The Best Beach in Puerto Escondido: Our Local Ranking of the Top 10
The Best Beach in Puerto Escondido: Our Local Ranking of the Top 10
The best beach in Puerto Escondido is Playa Carrizalillo: a sheltered cove with calm water for swimming, gentle waves for a first surf lesson and palapas right on the sand. Puerto Angelito is a close second for families, while Zicatela wins for big-wave surf and sunsets. Here is the full ranking, from a local's point of view.
| Rank | Beach | Best for | Swimming |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrizalillo | Overall: swimming, beginner surf, snorkeling | Yes, usually calm |
| 2 | Puerto Angelito | Families and small children | Yes, the calmest in town |
| 3 | Zicatela | Watching pro surf, sunsets, nightlife | No, dangerous currents |
| 4 | La Punta | Intermediate surf, laid-back barrio | Only on calm days |
| 5 | Playa Coral | Quiet cove, snorkeling around rocks | On small-swell days |
| 6 | Playa Marinero | First surf lessons close to town | On calm days |
| 7 | Bacocho | Sunsets, beach club, turtle releases | No, strong shore break |
| 8 | Playa Principal | Fishing boats, boat tours, town life | Yes, gentle bay |
| 9 | Manzanillo | Snorkeling next to Angelito | Yes, sheltered |
| 10 | Palmarito | Solitude, long walks, wild scenery | No, open surf |
How We Ranked Puerto Escondido's Beaches
There is no single "best" beach for everyone in Puerto Escondido. The town sits on the open Pacific, and its coastline swings from sheltered coves on the west side to some of the heaviest surf on the planet to the south. So we scored each beach on four things that actually decide a good day:
- Safety in the water: how often you can swim without fighting currents or shore break
- Beauty and atmosphere: sand, water color, views and crowd level
- Things to do: surf, snorkeling, boat trips, food and sunsets
- Access: how easy it is to get there from the center and back
The Top 10 Beaches in Puerto Escondido, Ranked
1. Playa Carrizalillo: The Best Beach in Puerto Escondido Overall
Carrizalillo is a horseshoe-shaped cove tucked below the cliffs of the Rinconada neighborhood. Rocky points break up the swell, so the water is usually calm enough to swim, while small, peeling waves on the left side make it the classic spot for a first surf lesson. The catch: there is no road, only a long stone stairway. Our guide on how to get to Playa Carrizalillo covers the stairs and the water-taxi alternative.
2. Puerto Angelito: Best for Families
Puerto Angelito is the most sheltered bay in town, with water that often feels like a pool. Palapa restaurants rent loungers and snorkel gear a few steps from the sand, and you can walk, take a taxi or arrive by boat from the main beach. Come early: by midday on holidays it fills up with local families.
3. Playa Zicatela: Best for Surf and Sunsets
Zicatela is the reason the world knows Puerto Escondido. The "Mexican Pipeline" throws thick, fast barrels that only experts should paddle into, and the current is strong even on small days, so do not swim here. Instead, grab a table on the sand at sunset, watch the surfers and stay for dinner on the strip behind the beach.
4. Playa La Punta: Best for Intermediate Surfers
At the southern end of Zicatela, La Punta offers a long left-hand point break that is far more forgiving than the main beach. Behind the sand, a barrio of cafés, hostels and mezcal bars gives it the most relaxed vibe in town.
5. Playa Coral: Best Hidden Cove
A five-minute walk over the rocks from Bacocho, Playa Coral is a pocket of golden sand with clearer, calmer water on small-swell days. It has almost no facilities, which is exactly why people love it.
6 to 10: The Rest of the Ranking
The next five each win a category of their own:
- 6. Playa Marinero: softer waves between town and Zicatela, ideal for beginners
- 7. Playa Bacocho: wide sunset beach with a beach club and seasonal turtle releases
- 8. Playa Principal: the town bay, fishing boats and departures for boat tours
- 9. Playa Manzanillo: Angelito's twin, with good snorkeling off the rocks
- 10. Playa Palmarito: kilometers of wild sand west of town, for walks, not swims
Which Beach Is Best for You? Swimming, Surf and Families
Your best beach depends on what you came for. One rule applies everywhere: this is the open Pacific, and conditions change daily. Look at the water for a few minutes before going in, follow the lifeguards' flags where there are any, and learn how rip currents work before your first swim.
- Safest swimming: Puerto Angelito, Manzanillo and Carrizalillo
- Learning to surf: Carrizalillo and Marinero, with an instructor
- Expert surf: Zicatela; La Punta for intermediates
- Snorkeling: Manzanillo, Angelito and Coral on clear mornings
- Solitude: Palmarito and the far end of Bacocho
When to Go and Where to Watch the Sunset
From roughly November to April, the dry season brings clear skies and smaller swells, which is the best time for swimming and snorkeling. From about May to October, south swells grow, Zicatela gets serious and rain arrives in the afternoons, but the beaches are greener and quieter. For sunsets, Bacocho, Zicatela and Carrizalillo all face the light; on the west-side beaches, the sun drops straight into the ocean.
Planning a longer coastal trip? Our ranking of the 25 best beaches in Oaxaca takes you beyond town, from Mazunte to Huatulco.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Puerto Escondido?
Playa Carrizalillo is the best all-round beach: calm water most days, beginner-friendly waves, snorkeling and food on the sand. If you have small children, Puerto Angelito is even calmer.
Which beach in Puerto Escondido is safe for swimming?
Puerto Angelito, Manzanillo and Carrizalillo are the safest, thanks to the rocky points that shelter them. Avoid swimming at Zicatela, Bacocho and Palmarito, where currents and shore break are strong.
Can you swim at Zicatela?
It is not recommended. Zicatela is one of the most powerful beach breaks in the world, and even strong swimmers get caught in its currents. Enjoy it from the sand instead.
What is the most beautiful beach in Puerto Escondido?
Many locals pick Carrizalillo for its turquoise cove and cliffs, while photographers love the wide, wild horizon of Palmarito at sunset.
Ready to plan your days by the ocean? Mix a morning swim at Carrizalillo with a sunset at Zicatela, and browse our things to do in Puerto Escondido for everything in between.