The 10 Top-Rated Puerto Escondido Tours You Can’t Miss
ready to book a tour in Puerto Escondido?
You’re in the right place, as the Top 10 best Puerto Escondido tours are all featured here — and you have so many options to choose from.
Dolphins, sea turtles, surf classes, mezcal tasting, and mystical bioluminescent lagoons are only a few of the top-rated experiences available in and around the third-largest city in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best Puerto Escondido tour is this Boat Tour to See Dolphins, with a perfect Five Star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There are many cool things to do in Puerto Escondido, but there are also some amazing day trips to consider as well.
No matter your interests, you’re sure to find something to love on this list.
Book one (or several!) of these best tours Puerto Escondido offers, and get ready to have the time of your life in one of the top Mexico beach towns.
Read on for a helpful summary of each tour, so you can make the best possible choice for your Puerto Escondido itinerary.
The 10 Best Puerto Escondido Tours
1. Puerto Escondido Dolphin Boat Tour
⏰ Tour time: 3 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🐬 Book now
Wondering, When can you see dolphins in Puerto Escondido? You can see them year-round on this best Puerto Escondido Dolphin Tour.
In fact, you might also see whales, sea turtles and other marine life as well.
During the three-hour experience, you’ll take a boat cruise on the Pacific Ocean in search of five different dolphin species, sea birds, mobula rays, manta rays, flying fish, and several species of turtles.
Amazing experience. We saw loads of dolphins, turtles, humpback whales and even killer whales! Our captain Edgar was great!
—hayley (read more reviews)
If you take the tour between November and March, you may spot humpback whales, orcas, and other species of whales.
What a bonus to not have to book a separate whale watching tour in Puerto Escondido!
Hop off the boat with snorkel gear on, and you might even see and hear the dolphins underwater. How cool is that?
The tour includes pickup from most Puerto Escondido hotels, a local guide, use of snorkeling equipment, a boat with a sun shade, and a life vest.
If you’ve ever wanted to go dolphin watching in Mexico, this tour is for you.
It is undoubtedly the best dolphin tour Puerto Escondido has to offer, with near-perfect Five Star reviews.
2. Puerto Escondido Bioluminescent Lagoon Boat Tour
⏰ Tour time: 3 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⛵️ Book now
A magical experience awaits on the best bioluminescence tour Puerto Escondido has available — this Bioluminescent Lagoon Tour.
Head to the dark waters of Manialtepec Lagoon, where plankton emit glittery green lights. They transform the water into a mystical scene straight from the movie Avatar.
You’ll journey into the center of the lagoon on a boat, and also have the option to swim when you arrive.
Dive into the illuminated waters with floating stars of bioluminescent plankton all around you, and glittery stars overhead.
This was by far one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had…🙌🏼✨💫❤️🔥! I would go again and again, [it] could never get old…
—amber (read more reviews)
This tour lasts about three hours so be sure to bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to take a dip in Laguna Manialtepec, the famous bioluminescent lagoon in Puerto Escondido Mexico.
This tour includes a local driver, transport in an air-conditioned van, transport in a boat to and from the lagoon, a life jacket, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
Note: The price does not include food, drinks, or tips.
3. Baby Turtle Release in Puerto Escondido
⏰ Tour time: 1.5 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🐢 Book now
Head to the baby turtle sanctuary on Playa Palmarito Beach, located a bit past the Puerto Escondido Airport, for a sea turtle release experience you won’t soon forget.
During this 1.5 hour tour, which has perfect Five Star reviews, you’ll learn about the breeding habits and behavior of sea turtles.
🐢 Fun Fact: Oaxaca Mexico is one of the top destinations in the world to see wild sea turtles.
You’ll help cute baby turtles make their first journey over the sand and enter the Pacific Ocean.
Satisfied with your work, you’ll get to watch the sunset over the pristine sands of the beach.
This experience was fantastic. Highly recommend. We had plenty of time to release our turtles and make sure they got into the ocean safely. Sunset was gorgeous and it was an extra treat to see the stars. Great guides.
—jane (read more reviews)
This Puerto Escondido Baby Turtle Release is one of the best ecotours Puerto Escondido has to offer.
It was even awarded the Viator Badge of Excellence, as it’s a visitor favorite.
The tour includes all national park fees per person, a local guide, transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned car, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
It does not include food, drinks, and gratuities.
4. Best Food Tour in Puerto Escondido
⏰ Tour time: 3 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 4.93 out of 5 Stars | 🥘 Book now
Foodies rejoice, as your local guides are about to take you on one of the best food tours in Puerto Escondido.
During the three-hour experience, you’ll dive deep into the delicious world of Mexican gastronomy.
Your expert guide will tell fabulous stories, guiding you around Puerto Escondido Oaxaca discussing the intricacies of salsas, authentic Mexican tacos, chocolate, cheeses, and some fascinating history about the people of Mexico.
Highly recommend this tour. Our guide Ceci was so knowledgeable of the local area and the food was so delicious. Really enjoyable experience and a great way to experience downtown Puerto Escondido.
—katie (read more reviews)
You’ll visit hidden gem eateries off the beaten path, famous restaurants in Puerto Escondido, and other places only locals know about.
Whatever you do, be sure to come hungry!
Enjoy walking around the local markets in Puerto Escondido for an incredible cultural experience.
From fresh produce, flowers and seafood, to interesting workshops, Puerto Escondido markets are a hub of local life.
💡 Tour Tip: If you have food allergies or dietary restrictions (ie. vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten free), let the hosts know when you’re buying the tickets.
They can plan for alternate options if you book early enough.
This tour includes all food tastings, drinks, and fresh water, plus a tour kit with a secret surprise at the end.
5. Puerto Escondido Mezcal Distillery Tour
⏰ Tour time: 2.5 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🥃 Book now
Did you know Oaxaca is famous for mezcal?
It’s true — and there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the culture of the region than with this Puerto Escondido Mezcal Tasting and Tour.
Join an expert guide and a small group of other travelers during one of the best mezcal tours Puerto Escondido Oaxaca has to offer.
It’s the perfect combination of education and mezcal tasting.
We had so much fun learning about mezcal with Antoine! There was a good mix of education and drinking and Antoine added so much to the experience with his knowledge. Overall such an amazing experience!
—megan (read more reviews)
During this 2.5 hour tour, you’ll visit a Oaxacan mezcal distillery located just 15 minutes outside of Puerto Escondido.
An expert guide will teach you about mezcal history, fun mezcal facts, and show you how mezcal is made.
You’ll also enjoy a guided tasting of various Oaxaca mezcals — and this tour offers unlimited drinks.
This experience includes private transportation from your Puerto Escondido resort or hotel, plus alcoholic beverages.
If you want to, you can also buy a delicious Oaxacan food lunch at a local spot.
6. Surf Lessons in Puerto Escondido with Pablo
⏰ Tour time: 2 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 4.99 out of 5 Stars | 🏄♀️ Book now
Considering surfing lessons in Mexico?
As one of the best places for surfing in Mexico, Puerto Escondido is the ideal place to learn — but you want to go with a local, as some beaches aren’t beginner-friendly.
While there are many surf instructors in Puerto Escondido, they aren’t all good.
For the best possible experience, booking with Pablo Linares. He’s a Puerto Escondido local, passionate surfer, and pro teacher.
Throughout the two-hour surf lesson, Pablo will share practical and theoretical knowledge, constructive feedback, and targeted pointers to get you having a blast on the waves.
Such a great experience. The teachers are so patient and understanding with surfers of all levels! I have never surfed and am not very strong and they made me feel right at home in the water. I did way better than I ever expected thanks to the great teachers. Can’t recommend enough!
—becky (read more reviews)
Pablo is trained in first aid, water rescue, coaching, and functional stretching.
All these skills help ensure you have a safe time and come away free of injuries after your surf lessons in Puerto Escondido.
Not only that, Pablo holds his surf lessons on two gorgeous beaches with perfect deep-blue waves.
These are beginner waves, as some Puerto Escondido beaches have giant waves, like the Mexican Pipeline wave at Playa Zicatela.
💡 Tour Tip: Book this early in your Puerto Escondido trip because you may want to book it again and again over the following days.
Who knows, you just may be the next surfing world champ!
7. Puerto Escondido to Chacahua Boat Ride & Day Trip
⏰ Tour time: 9 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🏖️ Book now
Looking for an eight-hour trip to paradise?
This Puerto Escondido to Chacahua Tour experience has you covered with a boat tour, gorgeous beaches, relaxing nature (including a bioluminescent bay) and more.
In case you didn’t know, Chacahua (pronounced cha-kaa-waa) is one of the best beaches in Oaxaca.
This pristine beach paradise, once a haven for surfers and backpackers, has become a Oaxaca must see destination for all.
During the adventure, you’ll explore Lagunas de Chacahua National Park on one of the best Puerto Escondido boat tours available.
You’ll visit five different islands in Oaxaca, and then explore even more!
The lagoon is wonderful, we saw lots of birds and Efraín’s explanations were really useful. We ate at a really good restaurant and watched the sunset from a lighthouse. We were so lucky to see a group of whales from there! Finally, the bioluminescence was amazing.
—Veronica (read more reviews)
You’ll also spend time at a crocodile sanctuary, learning about iguanas and three different species of alligator, traverse waterways lined by mangroves, and see a huge variety of sea birds and wild animals.
After a yummy lunch, you’ll have time to enjoy the main island of Chacahua in whatever way you’d like: snorkeling, walking the beach, swimming in clear crystalline water, and observing surfers.
At sunset, hike up to the Chachua lighthouse — the best place to watch the sunset in Chacahua.
On the boat ride back, you’ll go through a bioluminescent lagoon and marvel as the water twinkles below you.
This tour includes land roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Puerto Escondido to the town of Zapotalito, the boat tour, bottled water, and a professional guide; food, drinks, and tips are not included.
8. Huatulco Snorkeling Tour (Best Snorkeling Near Puerto Escondido)
⏰ Tour time: 8 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🤿 Book now
Snorkeling is a wonderful way to discover the underwater world of the Pacific Ocean. One of the best ways to do that is with this eight-hour Huatulco Snorkeling Tour.
During the tour, you’ll explore the colorful reefs of Bahía San Agustín Bay in Huatulco National Park — a beautiful 29,400-acre wildlife preserve.
It’s located in the town of Huatulco, Mexico, 1.5-hours east of Puerto Escondido.
On the tour, you’ll visit several of the breathtaking beaches in Huatulco — which has 36 beaches in total.
You’ll also visit lovely small Oaxacan towns, and see an underwater kaleidoscope of healthy coral, tropical fish, and turtles.
We had a great time! They took us to some breathtaking beaches and beautiful towns we plan on staying at on our future vacations. 100% recommended!
—damla (read more reviews)
With a maximum of 12 people per group, this is one of the most intimate and go-at-your-own-pace Puerto Escondido ecotours.
It’s held in an area that’s a bit tricky to access on your own, so you’ll want to book this tour.
The Huatulco snorkeling tour from Puerto Escondido includes snorkel equipment and fins, and hotel pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Puerto Escondido.
Expect to spend approximately five hours on-site in Huatulco.
9. Magical Puerto Escondido Photoshoot with a Pro
⏰ Tour time: 1.5 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | 📸 Book now
Capture the magic of your Puerto Escondido vacation with this amazing photoshoot!
You’ll visit all the most iconic Puerto Escondido sites and some hidden gems in Puerto Escondido, as you’ll be with a local.
During the 90-minute photo shoot, Gustavo, your guide and photographer will take you to several prime locations for capturing the best shots.
Some of them, even the locals in Puerto Escondido don’t know about.
Past guests loved the magical and exclusive settings they got to explore during the photoshoot.
They also liked Gustavo’s friendly and professional style. Even first-timer’s felt at ease with him behind the camera.
I highly recommend this photo shoot with Gustavo. He is a professional and helped guide me through the best poses for each location. I got to see some new areas of Puerto that are magical and the photos looked amazing!
—stephanie (read more reviews)
Gustavo is both a photographer and architect. His images create beautiful visual relationships between the human figure and the landscape.
They are masterpieces of composition, symmetry, and lighting.
Besides photos, you’ll learn intriguing facts about the best beaches in Puerto Escondido, some local history, and what day-to-day life is like.
After the tour, you’ll choose your 20 favorite photos for Gustavo to edit and deliver to you.
10. Oaxacan Coast Boat Tour: Mazunte, Zipolite, Ventanilla & More
⏰ Tour time: 8 hours | ⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | 🏝️ Book now
If you love beaches, wildlife, and the outdoors, you’ll love this Oaxacan coast boat tour!
It’s one of the best top-rated eco tours Puerto Escondido has available, and you get to visit several places in one day.
During this eight-hour tour, you’ll explore multiple beaches and Oaxaca beach towns — including Zipolite, the only Mexico nude beach, and Mazunte, where you’ll visit the National Turtle Center.
You’ll make your way through a forest of mangrove trees at La Ventanilla Oaxaca Sanctuary.
Here, you can feed iguanas and see local wildlife like deer, crocodiles, wading birds and alligators.
We were able to speak with the locals and try their traditional cuisine. Neufrain also gives you time at the beach to relax, swim, or just sunbathe. He had no issue speaking English. This is a must do tour.
—gabriela (read more reviews)
The tour guides offer fascinating information about the food, history, and culture of the Oaxacan Coastal region.
You’ll learn about natural cosmetics, take a swig of mezcal, and see people horseback riding in Mazunte.
This best boat trip Puerto Escondido has includes a driver, a professional guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and of course, the boat tour itself.
Food and drinks are not included, but you’ll have the opportunity to stop for beverages and lunch at various points along the way — so make sure to bring cash (pesos), as many places won’t take credit cards.
Puerto Escondido Travel Tips & FAQ
Where is Puerto Escondido located?
Puerto Escondido is a beach town in Oaxaca state, located on the Pacific Ocean in Southern Mexico.
It is south of Mexico City, and west of Chiapas state.
🗺️ Puerto Escondido Map
For many, a trip to Oaxaca means visiting Oaxaca City, in the center of the state.
However, the Oaxaca Mexico beaches, including Puerto Escondido, Huatulco and Mazunte, are further south on the Pacific Ocean.
If you’re headed to both the city and beaches, check out this Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Guide to understand all your transport options.
It’s only about 121 miles (195 km) from the city to the beach, but not the easiest trip.
How do you get to Puerto Escondido Mexico?
You’ll want to fly into Puerto Escondido Airport (code: PXM), and the use ground transport like a rental car, shuttle, taxi or colectivo (shared van) to get to your hotel or hostel.
For how to get to the airport itself, you have a few options, depending on where you’re coming from.
For Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido transport, use the linked guide, and from Mexico City, you can take a flight, bus, or drive to Puerto Escondido yourself.
Is there an Airport in Puerto Escondido?
Yes — When traveling to Puerto Escondido use Puerto Escondido International Airport (code: PXM).
Though the word international is in the name, this airport rarely (if ever) has international flights.
To fly into PXM, you’d have to connect through the Mexico City International Airport (code: MEX), Oaxaca International Airport (code: OAX, in Oaxaca de Juárez) or Guadalajara International Airport (code: GDL).
It’s a small airport with no direct flights to Puerto Escondido from the United States, Canada or anywhere in North America.
How big is Puerto Escondido?
The drive from end to end across town, or from Playa Bacocho to Playa Zicatela, takes just 20-30 minutes on Highway 200.
That is the main road that connects all of Puerto Escondido., from the beaches to downtown to the airport.
The City Center, or Downtown Puerto Escondido, is relatively small.
The main tourist zone runs from Playa Bacocho on the west side, to Playa Zicatela on the eastern end of town.
What’s the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?
Weather-wise, the best months to visit Puerto Escondido and the beaches of Oaxaca and Oaxaca Coast are November to April during the dry season.
The rainy season in Oaxaca lasts from May to October, and the coast of Oaxaca sees a lot of rain thanks to its tropical climate.
🌡️ Puerto Escondido Weather
If you can, plan your Puerto Escondido vacation for the winter months, when temperatures and humidity are mild, the mosquitoes are at bay, and you can see the whales.
If you’re visiting in summer, you can expect rain, but usually only for 1-2 hours per day in the afternoons.
💡 Oaxaca Beaches Travel Tips: Regardless of when you visit, you’ll encounter mosquitoes and other bugs on the Oaxacan Coast.
Practice sustainable tourism in Mexico by using eco-friendly mosquito repellent.
Is Puerto Escondido safe for travelers?
For the majority of tourists, Puerto Escondido is quite safe to visit.
As safety is a complex topic, head to Is Oaxaca Safe to Visit Right Now? for a deep dive.
In general though, Oaxaca is among the safest states in Mexico, and the Mexican government wants to keep it this way.
As tourism is the #1 industry in Mexico, it’s in their best interest to do so.
Aside from big surf waves, mosquitoes, sunburns, and not drinking too much Oaxaca mezcal, you’re in little danger in Puerto Escondido.
However, no place on Earth is 100% safe, so you’ll want to take the same general travel safety measures you would anywhere else.
The reality is, bad things happen everywhere in the world, even Puerto Escondido Mexico.
💡Puerto Escondido Travel Tip: Register for the United States STEP Program for international travelers, and put your mind at ease with Mexico travel insurance.
🩺 Mexico Travel Insurance for Puerto Escondido
Just as you insure your car, home and body, you can also insure your luggage, belongings and health while traveling.
If Puerto Escondido travel safety is on your mind, get a FREE quote below from two of the biggest names in travel insurance for Mexico.
- World Nomads: Perfect for general travel coverage, and those who want to do adventurous activities while traveling to Puerto Escondido, like surfing.
- Safety Wing: Perfect Mexico digital nomads who plan to be in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca state or Mexico for an extended period of time.
Is there Uber in Puerto Escondido?
No — There is no Puerto Escondido Uber service, nor Lyft in Puerto Escondido.
They do have DiDi Taxi through the DiDi Rider app, which lets you call a taxi via the app. It’s basically like using Uber or Lyft, but you will get a regular cab.
ARE PUERTO ESCONDIDO TAXIS SAFE?
For the majority of travelers, yes, taxis are perfectly safe to use in Puerto Escondido.
I prefer to call taxis via the DiDi Rider app, so I have a record of my trip and the price is already set for me, but you can also just hail a cab on the street.
Do I need a car in Puerto Escondido?
If you’re just staying in Puerto Escondido, skip the rental car — but if you’re planning for some Puerto Escondido day trips, get a rental car.
Do know that if you stay in Zicatela Beach, you’re within walking distance of anything you need during your stay.
As the main part of town, all the beaches, restaurants, bars, etc., all within a 5-15 minute walk, or a short cab ride.
🏆 Best PUERTO ESCONDIDO rental car company
When renting a car in Puerto Escondido, or anywhere in Mexico, I always recommend, and personally use, Discover Cars.
They search both big-name international companies and local Mexican companies, so you get the best rates.
Is Puerto Escondido worth visiting?
Yes — As it takes at least two flights to get to Puerto Escondido, you might be wondering if traveling to Puerto Escondido is worth it. It is!
If you want to immerse yourself in local culture, eat authentic Oaxaca food and some of the freshest seafood of your life, Puerto Escondido is it.
As it’s still mostly off the main tourist radar, the golden sand beaches of Puerto Escondido are peaceful and gorgeous.
You can do everything from swim and soak up the sun, to surf, snorkel and sip cold Mexican beers 🍻
While the Oaxaca beaches aren’t as easily accessible as other Mexico beach towns, they’re some of the most beautiful.
If you want more than just all inclusive resorts, Puerto Escondido is your place.
While there are luxury hotels in Puerto Escondido Mexico, like the chic Hotel Escondido, Oaxaca beaches also offer a chance to connect with nature.
💡 Mexico Travel Tip: For an all-inclusive Mexico trip, opt for Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos) — some of the best resort towns in Mexico.
Puerto Escondido vs Huatulco: Which is better?
It depends — Huatulco vs Puerto Escondido is a common question, as these are the two best Oaxaca beach towns on the coast.
However, they’re very different, so the “best” one will depend on your preferences and travel style.
Stick to Puerto Escondido if you want to surf and party; for a more laid back trip, Huatulco is ideal.
They both have beautiful beaches, but the beaches in Huatulco are usually less crowded.
Is Puerto Escondido expensive?
No — “Expensive” is a relative term, but compared to most beach towns in Mexico, Puerto Escondido is on the cheaper side, much like Sayulita and Zihuatanejo.
🤑 Traveling to Puerto Escondido on a budget?
Opt for Selina Puerto Escondido Hostel or Casa Losodeli & CoWorking.
Both of these best hostels in Puerto Escondido have private rooms and shared dorms for a good price.
Even if you don’t want to stay in a hostel, many of the best hotels in Puerto Escondido average about $75-200 USD per night, so your money still stretches pretty far in Puerto Escondido Oaxaca.
Final Thoughts: Puerto Escondido Tours in Oaxaca Mexico
As you can see, there are many wonderful Puerto Escondido tours to choose from.
As such a unique place, there’s interesting experiences whether you’re visiting from the United States or elsewhere in the world.
- 🌳 Nature lovers will have a fabulous time exploring the Mexico national parks during the eco adventures including the snorkeling tour, dolphin tour, baby sea turtle tour, and Puerto Escondido Bioluminiscencia Tour.
- 🌮 If you are a foodie, this Puerto Escondido food tour is a perfect choice.
- 🥃 For those who enjoy learning about culture (and imbibing), nothing can beat this Mezcal Tour and Oaxacan coast tours by boat.
- 🏄♂️ Adventure-lovers will have an amazing time learning to surf with Pablo.
- 📸 To capture the memories, there’s no better way to get awesome photos than on this Puerto Escondido Photoshoot with a local photographer.
The question is, which tours will you choose to make your experience in Oaxaca memorable!?
With all the tours offering free cancellation policies (up to a point), there’s no reason not to book one or more today.