Best Viewpoints in Puerto Escondido: Scenic Lookouts You Can’t Miss

Puerto Escondido isn’t just a surf town — it’s one of the most visually dramatic destinations on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Rugged cliffs tumble into turquoise bays, lagoons shimmer at golden hour, and the jungle-meets-ocean landscape begs to be seen from above. Whether you’re chasing the perfect sunset photo or just want to breathe in a panorama that stops you mid-sentence, these are the best viewpoints in Puerto Escondido that every traveler should seek out.

Why Puerto Escondido Is a Viewpoint Lover’s Paradise

The geography of Puerto Escondido is nothing short of extraordinary. The Sierra Madre del Sur mountains push right up to the coastline, creating dramatic elevation changes within just a few kilometers. This means that a short hike, a winding road, or even a simple stroll through a neighborhood can suddenly reward you with sweeping views of open Pacific Ocean, deserted beaches, or vast lagoon systems teeming with wildlife.

Unlike polished resort towns where the beaches are all you see, Puerto Escondido reveals itself in layers. The more you look up — and climb up — the more it gives you. Add in the consistently warm light of the Oaxacan coast, and you’ve got conditions photographers dream about. Here’s where to find the best of it.

The Top Scenic Lookouts in Puerto Escondido

1. The Cliff Walk Above Carrizalillo Beach

Carrizalillo is already one of Puerto Escondido’s most beloved beaches — a small, sheltered cove with calm turquoise water and golden sand. But what many visitors overlook is the clifftop path that runs above it. From here, you look straight down into the cove and across a wide arc of Pacific coastline. The contrast between the bright bay below and the deep blue open ocean beyond is genuinely jaw-dropping. Early morning is best when the light hits the water at a low angle and the beach is nearly empty. Sunset here is equally spectacular — the west-facing aspect means you get direct views of the sun dropping toward the horizon.

2. La Punta Zicatela Oceanfront Walk

La Punta, the mellow southern end of Zicatela, offers a long stretch of coastal walking with unbroken ocean views. While it’s not an elevated lookout in the traditional sense, the wide sandy point juts into the sea in a way that lets you see both back toward Zicatela’s legendary surf break and south toward the open Pacific. At sunset, the colors here — deep oranges and pinks reflecting off the water — are some of the most photogenic in the region. It’s also a great people-watching spot: surfers, fishermen, and travelers all converge here as the day winds down.

3. Zicatela Beach South End Dunes

The natural dune formations at the southern reach of Zicatela aren’t widely advertised, but climbing even a modest dune here puts you above the surf line with a dramatic view of one of Mexico’s most powerful waves. On days when the big swells roll in, watching the Pacific pummel Zicatela from an elevated position is humbling — the scale of the waves becomes truly apparent when you have that visual context. Photographers covering surf events often use this vantage point for exactly that reason.

4. Laguna Manialtepec Approach Road

The road heading northwest out of Puerto Escondido toward Laguna Manialtepec passes through a series of small hillcrests with open views back toward town and the coast. Laguna Manialtepec itself, stretching for around 16 kilometers, is best appreciated from slightly elevated ground where you can grasp the full scale of this important ecological reserve. The lagoon’s still waters reflect the sky in ways that make it look like a painting. If you’re on a kayaking in the mangroves tour or heading out for bird watching in the lagoon, keep your eyes open on the approach road — the views are worth a stop.

5. The Hilltop Above El Adoquín (Pérez Gasga)

The pedestrian street of El Adoquín is Puerto Escondido’s social spine — restaurants, bars, and shops line this seaside walkway. But just uphill, a short climb into the residential streets above rewards you with a bird’s-eye view over the entire Bahía Principal bay. From up here you can see the fishing boats anchored in the morning, the beach stretching east, and on clear days, the curve of the coastline disappearing into the distance. It’s an effortless viewpoint — no hiking required, just a few minutes of uphill walking from the main drag.

6. Punta Colorada Headland

Less visited than the central beaches, the Punta Colorada headland separates Playa Bacocho from the beaches to the south. Walking out onto this rocky promontory gives you 180-degree ocean views with no obstructions. The red-tinted rocks (the name means “red point”) glow beautifully at golden hour, and the exposed position means you often catch the full sky spectacle of a coastal sunset. Strong winds make this a bracing spot — but that’s part of the appeal. It feels wild and untamed in a way that’s hard to find at more trafficked viewpoints.

7. Playa Bacocho Cliff Edge

Playa Bacocho runs along a raised coastal shelf, and the northern section of the beach has stretches where the cliff edge drops several meters to the sand below. Walking along the top of this natural terrace gives you elevated views down the beach and out to the open Pacific. The vegetation here is scrubby and low, which means unimpeded sightlines in all directions. This is a particularly good spot for watching pelicans and frigatebirds work the thermals along the cliff face — combine a viewpoint visit with some casual bird watching for an easy morning activity.

Best Times to Visit the Viewpoints

Combine Your Viewpoint Visit with a Tour

The best way to experience Puerto Escondido’s scenery isn’t always from a static lookout — sometimes you need to be moving through it. Several tours naturally take you through or past the most scenic areas of the region, adding context and depth to what you’re seeing.

For those who want unbeatable coastal views from above and below, consider these options:

• Paramotor — Nothing rivals a paramotor flight for raw aerial perspective. You’ll see the entire coastline, the lagoons, the surf breaks, and the town laid out below you. It’s the ultimate viewpoint.
• Sunset Horseback Riding — Riding along the coastline as the sun descends is a classic Puerto Escondido experience. The elevated position on horseback, combined with the moving landscape, creates viewpoint moments you can’t engineer on foot.
• Dolphin Watching Boat Tour — Looking back at Puerto Escondido from the water offers a perspective most visitors never get. The town’s hills, the beach arc, and the green jungle backdrop are stunning from offshore.
• Puerto Escondido City Tour — A guided city tour takes you to multiple elevated vantage points around town while filling in the cultural and historical context of what you’re looking at.
• Chacahua Tour — The lagoon system at Chacahua National Park, accessible by boat, offers some of the most expansive panoramic water-and-sky views in the entire Oaxacan coast.

Tips for Getting the Most From Puerto Escondido’s Viewpoints

• Go early or go late. Midday sun bleaches out colors and creates harsh shadows. The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset transform every landscape.
• Bring water and sunscreen. Even short walks to elevated viewpoints can be hot and exposed. The Pacific coast sun is intense year-round.
• Wear grip shoes for cliff walks. Some rocky headland paths can be slippery, especially after brief rain showers during the wet season.
• Check the swell forecast. For dune and cliff viewpoints near the water, big swell days create more dramatic scenery — waves, spray, and activity on the water.
• Leave no trace. These natural areas are protected by local environmental guidelines. SEMARNAT and CONANP oversee the ecological reserves in the region — respect them.
• Ask locals. Puerto Escondido residents know secret viewpoints that don’t appear on any map. Chatting with your host, a tour guide, or a local shopkeeper often uncovers the best spots.

A Traveler’s Story: Finding the Perfect Shot

Camille, a photographer from Lyon, arrived in Puerto Escondido expecting to spend most of her time on Zicatela. “I knew about the surf,” she said, “but I had no idea about the views.” On her second morning, she climbed the hill above El Adoquín before 7am and found the entire Bahía Principal spread out before her, pink light on the water and fishing boats heading out to sea. “I probably took 300 photos that morning,” she laughed. “And none of them were from the beach.” By the end of her week, she had visited five different viewpoints and booked a paramotor flight after realizing the aerial perspective was unlike anything she’d experienced. “Puerto Escondido has so many different faces,” she said. “Most people only see one.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the viewpoints in Puerto Escondido free to access?

Most of the natural viewpoints — cliff walks, headlands, beach dune areas — are freely accessible public spaces. A few elevated lookouts within certain ecological zones may require permits for organized groups; check with the official Oaxaca tourism page for current guidelines.

What is the best viewpoint for watching the sunset in Puerto Escondido?

Carrizalillo clifftop and Punta Colorada are widely considered the best sunset viewpoints due to their west-facing, unobstructed aspect. La Punta in Zicatela is also an excellent option that’s very easy to reach from the main tourist areas.

Is there a viewpoint where I can see the whole town from above?

The hilltop above El Adoquín (Pérez Gasga) offers a panoramic view over Bahía Principal and much of the town. For a higher aerial perspective, the paramotor flight is the definitive way to see the full layout of Puerto Escondido and its coastline.

Can I visit the viewpoints during the rainy season?

Yes, though paths can be slippery after rain and visibility can be reduced during storms. The rainy season (June–September) also brings lush green vegetation that makes the landscape especially vibrant. Many locals actually prefer the wet-season light for photography.

Are there viewpoints accessible to people with limited mobility?

La Punta Zicatela’s oceanfront walk is largely flat and accessible. The hilltop above El Adoquín involves some uphill walking on uneven streets. Most cliff and headland viewpoints require some walking on natural terrain. The boat tour is an excellent way for those with mobility limitations to get stunning off-shore views of the coastline.

What should I bring to visit the scenic lookouts?

Sunscreen, water, a hat, comfortable shoes with grip, and your camera or phone. If you plan to be at a cliff-edge viewpoint at sunset, a light layer is useful as the ocean breeze can pick up in the evening.

Information may change; please confirm schedules, regulations, and availability before booking. For legal, environmental, or safety matters, consult local authorities or official sources. You can reach our team directly via the reservations page.

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Also check the official Visit México guide to Puerto Escondido for additional destination resources.