People, both locals and visitors, strongly recommended we visit the State of Oaxaca while in Mexico. Renowned for its tasty food, stunning beaches, historic cities, and rich indigenous culture, we felt it was the perfect destination for us. So, we took a flight from Mexico City to the west-coast gem of Puerto Escondido.
During the flight, the pilot made it quite an experience by tilting the plane so we could catch a glimpse of the ocean, a seemingly endless sandy shoreline, and brown trees through our small windows. Apart from the vast ocean, everything below looked incredibly dry. The trees, plants, and grass appeared lifeless, as if they could ignite at any moment. It was clearly the dry season, reminding us why we prefer traveling when the landscape is lush and green.
When we landed, we faced two choices: a shared taxi for 50 pesos each or a private one for 150 pesos. Neither option seemed great, so we walked to the main road under the scorching sun. There, we found a line of taxis that took us into town for a more reasonable 20 pesos each.
At Hostal Losadeli, we were greeted with warmth and a friendly check-in process. The hostel is outside the bustling town of Zicatela, where the waves are famously known as “the Mexican Pipeline,” making it a hotspot for surfing competitions with waves reaching up to 16 meters high in the summer.
While Zicatela is lively with various accommodations, bars, restaurants, and shops, we preferred a relaxing beach holiday. We opted to stay near the three beaches northwest of Zicatela, which are safe for swimming: Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Angelito, and Playa Carrizalillo.
The sunsets along the Pacific coast are stunning. Eager for a late afternoon swim and sunset, we ventured to the beach. After descending 157 steps, we arrived at a secluded cove with a few palapa bars offering simple food and drinks. The beach was nearly empty, and the calm, royal blue water was inviting.
Although Puerto Escondido offers many activities, we enjoyed unwinding and watching sunsets the most. The beach’s steep incline meant that even a few meters from the shore, we couldn’t touch the bottom. The soft sandy ground and the view of swaying palm trees made it the perfect end to a day of traveling. Sitting with our beers, digging our feet into the sand, and watching the sun dip into the water felt like paradise.
Our days were mostly spent either at our favorite cove or by the hostel pool. We did some work and occasionally visited Puerto Escondido town for groceries. One notable day, someone recognized us from our travel blog! We had just returned to the hostel when we heard a voice shout our blog name, “OMG! It’s GOATS ON THE ROAD!”
The excited voice belonged to Nadine, who was traveling with her 16-year-old son, Sam. They are on an epic year-long road trip from Canada to Guatemala. Their van is fully equipped with supplies, camping gear, bikes, and even a Vespa—talk about being prepared!
When four Canadian travelers meet, it’s all about sharing travel stories over drinks. We had a fantastic time chatting about past adventures and future plans. Meeting readers of our blog was a thrilling experience for us.
After eight days of enjoying the beach, local food, and a bit of fame, we decided to move on to our next destination: the much-talked-about mountain town of Oaxaca City.
When planning a trip from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido, consider that internal flights might be cheaper and faster than a bus ride. For us, flying with Viva Aerobus or Aeromexico was the best option.
Hostal Losadeli turned out to be a great place to stay. Rooms cost 600 pesos for two people and include a private bathroom, daily cleaning, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. There’s a communal kitchen and a swimming pool, and the staff are excellent. Dorm beds are available for 150 pesos per person, with discounts for longer stays.
On Benito Juarez Avenue, just past the road to Puerto Angelito, you’ll find a row of restaurants and shops. Try El Sultan for affordable and delicious Middle Eastern dishes, Estrellas for amazing homemade Mexican food, and Mediterraneo for excellent pizzas. A taxi from this area to Zicatela costs just 30 pesos.
There’s a lovely cement walkway from Playa Principal to Playa Manzanillo. It’s a great walk but do it in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat and bring water along.
To save on taxi fares from the airport, just walk out to the main street. If you’re heading to Oaxaca City by bus, you can catch a minibus from a shuttle bus stop in town. The journey costs 200 pesos per person, takes about 7 hours, and involves winding roads but is manageable. Ask at your accommodation for accurate directions.
Our trip to Oaxaca was well worth it, filled with unforgettable moments, beautiful sunsets, and new friendships.
