Playa Bacocho: Everything You Need To Know (2023)
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Playa Bacocho is one of the biggest beaches in Puerto Escondido and is a seemingly never-ending strip of soft, golden sand.
Whilst it may not be the best beach for swimming, due to its large towering waves, it’s still one of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido for sunbathing and relaxing. Plus, it hosts one of the best activities in the area – releasing baby turtles.
In this guide, I explain everything you need to know about Playa Bacocho. From the location within Puerto Escondido, to the facilities, the epic sunset views and the swimming rules you need to follow on Playa Bacocho.
So, let’s get started!
This post is part of a beaches in Puerto Escondido series:
- Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2022)
- Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido: Ultimate Guide (2022)
- Playa Carrizalillo: Ultimate First Timer Guide (2022)
Playa Bacocho Summary
🏖️ Best for: Relaxing in the sun on the long, golden sand. It is also where the baby turtles are released in Puerto Escondido.
📍 Location: North of Puerto Escondido centre, around a 30-minute walk from the Rinconada restaurant strip
🌅 Sunset view: Yes – incredible sunset views.
🤑 Budget: High, as there are only a couple of high-end beach clubs
🚽 Facilities: Toilets are located near the main car park (next to the turtle release centre). No sunloungers and very little shade. A lifeguard (sometimes).
🏊♂ Swimming?: Sometimes. There is a lifeguard on duty most days at Playa Bacocho, but sometimes the waves are too big to swim here. Make sure to always check the signs before getting in the water (‘no nadar’ means no swimming).
🏄 Surfing?: Yes, although no surf clubs or classes run here.
🍔 Best restaurant: Villa Sol Beach Club ($$$)
Other facts about Playa Bacocho:
- Dogs are allowed on Playa Bacocho.
- The water here is the North Pacific Ocean.
- You can access Playa Coral from Playa Bacocho, after scrambling across some rocks and avoiding giant iguanas! (Just kidding, they will be running away from you).
Where is Playa Bacocho?
Playa Bacocho is the furthest beach north of Centro, Rinconada and Zicatela. It is around 3km from Centro, and 7.5km from La Punta.
If you’re travelling from Centro or Rinconada, the roads are well-maintained and easy to walk on. However, you will need to go up and down a few hills to get there. We still jumped in a taxi from Rinconada to reach Playa Bacocho, which cost around 50 pesos (£2.50/$3) one way.
How to get to Playa Bacocho
The best way to reach Playa Bacocho is by taxi, colectivo or scooter. The beach is at the bottom of a steep hill, so having a mode of transport is best!
If you’re coming from Centro, taxis shouldn’t cost more than 50-100 pesos (£4.50/$5), and you may be able to barter a smaller price than this. Taxis from La Punta will cost more due to the further distance.
There are colectivos on the main road which do trips to Playa Bacocho. This shouldn’t cost more than 7-8 pesos. There will be a sign at the front of the colectivo saying its destination for you to refer to.
There’s also a large car park at the entrance of Playa Bacocho for scooters, bicycles and hire cars.
Need more information on colectivos and getting around Puerto Escondido? Check out my post: Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2022: A Complete Guide
What to expect at Playa Bacocho
Playa Bacocho is one of the biggest beaches in Puerto Escondido and stretches a giant 25km. We found it to be the quietest beach in Puerto Escondido. Most people visit Playa Bacocho for the turtle release, or a quiet day of sunbathing.
The waves here are usually too big to swim in, but you might find some calmer times for you to take a quick dip! If you are looking to swim, always ask the lifeguard for the safest areas, and check for any ‘no nadar’ (no swimming) signs around the entrance.
There is little to no shade on Playa Bacocho, and it can get HOT. I have a clear memory of us doubled over in a tiny area of palm tree shade trying to catch our breath! If you’re visiting for the day, bring a parasol to shield yourself from the sun!
If you’re an experienced surfer, Playa Bacocho is a good spot to catch some waves. But if you’re a beginner, I’d stick to beaches with calmer water, like La Punta and Playa Carrizalillo.
There are a couple of beach clubs along the coastline, but they’re expensive. If you do the turtle releasing experience, they’ll actually advise you not to dine or drink here. The construction of beach clubs sadly destroys the turtles nests and habitats. Of course, it’s up to you to decide.
Facilities at Playa Bacocho
There are few facilities at Playa Bacocho. Most of the beach is a long stretch of sand without anything built on it, which is partly due to the number of turtle habitats and nests that are here.
There are public bathrooms near the entrance of Playa Bacocho, near the car park.
Don’t expect wifi or phone signal unless you are in one of the beach clubs, as well as sun loungers and shade. If you would like a sunlounger, you need to pay the beach club and buy food/drinks.
There aren’t any shops on Playa Bacocho, so make sure you have everything you need before you arrive.
If you need lunch or dinner, it’s best to head back up to Rinconada where there are lots of food options and it’s cheap.
Where to eat at Playa Bacocho
As previously mentioned, there aren’t many options when it comes to food on Playa Bacocho. There are a couple of expensive beach clubs, but they aren’t quite in a backpacker budget.
Your best option is to head back up to the Rinconada restaurant strip when you need food. There are a lot more options that are on a backpacker’s budget – and the food is delicious. I recommend the following:
- El Cafecito (£) – for traditional Mexican food and home comforts like pesto pasta
- El Sultan (£) – for delicious falafel wraps which are actually 2 for 1 on a Wednesday!
- Pinches Tacos (££) – some of the best tacos in Puerto Escondido.
- Dulce Tierre (£) – for bakery snacks and wifi.
Surfing at Playa Bacocho
The waves at Playa Bacocho are great for surfing, although they are usually too big for beginners.
If you are going to surf on Playa Bacocho, stick to the areas monitored by lifeguards. The undercurrent in Puerto Escondido is strong and unpredictable, and the waves can reach a height of 10ft! Stay in the safe and monitored areas at all time.
Note there are no surf shacks to hire a board here, so you need to bring your own.
Beginner surfer? Head to La Punta or Playa Carrizalillo for calmer waves!
Snorkelling on Playa Bacocho
Snorkelling on Playa Bacocho is not advised. The waves are too big, and swimming in the water here can be dangerous. If you’re snorkelling and not watching the motion and changes of the waves, you can easily be swept up by the undercurrent or smashed back onto the sand.
Playa Bacocho to Playa Coral
Right next to Playa Bacocho is Playa Coral. This is a small, beautiful beach that can be accessed by scrambling across some rocks to the left of Playa Bacocho (around 500m from the turtle release centre).
If you want to swim at Playa Bocacha, head over to Playa Coral instead. The waves are much calmer, the water is crystal clear and the snorkelling is fantastic. We loved Playa Coral, and spent a lot of our afternoons there!
It isn’t as big as Playa Bacocho, but as access is more difficult, it doesn’t ever get too busy. You can either access Playa Coral via the Villa Mexicana Hotel (and pay 80 pesos for a water and a burger) or via the rocks on Playa Bacocho.
Playa Coral is also a ‘clothing optional’ beach, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see many swimsuits when you visit! However, we found the majority of sunbathers were still clothed (like us!)
Best time to visit Playa Bacocho
Because of the ‘no-shade’ situation, I recommend heading to Playa Bacocho either in the late afternoon or early morning.
The turtle release is at 5pm daily, so a great option is to head there around 4.30pm, release the baby turtles and watch the sunset from the shore after.
However, there is no ‘best time’ to visit Playa Bacocho, and it can be enjoyed at any time of day, any time of the year!
Can you see the sunset at Playa Bacocho?
Yes! In fact, it was one of our favourite places to watch the sunset in Puerto Escondido. There are no cliffs, palm trees or buildings blocking the horizon, so the sunset turns the entire sky to a blood-orange and dusty pink. It’s incredible, and I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Plus, Playa Bacocho is one of the quietest beaches in Puerto Escondido, so you’ll have no trouble finding a spot to relax without any crowds. For this reason, I think it is one of the best sunset spots in Puerto Escondido.
Can you swim in the water at Playa Bacocho?
Swimming at Playa Bacocho depends on the waves and the current. There are some times when it is suitable to swim, but most of the time the waves are too big. Check with the local lifeguard and the surrounding safety signs before entering the water.
If you want to swim but it is unsafe, head 500m left from the entrance to Playa Coral. This is a small beach with suitable waves for swimming.
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
🛏️ Best hostel in Puerto Escondido for backpackers: Book here
If you’re a solo traveller and looking to party in Puerto Escondido, I recommend this hostel in La Punta. It’s known for its wild events and activities, has its own pool and isn’t far from the beach.
If you’re not a solo traveller in Puerto Escondido, I actually recommend staying out of La Punta. It depends on the vibe you’re looking for, but we found La Punta to be centred around backpackers and partying. If you need a bit of a calmer vibe (still with a good atmosphere of course!) I recommend either Rinconada, Centro or north of Zicatela.
Getting around Puerto Escondido is easy, and if you prefer one area to another, taxis are cheap and widely available.
Best apartment in Rinconada, Puerto Escondido: Book here
Bungalow in Centro, Puerto Escondido: Book here
Apartment in Zicatela, Puerto Escondido: Book here
Other things to do in Puerto Escondido
There are so many other 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:
- 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 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 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
Getting around Puerto Escondido
Getting around Puerto Esconido is easy, and most commonly either by scooter, colectivo or taxi. It is possible to walk, but journeys like La Punta to Bacocho would take a couple of hours, and it’s HOT!
If you need to know the ins and outs of getting around Puerto Escondido, check out my post: Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2022: A Complete Guide.
Playa Bacocho Guide: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about Playa Bacocho 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
This post is part of a beaches in Puerto Escondido series:
- Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2022)
- Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido: Ultimate Guide (2022)
- Playa Carrizalillo: Ultimate First Timer Guide (2022)
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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).
