Remote Worker’s guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Puerto Escondido is an upcoming hotspot for digital nomads, and it's easy to see why. Low cost of living, amazing beaches with sunset views, and great surfing are just some of the reasons.

In case you were wondering what other places digital nomads like to choose for woking remotely in Mexico: here’s a a summarized table:

Why We Chose Puerto Escondido

There was a lot of hype around it online and it looked like a great place that’s suitable to our preferences: not that big of a place, you can surf, isn’t that expensive, no hordes of tourists, and a chill vibe. The internet connection looked to be sketchy but we have been positively surprised before so we decided to give it a try. In the end, the internet did let us down quite many times but more on it in the next chapter.

Internet in Puerto Escondido

Finding good internet was a bit tricky in Puerto Escondido. We had to do some serious searching on Booking and Airbnb to find a place with solid wifi. It took some effort, but we eventually found a spot that met our needs although it was a bit more expensive than we would have liked at around 55€-70€ per night. The internet is best in the Rinconada and city center and was the worst in La Punta and in the area before La Punta. We didn’t really find any cafes where the wifi would have been great and that would be quiet enough for a video call or to work for longer periods.

Here’s a screenshot of the Wifi speeds in one of the accommodations we stayed at. As you see, it was pretty horrible!

Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido

La Punta

This is where we chose to base ourselves, a lively neighborhood with lots of cafes and a vibrant social scene. It’s getting more popular by day and the infrastructure seems to be improving with time.

The main street of La Punta

Pros: Vibrant atmosphere, plenty of cafes, popular among digital nomads, has a great surf spot.
Cons: Can be noisy, and internet connectivity can be a challenge.

Zicatela

If you're a surfing enthusiast or simply enjoy a laid-back vibe, Zicatela is the place to be.

Pros: Great for surfers, laid-back vibe, less crowded, decent options for cafes and restaurants.
Cons: Can be noisy, internet connectivity can be a challenge. Not as lively as La Punta.

Rinconada

Known for its family-friendly beaches and an array of restaurants, Rinconada offers a more residential feel. It's perfect for those looking for a balance between local life and tourist amenities.

Pros: Family-friendly, good selection of restaurants, less touristy. Best wifi.

Cons: Fewer social events, not as lively as La Punta or Zicatela.

Bacocho

This is a quieter residential area known for its beautiful beaches and sea turtle release programs.

Pros: Quiet and peaceful

Cons: Fewer amenities compared to other neighborhoods, not as lively.

Getting Around Puerto Escondido

Getting around Puerto Escondido can be an adventure in itself. Taxis are readily available and quite affordable but are quite worn down. The sun is too hot during the middle of the day for walking longer distances. You can try renting a scooter but that wasn’t cheap and there weren’t many options available.

Things to do in Puerto Escondido and nearby

In Puerto Escondido, life revolves around the beach. From surfing at Zicatela to swimming in the tranquil waters of Carrizalillo, there's a beach for everyone. The bioluminescent lagoon at Manialtepec is also a cool visit for a different kind of night swim.

Mazunte is a charming small beach town an hour's drive away from Puerto Escondido. It’s a rustic little town known for its turtle sanctuary, and the stunning Punta Cometa, the perfect spot to catch a breathtaking sunset. For getting to Mazunte, we recommend renting a car as the public transport didn’t seem the most reliable.

Surfing – Puerto Escondido is known for its world-class waves, especially the famous Playa Zicatela which hosts international surfing competitions. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, there are plenty of surf schools and rental shops that can help you catch some waves. The waves depend on the season. Waves are seriously high in Zicatela in the peak season (April-Sept) and smaller at other times. Here’s a great guide for surfing in Puerto Escondido.

Whale watching - You can take a tour or even spot whales from the beach. The best time to spot whales is from November to March. We even spotted some while doing Sunset Yoga with EnerJane with an amazing view!

PILT

Yoga - There are very many yoga places. Puerto Escondido has become a popular destination for yoga retreats, with several studios offering daily classes and workshops.

Visiting the dog shelter and taking the dogs for a walk - we visited the dog shelter called Little Street Prints and took a couple of the dogs on a walk. They were so cute and we felt so bad that we couldn’t adopt one. If you can’t adopt then you can always donate to help them out.

Skydive over Puerto Escondido at sunset

Every sunset in Puerto Escondido there would be lots of skydivers filling the sky with their colorful parachutes.

Our Experience in Puerto Escondido

We liked staying in La Punta the most. The neighborhood was lively, filled with a mix of locals and tourists, and it had the best cafes. Our favorite spot was X. They had the most amazing Acai bowl, which we devoured almost daily.

For activities, we loved visiting the beach during the sunset as the sun was always setting behind the sea so you had an amazing view. The beach was always filled with groups socializing, listening to music, and having a great time during the sunset. You always have some cute dogs around as well.

Prices in Puerto Escondido

Wrapping up:

Our digital nomad journey in Puerto Escondido was filled with memorable experiences and overall we enjoyed our stay. There were fewer things to do compared to Tulum but Puerto Escondido was much more affordable for a beach lifestyle and much less touristic. Puerto Escondido is definitely gaining popularity each year though so in a few years the experience might be a bit different and the infrastructure with the internet a bit better.

From our stay, we’ll definitely cherish the amazing sunsets we experienced every evening on the Zicatela beach.