Playa Coral, Puerto Escondido: The Small Cove Next to Bacocho
Playa Coral, Puerto Escondido: The Small Cove Next to Bacocho
Playa Coral is a small, rocky-framed cove at the eastern end of Playa Bacocho in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, reached by a five-minute walk over the rocks from Bacocho. Its water is usually calmer and clearer than the open beach next door, which makes it a favorite for a quiet swim on flat days, snorkeling around the rocks and long, lazy afternoons under the palms.
| Quick Facts | Playa Coral |
|---|---|
| Location | East end of Playa Bacocho, west side of Puerto Escondido |
| Getting there | Taxi to Playa Bacocho (about 10 minutes from the center), then 5 minutes on foot |
| Size | Small cove, framed by rocks and a green cliff |
| Water | Calmer than Bacocho on small-swell days; still open Pacific |
| Lifeguards | None |
| Facilities | Very few; some natural shade from palms |
| Best for | Snorkeling, calm-day swims, couples, quiet afternoons |
Where Is Playa Coral?
Stand on Playa Bacocho facing the ocean and look left. That cluster of colorful, textured rocks at the end of the sand hides Playa Coral. It sits in the residential Bacocho neighborhood on the west side of town, between the long open beach of Bacocho and the famous stairs of Carrizalillo.
Compared with Bacocho, Coral is tiny: a pocket of golden sand with turquoise water, a lush cliff behind it and a view back along kilometers of open beach. The name comes from the rocky reef around the cove, not from a Caribbean-style coral reef — set your expectations accordingly and you will love it. Do not confuse it with other beaches called Playa Coral elsewhere in Mexico.
How to Get to Playa Coral
There is no public transport to the door, so plan on a taxi or your own wheels to Playa Bacocho, then finish on foot:
- Taxi to Bacocho: about 10 minutes from the Adoquín or Rinconada; agree on the fare before you get in
- The rock path: from Bacocho, walk to the left end of the beach and follow the path over the rocks and sand; it takes about five minutes
- Time it with the tide: the crossing is easiest at low tide; at high tide or with big waves, wait or turn back
- Hotel access: the direct way down from the cliff passes through private hotel land, so entry may be restricted or come with a fee or minimum spend
Wear sandals with grip rather than flip-flops: the rocks are uneven and can be slippery when wet. If you have kids or heavy gear, the walk is short but worth doing slowly.
What to Do at Playa Coral, Puerto Escondido
Swimming on Calm Days
The rocks shelter the cove from part of the swell, so on small-swell days Playa Coral is one of the gentler spots on this side of town. It is still the open Pacific, though: there are no lifeguards, and when a big swell arrives the waves wrap in and currents form. Watch the water for ten minutes before going in, and read up on how rip currents work if you are new to this coast.
Snorkeling Around the Rocks
When the sea is flat and the water clear, bring a mask: the rocks at both ends of the cove attract small reef fish. Visibility changes with swell and rain, so mornings are usually best. Prefer a guide and a boat? Our snorkeling tour in Puerto Escondido takes you to the clearest spots of the day.
Sunsets and Baby Turtles Next Door
Stay for the late afternoon: the sun drops into the ocean in front of Bacocho and the light turns the rocks gold. During nesting season, turtle conservation camps release hatchlings on Bacocho around sunset. Join a sea turtle release in Puerto Escondido to see it done safely and legally.
Tips for Visiting Playa Coral
Playa Coral rewards visitors who come prepared. Services on the sand are minimal and change by season, so pack as if there will be none.
- Bring the basics: water, snacks, reef-safe sunscreen and a towel; the palms give some shade but not much
- Go early or late: mornings for clear water and snorkeling, late afternoon for the sunset
- Check the swell: if Bacocho is pounding, Coral will not be calm either
- Leave no trace: there are no bins in the cove, so pack out everything you bring
- Staying nearby: for houses and villas in the Bacocho area, browse vacation rentals in Puerto Escondido
FAQ: Playa Coral
Where is Playa Coral in Puerto Escondido?
At the eastern (left, facing the sea) end of Playa Bacocho, in the Bacocho neighborhood on the west side of town. See our Playa Coral destination page for the overview.
Can you swim at Playa Coral?
Yes, on calm days. The rocks make it gentler than Bacocho, but there are no lifeguards and big swells bring strong waves and currents. For the most reliable calm water, try Carrizalillo, Manzanillo or Puerto Angelito.
Is Playa Coral free?
Mexican beaches are public, and walking in from Bacocho costs nothing. The shortcut through the hotel above the cove may charge an entry fee or ask for a minimum spend.
Is there coral at Playa Coral?
There is a rocky reef with fish rather than a large living coral reef. On clear days it is a fun, easy snorkel close to shore.
Planning a beach-hopping day? Combine Coral with the stairs down to Playa Carrizalillo and our local's guide to Playa Angelito, then find more ideas in our list of things to do in Puerto Escondido.