Puerto Escondido is a traditional Mexican fishing village located 180 miles south of the city of Oaxaca and 70 miles west of Huatulco Bay in an area known as the Emerald Coast for its magnificent jade-green waters. The city, which inherited its name from the local rocks known as Punta Escondida, attracts tourists from all over the world for its remarkable surfing, natural scenic beauty, extraordinary bays and pleasant tropical climate.

Although Puerto Escondido was officially founded in 1928, it had long since been a shipping point for coffee plantations. During the 1960's, when the coast road was built, tourism began to develop and continued to increase with the opening of a small airport in the 1980s.

The diverse beaches in Puerto Escondido are the major attractions, varying in types of sand, waves and rocky slopes. Playa Principal, for example, is one of the calm beaches in the city, offering kiosks and changing rooms; while Marineros is ideal for novice surfers and Zicatela, known for its rough waves, is a surfer's paradise with 13-foot high waves. Other popular beaches include Barra de Colotepec, a turtle zone; Bacocho, an open beach with gentle waves ideal for diving; Playa Embarcadero, suitable for skiing and sailing; and Carrizalillo, a bay area perfect for swimming and boat trips. Puerto Angelito, a small bay next to Puerto Escondido, is another great place to visit. Its natural pool, with transparent waters, is ideal for recreational swimming.

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