5 Reasons to Stay in La Punta, Puerto Escondido

There was once a time when Puerto Escondido was undiscovered. A sheltered gem on Oaxaca’s Pacific coast, precisely as its translation implies: A Hidden Port. Nowadays, the secret is out and Travel + Leisure recently named this Mexican seaside town one of the most-searched destinations by Americans looking to travel internationally.

With stunning beaches, world-class surf breaks, and a laid-back atmosphere, what’s not to love? Puerto has no shortage of authenticity while remaining relatively low-key compared to the resort-dotted Tulum and Riviera Maya. But with plans to build a superhighway allowing a direct route from Oaxaca City and a “world-class” terminal scheduled to open at the town’s international Airport, Puerto Escondido is on the verge of something big.

While there are many neighborhoods in Puerto Escondido to choose from, La Punta particularly, stands out to us as charming and picturesque. For those who visit, it’s a chance to slow down and enjoy a unique experience. In this post, we’ll explore why La Punta is THE neighborhood to stay in as a surfer, backpacker, or digital nomad while visiting Puerto Escondido, and what makes it a must-stop destination on your next trip to Southern Mexico…Before it’s too late.

la punta sunset — We’ve made a point to take in as many sunsets as possible during our travels. Read on to see why La Punta Zicatela, Puerto Escondido lives up to the hype.

1. The Food

Obviously, anywhere you go in Mexico, incredible food is a given. But for a beach town, La Punta offers a refreshing take from the norm. The town is attracting chefs from all over the world to open up shop and share their cuisine. You’ll find a wide range of diverse dishes from restaurants and cafes catering to all tastes and budgets. From traditional Mexican cuisine and international fare to sushi, smokehouses, pizza, and pub grub, the menus are on point, and they’re all bangin’.

restaurants to check out:

Fish Shack: Although the fish taco was invented in Baja, the fish tacos at Fish Shack could rival anywhere in Mexico. They’re simply life-changing, and this is coming from two guys who eat fish tacos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be sure to also order a coconut shrimp taco for good measure.
The Boneyard: A legendary spot, equipped with awesome people and a skate bowl for anyone to drop in on! Come to The Boneyard for the brick oven pizzas and cheap beer but stay for the thrift store, tattoo parlor, and skate shop, whilst watching skaters rip the transition.
Chicama: This Peruvian joint is the perfect date spot and it’s always packed. Fresh & bright flavors are served in a cool atmosphere with good music and strong drinks. The anticuchos, ceviche, and grilled shrimp from Chicama could give eateries in Lima a run for their money.
Sommo: The best sushi in town, hands down. Sommo skips no details, with the ambiance and architecture adding to the full experience, and mixologists who know how to pour a quality cocktail.
Café Ole: Delicious fruit juices and smoothies round out a breakfast menu serving up massive plates to fill you up post-surf with fresh quality ingredients that are well worth the wait!

Budget-Friendly Food Options

The food is top-notch in La Punta so some restaurants can get a bit pricy. But by no means do they sacrifice quality. For backpackers and travelers on a budget, there are plenty of less expensive options for those who want to save a few bucks on meals while supporting locally run businesses.

La Ola Taquería: The go-to local taqueria in town that’s been there from the start will have you returning night after night. The tacos al pastor are the move, pictured below which you can get 5 for 60 pesos.
Antojitos Regionales Aracely: Support a local family business for excellent regional specialties that are handmade with love. The Bros recommend the massive (shredded) chicken tinga tlayuda pictured below. Friendly locals, great food, and great prices, you can’t beat Aracely’s.
Mercado de Zicatela: The market is the place for the best variety of farm fresh produce. The bakery here is also serving up some fabulous sweets. All the restaurants have a stunning view of Zicatela Beach with a cool breeze under the open-air roof.

🌎 BROS TIP: Escondido is known to have notoriously bad internet. However, Starlink has now entered the chat. Puerto gatekeepers will not like this, because better wifi around town means the masses are bound to show up. Many restaurants, cafes, and AirBnBs now offer Starklink internet accessibility (thanks Elon) with fast upload and download speeds. Although still spotty at times, the internet in Puerto is now faster and more reliable than ever before!

2. The Sunsets

The sunsets here are life-changing. We met a guy who straight up said he cried during one. They’re that beautiful. When you’re living or staying in La Punta, catching the sunset is a way of life, and heading down to the beach to witness the sun go down is an evening routine.

It’s like a free show give that keeps on giving. The whole town turns out for the sunset and the nightly event gathers everyone together to witness the magic. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is, if the sun is setting you can guarantee there will be a crowd sitting in on the show.

When the sky sets on fire, the local performers break out the guitars, poi, and drum circles. Taking in a sunset at La Punta will deliver an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Puerto Escondido.

Puerto Escondido is not a manufactured resort. It’s a real Mexican coastal town with an old-world feel and offers great value with an opportunity to experience a wide variety of activities.

🌎 BROS STORYTIME: Beware of the poo water. During our stay in La Punta, we came down with a 48 hr stomach bug and suffered from gastroenteritis. We got sick after a surf session even while being cautious with the tap water and cooking our own meals. Apparently, sometimes sewage water is dumped in the river and empties into the ocean which can get you sick. Don’t let that hold you back from diving in, but rather a heads up if you come down with something while still taking precautions.

3. The Vibes

La Punta is said the be a boho hippy town. Call it whatever you want to call it, it’s a surf town through and through. Though it’s been shaking its surfers-only image for years, there are good vibes all around. Surf, yoga, wellness, tattoos, art, groovy music, health-conscious, or in search of quality mezcal; you’ll find it all in La Punta. The diversity factor is huge and you’ll meet cool people from every corner of the globe.

It’s interesting to note that all bars and restaurants in La Punta are required to close before 12 AM, with a last call around 11:30 PM. For those who want a chill night, you can’t beat it. For those who want to party until the wee hours of the morning, don’t worry because it’s the perfect pregame spot before heading to the bars and clubs in Zicatela, which notoriously will stay open to sunrise. Nightly live music sets the tone and people crowd La Punta’s main street to get amped for a good night out.

La Punta has a unique culture that sets it apart from other neighborhoods in Puerto Escondido. The area has colorful murals, street art, funky cafes, and bars that line the streets which add to its bohemian vibe. Some may even say it’s Tulum-eqsue before the influencers arrived.

At the end of the day, La Punta, Puerto Escondido is a surf town backed by a strong surfing culture with many locals and visitors hitting the waves on the daily. Whether you’re a surfer or not, you’ll appreciate the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere that permeates the neighborhood.

La Punta in its glory. There are three main beaches in the town of Puerto Escondido: Playa Marinero, Playa Principal, and Zicatela.

4. The Surf

Unless you’re on the pro tour, you not even going to think about paddling out into the Mexican Pipeline and the next-level waves of Zicatela. Located at the far south headland of Playa Zicatela, La Punta is every surfer’s option when the main beach is too nuts. As the headland absorbs and refracts raw swell energy, the lefthand pointbreak is insanely fun, pumping out barrel sections, ramps, steep walls, and crisp shoulders with every wave. Puerto is perfectly situated as a giant catcher’s mitt to capture swells coming out of the South Pacific and the East Pacific tropics.

A deep turquoise color is almost always present in the water, as well as a bathwater-like temperature. Plus, when Zicatela blows out, La Punta will handle the wind far better and all day long. You’ll find every type of surfer in the water here, from first-timers to pros. There are zones in La Punta where everyone can get in a piece of the action regardless of skill level.

March-October is the best time to surf in Puerto. For experienced surfers, summer offers the best conditions. During the months of May through August, southerly winds bring huge waves to Playa Zicatela. Winter (November-April) offers a good balance of large and smaller waves giving it more diversity as the best time of year all around.

🌎 BROS TIP: The crowds here are heavy and the intimidation factor is high in the water at Puerto. Proper surf etiquette will go a long way and you must respect the locals in the line-up. Like any surf break around the world, giving respect will earn respect. The best time to surf is in the morning. After midday it gets rather hot and the waves die off quite a bit.

5. The Location

La Punta is in a location where you can still do everything you want to do in Puerto Escondido. You may have to take a taxi or rent a motorbike if you want to leave town but all your needs are within walking distance. You can easily explore the whole neighborhood on foot. If you want to extend your exploration, there are plenty of transportation options available including hopping on the back of a camioneta (pick-up truck).

The water is simply too gnarly to go for a swim on Zicatela’s main beach, so in La Punta, is where you’ll find everyone chillin’. Playa Principal is the main beach where locals go but it’s more of a bay and can get tight with space. Sure you can go there, but La Punta is where the cool kids go. As for lodging, there’s a nice variety of reasonably priced hostel and AirBnB options to suit your needs and have a comfortable stay.

More Things to Do in Puerto

Turtle release AT Playa Bacocho

Playa Bacocho’s turtle release is a unique and unforgettable experience. Visitors can witness baby sea turtles’ incredible journey from the beach to the ocean. Sea turtle nests and hatchlings are protected from predators and other threats during nesting season and a key activity is the turtle release, in which visitors help release babies into the ocean.

The turtle release occurs at sunset when the temperature is just right for hatchlings to make their way to the water. As participants gather on the beach, organizers explain the work being done to protect sea turtles.

The turtle release at Playa Bacocho is a unique and meaningful experience that offers visitors a chance to witness the beauty and fragility of these incredible creatures, while also supporting important conservation efforts in Puerto Escondido.

Day trip to PLAYA Carrizalilo

Playa Carrizalillo is a picturesque cove located in the Rinconada neighborhood of Puerto Escondido. It’s known for its clear turquoise waters, pristine sandy beach, and dramatic cliffside setting.

The beach is a popular spot for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and snorkeling. The waves are great for beginner surfers and the beach is easily accessible by a short flight of stairs from the nearby street.

Surf and relax at picturesque Playa Carrizalillo. It’s best to get to this idyllic beach early in the morning as it is very popular, rather small and can get busy quickly.

Final Thoughts

Even if you don’t stay there, there is no doubt that La Punta is a must-visit destination on any trip to Puerto Escondido. You’ll find everything you need in this captivating neighborhood, whether you’re a surfer, a foodie, or just looking for a relaxing beach vacation. Though it’s developing quickly, we hope it doesn’t lose its charm anytime soon.