Playa Carrizalillo In Puerto Escondido (2024 GUIDE)

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Playa Carrizalillo is one of the most popular beaches in the region and a must-see when visiting Puerto Escondido.

Featuring a secluded cove filled with lively beach bars, vibrant umbrellas, soft golden sands, medium-sized waves for surfers, and swaying coconut palms along the shoreline. Playa Carrizalillo Oaxaca really is a hard-to-beat destination.

I have put together this complete guide to Carrizalillo Beach including how to get there, the best time to visit, and what to expect when you’re there!

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QUICK ANSWERS: PLAYA CARRIZALILLO

Let’s start this guide with all the essentials you should know before visiting, such as Playa Carrizalillo’s location, getting there, the best time to visit, and more.

WHERE IS PLAYA CARRIZALILLO?

Playa Carrizalillo Oaxaca is located in the heart of Puerto Escondido and it’s easily accessible by a tar-sealed road that leads right down to the jump-off point at the edge of the cliffs. 

Click here to see the location on google maps.

playa cara map

HOW TO GET TO CARRIZALILLO BEACH?

If you have your own car or scooter rental, it’s a 10-minute drive or a 1-hour walk to Carrizalillo Oaxaca from the main tourist area of Zicatela.

The entrance to Carrizalillo is situated at the end of the parking lot, where you will find a set of concrete stairs.

From the top of the cliff face to the bottom, it’s approximately 160 steps, emerging on the golden sands of Carrizalillo Beach Puerto Escondido.

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The jump-off point
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160 stairs down to the beach

BEST PUERTO ESCONDIDO TOUR

Baby Turtle Release Tour

The best tour to join in Puerto Escondido is the Baby Sea Turtle Release Experience!

It includes hotel transfers, entrance tickets, and a fun guide to enjoy the experience with!

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT CARRIZALILLO OAXACA?

Carrizalillo Beach can be visited at any time of the day, though around lunchtime is at its peak with crowds of people filling the cove and the beach bars. It can be quite hard to find an empty beach umbrella in the shade at this time of day.

My recommendation would be to get down to Carrizalillo between 8:00 am and 9:00 am to score a good spot along the beachfront and enjoy it before the crowds hit.

Also, late afternoon around 4:00 pm is a nice time to visit as it won’t be so hot under the midday sun and it’s a great place to watch the sunset.

CAN YOU WATCH THE SUNSET AT PLAYA CARRIZALILLO?

Yes, you surely can! Due to its west-facing location, it’s a beautiful spot to experience golden hour. I highly recommend visiting at least once for the sunset in Puerto Escondido.

CAN YOU SWIM AT CARRIZALILLO BEACH?

Yes, despite being a great spot for surfing, you can swim at Carrizalillo Beach as waves near the shore aren’t very high. Plus, the sand is very soft, so that makes for the perfect combination.

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Great spot for a swim

WHAT TO EXPECT AT PLAYA CARRIZALILLO

A picture-perfect, postcard-worthy beach is what you can ultimately expect to find at Carrizalillo Oaxaca! Have you ever heard the expression ‘small is beautiful’, well Carrizalillo fits right into that context.

Sheltered by lush greenery in a secluded cove that is no more than 300 meters in length, this makes Carrazlillo one of the most idyllic beaches in Puerto Escondido.

The wide beach and shallow blue waters are the perfect combination for beach bumming and swimming in the Pacific Ocean to cool off.

Once you’re done, you can seek shade under one of the many straw-thatched beach huts dotted along the shoreline to grab a bite to eat and wash it all down with a cold Cerveza of fresh coconut!

If you plan to use the beach lounges under the shade of an umbrella, the cost is typically 200 MXN. Otherwise, you can find tables and chairs a little further back under the beach huts and the minimum consumption fee is 150 MXN.

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Beach huts on Carrizalillo Beach

The BEST Hotel in Puerto Escondido

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Need a place to stay? Posada Real is conveniently located in Puerto Escondido.

Whether you’re here to explore around or relax in comfort, Posada Real is an excellent option!

PLAYA CARRIZALILLO SURF

Playa Carrizalillo is not just for everyday beachgoers, it’s also a very popular spot for surfing, especially for beginners and intermediate surfers!

You can rent surfboards from one of the many surf shacks located down on the beach which cost 150 MXN per hour. There are shortboards, longboards, foamies, and bodyboards available to rent upon arrival.

RELATED ARTICLE: BEST THINGS TO DO IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

For beginner surfers, you can book surf lessons with one of the locals which costs around 500 MXN for 2 hours, including the surfboard. 

Carrizalillo surf features a left-hand wave and a right-hand wave that breaks into the cove about 50 meters offshore. It’s best surfed on a mid to low tide. 

To check the Playa Carrizalillo surf report, check this page.

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Carrizalillo Surf
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Playa Carrizalillo Puerto Escondido

The BEST Affordable Camera For Travel

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If you’re on the hunt for a professional camera for traveling, check out the Canon G7 X Mark II.

This tiny camera fits in your pocket, captures high-quality photos and videos, and has Wi-Fi so you can instantly transfer to your phone!

FACILITIES AT PLAYA CARRIZALILLO

While there aren’t many facilities, I found that this is what made Playa Carrizalillo unique. You’ll find public restrooms and a few beach bars that close early.

Restaurante La Palapa offers chairs and beds for 200 MXN per person, but they close early and you’ll have to give them up at that time.

There aren’t any convenience stores around but there are a few surf shacks to rent a board at, which is convenient if you plan to ride some waves.

Also, note that there is barely any phone signal here and no WiFi, so be prepared for that.

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Idyllic scenes at Carrizalillo Beach

PUERTO ESCONDIDO TRAVEL TRIPS

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about visiting Carrizalillo Beach, here are some useful travel tips for Puerto Escondido.

BEST TIME TO VISIT PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Puerto Escondido has only two seasons, the wet season and the dry season.

The wet season in Puerto Escondido is typically between the months of June and October and the dry season is between November and May.

Puerto Escondido can be visited year-round as the average temperature during the day is 27°C and it rarely goes below 20°C at night. 

The high season in Puerto Escondido is during the winter months (the dry season) between November and May which sees a large number of tourists, and prices are usually inflated during this time.

I recommend visiting Puerto Escondido during the summer (the wet season) between June and October when there are fewer tourists, prices for food and accommodation are lower and it’s sunny every day with the occasional downpour in the evening.

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HOW TO GET AROUND PUERTO ESCONDIDO

The easiest, cheapest, and best way to get around Puerto Escondido is on foot. Depending on which part of town you end up staying, all of the beaches, bars, restaurants, and shops are within 1-hours walking distance.

Another alternative is to rent a car in Puerto Escondido and travel around to all the tourist spots at your own pace.

Additionally, bicycles and motorized scooters are available for rent. Bicycle rentals are around 50 MXN per hour and scooter rental is around 400 MXN per day, both options can typically be booked through your accommodation.

Taxis are another option for getting around Puerto Escondido which costs as little as 30-40 MXN for a 10-minute drive from one end of town to the other.

Last but not least are the Collectivos (shared taxi vans) which zip around town daily from dawn to dusk for as little as 7 MXN.

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WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Puerto Escondido has hundreds of accommodations to choose from so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay in Puerto Escondido to suit the needs of luxury travelers and budget backpackers.

See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:

Luxury: Posada Real Puerto Escondido

One of the best luxury resorts in Puerto Escondido! Located right on the beachfront with a private beach club, 2 restaurants, 3 bars, 2 outdoor pools, a tennis court, mini-golf, a games room, and water sports facilities.

The rooms are air-conditioned with ocean and garden views, large comfortable beds, spacious living, cable tv, a coffee maker, and a private bathroom. Perfect for couples, families, and friends.

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Mid Range: Casa Losodeli

I personally stayed at Casa Losodeli and can’t recommend this place enough! From the moment you step in the door, you will feel like family. Centrally located and within walking distance to the beaches, bars, restaurants, and cafes.

Featuring an outdoor pool, co-working space, free wifi, cafe, communal area, shared kitchen, bar, beautiful gardens, and free bicycle rental.

Choose from a dorm room, private room, or fully equipped apartment with a kitchen and flat-screen tv. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, friends, and families!

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Budget: Casa Daikiri

Casa Daikiri is rated as one of the best budget accommodations in Puerto Escondido.

Just a stone’s throw from the famous Zicatela Beach, this vibrant hostel features an outdoor swimming pool, free wifi, a shared kitchen, a tour desk, a sun terrace, and well-kept gardens.

Choose from either a dorm room, triple room, or a double suite each with air conditioning, seating area, patio, and pool views.  Perfect place to stay for solo travelers, couples, and friends!

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FOR MORE OPTIONS, SEE THIS GUIDE ON WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO – THE BEST AREAS

WHAT TO PACK FOR PUERTO ESCONDIDO

When visiting Puerto Escondido, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden Money Wallet

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Keep your cash and other valuables safe with this anti-theft hidden money wallet!


Reusable Water Bottle

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The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!


Travel Backpack

Nomatic 20L Bag

The Nomatic Travel Backpack has 20+ innovative features, perfect for everyday use!


Quick-Dry Travel Towel

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The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!


Portable PowerBank

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Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!

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Click the button below to view all articles related to Mexico!

FINAL THOUGHTS – CARRIZALILLO BEACH PUERTO ESCONDIDO

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about Carrizalillo Puerto Escondido, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

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TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

bookingcom

Search and book accommodation worldwide.


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Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.


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Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.


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Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.


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Search all rental cars in your next destination.


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Need travel insurance for your next trip?

THANKS FOR READING

Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!

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Many thanks!

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