Swimming beaches in Puerto Escondido
Coral
Coral Beach, located between Mirador Las Tortugas and Bacocho Beach, and just 10 minutes from Zandoyo, is one of the most popular with our guests, mainly because it tends to be less crowded than other beaches. The easiest way to get to there is through the hotel Villa Mexicana. For a small fee you can use the hotel’s stairs to descend to the beach. There are no palapa restaurants or other services at Coral and it is more exposed than other swimming beaches.
Carrizalillo
Swimmers, snorkelers and novice surfers enjoy Carrizalillo Beach, a 10 to 15-minute walk from Zandoyo Bed and Breakfast. Well maintained stairs (167 steps!) provide access to the beach, where visitors will find palapa restaurants offering food and refreshments. Carrizalillo is one of the most popular swimming beaches in Puerto Escondido among guests at Zandoyo. It is also the most difficult to pronounce!
Bacocho
Bacocho Beach is 15 minutes from Zandoyo on foot and best for walking and watching the sunset. The currents can be strong so swimming is not recommended. Two beach clubs are located here, Coco’s and Bacocho (formerly Villasol), as is one of the region’s turtle release centers. For a small fee visitors can participate in the almost daily releases of baby turtles at sunset.
Manzanillo & Angelito
About 20 minutes from Zandoyo are Manzanillo and Puerto Angelito, located side by side and separated by a walkway. The beaches are popular for swimming and snorkeling and there are plenty of palapa beach restaurants. You can get to Puerto Angelito by road (Camino a Puerto Angelito) while Manzanillo is accessible by stairs located at the end of Calle 5a Sur (5th St. South).
Principal & Marinero
About a half-hour’s walk from Zandoyo are Playa Principal and Marinero, which are located side by side below the Adoquín, a commercial area with several hotels and restaurants. Being easily accessible both beaches are popular.
La Punta
A somewhat bohemian community has sprung up at the east end of Zicatela beach. La Punta offers a beach for swimmers and novice surfers and a laid-back vibe. In the village of La Punta are countless restaurants, bars and hotels, catering to an international crowd of surfers, digital nomads and backpackers.
Zicatela
This beach is one of the world’s top 10 surfing destinations and is not recommended for swimming. And only experienced surfers should venture into the waves. Located an hour’s walk from Zandoyo, the 3.5-km-long Zicatela beach is bordered at the west end by Playa Marinero and in the east by La Punta. The beach is lined with many palapa restaurants and beach bars, which are popular places to relax and watch the waves and the surfers.
Outside town
In addition to the beaches in Puerto Escondido are others such as Roca Blanca to the west and Agua Blanca to the east. If you don’t have a car, collectivos or taxis will get you to either. Farther down the highway beyond Agua Blanca are beaches at Mazunte, San Agustinillo and Zipolite (Mexico’s only official nude beach).
The pool at Zandoyo
The beaches in Puerto Escondido are the main attraction but the pool at Zandoyo has its benefits. The closest swimming beaches can be difficult to access for anyone with limited mobility. The pool is located just a few steps from our guest rooms and while we do not offer bar or food service the guests’ shared kitchen is adjacent to the pool patio. It’s a large pool, measuring 4.5 x 8 meters or 15 x 25 feet. The average temperature is 28 C/82 F, slightly less than that of seawater, which is 29 C/84 F.