Puerto Escondido sits on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca, at roughly 15.9 degrees north latitude, which gives it a tropical climate that stays hot all year. Average monthly temperatures only swing about 2.3C between the coolest month (January, 25.5C) and the warmest (May, 27.8C). What changes dramatically through the year is rainfall: the town gets 1,185 mm of rain annually, but almost all of it falls from June to October. This guide breaks down Puerto Escondido weather by month so you can plan around the dry season, the rainy season, and hurricane season.
Puerto Escondido Weather by Month: Climate Overview
Two seasons define the year. The dry season runs from December to April, when monthly rainfall drops to between 0 and 25 mm and skies stay mostly clear. The rainy season runs from June to October, peaking in September with 270 mm of rain across about 13 rainy days. Rain in this period usually arrives as short, heavy late-afternoon or overnight downpours, not all-day drizzle, so mornings are often still usable. Hurricane season officially spans June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. The Sierra Madre del Sur mountains to the north block cold fronts from the interior, which is why nights rarely fall below 22C even in January. For the broader picture on when to book, see the best time to visit Puerto Escondido guide, and for the full town overview see the Puerto Escondido travel guide.
Puerto Escondido Weather by Month: Data Table
All figures below are 1991 to 2020 normals. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius; sea temperature is the Pacific average near the Zicatela break.
| Month | High (C) | Low (C) | Rain (mm) | Sea (C) | Sun (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28.7 | 22.2 | 10 | 27.5 | 8.5 |
| February | 28.8 | 22.5 | 0 | 27.5 | 9.5 |
| March | 29.0 | 23.4 | 0 | 28.0 | 9.0 |
| April | 29.4 | 24.3 | 10 | 28.5 | 7.5 |
| May | 30.1 | 25.4 | 70 | 29.5 | 7.0 |
| June | 29.9 | 24.9 | 220 | 29.5 | 6.5 |
| July | 30.2 | 24.3 | 210 | 29.5 | 6.5 |
| August | 30.2 | 24.2 | 240 | 30.0 | 6.5 |
| September | 29.8 | 24.2 | 270 | 29.5 | 5.5 |
| October | 29.8 | 24.0 | 125 | 29.0 | 7.5 |
| November | 29.8 | 23.2 | 25 | 28.5 | 8.5 |
| December | 29.1 | 22.3 | 10 | 28.0 | 8.0 |
Puerto Escondido Weather by Month: Dry Season (December to April)
December through April is the period most visitors target. December averages 25.7C with only 10 mm of rain and about 8 hours of daily sunshine; Christmas and New Year are busy and hotel prices peak. January is the coolest month at 25.5C, with overnight lows of 22.2C, so you may want a light layer for early mornings. February and March are the driest months of the year, both recording 0 mm of rain on average, with February offering the most sunshine at 9.5 hours a day. April warms up to a 26.8C average and is when humidity begins to climb before the rains arrive. December and January also sit inside the town’s busiest event calendar, so check the Puerto Escondido events and festivals before locking in dates, and pick a district with the Puerto Escondido neighborhoods guide.
Puerto Escondido Weather by Month: Rainy Season (June to October)
June opens the rainy season with 220 mm of rain over about 11 days, but mornings are frequently sunny and the ocean is warm at 29.5C. July and August are hot, humid months averaging 27.2C with afternoon cloud build-up over the Sierra Madre del Sur; August brings 240 mm of rain and the warmest sea of the year at 30C. September is the wettest month at 270 mm across 13 days and also sits inside the peak of hurricane season, so check forecasts before booking. October starts to dry out at 125 mm, and by late October the surf at Zicatela is often at its most consistent. Surfers should pair this page with the things to do in Puerto Escondido guide, since swell and storm timing matter as much as temperature.
Puerto Escondido Weather by Month: Sea Temperature and Surf
The Pacific stays warm enough to swim in every month. Sea temperature bottoms out at 27.5C in January and February and peaks at 30C in August, which means you never need a wetsuit. Swell is a different story: the big south swells that power Playa Zicatela’s famous Mexican Pipeline run from roughly May to September, while December to March brings smaller, cleaner waves and glassy mornings that suit beginner and intermediate surfers. Check the where to stay in Puerto Escondido page for which beaches match your skill level, and the Puerto Escondido travel tips guide for getting around once you land.
