Zicatela Cave (Cueva de Zicatela): How to Visit It at Low Tide
Zicatela Cave (Cueva de Zicatela): How to Visit It at Low Tide
The Zicatela cave, or Cueva de Zicatela, is a small rock passage at the far south end of Punta Zicatela that you can only walk through at low tide. On the other side waits a quiet, little-visited stretch of sand called Punta Escondida, and beyond it the coast runs on toward La Barra de Colotepec. It is free, it takes less than an hour, and it is one of the few places in Puerto Escondido where timing matters more than anything else. Here is how to do it right.
| Zicatela cave | Quick facts |
|---|---|
| Where | The far south end of Punta Zicatela (La Punta), on the left as you face the sea |
| What it is | A small rock passage at sea level leading to the next beach, Punta Escondida |
| When to go | Only at low tide, ideally a calm morning with a small swell |
| Getting there | Taxi to La Punta (about 10 min from the center), then a short walk along the sand |
| Cost | Free, no ticket or guide required |
| Difficulty | Easy on a calm low tide; wet, slippery rocks underfoot |
| Swimming | Not recommended: open Pacific, strong surf |
Where Is the Cueva de Zicatela?
Zicatela is the long surf beach south of the center, famous for the Mexican Pipeline. Follow it all the way south and the sand ends at a rocky headland: that is La Punta, with its left-hand point break, cafés and hostels. Stand on the beach facing the ocean and look left: the cliffs topped by a small navigation light and the boulders running into the sea are where the cave is.
Locals do not treat it as a monument, and there is no sign. It is simply the gap in the rocks that lets you cross from Punta Zicatela to the next beach without climbing the hill. When the tide is up, waves wash straight through it; when the tide drops, it turns into a short, wet, slightly scrambly walk.
How to Visit the Zicatela Cave, Step by Step
The whole outing fits into a morning. Do it in this order:
- Check the tide the day before: pick a window around low tide, and plan to be back through the passage well before the water turns
- Get to La Punta: a taxi from the center takes about 10 minutes; from the middle of Zicatela it is a pleasant walk south along the sand
- Walk to the end of the beach: keep going past the surfers at the point until the sand meets the rocks on your left
- Go through only if it is dry or nearly dry: if waves are still surging through the opening, wait or turn back
- Explore and come back on time: enjoy Punta Escondida, then return the same way while the rocks are still exposed
If you miss the tide, there is a dry alternative: a short climb over the small hill behind the point drops you onto the same beach. It is steeper and less fun, but it never floods.
Low Tide, Safety and What to Bring
This is the open Pacific, and the sea decides whether the cave is a walk or a trap. A rising tide can close the passage behind you in a short time, and the surf at this end of the coast is powerful even on sunny days. If you have never read a tide table before, a few minutes on how tides work is time well spent.
- Timing: go as the tide is falling or at its lowest, never as it starts to rise
- Season: roughly November to April brings smaller swells; from May to October big south swells can make the passage impossible
- Footwear: water shoes or sturdy sandals, because the rocks are sharp and covered in algae
- Bring: water, sun protection and a phone in a dry bag; leave valuables at your hotel
Beyond the Cave: Punta Escondida and the Coast to La Barra
Punta Escondida is the reward: a short, wild beach that most visitors never see, mostly visited by explorers rather than sunbathers. It is a place to sit, take photos and watch the waves, not to swim. Keep heading south along the shore and, at low tide, the rocky path continues toward the river mouth of La Barra de Colotepec, a much longer walk that needs a full low-tide window.
Make a day of it: breakfast at La Punta, the cave at low tide, and sunset on the point. Our full guide to Playa La Punta and its barrio covers where to eat and surf, and our ranking of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido tells you where to swim afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Zicatela cave?
At the southern end of Punta Zicatela (La Punta), in the rocks on your left as you face the sea. It connects Punta Zicatela with the next beach, Punta Escondida.
Can you visit the Cueva de Zicatela at high tide?
No. At high tide waves run through the passage. Go only around low tide, or take the short path over the hill instead.
Do you need a guide or a ticket?
Neither. It is a free, public stretch of coast. Just go with someone, check the tide and tell your hotel where you are heading.
Is it safe for children?
On a calm low tide, older children with good shoes can manage it with an adult. With small kids, or on days with big surf, enjoy the view from the beach instead.
Ready to explore the south side? Pair the cave with a surf session or a lazy afternoon on the point, and browse our things to do in Puerto Escondido for the rest of your trip.