Puerto Escondido is the form of place the place you need to get misplaced for awhile. To overlook Zoom calls and each day obligations for a bit and sink into the sounds of crashing waves and an easier life. All you really want is a swimsuit and a bottle of sunscreen. I ought to know—this previous fall, bordering on burnout throughout one of many busiest intervals I’d ever had at work, Adam and I stole away for a number of days to this paradise on the coast of Oaxaca. Inside two hours, I’d forgotten that my electronic mail inbox even existed.
However let’s again up a bit. I’m guessing that at this level, a few of you’re asking: the place is Puerto Escondido and why ought to I am going there? I first heard about it myself on our journey to Oaxaca Metropolis final yr. As I fell head over heels for this magical state in Mexico, I acquired interested in its many different areas (Oaxaca is Mexico’s greatest state, and it’s huge). Locals informed me that I have to take a look at the laid-back port city within the south of Oaxaca known as Puerto Escondido.
How one can Spend a Lengthy Weekend in Puerto Escondido
It have to be mentioned: this Puerto Escondido journey information comes from a really particular point-of-view, overlaying solely the a part of the coast that I actually explored. From our residence base at Resort Escondido, it’s a shocking stretch of seaside about 40 minutes from the extra bustling seashores like Zicatela and La Punta. As soon as we found the riches to be discovered dotted alongside this one lengthy (and intensely bumpy) filth highway, we didn’t need to go away. Unspoiled seashores with rocky outcrops, large waves, desert vegetation rising like loopy over each filth path and rock wall—it’s paradise.
So, with that disclaimer, right here’s what to do in Puerto Escondido on a protracted weekend journey.
How one can Get to Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido has a small airport that’s a straightforward hour-long flight from Mexico Metropolis. Take a taxi from the airport (our lodge had one ready for us outdoors the exit doorways able to make the 40-minute drive).
Should you’re planning to discover up and down the shoreline, you’ll need to lease a automobile. Nonetheless, in the event you’re sticking to this information, you’ll be capable of journey a motorbike alongside the gorgeous filth roads round Resort Escondido and Casa Wabi, and entry in every single place you’ll want to go.
What to Pack
Repeat after me: you’ll not be dressing up whereas in Puerto Escondido. It’s one of the vital carry-on pleasant locations because you’ll principally be sporting the identical uniform all the journey. In the course of the day, a swimsuit topped by a linen button-down and cutoffs. At night time, pair a light-weight shirt or straightforward sundress with flat sandals (bear in mind, you’re driving a motorbike!). No heels, no hair dryer—it’s that kinda place. I used to be really shocked by how sizzling it will get right here through the day, so plan to decorate as cool as attainable and put on a hat always.
Professional tip: Deliver ear plugs. The jungle sounds outdoors our room had been loud. The primary night time, I used to be awoken a number of instances by birds screams and frogs croaking.
The place to Keep in Puerto Escondido
There are some unimaginable Airbnbs in Puerto Escondido and I used to be taking notes for future journeys if we come again with the youngsters or a gaggle of associates. Nonetheless, since this journey was simply Adam and I, we knew we needed to check out one of many beautifully-designed motels on the stretch of highway close to Casa Wabi.
Resort Escondido
Resort Escondido was our residence base for the journey, and if I had to decide on, it might win finest lodge in Puerto Escondido (although the motels under are shut seconds). It’s a real refuge within the jungle, and feels extremely restorative from the second you enter its rock-walled passageway that leads straight onto an unspoiled seaside. The lodge’s restaurant serves unimaginable dishes all day, there’s a lap pool the place you’ll be able to hang around and stare on the crashing ocean simply steps away, and the tiny spa presents all types of lovely companies. Professional suggestions: Company at Puerto Escondido should be not less than 16 years previous. And, borrow the lodge’s bikes and journey them in every single place.
Casa Sforza
Casa Sforza is a putting new lodge in Pueblo Del Sol. Its modern cement construction is juxtaposed by furnishings product of native wooden and ceramics, and there’s a formidable give attention to sustainability and supporting the encircling group. It’s an unimaginable expertise for any design-lover.
Resort Terrestre
Resort Terrestre is definitely Resort Escondido’s sister property. As a result of it’s a three-minute bike journey away, we spent fairly a little bit of time indulging in its nice restaurant and exploring the distinctive Hammam expertise. With 14 villas overlooking the ocean, this can be a wellness obsessive’s dream. The lodge operates utterly off the grid utilizing 100% solar energy. Company are inspired to disconnect from know-how and reconnect with nature, synchronizing their day with the cycle of the solar.
The place to Eat in Puerto Escondido
No Puerto Escondido journey information could be full with no part devoted to the unimaginable meals. My advice is to pattern as a lot regional fare as attainable. Under, I’m naming the very best Puerto Escondido eating places from our journey. I do suppose there are some respectable eating places in La Punta and Zicatela, however in the event you’re planning to stay across the Casa Wabi space, you’ll be able to maintain your self splendidly nourished by the fish tacos and mezcalitas alongside this stretch of seaside.
Cobarde
A low-key spot that’s technically a mezcal bar. However in the event you take into account your self within the know, you then’re ordering the nightly “chef’s menu” ready proper in entrance of you on the enormous cement bar. Although it’s nothing fancy—a number of low tables and chairs strewn round below the palm bushes—Cobarde has a wabi-sabi cool issue all its personal. Make a reservation by DM on Instagram.
Kakurega Omakase
A real omakase sushi menu set in a thatched roof treehouse within the Oaxacan jungle? Suffice it to say, this was one of the vital particular eating experiences I’ve ever had. Chef Keisuke Harada moved to the coast from Mexico Metropolis and his 10-course menu is a real murals. And due to the nice playlist and boisterous crew, the expertise can be actually, actually enjoyable.
Punta Pajaros
Should you’re not trying carefully, you’d simply miss the wooden signal pointing the way in which to this palapa tucked into the palm bushes. However in the event you did, you’d be lacking out on an genuine and scrumptious Oaxacan meal. The extremely recent components are ready proper in entrance of you: guacamole (with or with out grasshoppers), octopus ceviche, tsayludas, and different specialties, washed down with a spicy cucumber mezcalita.
Resort Escondido
If the encircling spots hadn’t been so scrumptious, we might have simply eaten each single meal at Resort Escondido and been completely glad. Huevos Rancheros for breakfast below the palapa, mezcal margaritas and ceviche on the beachside deck, steps from crashing waves—it’s onerous to beat. Should you solely eat one meal when you’re at Resort Escondido, make it the battered fish tacos. Better of my life.
Resort Terrestre
Simply down the highway is the architectural stunner, Resort Terrestre (sister property to Resort Escondido). A equally scrumptious menu served in a putting brick and concrete setting, it’s the proper technique to combine issues up with out roaming too removed from residence. Should you can, go for dinner on Thursday once they hearth up the huge wood-burning oven for pizza night time.
Punta Pájaros
Subsequent door to Resort Escondido is a extra tucked away however equally stunning lodge known as Punta Pájaros. We stopped in for a scrumptious lunch beneath the palapa and feasted on shrimp tostadas and probably the most unimaginable mango mezcalita. As we wandered right down to the seaside, we realized that the lodge additionally has unimaginable villas proper on the sand—and a palapa for yoga and wellness actions within the jungle (see extra on that under.) This can be a future residence base on our subsequent journey to Puerto Escondido!
What to Do in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is made for exploring—making a unfastened plan, then permitting your self to get sidetracked by a hidden path that goes right down to the ocean, or a palm-covered seaside bar that’s calling your title. Listed here are a number of concepts to get you began.
Casa Wabi
Created in 2014 by artist Bosco Sodi and designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, this unimaginable artist residency is located on a distant stretch of Oaxacan seaside. An arresting most important constructing with a 312-meter-long concrete wall acts because the framework, surrounded by exhibition areas, studios, and bungalows the place the artists dwell. I’m undecided which was extra inspiring—the modern artwork on show, or the constructing and grounds themselves.
Ebook a reservation on-line for a guided tour. It’s the one technique to see the property, and nicely value a go to to see this “meditative group stuffed with introspection and connection.”
El Papelillo Sauna
On the finish of the lengthy filth highway is a small signal that merely says “El Papelillo.” Simply contained in the picket gate is among the most particular wellness experiences I’ve ever had. A distant sauna that’s actually tucked into the Oaxacan jungle, El Papelillo is meant to “join you to Mom Earth and take you again to our roots.” You pour water over the open hearth contained in the sauna, lay on the wooden bench and savor the advantages of this detoxifying custom: boosting metabolism, supporting the circulatory system, and calming your breath. One factor I do know for certain: as I showered off after and drank an ice chilly cerveza, I’d by no means felt so utterly relaxed in each physique and thoughts.
Meridiano Gallery
Meridiano is an unimaginable stone and concrete area that includes experimental exhibitions of art work by artists working internationally and throughout disciplines. Based by Nicholas Olney
and Boris Vervoordt, it’s nicely value a go to if you end up on the stretch of highway close to Casa Wabi. We had been fortunate sufficient to be on the town for the newest exhibition, Joel Shapiro: 4 Bronzes, and it was a magical expertise viewing these works on this area below the celebs.
Hammam at La Terrestre
I’ve by no means been to a real Hammam, and I definitely didn’t suppose the primary time could be in Oaxaca, however right here we’re. Within the heart of La Terrestre lodge is a fantastic brick tower that homes 4 chambers that includes 4 conventional water experiences: a sizzling jacuzzi, steam room, rain bathe, and chilly plunge. You ebook an hour-long non-public session through which the hammam is yours to rotate between the enjoyable experiences. The top result’s a deep sense of well-being bordering on a coma.
Yoga at Punta Pajaros
Puerto Escondido is a spot that nourishes you, physique and soul, and I’m so glad that we squeezed in an energizing yoga session with our unimaginable teacher, Chia Cittadini. Chia teaches at Punta Pajaros lodge in a fantastic palapa within the jungle. She led us via an hourlong session of flows {that a} newbie can comply with—however that may nonetheless problem an skilled yogi. To search out out Chia’s group session instances or ebook a non-public, head to her Instagram and ship her a observe by way of WhatsApp.
Swim within the bioluminescent waters of Manialtepec Lagoon
Considered one of nature’s best-kept secrets and techniques and solely present in a number of locations on earth, Bioluminescence is a phenomenon the place tiny organisms within the sea make the water glow at night time. One such spot, Manialtepec’s Lagoon, is situated about 20 minutes from Resort Escondido. You’ll be able to ebook a driver on the entrance desk, and while you arrive, a non-public motorboat takes you out into the lagoon to expertise the magic.
Day journey to La Punta and Zicatela
As talked about, we stayed largely outdoors the principle seashores that draw extra vacationers, however we did enterprise into La Punta in the future to take a look at the thatched-roof seaside bars, eat some açai bowls, and wander round the principle road. It’s one palm tree-lined stretch of filth highway, with hippie vibes and backpackers on repeat. Primarily based on associates’ suggestions, the very best eating places in La Punta are Fish Shack, Chicama, Lychée, and Ala Burger.
Surf (in the event you’re courageous)
Puerto Escondido is named a surfer’s mecca. Nonetheless, through the time of yr once we had been there (October) the waves had been a bit too aggressive for newcomers (as in, we might have died instantly). Nonetheless, in the event you head into La Punta or Zicatela on a very good surf day, you’ll be able to cease by one of many surf retailers and seize a board and an teacher to hit the waves.
Mezcal Manufacturing unit Tour
Mezcal is a lifestyle in Oaxaca. A centuries-old artisan custom, it’s revered in Oaxaca in a manner that feels virtually non secular. Household-owned farms and factories are discovered all all through Oaxaca state, together with Puerto Escondido. You’ll be able to ebook a automobile to take you to one of many factories within the space to see how mezcal is produced. And naturally, you’ll need to style its various varieties.
