Playa Coral is one of the most untouched beaches in Puerto Escondido and not to be missed on your beach hopping adventures in Oaxaca! Featuring a secluded bay with calm waters, sugary soft sands and lush green surrounds. I think it is safe to say that Playa Coral Puerto Escondido is a slice of paradise!
I have put together this guide of Playa Coral including how to get there, the best time to visit and what to expect!
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WHERE IS PLAYA CORAL & HOW TO GET THERE
Playa Coral is located 4kms west of Puerto Escondido town center and it’s easily accessible by a tar sealed road to the jump-off point located at the top of the cliffs.
If you have your own car or scooter rental, it’s a 10-minute drive or a 1-hour walk to Playa Coral Puerto Escondido from the main tourist area of Zicatela.
To reach Playa Coral from the other main tourist area of Carrizalillo, it’s a short 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk from here.
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Aerial perspective of Playa Coral
WHAT TO EXPECT AT PLAYA CORAL PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Playa Coral features a tucked-away little cove surrounded by lush greenery and what seems to be an abandoned hotel.
There are fewer waves breaking in the cove at Playa Coral which makes it an ideal spot to go swimming, snorkeling and beach bumming on the edge of the shoreline.
Playa Coral is known as the nude beach in Puerto Escondido, so just bear this in mind when taking photos. If you do feel like getting your kit out then this is the perfect spot to do it!
Do note that there are currently no beach bars or restaurants at Playa Coral unlike most other beaches in Puerto Escondido so it’s best to pre-pack lunch and some drinks if you plan to spend a bit of time down on the beach.
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Sugary soft sands at Playa Coral
Playa Coral and Playa Bacocho
Uncrowded shoreline at Playa Coral
OTHER THINGS TO DO AT PLAYA CORAL
If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, you can find a sandy path at the northern end of Playa Coral that leads around the headland to Playa Bacocho, another one of Puerto Escondido’s best beaches!
You’ll have to scramble around some large boulders but it’s easy enough to do so and it takes no more than 5-minutes to reach the shores of Playa Bacocho.
It’s definitely worth taking the short walk from Playa Coral to Playa Bacocho and exploring the long stretch of coastline over here and popping into one of the beach clubs for a cocktail or two.
Related Article → Playa Bacocho
Playa Bacocho
Beach club at Playa Bacocho
BEST TIME TO VISIT PLAYA CORAL
Playa Coral can be visited at any time of the day, though my recommendation would be to get down to Playa Coral between 9:00 am and 10:00 am. This is perfect timing for when the sun has risen up over the headland lighting up the entire bay, otherwise, it will be in the shade if you visit too early.
Also, late afternoon around 4:00 pm is a nice time to visit Playa Coral as it won’t be so hot under the midday sun.
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PIN LOCATION OF PLAYA CORAL
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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, tennis court, mini-golf, games room and water sports facilities. The rooms are air-conditioned with ocean and garden views, large comfortable beds, spacious living, cable tv, coffee maker and private bathroom. Perfect for couples, families and friends.
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 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!
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, shared kitchen, tour desk, 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!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
BEST TIME TO VISIT PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Puerto Escondido has only 2 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.
High season in Puerto Escondido is during the summer months of June to August which sees a large number of tourists and prices are usually inflated during this time.
My recommendation is to visit Puerto Escondido during the winter months between November and March when there are fewer tourists, prices for food and accommodation is lower and it’s sunny every day!
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GETTING AROUND PUERTO ESCONDIDO
The easiest, cheapest and the 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.
If your legs are painted on, it’s possible to rent a bicycle or a motorised scooter for the day and make your way around to all of the tourist spots in Puerto Escondido at your own pace. 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.
And last but not least are the collectivos (shared taxi vans) which zip around town on a daily basis from dawn to dusk for as little as 7 pesos.
HOW TO GET TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO
The 2 most popular ways of reaching Puerto Escondido is by bus and by plane.
BY BUS:
The most common route for the majority of people traveling by bus is from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido which takes between 7 and 10 hours depending on which bus you take. The roads are windy with many hairpin turns that can be gut-churning so you may want to take a motion sickness tablet before setting off.
The larger, more comfortable buses between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido cost around 300-400 pesos and this journey takes up to 10 hours. There are overnight buses available which are common among backpackers to save money on 1-night’s accommodation.
You can check the bus times and prices with ADO Buses Mexico and book online ahead of time.
Alternatively, you can ride in a shared minivan from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido which is a little more cramped inside though it’s a shorter journey that takes around 7 hours and costing only 200-250 pesos.
Last but not least is to rent a car in Oaxaca City and make the drive yourself down to Puerto Escondido. Having your own wheels also gives you the freedom to explore the other towns and beaches to the north and to the south of Puerto Escondido before returning to Oaxaca.
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BY PLANE:
Arriving in Puerto Escondido by plane is also an option and the airport is conveniently located just 10 minutes drive from the center of town.
The most common flight route is from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes and there are daily flights available for as little as $50 one way.
Search All ∼ Flights to Puerto Escondido on Skyscanner
AIRBNB PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Another option for accommodation in Puerto Escondido is to stay in an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals!
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LONELY PLANET – MEXICO
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Mexico Travel Guide!
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MORE MEXICO TRAVEL GUIDES
- Mexico Itinerary: 4 Week Mexico Itinerary
- San Cristobal: 13 Things To Do In San Cristobal
- Puerto Escondido: 11 Things To Do In Puerto Escondido
- Oaxaca: 7 Best Tours In Oaxaca
- Tulum: 15 Things To Do In Tulum
- Bacalar: 9 Things To Do In Bacalar
- Maya Riviera: Best Cenotes In Maya Riviera
- Cozumel Island: 9 Things To Do In Cozumel Island
- Mexico City: Day Of The Dead Festival
WHAT TO PACK FOR PUERTO ESCONDIDO
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
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FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions at all about Playa Coral Puerto Escondido, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Happy Travels!
