Is Puerto Escondido Safe To Visit In 2023?
Are You Wondering If Puerto Escondido is Safe?
Most of my friends and family thought I was out of my mind, from a safety perspective, when I announced I was going on a 3-month, 10,000-mile motorcycle trip through Mexico.
We stayed in Puerto Escondido for about a week, of that trip, during spring 2022. And based on that trip, I can honestly say Puerto Escondido is safe to visit.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe For Tourists
Puerto Escondido is generally considered a safe vacation destination. But the first question everyone asks is “what about the cartels?”
There are regions, throughout Mexico, known to be cartel areas, but Puerto Escondido is not typically high on that list. Having said that, situations change all the time.
To verify the safety level at a particular time when you’ll be visiting, always check the US Department of State’s Travel Advisory site. They don’t update this as often as I would like, but it’s a starting point for making your travel decisions.
Research, research, and more research is the name of the game.
Safest Areas in Puerto Escondido
While the hotels and AirBnBs in the primary tourist areas may cost a little more, it’s well worth it to stay in a more populated area.
On our last visit, we liked Zicatela and La Punta neighborhoods on the eastern side of town. There’s more of a rustic vibe with smaller hotel properties. We loved staying at cozy Casa Daikiri with a kitchenette in each unit, a 5-minute walk to both beach and a yoga studio.
Puerto Escondido is somewhat spread out. This year, during our month-long visit, I purposely booked us in two different parts of town to see which we prefer. We also stayed in the Rinconada neighborhood, on the western side of the city, which has a quieter, genteel feel to it.
There are hotel resort-type properties, on the outskirts of the city, but I like having everything within walking distance or a short collectivo ride away.
Keeping Your Valuables Safe At Puerto Escondido Beaches
Knowing what to do with your wallet and phone is always tricky at any beach. The good news is that there are options at many of the Puerto Escondido beaches.
It’s very common to rent a beach bed or an umbrella with a table and chairs (for enjoying your beachside lunch and cocktails 😊). I’ve found the folks operating these concessions to be pretty reliable. Maybe it’s a false sense of security, but I feel like, since you’ve paid for their service, they keep an eye out.
I leave my valuables at the chair, if they are within sight when going for a swim. When going for a long walk down the beach, I take them with me.
Bringing a lightweight bag or fanny pack to the beach makes this easy. Or buy a beach towel that has a hidden pocket sewn into it.
Nothing is foolproof, but anything that makes your valuables less obvious is a good thing, in my book.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe at Night
Pickpocketing and petty theft can occur whether you’re daytime shopping, strolling the beach at sunset, or out for the Puerto Escondido nightlife. But once the sun starts setting, just make sure you’re alert to your surroundings.
My rule of thumb is don’t walk around at night alone. And if you’re a solo traveler, granted, this is often difficult but it’s worth noting to keep your radar up.
Instead, grab a taxi or a collectivo. A collectivo is a common form of transportation in Mexico; basically, it’s a shared taxi that runs everywhere, all the time, and is super cheap.
If you’re in Puerto Escondido with a rental car, make sure the seats are clear of personal belongings. If you’re out for dinner, park on a busy or well-lit street; the latter is not always so easy, especially by the beach.
If you’re out bar hopping to the wee hours (and Puerto bars rock until the early morning), you shouldn’t be driving anyway 😉. That’s the kind of Puerto Escondido safety you DO have total control over.
What’s The Safest Way To Get To Puerto Escondido?
There’s an airport in Puerto Escondido so taking a direct flight from Mexico City, Tijuana and Guadalajara are the quickest and the most expensive options. Getting to Puerto Escondido from airport to airport leaves very little room for safety hiccups.
Many travelers go to Puerto Escondido after enjoying Oaxaca City. Puerto Escondido is in the state of Oaxaca so don’t get confused with this. We have driven the route from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido by motorcycle and it’s not for the faint of heart.
Is it Safe to Drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
If you’re driving a rental car from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido, just be prepared for a 7-8 hour trip of switchbacks, livestock on the road, and, sometimes areas of the road being washed out, especially during the rainy season. I’m not saying don’t do it, just know what you’re getting into and treat it as part of the adventure.
If you decide to drive it, just do it during daylight. Never drive at night. Ever. Anywhere.
We took the Ado bus this time into Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City. We’re not talking about the chicken bus, but rather a large, air-conditioned, Wi-fi rigged coach.
This 11-hour bus trip, with two stops, was not as bad as everyone was making it out to be. It pulls into bus stations at several towns along the way so you can get out and stretch a bit.
You can also break up the trip by staying in one of the stop over towns and continuing on another day into Puerto Escondido. We choose to take the morning departure to see the landscape during the day, but you can leave at 11 pm and make it an overnighter too.
Leaving the driving to someone else who does this day in and day out seemed like a safe bet. Plus, taking the plane meant connecting in Mexico City which eats up a lot of time and it was pricey. Both of us did the bus trip for $37 in total.
Is Public Transportation Safe in Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido is a bit stretched out with a main road (Route 200) running throughout it.
To get around, you will need to take a taxi especially if you’re hop-scotching to different beaches. These taxis are reasonably priced and a safe way to get to a specific destination anywhere in Puerto Escondido.
A cheaper alternative, although cozier, are the collectivos. They stop at random but designated spots along Route 200. You will hop into the back of a pick-up truck bed, usually with a covering, along with whoever else got there first.
You have to be ok sharing with others and you may be dropped at a spot where you still need to walk to your final destination. This is perfectly fine during the day, but for evening dining and partying, you might want to go with a regular taxi.
Is The Water Safe To Drink In Puerto Escondido?
This photo is exactly what you will NOT be doing in Puerto Escondido or anywhere else in Mexico. You will NOT drink water from the tap.
Hotels and restaurants don’t want their guests getting sick. I’ve found most, if not all, are serving purified water. So, yes, I drink a glass of water and consume drinks made with ice, if they are totally catering to tourists. If this makes you nervous, then always ask for a “botella de agua” (a bottle of water).
Most AirBnB hosts equip their units with large 5-gallon jugs of purified water, propped up in the kitchen on some type of dispensing stand. Ask about this when booking your reservation.
Is It Safe To Buy Food At The Local Markets?
This takes some getting used to…buying foods that we typically would only buy and eat if refrigerated. I’m talking meats, eggs, cheese and just about anything else you would store in the fridge.
We always shop at the local “mercados” (markets) where food is uncovered and unrefrigerated. And don’t ask me why, when I get back to our apartment, I put it in the refrigerator. It really makes no sense.
Mexicans obviously shop like this and while they are accustomed to it, we have never gotten a stomach bug. Your own comfort level guides this decision. If this creeps you out, you can shop at a conventional supermarket, Chedraui, which will be set up like what you are accustomed to at home.
Is Puerto Escondido Worth Visiting?
Yes, Puerto Escondido is definitely worth visiting!
It’s definitely a tourist town that attracts a mostly younger crowd but gets its share of families and retirees. So it has something for everybody.
The big attraction is the enormous beaches and there are many to choose from. Whether you’re surfing, snorkeling or just splashing around, there are beaches suited for each of these activities.
Zicatela and La Punta are two connecting beach areas known for surfing. The bohemian atmosphere is what you get here. Dirt and sand floors in bars and restaurants lend a casual vibe with an eclectic selection of food, especially if you’re looking for vegan or vegetarian meals.
Carrizalillo and Manzanillo beaches are better suited for swimming and snorkeling making these better choices for families with small children. Renting a lounge chair with an umbrella makes for a perfect, lazy beach day.
And don’t miss the daily baby turtle release at Bacocho beach. For $5, you’ll get a recently hatched turtle to release into the ocean. This is money well spent on an ongoing sea turtle conservation project.
Conclusion: Is Puerto Escondido A Safe Place for Vacation?
With some pre-planning and common sense, you should have no problem having a safe and fabulous vacation in this lively beach town on the Oaxacan Riviera.
Puerto Escondido can be a safe place for families, groups or solo travelers looking for a relaxing, low-key vacation spot.