How to Get to Playa Carrizalillo: The Stairs, Access & What to Expect

How to Get to Playa Carrizalillo: The Stairs, Access & What to Expect

There’s no road to Playa Carrizalillo. The only way in on foot is a paved rock stairway that switches back down a steep bluff from the clifftop neighborhood of La Rinconada — about a 10–15 minute walk from central Puerto Escondido. The only alternative is a short water-taxi ride from Playa Principal. There’s no cost to use the stairs or the beach itself.

exploreExplore ToursExplore Tours arrow_forward

How to Get to the Carrizalillo Staircase

The staircase entrance sits at the edge of La Rinconada, the clifftop strip of restaurants and shops built on what used to be an old landing strip. Whether you’re coming by taxi, on foot, or by rental scooter, you’re heading for the same spot: the viewpoint at the end of Calle Carrizalillo, where the road simply stops at a railing overlooking the bay.

• From Playa Zicatela: about a 15–20 minute walk uphill, or a 5-minute taxi ride.
• From downtown / the Adoquín: a quick taxi (a few minutes) is easier than the uphill walk in the heat.
• From the airport: any taxi driver knows “La Rinconada” or “las escaleras de Carrizalillo” by name.

What the Descent Down the Rock Stairway Feels Like

The stairs themselves are a fixed, paved rock stairway — not a dirt path — built in flights with landings where you can stop, catch your breath, and take in the view. It’s steeper than a hotel staircase but nowhere near a technical hike: flip-flops are fine, though grippy sandals make the descent easier, especially if the steps are damp from morning humidity.

Coming back up is the part people underestimate. Budget more time and water than you think you’ll need, especially at midday. Vendors do not set up along the stairs the way they do at busier beaches, so bring your own water bottle rather than counting on buying one halfway down.

exploreSee Tour PackagesSee Tour Packages arrow_forward

What You’ll Find at the Bottom

The payoff is a tight, 300-meter cove of white sand and cobalt-blue water, calmer than almost anywhere else in Puerto Escondido because the headlands block most of the open-ocean swell — Wikipedia notes the waves here are normally gentle except for one zone that opens directly onto the ocean. Because the access is genuinely a little inconvenient, Carrizalillo stays noticeably less crowded and less vendor-heavy than Puerto Angelito next door.

• Calm, swimmable water across most of the bay
• A rockier patch on one side with waves good enough for beginner surfing
• Rocky outcroppings at the edges with fish and coral for snorkeling
• A handful of palapa restaurants renting beach chairs and umbrellas

Alternatives: Water Taxi and Other Ways In

If the stairs aren’t an option — strollers, mobility limitations, or you simply don’t want to climb back up in the sun — a water taxi from Playa Principal is the standard workaround. Boatmen (lancheros) run passengers along the coast to Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito, and Manzanillo on a pay-per-ride or negotiated round-trip basis.

It’s also worth timing your visit: the stairway has almost no shade, so an early morning or late-afternoon trip avoids the harshest sun on the way back up.

• Water taxi from Playa Principal — scenic, avoids the stairs entirely, agree on the price before boarding
• Golf cart or taxi to the clifftop viewpoint, then walk the stairs one-way

exploreBook Surf LessonsBook Surf Lessons arrow_forward

FAQ: Getting to Playa Carrizalillo

Is there parking at the top?

Yes, there’s informal parking along the street near La Rinconada, close to the stairway entrance, though spaces fill up on weekends and holidays.

Can you avoid the stairs entirely?

Yes — a water taxi from Playa Principal drops you directly on the sand, no climbing required in either direction.

Is Carrizalillo stroller- or wheelchair-accessible?

No. The stairway has no ramp or elevator, so strollers and wheelchairs cannot use it; the water taxi is the only step-free option.

How does Carrizalillo compare to Zicatela for getting there?

Playa Zicatela sits right along the main coastal road with flat, direct access, while Carrizalillo requires the stairway or a boat — part of why Carrizalillo feels quieter and calmer for swimming.

What’s the best time of day to make the climb?

Early morning or after 4pm, when the sun is lower and the stairs aren’t radiating heat back at you on the way up.

Once you’ve made the walk down, Playa Carrizalillo is one of the best swimming coves in Puerto Escondido — and a short taxi ride from most of our tours. Check the full guide to things to do in Puerto Escondido for more of the coastline, or browse our tours below to plan the rest of your trip.