Mexico
Oaxaca
Advanced
Beach break
Surfing Puerto Escondido: Complete Guide
Puerto Escondido's Playa Zicatela is known as 'the Mexican Pipeline' — a powerful beach break that produces heavy, hollow barrels rivaling anything in the world. It's a pilgrimage for big-wave and barrel chasers.
Wave type
Beach break
Skill level
Advanced
Best season
April – October
Swell
S – SW
Wind
Offshore N
Water temp
26–30°C
Crowd
Heavy
Why surf Puerto Escondido?
World-class barrels, warm Pacific water, vibrant Oaxacan food and culture.
Beginner-friendly?
Zicatela is for experienced surfers only. Beginners should head to nearby La Punta or Carrizalillo.
Hazards & local knowledge
Heavy beach-break barrels, deep gutters, strong rips.
Nearby towns
Mazunte • Zipolite • Oaxaca City
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