Dry season on both coasts: calm seas, clear skies, and peak prices.Dry season on both coasts.Where to go
Sargassum often builds on the Caribbean side from spring into late summer.Sargassum season on the Caribbean.Today's reading
Hurricane season runs to 30 November. Quieter beaches, lower prices; watch the forecast.Hurricane season, to 30 November.When to go
Surf at Puerto Escondido, the bays of Huatulco, and small beach pueblos like Mazunte and Zipolite in between.
Photo: Grisiproo · CC BY-SA 4.0What to know
Oaxaca's beaches are a long way from Oaxaca City: the capital is inland, several hours over the mountains. On the coast, Puerto Escondido has Zicatela's heavy surf and calmer coves beside it, Huatulco is a planned resort spread across a string of bays, and between the two sit small beach pueblos like Mazunte, Zipolite and San Agustinillo. Puerto Escondido and Huatulco both have airports.
In pictures
Photo: holachetumal · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The numbers
Before you go
The best time to visit Oaxaca is generally November to March (the dry season). This aligns with the dry season and comfortable temperatures for beach and outdoor activities.
Fly into Puerto Escondido Airport or Huatulco Airport. Mountain roads connect to Oaxaca City (6-7 hour scenic drive).
Oaxaca has 140 beaches along its coast. Top destinations include Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Mazunte.
Popular cities in Oaxaca include Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Mazunte, Zipolite. Each offers distinct beaches, culture, and activities.
Oaxaca has a Tropical to Temperate climate. Rainy season typically runs May to October; dry season November to April.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Fly into Puerto Escondido Airport or Huatulco Airport. Mountain roads connect to Oaxaca City (6-7 hour scenic drive).
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The full list
119 listed, by town, most-reviewed first.
Hotel occupancy · Puerto Escondido
DataTur hotel occupancy for Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca). DataTur reports by tourism destination, not by state: these are the figures for Puerto Escondido. It also reports on Bahías de Huatulco in Oaxaca.
Occupancy averages about 52% in January. Book ahead.
Occupancy averages about 29% in September, so rooms are easier to find.
In 2024: busiest March (57.4%) · quietest September (29.1%)
January 2024 to December 2024, 0–100% occupancy scale.
Source: Official hotel occupancy statistics from DataTur (SECTUR Mexico). Aggregated across registered lodging categories.
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