Puerto Escondido is a highly visible paradise for beach and sea lovers. With this comprehensive guide to the pleasant coastal city of Oaxaca, your trip will be unforgettable.
Where is Puerto Escondido located?
Puerto Escondido is the most populous city on the coast of Oaxaca, in the municipality of San Pedro Mixtepec. This municipality is located in the central part of the coast of the state, on the border of the Oaxacan municipalities of Santos Reyes Nopala, San Gabriel Mixtepec, San Sebastián Coatlán, Santa María Colotepec and Villa de Tututepec de Melchor Ocampo. Oaxaca City is 102 km north of Puerto Escondido, while the drive from Mexico City is 762 km south to Acapulco, then southeast to the Oaxaca coast.
The Origins of the City
There is no evidence that the territory of Puerto Escondido was occupied by pre-Hispanic natives, and the Spaniards did not settle there during the colonial period. The oldest references to the site refer to a legend attributed to pirate Andrew Drake, brother of Francis Drake. This English privateer from the second half of the 16th century is said to have kidnapped a young Mixtec native, who then managed to escape, hiding in the jungle, hence the name of the bay, La Escondida (La Hachée). From the 1930s Puerto Escondido began to develop as a commercial terminal and tourist flows began in the 1960s with the construction of Highway 200 to connect Acapulco to Oaxaca.
What Is The Local Climate Like?
Puerto Escondido is a coastal city with a tropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 27.3 ° C (80 ° F). The thermometer records little seasonal variation in the locality, since in the cooler months, which are December and January, it registers around 26 ° C, while in the hottest period, from April to September, the average temperature is 28 ° C. The rainy season lasts from May to October, during which time over 95% of the 946 mm of water that falls per year falls. Between November and April, it hardly rains in Puerto Escondido.
What Are The Most Remarkable Attractions?
Puerto Escondido is a true beach lover’s paradise. Here you will find sandy beaches for all tastes, with calm or intense waters, white or gray sands, and a lonely or crowded atmosphere. A minimal list of beaches in Puerto Escondido and surrounding areas should include Playa Principal, Playa Marinero, Puerto Angelito, Playa Zicatela, Playa Carrizalillo, Mazunte, Zipolite, Playa Bacocho, and Rocablanca.
In the urban area of Puerto Escondido, one must visit El Adoquín, while towns near the municipal capital include Rio Grande, La Barra de Colotepec, San Gabriel Mixtepec, San Pedro Juchatengo and Santa Catarina Juquila. Likewise, the Manialtepec Lagoon and the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park are natural spaces of great beauty.
What Is There To See In Playa Principal?
This beach is located on the east side of Puerto Escondido’s main bay and features calm waves. It is about half a kilometer long and shaded by coconut palms, its sand is gray and the waters are warm and have green and turquoise tones. Puerto Escondido fishermen land on this beach with their fresh cargo of fish and seafood. At Playa Principal, you can board boats to watch turtles, dolphins and maybe whales, and get to know each other around. It is also from Playa Principal that the boats leave for the sea with those interested in sport fishing.
What Can I Do In Playa Marinero?
This small sandy beach, about 200 meters long, is located east of Playa Principal and is highly recommended for surfers and bodysurfers, especially beginners in these entertaining sea sports. If you want to enjoy the most beautiful sunset in Puerto Escondido, you have to go to this beach with gray sands and green to turquoise blue waters. Another thing you can do in Playa Marinero is hire a horse. It has a hotel, restaurant and other beach services.
