West Oaxaca
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Positives
- World's 'best' beachbreak
- Consistent year-round
- Fairly cheap
- Good nightlife
Negatives
- Lots of close-outs
- Crowds
- Crime
- Insects
West Oaxaca surf travel guide
Oaxaca is famous as the home of Puerto Escondido, one of the best beachbreaks in the world, where huge and spectacular barrels break with Hawaiian-style power on Playa Zicatela. The lack of any continental shelf and the offshore deep-water trench focuses the swell from both the Southern Hemisphere and frequent tropical storms that pass by this coast in summer time (April-Oct). These swells hit the sandbars in such a way that the waves jack-up in size, which can be emphasised by a backwash. Magazine photos of this place are misleading - the waves often close-out and the paddle-outs can be severe. Fortunately, Oaxaca (pronounced wah-hah-kah) is not only about huge death-defying barrels and there are a few user-friendly points, reefs and rivermouths for the average Joe.
Surf spots in West Oaxaca
Research the 10 surf breaks in West Oaxaca and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 10 breaks in West Oaxaca.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to West Oaxaca
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Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring West Oaxaca.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 41,313,000
- Population
- 128,932,753
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- MXN
- Exchange rate
- $1 = 10.87 MXN MXN
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +52
- Dialing out
- 00
- Language
- Spanish, Nahuatl and various Mayan.
Electricity
- Plug Type
- ab
Visas
No visa is required for most nationalities for stays of up to 180 days. If entering by a land border you maybe required to get a Forma Migratoria Multiple to present at checkpoints within the country. This can cost 390 pesos (about US$20). You can also download this online.
Getting There
There are Mexicana flights between Mexico City and Puerto Escondido (PXM) at a cost of $50/ow. Otherwise go by bus, (Estrella Blanca direct or Cristobal Colon goes via Salina Cruz) a long, tiring 450km (280mi), 12-16hr journey costing $34. Driving a rental takes 5hrs over the twisting mountain roads.
Getting Around
Most surfers stay in Puerto Escondido and travel by taxi to La Punta. Buses along the MEX200 are reliable and cheap. It takes 2hrs to get from Puerto Escondido to Bahias de Huatulco International Airport. If you have a 4WD then you can search out the many good spots that can be found down the dirt roads, but be on your guard for gun-toting bandits.
Accommodation
Puerto Escondido has everything from the cheapest, right up to top hotels. The beach road, Calle del Moro is a good place to be based giving you convenient access to the beaches and amenities. Hotels have been springing up all over the place - rooms from $40 upwards. Every type of food available, (great seafood at the port), from $4 a meal.
Activities
Visiting the archaeological site of Monte Alban or the picturesque city of San Cristobal de las Casas requires a real effort, but they are definitely worth the time and expense. The nightlife in Puerto Escondido goes off. A horse ride out to the Atotonilco hot wells is a good afternoon trip.
Hazards & hassles
Muggings and petty theft are on the increase, sometimes accompanied by violence - don't carry valuables around with you. Bandidos are also a growing problem. Don't camp on beaches at night or drive down quiet roads. Some of the spots get crowded. When it's big, Puerto Escondido is a wave for advanced surfers. Insects, scorpions, stingrays, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, heat and humidity are all part of the deal!
Handy Hints
Bring a couple of boards, plus a gun and be prepared to snap them - a helmet may be a good idea as well. Cheap boards can be bought at Central Surf or rented from the Caba–as Las Olas or Rockaway. Mexican surfers are hardcore and charge on the biggest of days - show them some respect. The Federales (police) are worth avoiding!
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.