I tried working in Puerto Escondido, only to find the Wi-Fi was so bad regardless of location, that I treated my stay here as a holiday instead, and what a decision that was! I swooned along the luscious beaches, woke early to hit the waves, and partied hard throughout the night.
Lesson learned. This is a bad place to work, but an A-grade travel destination, with fun found around every corner!
Whether you’re into surfing, partying, or simply want to lounge in the sun with your toes buried in fluffy marshmallow sand, Puerto Escondido’s got you covered. More importantly, you’ll find heaps of great places to stay based on your needs and budget.
So, grab a margarita, and let’s take a look at ‘em!
Photo: Ana Pereira
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
The Playa Principal District
If you’ve never visited Puerto Escondido before, trust me when I say you really want to drop anchor in the Playa Principal area! Not only does this neighborhood come with everything you need to experience the city for the first time, but it’s also famous for its absolutely glorious beach.
Playa Zicatela
The city is a pretty bustling place but, in my opinion, the absolute best Puerto Escondido neighborhood for the nightlife is Playa Zicatela. Incidentally, this area is also known for its excellent surfing conditions.
Rinconada
Traveling with the kids and wondering where to stay in Puerto Escondido for families? Well, if you ask me, there’s no better destination than Rinconada, located in northern Puerto Escondido!
Our Top 3 Puerto Escondido Neighbourhoods to Stay in
Before you can book a flight to the land of Mayan temples, tacos, and tequila, you need to consider where you want to stay in Mexico. Puerto Escondido may be on the smaller side, but I promise it packs a punch – especially if you know where to stay!
Here we’ll round up the best neighbourhoods to base yourself for an enjoyable stay, with each one catering to different types of travellers with varying interests.
1. The Playa Principal District – Best Place to Stay for your First Time
Why don’t we start off our list with my absolute favourite spot in the city?
If you’ve never visited this Mexican beach town before, trust me when I say you really want to drop anchor in the Playa Principal area! Not only does this neighbourhood come with everything you need to experience the city for the first time, but it’s also famous for its absolutely glorious beach.
Nothing beats the location as well: Playa Principal is just a half hour’s walk from Playa Zicatela (more on that later!) and 20 minutes from Playa Carrizalillo, another scenic spot known for its gorgeous lagoon.
As far as accommodation is concerned, Playa Principal easily lends itself to various budgets, so it’s not difficult to find a great place to crash without going over your budget.
- Best For: Budget backpackers, and first-timers looking to be close to the main spots.
- The Vibe: It’s generally pretty lively around here.
- Proximity to Airport: Unfortunately there’s no Uber, so you have to watch out for taxi scams. It’s only a 10-minute drive away, but it’s also only 50 minutes if you walk…
- Transport Level: The lack of Uber makes things difficult, but it’s generally easy to walk here.
- Budget: It’s reasonably budget-friendly here.
- Crowds: Whilst not super busy, you do get moderate crowds throughout the day.
Top Things to Do
- Enjoy a coastal walk up to the Mirador Un Sueno Posible Lookout, one of the most scenic spots in the area. Be sure to wear sturdy travel shoes since some spots can be slippery.
- Spend a day on the Playa Principal Beach, known for its crystalline waters, calm lagoons, and large population of pelicans.
- Stroll through the Adoquin night market, located right behind the Playa Principal.
Best Hotel: Casa Mia
One of my favourite affordable hotels by the beach! It has a nice large pool which is fun to relax in, away from the big crowds by the beach. It’s also very clean, and the staff are great!
I found it to be fairly quiet here, which is nice after a solid few days of partying. You can just come back and avoid the noise. The AC was decent too, which is necessary in this sweaty corner of Mexico.
Best Hostel: Bonita Escondida
If you’re looking for a cheap place to stay, I can totally recommend Bonita Escondida near Playa Principal.
This Mexican hostel offers comfortable yet super affordable dorm rooms of various sizes along with a private too. Plenty of amenities await, including an epic pool, a bar, fitness sessions, a shared kitchen, and even free HIIT workout classes!
Best Airbnb: Luxury Oceanfront Villa With Private Pool
Perfect for digital nomads in Mexico, this luxury oceanfront villa commands an excellent location just 10 minutes from the Playa Principal beach.
With 3 bedrooms to comfortably accommodate up to seven guests, this villa boasts two swimming pools in the shared garden. I only recommend it for 6-7 people though, as it’ll be pricy for small groups.
It also comes with a fully equipped kitchen. Then again, you’ll find some of Puerto Escondido’s best eateries practically on your doorstep, so why bother cooking, right?
2. Playa Zicatela – Best Place to Stay for the Nightlife
It won’t take you long to realise that Mexicans sure as heck know how to party!
The city is a pretty bustling place but, in my opinion, the absolute best neighbourhood for nightlife is Playa Zicatela. Incidentally, this area is also known for its excellent surfing conditions.
While daytime sees throngs of local and international surfers gathering on the beach, nighttime is a whole other setting entirely: the Zicatela Strip, which runs opposite the beach, absolutely comes alive after sunset with a large variety of bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Most establishments offer live entertainment – perfect for partying until the early hours of the morning! Of course, the weekend is the best time to party on the Strip, but rest assured that several clubs have something special on weekdays as well.
- Best For: Backpackers looking for wild parties.
- The Vibe: Loud and lively, but not good if you want a peaceful sleep!
- Proximity to Airport: 15 minutes by taxi, or 1.5 hours on foot.
- Transport Level: It’s walkable, and taxis are plentiful if you do need a vehicle at any point.
- Budget: This spot is fairly affordable overall, which is why we love it so much!
- Crowds: It’s probably the busiest location here. Expect lots of people and noise.
Top Things to Do
- Sign up for a surfing lesson.
- Party the night away at Terraza Paraiso, one of the best nightclubs in Puerto Escondido.
- Treat yourself to a scrumptious Mexican feast at the Zolem Beach Club. I can recommend their marlin tacos!
- Dance under the stars at the after-hours Piedra de la Iguana club, which features an exterior dance floor.
- Hit the waves at Zicatela Beach, known for its massive swells and optimal surfing conditions.
- Visit Huatulco’s national park, one of the most beautiful national parks in Mexico.
Best Hotel: Hotel Real Juquilita
Located in a fantastic area, Hotel Real Juquilita has fully functioning AC, and that’s not the case with every property here!
The rooms all had desks and TVs in them, and there’s even a large pool outside with small fountains creating a mini waterfall effect which was a nice touch! Plus they let us rent bikes and book tours from here too.
Best Hostel: Secret Beach Hostel
Commanding an excellent location just a 15-minute’ walk from Zicatela Beach, this hostel in Puerto Escondido offers mixed and female-only dormitories with 6 beds each.
One of the best places to stay in Puerto Escondido, this hostel has some pretty chill vibes, with onsite salsa and yoga classes. There’s also a bar and a restaurant where you can sample local delicacies while networking with fellow travellers.
In addition to Zicatela Beach, you’ll also be close to Carrizalillo, Principal, and Marinero beaches.
Best Airbnb: Punta Zicaleta Room 5
A cute little Airbnb with a private bathroom, fan and work desk. It’s budget-friendly which is why we love it, as well as the Latin charm radiating from this place.
The beach is just around the corner, as is a good range of supermarkets and restaurants. It’s in a great location, which definitely adds to the charm.
3. Rinconada – Best Area for Families
Travelling with the kids and wondering where to settle with your family? Well, if you ask me, there’s no better destination than Rinconada.
Located in northern Puerto Escondido, this neighbourhood was actually among the first touristic areas built in the city. As such, it has better infrastructure, especially in terms of internet, roads, water, and the like.
Despite its proximity to party areas, Rinconada is still relatively quiet, making it an excellent choice for families. This neighbourhood also houses some of the calmest beaches in Puerto Escondido, such as Carizalillo Beach.
As awesome as this area is for families, I do need to point out that it’s relatively small. While this means that you can easily take in the best sights in just one day, accommodation options in and around Rinconada can be quite limited. It’s always a good idea to make your bookings in advance, especially if visiting in peak season.
- Best For: Families, digital nomads, and others looking for a quiet spot.
- The Vibe: It’s way more chill here, much calmer than the other neighbourhoods mentioned.
- Proximity to Airport: Just walk… it’s only 35 minutes away. If you really need a taxi, it will take 6-7 minutes.
- Transport Level: Again, it’s easy to get around by both walking or using taxis.
- Budget: Slightly higher here, it’s a bit more upmarket, but won’t ruin your bank balance.
- Crowds: Generally a little lower.
Top Things to Do
- See the incredible fauna of the Oaxacan coast.
- Relax on Marinero Beach, a picturesque beach nestled between Playa Principal and Playa Zicatela.
- Take the kids to the Parque El Idilio, home to a green space and children’s playground.
- Embark on a bird-watching experience at the Manialtepec Lagoon.
- Go snorkeling at Carizalillo Beach, known for its calm waters and excellent swimming conditions.
Best Hotel: Suites La Hacienda
Perfect for parents travelling with children, Suites La Hacienda features comfortable junior suites to sleep the whole family!
With two beds in the bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room, this space can also provide a cot upon request.
Best of all, you’ll be within walking distance of local restaurants, shopping centers, and Carizalillo Beach. After exploring the area, you can always enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel’s swimming pool.
Best Hostel: Nopalero Hostel
A proper hostel with a garden, terrace, pool, and a bar where you can drink your problems away, and maybe even make new friends.
It’s not a party hostel, so this one’s way more relaxing than the sort of place where you might find wild parties. I felt a very calm atmosphere during my stay here, but it was still easy enough to meet people.
Best Airbnb: The Rinconada
This Airbnb in Puerto Escondido stands out as my absolute favourite! Nestled just a few steps from the beach, this 2-bedroom condo offers irresistible views of the ocean and the bay of Playa Manzanillo and Angelito. Up to 4 guests can stay, and it’s pretty affordable if you manage to split it like this.
Offering two bedrooms to comfortably accommodate up to four guests, this space features a shared pool with ocean views. You’ll be just an easy stroll from Playa Coral, Playa Carizalillo, and The Rinconada.
At the end of the day, relax in the hammock or take advantage of the barbecue facilities to rustle up a grilled feast.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Puerto Escondido
Before you set off, getting good travel insurance is essential. You hope you don’t need it, but it’s not worth the risk. And here there’s a real danger you can party too hard and have a whoopsie after a few too many bevs.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Still Unsure on Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido?
By now, I sure hope I’ve convinced you that Puerto Escondido ain’t exactly your average resort town! Fusing authentic Oaxacan culture with gorgeous landscapes and amazing lagoons, this versatile place lends itself well to various types of travellers.
You can choose between the affordable Playa Principal District, crazy Playa Zicatela, or the more laidback Rinconada, and these three places cover the needs of all traveller types.
You’ll no doubt be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a great place to stay in Puerto Escondido, but my favourite is no doubt the Suites La Hacienda hotel. If you’re after something budget-friendly, then you can always consider Bonita Escondida near Playa Principal.
Whatever you decide, Puerto Escondido is a literal paradise, and if you love it a tenth as much as I did, you’ll have an amazing time!
