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Planning a seaside trip in Oaxaca, Mexico and questioning which is best Huatulco or Puerto Escondido?
This journey information breaks down all the pieces you should know to decide on the proper coastal city on your journey fashion, finances and pursuits.
I’ve spent each winter (and quite a lot of summers) alongside this stretch of Oaxaca’s coast since 2003.
Whereas I used to have a transparent favorite, nowadays I cut up my time between the 2. Every city has its personal rhythm, and I’ve come to understand each for very totally different causes.
Typically I would like the laid-back, surf-town chaos of Puerto. Different occasions I’m all about Huatulco’s calm bays for swimming and straightforward comforts.
Each have their magic. It simply will depend on what sort of journey you’re craving.
Fast Overview: What’s The Vibe?
Puerto Escondido
- Assume barefoot, surfboards, mezcal at sundown, and an off-the-cuff, anything-goes type of vitality.
- It’s a magnet for digital nomads, surfers, backpackers and impartial travellers.
- Sewage infrastructure is missing, some streets are unpaved, canines typically roam freely.
- It attracts a global crowd in addition to Mexican vacationers.
Huatulco
- Designed for eco-tourism by FONATUR (Mexico’s tourism company), Huatulco is clear, organized and surrounded by the huge, protected Bahias Huatulco Nationwide Park.
- Anticipate quiet streets with manicured boulevards, unpolluted Blue Flag seashores, sidewalks in good state of restore in addition to rubbish/recycling receptacles.
- It caters extra to households, older {couples}, and people craving a extra polished trip.
- It attracts Canadian, cruise ship passengers and Mexican vacationers.
Abstract: These two seaside cities couldn’t really feel extra totally different: Huatulco is polished, deliberate, and excellent for resort-style rest, whereas Puerto Escondido is gritty, bohemian, and full of untamed vitality.
Seashores: Calm Bays or Wild Waves?
Puerto Escondido has eight lovely seashores, however most are usually not superb for swimming. Playa Carrizalillo (accessed through 167 stairs) is a gem for calmer waters, whereas Zicatela and La Punta are world-famous for his or her surf.
Huatulco is all concerning the bays (9 to be actual), with 36 seashores good for swimming, snorkeling, and stress-free with out worrying concerning the surf.
Which seashores are busier? The brand new Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Freeway brings 4,000+ autos (and home vacationers) to Oaxaca’s coast every day.
The seashores in Puerto Escondido are busier and extra crowded than these in Huatulco. They’re additionally not as clear. Some commonly land on the record of Mexico’s dirtiest seashores attributable to poor sewage remedy.
Sunsets and Views
Puerto Escondido is the clear winner when the solar goes down. Zicatela, La Punta, and Playa Bacocho are all showstoppers for golden hour, with a uncooked, cinematic type of magnificence you gained’t quickly neglect.
Huatulco doesn’t really face west so are finest considered from a catamaran far out within the bay or on the lighthouse.
If sunset-chasing is your factor, Puerto is the place you’ll need to be.
Conventional Mexican Environment
In contrast to the manicured all-inclusive luxurious resorts of Cancun-Riviera Maya the state of Oaxaca provides a real Mexican expertise of outside markets, road meals distributors and genuine native meals.
Puerto Escondido: Set in opposition to the backdrop of the Sierra Madre Sur Mountains, the shoreline round Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca has remained untouched by mega-development. It has two massive and bustling conventional meals markets, Mercado Benito Juarez and Mercado Zicatela.
The Benito Juárez Market (also called Mercado Principal) is Puerto’s cultural and financial coronary heart. The sprawling, however surprisingly orderly, market stretches a complete metropolis block and spills out onto surrounding sidewalks on busy days.
Wednesdays and Saturdays are the most effective days to buy at Benito Juárez Market as that’s when the distributors from exterior of Puerto Escondido arrive and there’s the freshest produce and different items.
Huatulco: It’s house to the weekly Santa Cruz Natural Market (artisan merchandise) and options produce stands close to the Cinco de Mayo Mercado in La Crucecita.
However to buy at a conventional Mexican market, you should journey to Pochutla to the road market that takes place on Monday mornings.
Verdict: Puerto Escondido wins with its two main conventional meals markets.
Out of doors Journey
Puerto Escondido: It’s a world-class surf city, from the huge waves at Zicatela to the beginner-friendly breaks at La Punta. Past the seaside, it’s received some unforgettable experiences: glowing swims in a bioluminescent lagoon, horseback rides to sizzling springs and peaceable kayaking excursions by means of bird-filled mangroves.
You’ll additionally discover waterfalls and dolphins right here, however Puerto’s magic lies in its uncooked edges and rustic allure. Anticipate pangas somewhat than catamarans and yachts on your boat excursions.
Huatulco: The snorkeling right here isn’t simply good—it leaves Puerto within the mud. If clear water, coral reefs, and boat excursions with dolphin sightings are your factor, this place delivers.
You’ll additionally discover jungle waterfalls just like the Magic Waterfalls at Copalitilla for a cool freshwater dip, plus Eco-Park Copalita, an archaeological web site with sweeping ocean views.
There’s additionally Hagia Sofia botanical gardens for ziplining in addition to Mazunte with its lagoon excursions. Every thing feels organized, clear and pristine. No shock, since Huatulco is a part of Parque Nacional Huatulco, a federally protected space protecting over 11,000 hectares of land and sea.
It’s additionally one of many few locations on the earth licensed as a Inexperienced Globe and EarthCheck sustainable tourism vacation spot. Good should you like your journey with a aspect of consolation, eco-conscious planning, and a well-cared-for pure setting.
Co-working in Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco
Puerto Escondido is a rising vacation spot for digital nomads who’re drawn to the browsing tradition. It’s additionally a preferred various to Tulum and Playa del Carmen the place they will work whereas having fun with solar and sea of their spare time.
Whereas web service could be unreliable in some neighbourhoods, lately coworking in Puerto Escondido has grown in reputation with the introduction of Starlink and fiber optic service.
Puerto Escondido’s new communal work areas provide secure, high-speed web in addition to a choice of facilities comparable to non-public assembly rooms, printers, lounge areas, AC and kitchens. They provide just about all the pieces you should work remotely.
Selina Hostal, Casa Losodeli and NUU Coworking Rinconada (Google Map) are all good choices for coworking areas in Puerto Escondido. Each day charges vary from 190 MXN pesos to 250 MXN pesos for a day.
In Huatulco, Starlink wifi with quick obtain and add speeds is offered in most of the condominium and residence leases. The one co-working house is at Golden Circle inside the Finest Western Lodge. It options an air-conditioned house with non-public assembly rooms and shared group house with work stations.
For cell knowledge on the go, I like to recommend utilizing a International eSIM for travellers comparable to Airalo. You may keep related while you journey at very reasonably priced charges.
Examine charges for native and regional eSIMs at Airalo.com.
Verdict: Which is best Huatulco or Puerto Escondido in relation to coworking areas? Puerto Escondido is the clear winner.
Restaurant Scene: Huatulco vs Puerto Escondido
Past the outside actions, Puerto Escondido can also be a major vacation spot for meals lovers.
The delicacies is drawn from a wealthy indigenous heritage and options plenty of contemporary seafood in addition to an abundance of contemporary fruit and greens.
Puerto Escondido’s eating places provide a various culinary combine. Delicacies from Italian, Center Japanese and Thai delicacies.
It’s additionally house to a number of eating places specializing in Oaxacan regional dishes comparable to tlayudas, moles and extra. Relating to breakfast there are numerous eating places to select from in each Huatulco and Puerto Escondido.
Nonetheless, Puerto Escondido is the clear winner in relation to vegetarian and vegan eating places to select from. There are dozens of eating places that includes plant-based eating, particularly in La Punta.
In case you’re eager on fine-dining Puerto Escondido can also be house to 2 eating places — Almoraduz and Attaraya — listed within the Michelin Information to Mexico.
Verdict: Puerto Escondido
Security and Crime in Oaxaca
Whether or not you’re on a visit to Oaxaca’s Coast for the winter season or a brief household trip, it’s price contemplating the security state of affairs.
In September 2024, the U.S. Division of State’s Mexico Journey Advisory listed the complete state of Oaxaca as Train Elevated Warning.
There are restrictions for U.S. authorities workers for journey within the Isthmus area of Oaxaca, outlined by Freeway 185D to the west, Freeway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca/Chiapas border to the east.
This consists of the cities of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa. U.S. authorities workers could not use Federal Freeway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.
These areas are hours away from Puerto Escondido and Huatulco and never typically frequented by vacationers even on day journeys.
The Authorities of Canada at the moment has NO journey warnings in impact for the state of Oaxaca.
By far, the most important danger to travellers in Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are accidents and drownings earlier than crime.
Petty crime does exist so use precautions when strolling at night time, keep away from shows of wealth (flashy jewelry) and look ahead to scams at ATMs.
Medical Assets
Each Huatulco and Puerto Escondido have hospitals and personal clinics. In Puerto Escondido, Clínica Ángel Del Mar has probably the most variety of medical specialists.
Clinica Oromed is its non-public clinic counterpart in Huatulco.
- The EMERGENCY quantity for each police and medical is 911.
- Clínica Olvera 954 124 7182
- Medical consideration can also be out there in Oaxaca Metropolis.
- Air Ambulance service is offered between Canada/US and Puerto Escondido. Aeromedevac has been advisable by a couple of individuals who have used it. The price is upwards of $45,000 USD.
- One other emergency air possibility is www.airlinkambulance.com Cellphone: 52-333-629-8700 and 01-800-024-8600.
- Centro de Salud Puerto Escondido 954 168 69 42
- Unidad de Intelligencia para Emergencias en Salud 800 770 84 37
Verdict: Which is best Huatulco or Puerto Escondido for medical care? It’s a draw. Regardless of which one you select, be sure you get Medical Insurance coverage earlier than you journey.
Value of Dwelling
Consuming Out
The prices for meals, eating places and every day bills are usually decrease within the state of Oaxaca than different elements of Mexico.
Many finances travellers and backpackers are drawn to Puerto Escondido attributable to its low-cost hostels and shared lodging.
In case you check out our Huatulco Value of Dwelling publish, you’ll see {that a} typical order of grilled fish at a seaside restaurant will price as much as 250 MXN pesos (round $10 USD) and a neighborhood beer 50 MXN pesos (below $2 USD).
Costs drop significantly the additional away from the primary seashores you go. For instance, costs for seafood at Roca Blanca and Agua Blanca seaside are decrease than these in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.
Lodging Prices
More and more, the sargassum seaweed drawback in Tulum and Cancun has prompted many individuals to modify their trip to the Pacific Coast the place there is no such thing as a drawback with seaweed.
In Puerto Escondido there’s just one all-inclusive resort and it’s the somewhat disappointing 3-star Posada Actual Puerto Escondido.
So should you’re searching for an all-inclusive resort-style trip, then select Huatulco. The most well-liked resorts on a seaside are Secrets and techniques Huatulco Resort and Spa (adults-only), Desires Resort and Spa, the Barcelo Huatulco and Las Brisas Resort.
Huatulco additionally has extra condominiums out there for hire through trip rental companies.
🌟 Professional Tip: Subscribe to our free biweekly publication and you may rating a free airport switch through Bayside Holidays.
Puerto Escondido has many extra suites in house through AirBnB, VRBO and leases companies.
For the only option and costs, start your search early. Browse our lodging information for tips about Discovering a Trip Rental in Puerto Escondido.
Demand for trip residences, condos and houses is excessive and competitors steep for peak durations comparable to January to March. Hostels are extra available.
Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco Climate
April and Might are highly regarded and humid (count on 35 C and up) whereas August, September and October are the rainiest months, with most of the native eating places closed for enterprise.
November and December (excluding Christmas) are nice occasions to go to. The climate in each Puerto Escondido and Huatulco is sunny and heat however not too sizzling.
Huatulco is mostly two or three levels hotter than Puerto Escondido. It additionally typically feels hotter than that because it doesn’t obtain cooling breezes off the ocean or from the mountains.
Festivals and Celebrations
Festivals are a giant a part of life all through Mexico. Listed here are a couple of you possibly can count on to see on Oaxaca’s coast.
Day of the Lifeless
Though Day of the Lifeless or Dia de los Muertos rituals in Guatemala and cities in Mexico comparable to Oaxaca Metropolis and Patzcuaro deservedly get plenty of consideration, it’s additionally attainable to participate in genuine ceremonies for Day of the Lifeless in Puerto Escondido and Huatulco as nicely.
In Puerto Escondido, Benito Juarez Market may have distributors promoting bunches of marigolds, there will likely be ofrendas (Day of the Lifeless altars) and particular conventional Day of the Lifeless meals.
Fiestas de Noviembre
One other common competition is the Fiestas de Noviembre, a month-long occasion when Puerto Escondido ramps up the celebration issue city-wide. There are fishing tournaments, folkloric dance extravaganzas, meals festivals, motocross and browsing competitions.
Most occasions are free. For the entire schedule, go to our publish on What Everybody Ought to Know Concerning the Fiestas de Noviembre.
Las Fiestas de Chila
For such a tiny city, the Bajos de Chila places on a giant celebration to have a good time its patron saint San Isidro Labrador. The festivities start in early February and embody fishing derbies, rodeos, shows of prancing horses, livestock competitions, halfway, dances, cockfights and extra.
It’s an essential cultural, social and non secular occasion that reaches its peak on February 14th with fireworks, music and the Quema del Castillo.
In case you’ve by no means seen the spectacle of a Mexican fireworks fort, it is a must-see! These five-storey, hand-assembled pyrotechnic castles spin, whirl and burst into flame to music.
Chila is simply 10 km from Puerto Escondido so it’s straightforward to get to.
Competition Santa Cruz – Carnival
Huatulco’s greatest competition is the Competition of Santa Cruz. It incorporates a non secular parade, a big halfway, fishing match, conventional dance performances, a vendor’s market, road meals and extra.
There’s additionally a Quema del Castillo, however on a smaller scale than at Chila. It takes place the primary Friday of Lent so the date adjustments yearly.
Verdict: General, Puerto Escondido has extra festivals and so they’re usually larger.
Getting There: Which One’s Simpler?
Huatulco wins in relation to ease of entry. It has a contemporary worldwide airport (HUX) with direct flights from a number of Canadian and U.S. cities.
Puerto Escondido’s airport (PXM) principally serves home routes (often through Mexico Metropolis) and doesn’t but assist many worldwide flights, aside from United Airways’ associate Mesa Airways that started direct flights in April 2025..
That mentioned, the brand-new Barranca Larga–Ventanilla freeway now makes it a lot simpler (and sooner!) to succeed in Puerto Escondido by highway from Oaxaca Metropolis. ADO buses and shuttles make the journey in simply 3 hours as a substitute of 8+.
So, should you’re flying in from overseas and need to preserve it easy, Huatulco is your finest guess. However should you’re already in Oaxaca Metropolis, Puerto Escondido is now extra accessible than ever.
🌟 Professional Tip: Many individuals fly into HUX and switch to Puerto Escondido. Get particulars on shuttles and buses in The best way to Get to Puerto Escondido from Huatulco Airport.
Day Journeys from Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco
One of many prime issues to do in Puerto Escondido is to take a day journey to one of many pristine seashores comparable to Agua Blanca or Roca Blanca. They’re lower than an hour away. The Shrine to the Virgin of Juquila in Santa Catarina Juquila can also be doable in at some point.
Huatulco additionally has a number of has a number of pure points of interest, comparable to Playa Estacahuite in Puerto Angel, that make good day journeys. There’s additionally Pluma Hidalgo, the espresso rising mecca.
Verdict: There are barely extra choices for day journeys in Puerto Escondido.
Finding out Spanish
Whereas taking Spanish language courses in Puerto Escondido shouldn’t be as cheap as finding out Spanish in Guatemala or Oaxaca Metropolis, there’s the added bonus of with the ability to benefit from the seaside!
Listed here are three common selections for well-established Spanish Language Colleges in Puerto Escondido. There are restricted choices in Huatulco.
Oasis Surf Manufacturing facility and Language College
Even your pre-schooler can take Spanish courses at this skilled language college positioned within the Rinconada neighbourhood. The college provides Newbie, Intermediate and Superior courses in addition to specialised Medical Spanish for well being care professionals.
A full slate of cultural actions is offered, together with a Be taught-to-Surf program. The college may prepare volunteer experiences should you’d like to provide again to the neighborhood and apply your new lingo on the similar time.
Experiencia Puerto Escondido
One other nicely established college the place you possibly can take Spanish classes and surf courses is positioned simply off Freeway 200 above Zicatela Seashore.
The breezy location of Experiencia Puerto Escondido on prime of a hill makes it a nice place to review outdoor.
Calli Language College
You’ll get loads of alternative to apply the Spanish you be taught at Calli Language College on the Rinconada. Lessons begin any day of the week and you may select from non-public or group classes within the air conditioned lecture rooms.
Verdict: Huatulco vs Puerto Escondido. Which is Higher?
Huatulco’s seashores are cleaner than Puerto Escondido’s.
- The seashores are longer and higher for strolling in Puerto Escondido. Whereas Huatulco has extra seashores (36 vs 8) a number of of them are fairly quick.
- Which has higher seashores for swimming? Playa Carrizalillo, Puerto Escondido’s finest swimming seaside has steep stairs ( 167 of them!) so it isn’t the best to entry. Its second finest swimming seaside (Playa Manzanillo) additionally has a number of stairs and fairly a couple of rocks.
- Zicatela Seashore, Puerto Escondido’s principal seaside, is just too harmful for swimming. So, contemplating the cleanliness of the water and security, Huatulco has higher swimming seashores.
- Huatulco has extra all-inclusive resorts so needs to be your best choice should you’re searching for a luxurious seaside vacation spot. Puerto Escondido has extra hostels, non-public condos for hire and impartial accommodations. It’s not essentially cheaper for long run trip leases as costs have risen lately.
- Huatulco is additional south so is hotter and sunnier than Puerto Escondido.
- Puerto Escondido is higher than Huatulco for sunsets because it faces west instantly.
- It’s simpler to search out yoga courses, dance events and nightlife. Whereas the music scene and nightlife in Huatulco have picked up lately, Puerto Escondido is extra of a celebration city.
- There are extra stray canines in Puerto Escondido than there are in Huatulco. It’s attainable to come across packs of stray canines roaming Zicatela Seashore (particularly in la Punta) and the doorway to Playa Angelito.
- There’s a wider choice of eating places in Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco.
- Puerto Escondido has larger and higher meals markets. Mercado Benito Juarez is one in all Mexico’s finest markets so has a significant benefit over Huatulco.
Can’t resolve? Do each! Why not cut up your time and get the most effective of each worlds?
The drive between them takes about 2.5 hours and provides some beautiful coastal views alongside the best way.
Puerto Vallarta vs Puerto Escondido
In case you’re making an attempt to resolve between Puerto Vallarta or Puerto Escondido on your subsequent trip, though each are positioned on Mexico’s Pacific Coast there are a number of variations between the 2 locations.
Many individuals say Puerto Escondido is like Puerto Vallarta was 40 years in the past.
Listed here are the primary components to contemplate should you’re making an attempt to resolve between Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Escondido:
- With its inhabitants of 203,000, Puerto Vallarta is far bigger than Puerto Escondido, which has round 45,000 residents.
- There are extra foreigners (Individuals and Canadians) in Puerto Vallarta than Puerto Escondido. The literacy charge of the inhabitants and workforce in Jalisco is far larger than within the state of Oaxaca. English is broadly spoken in outlets, eating places and companies in Puerto Vallarta.
- There’s a very massive choice of all-inclusive luxurious accommodations and accommodations on the seaside in Puerto Vallarta. In Puerto Escondido there’s just one all-inclusive resort and it’s the 3-star Posada Actual Puerto Escondido. A lot of the condos, hostels and accommodations in Puerto Escondido are both throughout the road from a seaside, a brief stroll to a seaside or on a cliff overlooking a seaside.
- Puerto Escondido is far additional south than Puerto Vallarta (1,009 km or 627 miles because the crow flies). This implies Puerto Escondido is hotter than Puerto Vallarta. The common temperature in Puerto Vallarta in January is 27 C whereas in Puerto Escondido it’s 29 C.
- Puerto Escondido receives much less rain and extra sunshine than Puerto Vallarta. Because of this exterior the wet season, the panorama options dry, tropical forest, cactus and scrub brush somewhat than lush, humid vegetation.
- There are extra cultural actions in Puerto Vallarta comparable to choir and music live shows, artwork galleries, dance performances and high-end eating places. However Puerto Escondido has lots of dwell music comparable to rock, blues and jazz in addition to nightclubs and a wealthy indigenous tradition.
- The US Division of State Mexico Journey Advisory lists the state of Jalisco as a Stage 3 for security (Rethink Journey) whereas the State of Oaxaca is a Stage 2 (Train Elevated Warning). That is essential should you’re planning to go away both metropolis on day journeys. (scroll down for security tips about Puerto Escondido)
- In case you’re eager about going browsing, seeing sea turtle nestings or seeing dolphins within the wild, Puerto Escondido is superior to Puerto Vallarta.
- In case you get pleasure from lengthy seaside walks, Puerto Escondido’s principal seaside (Zicatela Seashore) is longer than both Los Muertos and Olas Altas seaside in Puerto Vallarta and has few (if any) seaside distributors.
- Relating to swimmable seashores, Carrizalillo Seashore (Playa Carrizalillo) is prettier, has mild waves and higher for swimming than any of the seashores close to the centre of Puerto Vallarta. Nonetheless, it may solely be accessed by steep stairs (or boat) which makes it unsuitable for folks with mobility points. The perfect seaside for swimming in Puerto Vallarta is Playas Gemelas, positioned south of the town on the best way to Playa Mismaloya. You want to take a automobile or bus to succeed in it.
- With its poverty charge of 62% ( 2012), the state of Oaxaca is one in all Mexico’s poorest states. Puerto Escondido is mostly scruffier, has worse infrastructure and is rougher across the edges than Puerto Vallarta.
FAQs
The wet season in Puerto Escondido begins in Might and continues by means of October. This coincides with the Pacific hurricane season. Whereas there’s a danger of tropical storms throughout this season, very often the rainfall is intense for brief bursts of time and it’s sunny the remainder of the day. Might to October is Puerto Escondido’s greenest season.
Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca is common for its browsing, laid-back environment, wealth of seashores, plentiful sunshine and Mexican tradition, together with its well-known Oaxacan delicacies. It’s change into more and more common as a vacation spot for digital nomads as a substitute for Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Huatulco could be very common amongst international guests( especiallly Canadians) because it’s clear, secure and never as commercialized because the Mexican Caribbean. It’s an eco-friendly vacation spot that gives an genuine Mexican tradition, a wealth of well-maintained, trendy lodging choices from trip condos to luxurious all-inclusive resorts in addition to a number of swimmable seashores.
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