Puerto Escondido in January: Weather, Tips + More (2023)

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Backpacking Puerto Escondido in January? This post explains everything you need to know about visiting Puerto Escondido in January, including the weather, events, temperature and crowds.

If you’re looking for what Puerto Escondido is like in January, this post explains everything you need to know; from weather to events and what to pack.

Puerto Escondido is a 365-day-a-year destination and you can often find digital nomads and backpackers setting up camp here for a while. From the white sandy beaches, giant surfing waves, fun nightlife and incredible sunsets, it’s by far one of our favourite places in Mexico.

Puerto Escondido is on the coast of Oaxaca state, and takes around 10 hours to reach on an ADO bus via Oaxaca City. However, there are a few different ways to reach Puerto Escondido, which we will discuss further in this post!

January in Puerto Escondido is one of the best months to visit, but also one of the busiest! It’s considered ‘peak time’ for backpackers and tourists, so expect busy beaches and restaurants. But don’t let that put you off, it’s the best time to meet other backpackers and like-minded travellers, and of course, an epic time to party in Puerto Escondido.

This post explains everything you need to know about visiting Puerto Escondido in January. If there’s anything I’ve missed, or you’d like to know, be sure to DM me over on Instagram.

If you can’t tell already, I’m pretty *obsessed* with Puerto Escondido. We lived there for nearly two months in 2022, and already have a trip planned to return! Check out all of my Puerto Escondido posts here, or here are some of my favourites:

Backpacking Mexico? Use the ADO buses!

ADO buses are the safest, cheapest and most convenient way to backpack Mexico. They’re clean, modern and even have toilets onboard. However, you always need to pre-book, as seats sell out fast!
Click here to check prices, dates and availability!

Puerto Escondido in January

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In short, January is a great month to visit Puerto Escondido. The days are sunny, long and extremely hot. And the best thing? There’s little to zero chance of rain. Hello winter sun!

If you’re heading to the beach, the water is warm and clear, and the waves are calm enough for beginner surfers.

January is also the time to party in Puerto Escondido. The high number of backpackers in the area makes it one crazy month for day and night events!

If you’re looking for an epic party, head to Puerto Escondido for New Year’s Eve, and dance the night away at Punta Vida or along Zicatela beach. There are also New Year’s Day beach parties for those who want to continue the next day!

However, there are some negatives to visiting Puerto Escondido in January.

As January is regarded as one of the ‘busy’ seasons in Puerto Escondido, it’s important to pre-book any accommodation and tours, and prices aren’t cheap.

Accommodation is expensive. It’s difficult to find a 1 bedroom apartment for under £60-70 ($70-80) per night, and even these do not include air conditioning. And you want air conditioning in Puerto Escondido, trust me!

If you’re looking to book a hostel, you’ll need to reserve a room at least 4 weeks in advance. You might be lucky enough to find a single bed in a dorm somewhere, but the main party hostels are likely to sell out quickly.

January is also in the middle of the dry season for the Oaxacan state, so this also adds to the prices of accommodation, tours and local events.

Booking hostels?

Choosing the right hostel as a backpacker is crucial to how successful your trip will be. Always use Hostelworld.com for the cheapest rates, widest availability and most importantly – honest reviews from other travellers!
Click here to view the best hostels for your trip.

What is the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?

Let’s talk about the best time to visit Puerto Escondido. This is always going to differ depending on your preferences.

🌍 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido as a backpacker: November – April. The rain has come to an end, hostels are full of life and partying, it’s continuously hot and sunny, and the famous Puerto Escondido sunsets from Playa Carrizalillo. Note this is the hottest time to visit Puerto Escondido, and most days your weather app will tell you it ‘feels like 45-48°C’. It is CRAZY hot!

💻 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido as a digital nomad: October through May for atmosphere, sunny days and blue skies.

💰 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido for the cheapest deals: May-August, due to the rainy season (but the waves are still great!)

👫 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido for avoiding crowds: May-August, again due to the rainy season.

🏄‍♀️ Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido for surfing: Peak surfing season in Puerto Escondido is between April and September. This is when the waves are at their most consistent, and is the time when large surf competitions and events are held on Zicatela. The quietest surf time is in November.

Weather in Puerto Escondido in January

You’re in luck – the weather in Puerto Escondido in January is wonderful. It’s in the middle of Mexico’s dry season, so there is little to no rain, and the temperature is hot with a welcoming light breeze.

This means you can expect long, hot, dry sunny days with an average of 26-30°C (90F) on a daily basis. All whilst your friends and family back in the UK will be in torrential rain and snow!

There are around 11.5 hours of daylight in Puerto Escondido in January, and few clouds. Expect short bursts of light wind, but little humidity. The days are hot and dry, with a clear blue sky.

During the month of January, the sun will rise around 7am, and set at 6.15pm. This makes it perfect to watch the sunset and head out for dinner afterwards!

The hottest time of day in January is around 3pm, and the sun at this time is strong, with little to no breeze. I strongly advise wearing factor 50 sunscreen and hiding in the shade when this time hits!

Looking to hire a car in Mexico? We’ve driven all over Quintana Roo, and recommend it as one of the safest ways to travel. Use this company for the best prices!

Average Temperature in Puerto Escondido in January

The average temperature in Puerto Escondido in January is 26-30°C. It’s still hot, but cooler than the summer months of June-August. Daily high temperatures are around 34°C, and the lowest temperature can reach 22°C (especially during the night).

For more in-depth weather and temperature statistics for Puerto Escondido in January, click here.

best beaches in puerto escondido — *Playa Principal*

Is there rain in Puerto Escondido in January?

On average, no, there is little to no rain in Puerto Escondido in January. Most days are sunny with blue skies, with very little cloud coverage.

According to the BBC weather app, there was between 0-4% chance of rain every day in January in Puerto Escondido.

Of course, this isn’t definite and can change last minute. But if you do get caught in the rain in Puerto Escondido, it will likely be a short shower and only last a few minutes.

What is the rainy season like in Puerto Escondido?

Rainy season in Puerto Escondido is from May – September, whilst June, July, August and September have the most rain. September is the wettest and the most humid month of the year.

Is it hot in Puerto Escondido in January?

Yes. As previously mentioned, the weather in Puerto Escondido in January is hot, however it’s not as hot as the summer months. There is a slight breeze which is welcoming in the heat.

However, don’t let the lower temperatures fool you. Even if the temperature drops to 25-27°C, it still feels like 30°C!

Are there hurricanes in Puerto Escondido in January?

No. There is a very low chance of a hurricane at any time of year in Puerto Escondido. In the past 160 years, there have only been three mild hurricanes reported in Puerto Escondido.

When is hurricane season in Mexico? – If you’re visiting other parts of Mexico, hurricane season lasts from early June to October, so be sure to check out the details on the specific location you’re visiting.

Is the water warm in Puerto Escondido in January?

Yes! You can swim in the water on all of the beaches in Puerto Escondido in January (unless the waves are too big, of course!). The average sea temperature is 29 °C (84.5 °F), which means you can swim comfortably in the beaming Puerto Escondido sun!

Do I need a wetsuit in Puerto Escondido? – You do not need a wetsuit to swim in the water in Puerto Escondido, although some surfers use one to protect from the sun and UV rays. The water is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit.

Is La Punta a party town? — *Puerto Escondido in January*

Cost of living in Puerto Escondido in January

If you’re looking to backpack in January, it’s important to know the kind of prices you’ll be facing when arriving in Puerto Escondido.

I’ll be honest, we were shocked at how expensive it is here. In fact, most accommodation here is the same nightly price as an apartment in London. Puerto Escondido is not cheap, and unless you’re staying in a shared dorm for the entirety of your stay (and even then, it’s not SE Asia prices), Puerto Escondido does require some budgeting!

The prices in the table below are based on Puerto Escondido in January

	Price per night/per meal
1-bed apartment (A/C)	£60-100 ($65-117)
1-bed apartment (no A/C)	£60-80 ($65-94)
Shared dorm room	£12-30 ($14-35)
Private hostel room	£40-100 ($47-117)
Meal + drink in a restaurant	£8-15 ($9-11) (depending on location and restaurant)
Street food	£2-5 ($2-6)
Weekly shop	£50-100 ($58-117)
Coffee shop/bakery	£3-6 ($3-7)

Prices in Puerto Escondido

Of course, these prices will vary depending on where you are living, and what type of backpacker or tourist you are.

Puerto Escondido events in January

If you’re visiting Puerto Escondido in January, you’re in luck when it comes to events! Start the year off in the right way partying until the early hours on New Year’s Eve, and joining in one of the beach parties on New Year’s Day.

One of my favourite places in Puerto Escondido to party was Punta Vida – be sure to check it out!

There are also house and trance music festivals, regular live music nights at bars like Congo in Centro and Juana Mezcala in La Punta.

If you’re into something a little more zen, there are plenty of yoga, meditation and spiritual events throughout the month of January too. The best place to find out about these events is on Facebook (or notice boards when you’re actually in Puerto Escondido).

If you are including Oaxaca as part of your itinerary make sure to check out my guide on what to wear in Oaxaca.

Don’t forget insurance!

Whilst you’re backpacking, you will always need insurance. We use SafetyWing, for the most flexible, reliable and budget-friendly options. They have the best cover for worldwide, long-term trips, and at the most affordable backpacker prices! You can check out their cover here.

Best things to do in Puerto Escondido

There are so many things to do in Puerto Escondido! That’s part of the reason why we decided to live there for a while.

From daytime adventure activities to weekend trips and late-night dinners, Puerto Escondido is one of the best places in Mexico for digital nomads and backpackers.

Here are some of the best things to do in Puerto Escondido in January:

Release a baby turtle into the ocean
Try surfing for the first time, or take a surfing lesson
Spot dolphins, whales and turtles on a boat tour
Learn Spanish in one of the friendly Spanish schools
Dine in the restaurants on the Rinconada strip (our favourites being Pinches tacos and El Sultan)
Go kayaking in the mangroves of Laguna Manialtepec
Take a day or overnight trip to Mazunte
Do a skydive
Relax on the beach
Go horseback riding during sunset
Watch the unbeatable sunset from Playa Carrizalillo
Party the night away at Zicatela
Listen to live music (every night) in La Punta
Watch a world-class surfing tournament at Playa Zicatela
Go snorkelling or scuba diving
Wake up early to watch the sunrise
Drink a cocos frios on the beach
Take a walk around Puerto Escondido’s biggest market, Mercado Benito Juarez
Go on a day or overnight trip to Chacahua

Puerto Escondido FAQs

Is Puerto Escondido a party town?

Whilst there is a big party scene in Puerto Escondido, you can also spend your time there chilling, surfing, relaxing and eating. Puerto Escondido is big enough to either throw yourself into the party nightclub scene or stay completely away from it.

If you’re looking to drink in Puerto Escondido, the best place to start is La Punta. This is where most backpackers stay and is located in the south.

La Punta is known for its live music, chill bar scene and laid-back atmosphere. Most people tend to head out to Zicatela from midnight onwards, as La Punta comes to a close.

Zicatela is known in Puerto Escondido as ‘the party doesn’t stop until the people stop‘ place, so your night can last until the early hours!

But like I said, if you stay out of Zicatela, you don’t need to engage with the wild, party side at all! Even when we were in La Punta, we never felt like it was too ‘wild’.

We loved the laid-back atmosphere of Puerto Escondido, especially in La Punta. It’s an atmosphere like no other.

Is Puerto Escondido safe for backpackers?

Yes. Puerto Escondido is known to be one of the safest places in Oaxaca, and in Mexico as a whole. Taxis are safe, venues are safe and there are very few muggings reported in Puerto Escondido.

However, it is important to always keep your wits about you, use common sense and tell someone if you are feeling uncomfortable or threatened. This is uncommon, but like anywhere in the world, there are going to be some things we want to avoid.

Is Puerto Escondido Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice (2023)