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Digital Nomads Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido
Everything you need to know as a digital nomad in Puerto Escondido
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Best for: Adventurous Nomads
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Internet: Solid - many Starlink setups available.
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Budget: Mid-Range
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Weather: Usually sunny
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Vibe: Surf x Social
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Typical stay: 3–6 weeks
What you can expect from Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido, Mexico, is known for its powerful surf. It’s actually one of the top surf spots in the world. This sunny little town offers beautiful beaches, a vibrant international community, and great Mexican food.
During your time there, you can expect a laid-back surfer lifestyle, plenty of outdoor activities such as whale watching or beach volleyball, and an endless supply of tacos.
When it comes to work, opportunities are growing as the town continues to develop quickly. Many cafés offer work-friendly setups, and more co-working spaces are opening.
Guide sections:
Location & Culture | Digital nomads Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is located in southern Mexico, in the state of Oaxaca, about a three-hour bus ride from Oaxaca City. Puerto Escondido also has its own airport, which makes getting there quite easy.
The state of Oaxaca is especially famous for its food. Think rich mole, crispy tlayudas, fresh seafood, and of course, mezcal.
Close to Puerto Escondido, you’ll find other beach towns like Mazunte and Zipolite, which offer quieter and less touristy beaches. If you are craving a change of scenery, head to San José del Pacífico, a charming little mountain town that is famous for a very specific kind of experience.
Compared to many other Latin American towns, Puerto Escondido feels much more international due to its rapidly growing number of visitors. On the one hand, this means you will likely make more international friends than local ones. On the other hand, people are used to tourism, and overall, the town feels very safe.
Activities | Digital Nomads Puerto Escondido
Although Puerto Escondido is a relatively small town, there is plenty to do, even if you are not a surfer. Keep in mind that some activities depend on the time of year you visit. Besides classics like snorkeling, beach volleyball, yoga, or taking Spanish lessons, there is much more to explore:
Coworking in Puerto Escondido
The digital nomad scene in Puerto Escondido has grown significantly over the past few years, and more work-friendly cafés are opening regularly. There are also co-working spaces that offer proper desks, ergonomic chairs, and air conditioning.
That being said, it is important to understand that the standard here can be different from what you might be used to in larger cities. Not all co-working spaces offer Starlink, and occasionally the internet may drop. In our Coliving, we have created a setup designed to feel reliable and comfortable for focused work.
Here are some co-working options that our digital nomad community has tested in Puerto Escondido:
NOMADICO COLIVING PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Our Nomadico home in Puerto is ready to welcome you with everything you need to dive straight into work and waves. Expect Starlink and fiber-optic internet, air conditioning to keep a cool head during important calls, and comfortable chairs your spine will thank you for.
Every room and studio is set up for focused work, and there is also a dedicated meeting room for private calls. The coworking space comes with ocean and bay views that are almost distracting in the best possible way.
NÍLU PUERTO ESCONDIDO BY SELINA
This hostel offers a coworking room with air conditioning, call rooms, and proper office desks. Prices range from mid-level (12 USD / day) to budget-friendly (10 USD / day), depending on how many days you book.
On the positive side, coffee and water are included, there are good lunch spots nearby, and it never felt overly crowded.
On the downside, several chairs were broken during our visit, and the internet occasionally dropped since they do not use Starlink.
SANDALA CAFÉ PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Sandala is a cute café with a dedicated workspace area. The coffee and food are particularly good, and the atmosphere is very friendly and social. It is a great spot if you enjoy meeting other nomads while working.
The only downside is that on some days the music can be a bit loud, so it may not be ideal for important or sensitive calls.
sandal cafe puerto escondido 1
sandal cafe puerto escondido 1
Climate | Digital nomads Puerto Escondido
If you’re looking for the sunny side of life, Puerto Escondido is definitely your place to be. All year round, you can expect sunshine and blue skies, but even Puerto Escondido has its seasons.
From November to April, it is typically the season with sunny and pleasant weather reaching up to 30°C. This is also the best time for whale watching, especially in January and February. However, from December to February, it is also the busiest time of the year.
From May to October, you can expect higher humidity and warmer temperatures. At the same time, this is when the waves are at their biggest and professional surfers arrive.
Why go in low or shoulder season?
From May to October, this little town transforms into a major surfer hotspot. With powerful swells rolling in, you can witness impressive waves and pros showing off their skills. That said, the waves are not constantly huge during surf season, so there is still plenty of fun for intermediate and beginner surfers.
This time of year is usually less crowded, which makes it easier to get around and enjoy the town at a slower pace. However, the higher temperatures should not be underestimated, so booking a room with air conditioning is highly recommended.
From what we have been told, the nighttime thunderstorms during this season are very beautiful and truly special to watch. Thanks to the rain, Puerto Escondido also becomes noticeably greener.
Communities | Digital nomads Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido has seen a steady rise in digital nomads and expats over the past few years. It is not uncommon for nomads to make this town their base and even invest in property here.
You can expect to meet other nomads almost everywhere you go, whether in the surf lineup, at cafés, or out in the evening. People tend to be very open-minded, and it is easy to connect with others quickly. Besides our own digital nomad community at the coliving space, there are several events and meetups where you can meet like-minded people.
Espacio Cometa hosts a weekly game night every Tuesday, which is always a fun way to connect. There are also Facebook groups for digital nomads that organize beach volleyball games, language exchanges, dinner nights, and other community events.
Resources
Facebook groups
Whatsapp groups
🍽️ Dinner at a normal restaurant: $11-17
🏠 Accommodation: $990–1,100/month
🏄♂️ Surfboard rental: $28/day
☕️ Cappuccino with oatmilk: $4.5
🧘♀️ Yoga class: $18
💪🏻 Gym day pass: $6
Cost of living Puerto Escondido
Compared to other cities in Mexico, Puerto Escondido is definitely not on the cheap side, which might surprise some people. The town is quite touristy, and prices reflect that. If you stick to more local spots, you can definitely spend less.
Where to stay as a digital nomad in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is divided into several different areas, each with its own vibe. La Punta: Sandy roads, plenty of cute shops and cafés, and a beginner-friendly & intermediate surf spot. This is where many tourists choose to stay.
Zicatela: A long beach with a strong surf culture, lively cafés, and nightlife. It is relatively close to La Punta and a great option for digital nomads. Centro: This is where most locals live and where you will find the main mercado. Rinconada: A quieter, more residential area close to some of the best beaches for snorkeling, such as Carrizalillo and Coral. You will also find great restaurants and cafés nearby.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose the area that suits you best. The good news is that everything is relatively close. For example, getting from Zicatela to La Punta takes about 10 minutes by scooter.
Find out more here
A day in the life of a Digital nomad in Puerto Escondido
Life in Puerto Escondido can feel like the perfect summer, with stunning beaches right at your doorstep and warm weather all year round.
During the week
Depending on your work timezone, you might start your day with a yoga session or a workout for an active morning. Or you could grab breakfast with other nomads and stroll through the local mercado to pick up fresh fruit and vegetables.
If you start working early because of your timezone, you can enjoy a refreshing ocean dip after work, a sunset surf session in La Punta, or join a turtle release or whale watching tour.
On Tuesday evenings, you can head to game night at Cometa, which is a great way to meet other digital nomads.
Your other evenings can be spent watching stunning sunsets during a beach walk, enjoying taco night at local spots like Pepe’s Tacos, or browsing the small shops in La Punta.
On the weekend
You can kick off the weekend with breakfast overlooking the ocean, followed by a full day at Carrizalillo Beach. It is highly recommended to go snorkeling when the waves are small, as you will be able to spot plenty of fish.
If you prefer a quieter beach, head to Bacocho Beach. It is a wide, sandy stretch where you will easily find your own peaceful spot. Do not forget to bring an umbrella.
If you would like to explore beyond Puerto over the weekend, a trip to Mazunte is highly recommended. People often describe Mazunte as “La Punta back in the day,” meaning a cute little beach town with cool restaurants, fewer crowds, and even more charm.
How to get to Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido has its own airport, which makes getting here quite easy. There are also buses from other cities, like Oaxaca, which take about three hours.
Many nomads continue their journey to Baja California or Chiapas. Others travel to different Latin American countries such as Guatemala or Colombia. I can also recommend visiting Mexico City, which really surprised me with how green it is.
Some last words...
Puerto Escondido is a beautiful little surf town, which makes it a great place if you’re visiting Mexico for the first time. Personally, everything felt very safe to me, and meeting new people was incredibly easy. Surrounded by endless palm trees, a deep blue ocean, and a laid-back lifestyle, it almost feels like the perfect summer experience. 😊 If you enjoy surfing, snorkeling, and spending long days at the beach, you’ll absolutely love your time in Puerto Escondido.
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