Best Boutique Hotels Puerto Escondido: Where To Stay In 2024

Last Updated on April 17, 2024 by Ashlea J. Russell

Where Is Puerto Escondido?

Puerto Escondido is a town located on the Oaxacan Coast in the southwest of Mexico located 2 hours up the coast from its more developed neighbour, Huatulco. Acapulco lies 7 hours up the coast and a 7 hour drive inland will take you to Oaxaca City.

Deciding Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido

To decide where to stay in Puerto Escondido, you need to understand the different neighbourhoods and what they each offer. Depending on the type of traveler you are, budget and the experience you are hoping to have, there is definitely a best area to choose as a base.

I like to break the town into four regions, in order from north to south: Bachocho & Carrizalillo, Centro, Zicatela and La Punta. Each area has a totally different experience and traveler demographic and choosing the right one for you is crucial to enjoying your time in Puerto Escondido.

Bacocho & Carrizalillo

Located at the north end of the town you will find the neighbourhoods of Bacocho & Carrizalillo, only 5 – 10 minutes driving from the airport.

This is where to stay in Puerto Escondido for those looking to be within reach of the action but not in the midst of it. This area is family friendly and also ideal for travellers in their late 20s and up and well as couples.

Depending on where you end up in this area you may find yourself needing to take taxis to the restaurants or the beach. Taxis around the neighbourhood are generally no more than 35MXN [$1.70USD/$2.20CAD] and are easy to hail or restaurant and hotel staff are happy to call one for you.

The beaches in this area are the best in town. They are less busy and spots like Playa Bacocho the hidden and gorgeous Playa Carrizalillo have much calmer waters which are perfect for swimming and surf lessons for beginners.

Bacocho and Carrizalillo are also home to some of my favourite restaurants in town. The standard of food and the value for money is the best in this part of town. Rinconada offers a strip of top notch restaurants ranging from ice cream to seafood and is home to the world-class Almoraduz, a modern Oaxacan restaurant that is not to be missed.

Most of the nightlife in town happens in Zicatela and La Punta so if you are looking for some late night drinks and dancing you will need to take a taxi to one of these area. The price during the day is around $50MXN [$2.50USD/$3CAD] and at night can spike to as high as $100MXN [$5USD/$6CAD] but you should try not to pay more than $80MXN [$3.90USD/$4.90CAD].

Best Top End Boutique Hotel In Bacocho & Carrizalillo

Villas Carrizalillo is where to stay in Puerto Escondido for the best views around. This stunning boutique hotel features 12 unique air conditioned villas with direct beach access to the hidden bay of Carrizalillo.

The hotel is also home to one of the town’s best restaurants and an amazing place to watch the sunset, Espadín Restaurante. The location is fantastic for a romantic and peaceful vacation.

Best Mid Range Boutique Hotel In Bacocho & Carrizalillo

I stayed at Hotel Aldea del Bazar last year and absolutely loved my stay! The Arabian style of this boutique hotel is gorgeous and makes it feel expensive, especially in the grounds.

All rooms are air-conditioned and feature two queen beds and a sitting area as well as walk-in showers with great water pressure and hot water on demand.

The jewel in the crown is the stunning swimming pool area with cabanas, loungers and an ocean view. It is a short taxi ride to Rinconada and walkable to the beach and restaurants. It also features free parking if you opt to rent a car.

Centro

Centro literally means “centre”. This is the heart of the town and off the tourist trail which makes it perfect for the budget-conscious traveller. If you are trying to decide where to stay in Puerto Escondido and are looking for authentic culture, this is the place for you. However, if you’re coming for the beaches and the sunsets this may not be the area for you as you will need some sort of transportation to access the ocean.

Centro is great for your budget no matter what you’re paying for. Accommodation costs here are significantly less than in other parts of town as well as food, water and supplies.

This was my favourite area for shopping. Other parts of town have the cute Insta-worthy stores but the central market, Mercado Benito Juarez is the place to go. Selling everything from clothing to fresh fish, the mercado is a one-stop-shop with the most reasonable prices in town. Centro is also where you’ll find most of the banks and even a Chedraui [big box store].

Excellent Value Boutique Hotel In Centro

A lot of other lists will point you to Shavanna Hotel Boutique for excellent accommodation in Centro but my vote goes to Casa Losodeli.

Casa Losodeli is a fantastic boutique hotel if you want to stay in Centro. This adults-only boutique hotel is also a coworking spot with arguably the most reliable WiFi in town. In fact, it was the search for WiFi that brought me to Casa Losodeli when Selina Puerto Escondido proved to be too unreliable.

Offering shared and private rooms with air-conditioning and a sprawling indoor-outdoor common living area, Casa Losodeli really is a hidden gem.

The outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to cool off in the Puerto Escondido heat or you can grab a coffee or your welcome Oaxacan distilled mezcal in the café.

But what really sets this place apart is the staff. Whatever it is that you may need, they are always happy to help. Cleaning standards are so high and everyone you meet greets you with a smile making this the clear winner for me.

Best Economic Boutique Hotel In Centro

Hotel Careyes Puerto Escondido is a small and charming boutique hotel located on the Southern edge of Centro. The hotel is a short walk to Playa Principal beach, Centro and Rinconada – home to arguably the best restaurant in Puerto Escondido.

Guests can cool off in the small plunge pool, relax in the garden or catch up online with free WiFi.

Zicatela

Puerto Escondido is known as the Mexican Pipeline, one of the Top 10 surf spots in the world, and Playa Zicatela is the place experienced surfers come to ride the waves.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Puerto Escondido that is in the heart of the action then look no further than Zicatela. This part of town draws in the backpacking and younger crowd and of course, the surfers. Many of the businesses are kitschy and cater to this younger crowd so if that’s not you you may want to head further north.

In terms of activity, Zicatela is the place to be. Surf lessons, beach workouts, parties, dance lessons, skydiving, whatever you want to try you will probably find here.

And if it’s sunsets you seek, Zicatela has some of the most spectacular sunsets I have ever seen. The sky dances with these incredible purples and oranges, it’s absolutely hypnotic.

Best Beachfront Luxury Boutique Hotel In Zicatela

The stunning Casa Joseph Zicatela just oozes boho chic luxury. This gorgeous adults-only beachfront boutique is one of the best luxury hotels in town and is where to stay in Puerto Escondido when you want the celebrity treatment.

Think of it as the Hotel Escondido for people who don’t want to be an hour’s drive from town. Relax at the beach club, take a dip in the swimming pool or treat yourself to a spa treatment.

Located on the South end of the main drag in Zicatela, this boutique hotel has an ideal central location and is walking distance to the trendiest restaurants and bars in the area. Oh and did I mention it’s on the beach at Playa Zicatela? It’s no wonder traveller reviews rave about this spot.

Best Mid Range Boutique Hotel In Zicatela

A newer addition to the Zicatela area, Hotel Blater is located directly across the street from famous Playa Zicatela. This modern boutique hotel features who outdoor pools, including a rooftop infinity pool with views of the ocean.

Hotel Blater features an on site Mexican restaurant and is also walking distance to the trendiest bars and restaurants and Mercado Zicatela, a great place to eat like a local.

Best Boutique Inn In Zicatela

I couldn’t make recommendations for where to stay in Zicatela without mentioning Valhalla Beach House. This adults-only boutique inn is the perfect alternative to the popular Playita Beach House.

Tucked away a two minute walk from the beach, this is where to stay in Puerto Escondido when you want to be close to the action but don’t want to stay in the tourist hub.

Take a dip in the outdoor plunge pool or cool off with a cold cerveza in the on-site bar.

The rooms are simple but spotless and comfortable making this a perfect quiet refuge in buzzing Zicatela.

La Punta

La Punta is like the zen, barefooted big sister to Zicatela located at the south end of town. This is where to stay in Puerto Escondido if you are a wellness seeker, yogi or avid instagrammer.

La Punta is like a mini Tulum in terms of Instagrammability. Most of the businesses and bars here are very aesthetically lead so if you are looking for “likes” this is a good place to go.

This part of town is a yogi/vegan heaven. It is absolutely swarming with yoga teachers, chakra cleansers, vegan restaurants and barefoot beach bums riding scooters.

Visitors should be aware that this part of town is pricey. Many shops here sell creations like jewelry and clothing by merchants who live in the area and the prices are steep, even by American and Canadian standards. There is also a trend for more expensive coffee and food dubbed as “organic” and “sustainable” so expect to pay similar prices to that of the US and Canada.

Best Beachfront Boutique Hotel In La Punta

When it comes to beachy beauty in La Punta, a lot of people will point you to Punta Zicatela Hotel, but most people don’t realize there’s a hidden gem a just few doors down.

Casa Kuaa is situated on some truly prime real estate. Surrounded by palm trees and located on a private portion of Playa Zicatela this is where to stay in Puerto Escondido for beach lovers.

The rooms of this boutique hotel are spacious and designed with boho minimalism in mind. The property features a beachfront pool, direct access to the beach and a bar. It is also a short walk to some of the best cafés and shops in La Punta.

Best Bang-For-Your-Buck Boutique Hotel In La Punta

When it comes to peak La Punta vibes, Casa de Olas Boutique Hotel is hard to beat. This beautiful boutique hotel has so much to offer in the way of activities and wellness.

Free bicycles, tennis court, ‘fitness corner’, two-tiered swimming pool and games like darts and ladderball. They also offer fitness classes on the yoga deck including boxing, HIIT, yoga and acro. They even include a one hour reservation on their tennis court in your room rate.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to be Serena Williams to enjoy this place. They also have a rooftop bar with panoramic ocean views and fun activities like salsa and movie nights.

When To Visit Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido has a tropical climate that makes it pretty lovely most of the year. The average temperature year round is 29C/84F. While this sounds great, it’s important to consider that air conditioning can be hard to come by in PE and most people choose to swim to cool down.

The year in Puerto Escondido can be broken down into the dry season and the rainy season. While the temperatures don’t vary much, the experience does so the best time the visit really depends on what you want from your trip.

Dry Season: December – April

Dry season in Puerto Escondido runs from December to April and is the most popular time to visit as this is when the weather is pretty perfect and rain is scarce. But as with most travel destinations, dry season is high season so you can expect the town to be busier and prices to be higher.

This is also the time of year when the waves are lowest. This makes it a great time of year to swim but not a great time to surf the big waves.

If heat isn’t your favourite then avoid April and May as these are the hottest months with temperatures in the mid-thirties.

Rainy Season: May – November

Rainy season in Puerto Escondido runs May to November. The temperature during the rainy season is within a few degrees of the dry season but of course, rainy season means there will be rain.

The most rainfall happens during June and September. I visited in September and only saw one day of rain in a 10 day trip but when it rained, it was torrential downpour. The streets in town flooded, some of the roads turned to rivers and essentially all tours and activities were cancelled for the day.

The upside of rainy season is waves! The waves are at their height in July and August and it’s common to find professional surfers and competitions during this period.

However big waves also mean that swimming can be dangerous. It’s best to stick to the calmer beaches and avoid entering the water when the red flags are up.

Rainy season is also when phosphorescence is at a peak. There are two bioluminescent lagoons within reach of Puerto Escondido, Manialtepec and Chacahua and both are at their peak in October through December.

How To Get To Puerto Escondido

Getting to Puerto Escondido can be a challenge if you don’t know how to do it. I’ve covered a few of the basics below but if you want the full scoop check out this ➡️ How To Get To Puerto Escondido Guide.

By Air

Puerto Escondido has a domestic airport just a few minutes from town which is by far the easiest way to access PE. Almost all of the flights arriving in Puerto Escondido come from Mexico City with a few flights a week arriving from Guadalajara.

If you decide to fly to Puerto Escondido you’re more than likely going to need to connect in Mexico City. The good news is, Mexico City is an incredible city and so worth visiting, so why not add a few days to explore?

By Road

Puerto Escondido is easily accessible by vehicle from Huatulco, about a 2 hour drive down the coast. Huatulco is a much more developed town with an international airport. If you like to drive you can easily rent a car in Huatulco and make your way to Puerto Escondido.

Once you make your way toward the ocean to the 200 highway it’s a straight shot up the coast to Puerto Escondido. The 200 runs right through town so it would be hard to get lost.

By Taxi

If you’re not sure about driving yourself it’s totally possible to take a taxi to Puerto Escondido from Huatulco. You may want to break the journey up with a night or two in Mazunte.

I did this journey in reverse, from Puerto Escondido to Mazunte, then Mazunte to Huatulco. Each leg cost me around $800MXN [$50CAD/$40USD].

It’s important to be aware that taxis in Huatulco tend to be a higher quality than those for Puerto Escondido. It’s common to find taxis that are older vehicles with broken parts, no seatbelts and poor suspension.

Ask your accommodation for the best taxi company in town to arrange a price in advance. If you’re not comfortable speaking Spanish on the phone, most companies – basically every company in Mexico – has a WhatsApp. If you’re starting your journey in Huatulco it’s easier to find someone who speaks English as this is a popular tourist destination for Canadians.

By Bus

Mexico actually has an excellent bus network. ADO [pronounced ah-day-oh] buses are large, comfortable and air conditioned – sometimes a bit too air conditioned, so pack a sweater. Bus tickets are cheap and the bus stations are well located, normally right in town and sometimes even at the airports.

Using the ADO bus network you can get to pretty much anywhere you’d want to go south of Mexico City, and a few places north of it. The downside to travelling on the bus is that you will need to have a certain amount of working Spanish to purchase tickets, find your bus and navigate transfers.

The ADO website is only available in Spanish but you can purchase tickets through BusBud in English.

ADO multiple buses run daily from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido. The journey takes 10 – 12 hours, often overnight. Tickets cost anywhere from $360-760MXN[$25-50CAD/$20-40USD] one way depending on when you purchase and the class you opt for.

Getting Around Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido is a sprawling town that stretches up along the coast. The 200 highway runs the length of the town and is the only option when travelling between the northern neighbourhoods like Bacocho, to the southern neighbourhoods like La Punta.

The roads in most of the town are well developed and maintained however areas in of La Punta are still dirt. Some areas have sidewalks, most areas do not have streetlights at night and Avenida Del Morro, the main road that runs between Zicatela beach and the town is one way.

There are several options for getting around Puerto Escondido depending on your style, location and duration of your stay.

Walking

I personally love to walk, I find it to be the best way to orient myself with where I am and it allows me to discover little shops and restaurants I may have otherwise missed. Unfortunately in Puerto Escondido, unless you plan on spending your time in one small area, this is not an option.

To get from the south end of Puerto Escondido to the north take about 15-20 minutes driving along a steep highway. This journey on foot would take upwards of an hour and a half and would not be the most pleasant.

Many of the vehicles, particularly the buses in Puerto Escondido emit a huge amount of emissions and are incredibly noisy. Exhaust fumes mixed with the high temperatures makes for a smelly and uncomfortable walk.

It is absolutely possible to walk around certain neighbourhoods like Zicatela and La Punta, but if you want to travel around the town you will need to consider one of the transportation options below.

Renting a Car

Renting a car in Puerto Escondido is easy to do. Prices vary depending on the time of year and how official the rental company you opt for it.

Unless you plan on doing a lot of drives out of town to neighbouring areas, I think renting a car in Puerto Escondido is overkill. The drive between neighbourhoods is what you need a vehicle for but once you’ve arrived you’ll want to walk.

You can check rental car rates at the link below:

Parking in Mexico is a bit of a loose science. Unless you’re a local it can be a gamble to tell where you can park and where you can’t so to avoid any stress I would skip the car.

Renting a Scooter

Renting a scooter is one of the most popular ways to get around Puerto Escondido, especially if you are staying for a while. Some people purchase a scooter and resell it and others rent from locals or official companies.

When I visited Puerto Escondido I intended to stay for a month and rent a scooter but I’m honestly glad I didn’t. Scooters are uncomfortable to ride in the heat and the rain and if you want to do any shopping, storage space is in short supply.

Some of the roads are dirt, there are many speed bumps, and the exhaust of the buses and cars in your face is not a nice way to travel.

Most scooter rentals in Puerto Escondido do not include or offer insurance which is why they take a damage deposit

If you are planning to stay in Puerto Escondido for an extended period of time and really want your own vehicle then a scooter is a more practical and cost effective way to get around than renting a car. However, if you’re only visiting Puerto Escondido for a few weeks or less, I recommend using collectivos and/or taxis.

Taking a Colectivo

Colectivos exist all over Mexico – and other countries. They are essentially public shuttles that drive predetermined routes for not a lot of money. Think of it as the step between a taxi and a bus.

It can take a little time to figure out colectivos when you arrive in a new destination but when you understand how it works it can be a convenient and affordable way to get around.

Colectivos or pasajeras can be flagged down on the side of the road. They will have a sign on them that indicate where they go to and from. You can ask the driver if you’re not sure.

Colectivos in Puerto Escondido are like flatbed pick up trucks with a canopy. There is bench seating in the back and a bell to ring when you’re ready to stop. If you’re not sure where you need to get off, let the driver know before you get in.

Colectivos cost $8MXN ($0.50CAD/$0.40USD] which you pay to the driver when you get out.

This is a very popular local mode of transportation. It’s not uncommon to see people standing or hanging out the back, or people carrying cargo or animals. If you want to travel the Mexican way, this is it!

Uber and Taxis In Puerto Escondido

While Uber is not available in Puerto Escondido, taxis are everywhere. During my time in Puerto Escondido I took taxis pretty much everywhere I went. Taxis are easy to hail in the street or hotels, restaurant and bar staff are happy to call you one if you need a little help.

The price to travel between the top end of Puerto Escondido and the bottom varies slightly depending on time of day. During the day the fare is around $50MXN [$2.50USD/$3CAD] and at night can spike to as high as $100MXN [$5USD/$6CAD] but you should try not to pay more than $80MXN [$3.90USD/$4.90CAD]. Taxis around one neighbourhood are generally no more than 35MXN [$1.70USD/$2.20CAD].

For more information like how to get a taxi, airport taxis, and prices check out ➡️This Puerto Escondido Taxi Guide.

Summary: Where To Stay In Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido is almost like a collection of small communities that share the name “Puerto Escondido”. No matter what sort of trip you’re hoping to take there is a part of town that will cater to that for you. Identifying which area suits you will help you have the best possible experience.

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