months for dry weather: December to April, with February and March the driest.
- Warmest month: May, averaging 27.8C with highs of 30.1C.
- Wettest month: September, with 270 mm of rain over about 13 days.
- Sea temperature: 27.5C in January and February, peaking at 30C in August.
- Best surf: May to September for big Zicatela swells; beginner waves year-round at Carrizalillo.
- Whale watching: December to March. Turtle releases: peak October to March.
- Airport: Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM), about 4 km north of town.
Location and Geography
Puerto Escondido sits on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast at about 15.9 degrees north latitude, in the state of Oaxaca. The Sierra Madre del Sur rises directly behind the town, sheltering it from interior cold fronts and contributing to the warm, stable climate. The town faces the open Pacific, which is why Zicatela receives powerful swells while the cove at Carrizalillo stays protected. The coast to the east and west is lined with smaller beach villages such as Mazunte, Zipolite and the Chacahua lagoons, all reachable as day trips.
