12 February 2026
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Puerto Escondido, on Mexico’s Pacific coast, is the country’s buzziest beach town, right in the sweet spot between boho backpacker paradise and world-class destination. To understand its trajectory, take a walk down Zicatela Beach, its main stretch of golden sand.
On its north end, in the Principal Bay, wooden fishing boats depart each morning in search of the marlin, snapper and sailfish that comprised the one-time port village’s earliest economy. Look out to the water as you continue south: the famous seafloor canyon powers monster waves that drew the first tourists here in the 1970s and today hosts an annual surf competition. La Punta is at the tail end, a beach bum neighborhood that became a hot spot in the pandemic and now hosts Mexico’s newest One Key hotel.
Up and down the coast, the MICHELIN Guide has dispatched its famous red plaque to the best of the best. Read on for our curated list of restaurants, hotels and things to do around Puerto Escondido.
Where to Eat
Atarraya
Atarraya, an open air dining room with a moody golden glow, is the kind of place where you can go to show off your new tan at dinner. Start off at the bar, the domain of Gabriela Campos, the winner of the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Mexico Exceptional Cocktails Award. Inspired by Mexican legends and coastal ingredients, Campos has crafted a creative menu with mezcal at the center, like in the Xóchitl, an earthy concoction where the agave’s been macerated with orange cempasúchil flowers. The freshest seafood is the star of the food menu, in plates like robalo in a salsa of chilis and coconut and a tlayuda, a large tortilla dish, topped with shrimp and octopus.Almoraduz
Almoraduz has been a fine dining landmark in Puerto for over a decade, set in a small commercial strip near the precious Carrizalillo Beach. Husband and wife Chefs Shalxaly Macías and Quetzalcoátl Zurita offer an à la carte menu and a seven-course tasting that changes with the seasons of the Oaxacan coast. Look for an early arriving tuna nigiri dressed in orange honey and an ancient local chili paste, and a brilliant catch of the day main course served in a shrimp mole with a guava purée.
Where to Stay
Hotel Humano (One MICHELIN Key)
Hotel Humano is the face of the changing La Punta, a 39-room property with gorgeous design a block from the beach. Its lush central courtyard is a neighborhood hangout, with royal palm trees lining the pool and ample daybeds for sunning, sipping and the occasional work email. On its roof, terraced west-facing seating with a menu of snacks and cocktails is ideal for sunset.Hotel Terrestre (One MICHELIN Key)
Located about a half hour north of the town of Puerto Escondido, in a small but renowned community of art spaces, Hotel Terrestre is itself a masterpiece, built by Alberto Kalach, one of Mexico’s leading architects. Rooms are set in striking brick buildings with private rooftop plunge pools, and the property is completely off-grid, running fully on solar energy.Casa Yuma
Casa Yuma is another new entrant in the growing zone, set just south of town on a swath of secluded beach. The whole of the property – from the airy king rooms to the notable Asian-Mexican restaurant to the fire pit lounge – is set in the sand and steps from the water.Casa TO
Casa TO, designed by Mexico-based architect Ludwig Godefroy, is an eye-catching structure of raw concrete, recognizable from your well-traveled friend’s feed by the circular portals that open through the pool. The barebones elements here are the main draw: there are just nine suites and few amenities – less to distract from the remarkable nature and lively La Punta nearby.Casona Sforza (One MICHELIN Key)
Architect Kalach is also behind this stunning showpiece on the south side of Puerto Escondido, distinguished by its rows of half-pipe roofed structures built to maximize privacy, beachfront views and exposure to the breeze. Artful pieces throughout the property, including cushions and glassware, come from artisans in the hotel’s partner community in Oaxaca, Pueblo del Sol.
What to do
Take a surf lesson
While the waves off Zicatela Beach are the domain of the pros, swelling up to 50 feet at their gnarliest, there are plenty of spots around town that are perfect for beginners. The beachfront at La Punta, set along a rocky curve at the end of Zicatela Beach, is known for training-level waves, as is the cove at Carrizalillo Beach. Signs for surf schools are everywhere in La Punta; Art of Surfing and Maui Surf Lessons are a good place to start.Casa Wabi
Casa Wabi, a foundation from Mexican artist Bosco Sodi, has been a pilgrimage site for the design-minded since it opened up the coast from Puerto Escondido in 2014. The monumental center, built by Pritzker-winning architect Tadao Ando, runs for more than half a kilometer along the Pacific, and hosts several artists-in-residence throughout the year, who contribute to projects in the community. Tours are available by reservation only.Explore La Punta
In just the past five years, La Punta has grown from a sandy stretch of surf shacks to one of the country’s most talked about destinations. On its main drag, which closes to traffic in the evenings, new home goods shops and concept stores with local designs are opening constantly, like For All Folks and Archy Welfare.
Hero image: ©Casa Yuma
This post is brought to you in partnership with Canirac
