Can You Swim In Puerto Escondido? Best Swimming Beaches
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So, can you swim in Puerto Escondido? This post explains all the best Puerto Escondido swimming spots for your next trip!
Can you swim in Puerto Escondido? Yes! You can swim in Puerto Escondido, although not all beaches are suitable for swimming. The best beaches for swimming are Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Manzanillo, Playa Angelito and Playa Coral.
The other beaches in Puerto Escondido have big waves and strong undercurrents, so they’re better for surfing. If the current is calm enough, you can also swim in La Punta. You can also swim in Playa Principal, but it can get extremely overcrowded and busy during peak times!
Need to know the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, and what they’re best for? Check out my detailed post: Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide.
Can You Swim In Puerto Escondido?
Yes, you can swim in Puerto Escondido, but there are certain beaches that are better for swimming than others.
Why are some beaches better for swimming than others? Well, the waves in Puerto Escondido are giant. They are so well-known and enormous, that major surfing competitions are held there every summer. Swimming on beaches like Zicatela or Bacocho just isn’t safe.
Not only are the waves continuously over 6ft tall, but the undercurrent in Puerto Escondido is strong. When you think a wave has passed you by, you’ll feel the drag of the current pull you straight back under. This is dangerous even for a strong, confident swimmer in the water.
Best Swimming Beaches: A Summary
If you’re a keen swimmer, there are a few beaches that are safe for swimming. These include:
Playa Carrizalillo: This was our favourite beach to swim on. The waves aren’t giant, but they’re also not tiny, so you can still have fun in this real-life wave machine. You do have to be careful, as the undercurrent can still be strong at different times of the month, but it’s mostly safe, and you can see some great fish whilst snorkelling.
Playa Angelito and Playa Manzanillo: These beaches are both regarded as ‘local’ beaches, as they’re mainly full of Mexican families and tourists. They have a fun, relaxed, family-friendly vibe, and are both suitable for swimming. The waves are the smallest and calmest on these two beaches.
Playa Coral: This is the quietest beach in Puerto Escondido. It’s also technically a ‘nudist’ beach, but we rarely saw anyone undressed there! It’s another calm cove, with gentle waves perfect for swimming. It also has some of the clearest, bluest water in Puerto Escondido, making it perfect for snorkelling.
La Punta: La Punta is safe for swimming in certain areas and at certain times. On the whole, it’s a surfer’s beach. But when the waves are calmer, you’ll find many locals and backpackers going for a swim. You can find out more about La Punta here.
Playa Zicatela and Playa Bacocho are not suitable for swimming. They are surfer’s beaches, with giant waves and a strong undercurrent. Yes, you may see a few crazy people in the water, but that doesn’t mean you should jump in too! Be extremely careful if you are going to swim on either of these beaches.
Did you know?
‘No nadar’ means no swimming in Spanish. If you see a ‘no nadar’ red signpost on any of the beaches in Mexico, it means it’s unsafe to swim. But what if there are people swimming in the sea, even with the red sign? Check with the lifeguard before diving in headfirst, or use your common sense. If the waves are too big, don’t swim under any circumstances!
Is the water clear in Puerto Escondido?
Overall, the ocean water in Puerto Escondido is not clear like some of the beaches on the Mexican Carribbean coast. However, it is clean, with very little rubbish; but it becomes quite murky, quite quickly when swimming out to sea.
The clearest ocean water in Puerto Escondido would be on Playa Coral, where you can see right through to the sand until around 10m out.
Is the ocean warm in Puerto Escondido?
The ocean water in Puerto Escondido ranges between 28°C (82°F) and 30°C (86°F) which is technically warm enough to swim in all year round. We found the water to be cold when you first dip your toes in, but as the weather is so excruciatingly hot, it’s a welcome change!
You’ll be jumping in headfirst in no time, even when it does feel a bit colder!
Are there any public swimming pools in Puerto Escondido?
Yes, there are some public swimming pools in Puerto Escondido, however they may require you to buy a drink or some food.
Zapotic in La Punta often throws pool parties, with live music, a DJ or a theme (like Hawaiin or Mexican).
There’s also the Bonita Escondida hostel in La Punta, which again you will need to buy a drink for.
Other public pools in Puerto Escondido include; Alberca, Acuatica Ventanilla, El Mar and Villa Mexicana. Villa Mexicana is also one of the main entrances to Playa Coral (find out more here), so you can combine both pool and beach time.
Need to know the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, and what they’re best for? Check out my detailed post: Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2022)
Can you surf in Puerto Escondido?
Yes! Surfing is one of the most popular activities in Puerto Escondido. If you’re an advanced surfer, head to Zicatela or Bacocho. But if you’re a beginner, stick to either La Punta or Playa Carrizalillo. Both host lessons for first-timers or those who want to brush up on their surfing skills.
Can you snorkel in Puerto Escondido?
Yes! Snorkelling is another popular thing to do in Puerto Escondido. The best beaches for snorkelling are Playa Coral and Playa Carrizalillo.
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
Looking for the best places to stay in Puerto Escondido? I’ve written a guide on the best areas in Puerto, as well as the best hostels.
But if you’re specifically looking for La Punta hostels and hotels (as most backpackers are!), here are some of the best places to stay.
- Bonita Escondida (££): if you want to party, meet friends and have a crazy time in Puerto Escondido.
- Experiencia Surf and Spanish school (££): if you want to learn Spanish and surf during your time in Puerto Escondido.
- Casa Punta (££): for a fun, social hostel.
- Pacific Buddha (£): for those on a tight budget needing a hostel room in the heart of La Punta.
- Casa Terranova (££): for budget hotel rooms with a pool.
- Frida Paradise Beachhouse (££): to be in the middle of the main street in La Punta, with a live music bar and swimming pool.
- Casa De Los Abuelos (£): for budget backpacker hostel rooms in the middle of the main street in La Punta.
What to do in Puerto Escondido
Here is a quick list of the best things to do in Puerto Escondido, and find out more info here!
- Release baby turtles on Playa Bacocho
- Try surfing for the first time, or take a surfing lesson
- Spot dolphins, whales and turtles on a boat tour
- Learn Spanish at Experiencia
- See the bioluminescent plankton during a new moon
- Join the daily volleyball match on the beach in La Punta
- Dine in the restaurants on the Rinconada strip
- Go kayaking in the mangroves of Laguna Manialtepec
- Do the coastal walk on Playa Principal
- Take a day or overnight trip to Mazunte
- Do a Puerto Escondido skydive
- Relax on one of the many beaches
- Go horseback riding during sunset
- Watch the unbeatable sunset from Playa Carrizalillo
- Listen to live music in La Punta
- Watch a world-class surfing tournament at Playa Zicatela
- Go snorkelling on Playa Coral
- 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, where you can spot whales from the beach
- Visit the nearby waterfalls
- Go shopping in some of the many shops in La Punta
- Watch skateboarding and rollerblading at The Boneyard
- Visit one of the oldest restaurants in Puerto Escondido, Casa de Los Abuelos (La Punta)
- Party the night away in Juane Mezcale (La Punta)
- Have a late-late night in Xcaanda
- Take a Mexican cooking class
- Try the famous fish tacos at The Fish Shack
- Catch up on some work in a co-working spot
- Join a local event in Centro
- Try a mix of Korean and Mexican BBQ food in the Smoke Shack
- Build your own burger in Alaburger, one of La Punta’s best restaurants!
Is Puerto Escondido safe?
Is Puerto Escondido safe for solo female travellers, or any backpackers in the area? Yes, Puerto Escondido is generally a safe place to be for backpackers. In fact, according to Lonely Planet, Oaxaca – where Puerto Escondido is – is one of the safest states in the whole of Mexico.
Throughout most of our time in Puerto Escondido, I felt safe. This includes walking around by myself and getting into taxis alone.
However, there were minor fleeting moments when I felt uneasy, or I found myself looking over my shoulder. It is important to know how to stay safe in Puerto Escondido when you’re a solo female traveller or backpacker.
Check out my post: Is Puerto Escondido Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice (2023) for more information.
Best travel insurance for backpackers in Mexico
If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Can You Swim In Puerto Escondido?: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about swimming in the ocean in Puerto Escondido.
When you’re planning a trip to Puerto Escondido, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Puerto Escondido posts:
- 25 BEST Restaurants in Puerto Escondido for Foodies! (2023)
- BEST Puerto Escondido Tours in 2023
- BEST Tacos in Puerto Escondido You NEED To Try! (Veggie Incl!)
- How To Get From Puerto Escondido To Mazunte: Step-by-Step (2023)
- Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2023)
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
