Category: Mexico
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One of the two places I planned on going to in the state of Oaxaca was Puerto Escondido, and the first being Oaxaca City. I had done little research about Puerto Escondido; I wanted to keep the element of surprise and get to know the town before getting there.
The friend I met at the hostel in Oaxaca City ended up joining me the day after I got there, and along with a German girl she met there too, we got to make really which resulted in many adventures together, and I ended up joining her in Zipolite which you can read more about here.
How to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido?
Even though Puerto Escondido is on the Oaxacan coast, it’s still very far from Oaxaca City. There are two popular ways to go from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido by land:
- The day bus, which takes 7-8 hours and costs $265 MXN.
I chose to take the day bus so I would be able to see the mountains and enjoy the views which I would have missed if I had taken the night bus. Other than severe carsickness for more than half the ride, the mountain views were beautiful and I got to see so much of the countryside that I wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise. - The ADO or OCC bus. This route takes 11 hours overnight or during the day because they avoid going through the mountains, and this costs around $700 MXN.
Note: I read and I was told to take something for carsickness before hitting the road but I didn’t listen, I thought I was going to be fine. I was, eventually, and I got a delicious cup of fruits at the pitstop in a small town 4 hours into the trip.
The screenshot above gives an idea how crazy the road was for the entire trip.
Prior to going to Puerto Escondido, I was extra ambitious about how much time I was going to spend there. I booked my accommodation for three weeks, but actually ended up staying for 4 days. I stayed at Residencia Artistica Hostel which I would totally recommend if you’re looking to stay at a hostel but have a private room and bathroom.
Recommendations:
- Playa Carrizalillo
- Bahia Principal
- Zicatela
Activities:
- Bioluminescent bay
- Releasing baby turtles at playa Bacocho
I could write blogs and pages about the kindness and generosity I was met with from locals everywhere, but for now I will share one memory here:
I returned to Puerto Escondido from Zipolite to take a flight to Mexico City, and I had a few hours to kill before heading to the airport. I decided to end my time in Puerto Escondido at the beach to watch the sunset with my German friend Val. As a common thing to see with tourists, I walked with extra 30 pounds on my back, and I had to intention to take it up and down the stairs going to the beach. Luckily, while I was at Dulce Tierra Bakery (shout out to the kind kind ladies there), I asked them if there’s a place I could keep my bag for a few hours. They offered to keep it for me behind the counter if I made sure to pick it up before they closed for the day. Sure enough, I returned after the beach to pick up my bag and waved goodbye to a wonderful time in Puerto Escondido.
- The day bus, which takes 7-8 hours and costs $265 MXN.
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Zipolite is a low-key beach resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca. Stretching between rocky headlands, the long beach is known for its strong surf and nude beaches.
I had never heard of Zipolite until I was invited to go with a friend I met at my hostel in Oaxaca City. I was already planning on going to Puerto Escondido, so Zipolite would be along the coast after passing Mazunte, another beach resort on the Pacific coast.
How to get to Zipolite from Puerto Escondido?
We took a bus (ADO) from Puerto Escondido Bus Central to Pochutla. The bus was around 2 hours and cost MXN 150. When arriving to Pochutla, there isn’t a direct bus that takes you to Zipolite, so you can catch a colectivo (shared taxi) or a taxi going to Zipolite. This will take around 30 minutes depending on where you’re staying in Zipolite and costs from MXN 30 – 100 pesos.
My friend and I stayed in a beautiful cabin for 450 MXN a night. The space was charming, and it included a kitchen and clean drinking water. Just like all the kind people I had the pleasure of meeting in Mexico, the guy managing the place was kind enough to drive my friend to the bus station in Zipolite to go to San Cristobal de las Casas on his motorcycle!
Our cabin at Aldea Xha Iba’ Zipolite The cabins are up in the mountain, where you’ll wake up to a beautiful view from up top and only the sounds of nature. If you’re looking for a tranquil place with no distractions, this is it. With that being said, be prepared to haul your belonging uphill and climb the stairs going up to the cabin.
The beaches and entertainment on the coast were a 10-15 minute walk, but there are plenty of resorts along the beach if you choose to stay closer. One of the most popular resorts is Casa Nudista – no explanation needed given that this is a nudist beach – and it is right on playa Zipolite.
Tip: If you’re planning on buying food and making your own meals, there’s a Chedraui across from the bus stop in Pochutla. You can shop there and then head directly to your accommodation; that way you don’t have to look for a store in Zipolite.
My pictures from Aldea and Zipolite can be found here.
Recommendations:
- Playa del Amor
- Playa Zipolite
- Beachfront spots for music, food, and all the vibes.
Read more here about getting from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.
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Stay tuned for my blog post about the most colorful city I’ve seen. Words won’t capture the illuminating energy this city has, but for now, I leave you with some pictures!
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Mexico had been one of the countries I really wanted to visit, and I finally did in early 2022. I chose Mexico City to be my first destination, and then I visited Cancun. The Mexico City part of the trip was a solo trip for me, and I loved exploring the city at my own time, but there was still so much to see. I took a second trip at the end of that year and I started with Oaxaca City, going to Puerto Escondido, Zipolite, Mexico City, and Puebla. Enjoy my blog posts about each place, where I include tips, how to’s, and just general recommendations that might be helpful for your visit.
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Mexico City is one of my favorite cities that I’ve been to, and I always encourage others to visit if they happen to be in Mexico. If you’re a fan of big cities, many people, and just the bustle of a big and overly-populated place, then this is for you. Below are the top things I enjoyed seeing and doing.
My favorite things to see and do:
- Walk!
- Historical Center
- La Condesa and Roma Norte
- Museums: Wax Museum, Chocolate Museum, Anthropological Museum, Post Museum.
- Frida Kahlo “Casa Azul”
- Coyoacan
- Try all the different tacos!
Upcoming blog posts on CDMX resources:
- Neighborhoods
- Landmarks
- Places to eat
- Transportation
- Museums
- Day trips and tours from CDMX
Laura Tannous 