Zicatela: rentals and area guide

Playa Zicatela runs for a few kilometers from Playa Marinero, at the edge of the town's bay, to the rocky point of La Punta in the south. Calle del Morro follows the beach for much of its length, and Carretera Federal 200 runs parallel further inland. The area people call Zicatela covers the beachfront and the blocks between the two roads.

• Calle del MorroThe beachfront strip, busiest at its northern half.
• Brisas de Zicatela and Los TamarindosResidential streets behind the strip, a few minutes from the sand.
• La PuntaThe surf village at the far end, roughly a 15 to 25 minute walk from the middle of the strip.
• El CentroA short taxi ride, or a walk from the northern end past Playa Marinero.
• Airport (PXM)Usually about 10 minutes by taxi.

Zicatela is one of the heaviest beach breaks in the world. Waves break hard over shallow sandbanks and can produce thick, fast barrels, which is why it is called the Mexican Pipeline. The biggest days come with the south swells, mostly from May to October, and international surf contests are held here in season. On those days it is a spectator sport, and watching from the sand is half the reason people come.

Do not swim here. The shore break is powerful and the currents are strong, even when the water looks calm from a terrace. Respect the flags and the lifeguards, and keep children out of the water. For a swim, Playa Marinero at the north end is calmer on many days, and the coves of Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo in Rinconada, or Playa Principal in the bay, are a short taxi ride away. Learning to surf? Go to La Punta, where the point break is gentler and surf schools give lessons. In the evening, the whole beach turns into a place to watch the sunset.

Calle del Morro has the area's densest choice of places to eat and drink: breakfast cafés, seafood, Oaxacan and Mexican kitchens, pizza and international food, plus juice stands, surf shops, board rental, pharmacies and convenience stores. After dark the strip fills up, and several bars play music until late, especially on weekends and in high season.

For groceries, convenience stores along the strip and on the highway cover the basics, and the Mercado de Zicatela, a few blocks inland, has fruit, vegetables and small food stalls. For a big supermarket shop, the stores downtown are a short taxi ride away.

On the strip itself you find hotels, condos and apartments, many with a pool or a roof terrace and some with direct ocean views. Behind it, Brisas de Zicatela and Los Tamarindos have studios, small apartment buildings and houses, usually without the view and often for less. There are also hostels for budget stays. Our Zicatela rental guide goes into the blocks in more detail.

• NoiseAnything on or just off Calle del Morro will hear bars at night. Light sleepers should look two or three blocks back, or at the quieter southern stretch toward La Punta.
• "Ocean view"Ask whether the view is from the bedroom, the living room or only the roof.
• Salt and windBeachfront units get salt air and sea spray; good maintenance matters.
• CoolingCheck for air conditioning in bedrooms, especially from May to October.
• WaterTap water is not drinkable; most rentals supply garrafones (large refill bottles), but ask.

Bookings on this site are made directly with the owner, without a platform fee.

The strip is flat and walkable, and you will rarely need transport for daily life. Taxis pass constantly on Calle del Morro and the highway and are cheap for trips to other parts of Puerto Escondido, such as El Centro, Rinconada or Bacocho; agree on the price before you get in. Colectivos on Carretera 200 cost less. A car is more trouble than help here, since parking on the strip is tight. At night, take a taxi rather than walking dark side streets with valuables.

Torn between the two surf areas? Our comparison of La Punta and Zicatela weighs them side by side.