da Saúl Eduardo
One of the most common questions travelers and long-term renters ask before booking in Puerto Escondido is simple but important: what exactly is included in the rental price? Electricity, water, WiFi, gas — the answer varies significantly from property to property and neighborhood to neighborhood. Whether you’re renting a surf shack in Zicatela for a week or settling into a La Punta apartment for three months, understanding what’s covered upfront can save you from unexpected charges and help you budget more accurately for your Pacific coast escape.
Puerto Escondido is a tropical coastal destination, and that climate has real implications for your utility usage. Temperatures regularly climb between 27°C and 34°C (80°F–93°F), particularly from March through October. Running air conditioning for several hours a day — or all night for sleeping comfort — can meaningfully affect electricity consumption. Unlike a city apartment where utilities are buried in rent, vacation rentals here often have more transparent but variable billing structures that guests need to understand before arriving.
The good news is that once you know what questions to ask, navigating utility policies becomes straightforward. The challenge is that there’s no single standard across Puerto Escondido’s rental market. Properties in Zicatela may handle utilities very differently from those in Rinconada or Bacocho, and short-term vacation rentals operate under different conventions than monthly rentals aimed at digital nomads and long-stay travelers.
According to the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA), transparency in utility billing is one of the leading factors in guest satisfaction for vacation rentals in warm-weather destinations. Properties that clearly communicate utility policies upfront receive significantly fewer disputes and better reviews — a strong incentive for hosts to be upfront about what’s included.
Before diving into each utility type, here’s a quick reference for how the three main billing models work in Puerto Escondido rentals:
| Billing Model | How It Works | Il migliore per |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive Rate | Utilities are built into the nightly or monthly rate | Short stays, predictable budgeting |
| Metered Billing | Guest pays actual consumption (electricity, gas) separately | Budget travelers who minimize AC use |
| Daily Cap System | A set amount of electricity is included; excess charged at a per-kWh rate | Medium-length stays with moderate usage |
Join our platform for direct bookings, no commission fees, and secure transactions. Find your perfect beachfront escape or list your property with verified hosts and transparent pricing.
Electricity is the utility that creates the most confusion — and the most potential for surprise charges — in Puerto Escondido vacation rentals. Mexico’s state electricity provider, CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad), operates on a tiered billing system where consumption above certain thresholds moves into a higher-rate “DAC” category with no government subsidy. This means that properties with heavy air conditioning use can see significantly higher bills than comparable properties in cooler climates.
For short-term vacation rentals (stays under 30 days), many properties in Puerto Escondido include electricity in the advertised rate. This is particularly common in professionally managed properties and those listed through reputable local platforms. The all-inclusive approach gives guests predictable costs and eliminates checkout disputes, which is why many quality hosts prefer it.
For monthly or longer-term rentals, the dynamic shifts. Most landlords in Puerto Escondido charge electricity separately from base rent, with tenants responsible for paying the CFE bill directly or reimbursing the owner based on actual consumption. This is the standard practice across neighborhoods like Zicatela, La Punta, and Rinconada, and it makes sense from a fairness standpoint — a guest who runs AC 24 hours a day uses dramatically more electricity than one who prefers open windows and ceiling fans.
Having these answers before you confirm your booking eliminates the most common source of billing disputes in Puerto Escondido vacation rentals. If you want to learn more about how electricity is billed in coastal Mexican properties, the rental tips section of our blog covers practical guidance on managing costs during your stay.
While electricity tends to be the variable that catches renters off guard, the other utilities in Puerto Escondido follow more predictable patterns. Here’s how each typically works across different property types and rental durations.
Water is almost universally included in both short-term and long-term Puerto Escondido vacation rentals. This is standard practice across the market, from budget studios in Zicatela to luxury beachfront villas in Bacocho. Puerto Escondido’s municipal water system delivers water on a scheduled basis rather than continuously — a characteristic of coastal Mexican infrastructure that renters should understand but rarely need to manage directly, as properties maintain cisterns or tinaco tanks that store water between deliveries.
For long-term renters, water is typically included in base rent regardless of neighborhood. If a landlord proposes a rental agreement where water is charged separately, this is unusual and worth clarifying in writing before signing.
The vast majority of vacation rentals in Puerto Escondido include WiFi in the rental price. This has become a baseline expectation rather than a premium amenity, even in budget properties. However, “included WiFi” and “reliable WiFi” are not always the same thing, and this distinction matters enormously for remote workers and digital nomads who depend on connectivity.
Shared connections in larger properties or buildings can slow significantly during peak hours when multiple guests are online simultaneously. Properties catering to the digital nomad community — particularly in La Punta and parts of Zicatela — are increasingly investing in dedicated fiber connections and publishing actual speed test results in their listings. For any stay where internet quality is critical, ask the host for recent speed test screenshots and inquire about backup options for the occasional outages that are a normal part of coastal Mexican living.
If you’re planning a longer stay and remote work is central to your trip, our guide to long-term rentals in Puerto Escondido covers exactly what to verify about connectivity before committing to a property.
Gas in Puerto Escondido vacation rentals works differently than most international visitors expect. Rather than a piped city gas supply, properties here use pressurized gas tanks (called tanques or cilindros) that need periodic replacement. For short-term vacation stays, gas is almost always included — the host simply replaces the tank when needed as part of normal property maintenance. For monthly renters, the arrangement varies: some landlords include gas as part of rent, others expect tenants to purchase replacement tanks directly from local gas delivery services, which operate throughout all major neighborhoods.
Gas costs for cooking and hot water in Puerto Escondido are modest, and even for long-term renters, it represents a minor budget line compared to electricity. The key is simply knowing upfront whether it’s your responsibility or the host’s.
Join our platform for direct bookings, no commission fees, and secure transactions. Find your perfect beachfront escape or list your property with verified hosts and transparent pricing.
Where you stay in Puerto Escondido influences utility conventions almost as much as the rental type. Different neighborhoods attract different renter profiles, which shapes how hosts structure their offerings.
Zicatela is the surf district, home to the famous Mexican Pipeline and a constant flow of short-term visitors, surfers, and backpackers. Rentals here range from bare-bones surf houses to well-appointed apartments. At the budget end of the market, electricity caps and separate billing are more common because properties operate on thin margins and guest turnover is high. Surf-focused renters who spend most of the day in the ocean and don’t rely heavily on AC often find separate electricity billing works in their favor. Mid-range and higher properties in Zicatela increasingly include utilities to compete for longer-stay guests and remote workers.
La Punta has developed into Puerto Escondido’s bohemian hub for international travelers, digital nomads, and wellness seekers. The rental market here is more sophisticated, and all-inclusive utility billing is more prevalent, particularly in professionally managed properties. The trade-off is that base rates in La Punta are higher than in Zicatela, partly because utility costs are already factored in. If you’re comparing listings, make sure you’re comparing total costs rather than base rates to get an accurate picture. Our detailed guide to affordable vacation rentals in La Punta walks through how to find value in this neighborhood without sacrificing comfort.
These quieter, more residential neighborhoods attract families, couples, and longer-stay renters who prioritize comfort and infrastructure over nightlife proximity. Properties here tend to be larger, and utility arrangements vary considerably. Luxury villas in Bacocho often include all utilities in their premium rates. Rinconada apartments, particularly those rented directly from local owners rather than through platforms, more commonly operate on base rent plus separate utility billing — especially for long-term stays.
| Utility | Short-Term Vacation Rental | Monthly / Long-Term Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Usually included (may have usage cap) | Often separate; tenant pays directly |
| Acqua | Almost always included | Almost always included |
| WiFi / Internet | Included as standard | Included; may need upgrade for remote work |
| Cooking Gas | Included | Varies; often tenant responsibility |
| Servizi di pulizia | One-time check-out fee common | Negotiable; often additional cost |
| Pool Maintenance | Included at properties with pools | May be charged separately |
Utilities are just one part of the total cost picture for Puerto Escondido vacation rentals. A few other charges deserve attention when evaluating listings.
One-time cleaning fees at check-out are standard practice across Puerto Escondido’s vacation rental market. These vary from modest amounts for small studios to higher charges for larger properties requiring more labor. The issue arises when cleaning fees represent a disproportionately high percentage of the total booking cost for short stays. When comparing listings, always calculate the cleaning fee as a percentage of total stay cost — a fee that looks reasonable for a two-week stay may be excessive for a two-night booking.
Long-term rentals in Puerto Escondido typically require a security deposit equivalent to one month’s rent, returned after inspection upon departure. Some short-term vacation rentals also hold a smaller security deposit, particularly for higher-end properties. Confirm refund timelines and conditions in writing before your stay begins. For peace of mind when booking, check our advice on how to evaluate vacation rental amenities and terms before committing.
Mexico’s lodging tax (impuesto de hospedaje) applies to vacation rentals and may or may not be included in the listed price depending on the platform and property. When reviewing booking totals, look for this line item to ensure you’re seeing the complete picture before confirming.
Join our platform for direct bookings, no commission fees, and secure transactions. Find your perfect beachfront escape or list your property with verified hosts and transparent pricing.
It depends on the property and rental duration. Most short-term vacation rentals include electricity in the listed rate, though some apply a daily usage cap. Long-term monthly rentals more commonly bill electricity separately. Always confirm with the host before booking and ask specifically about air conditioning usage policies.
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. WiFi has become a standard inclusion across virtually all property types in Puerto Escondido. The more important question is connection quality — ask about actual speeds and backup options if you’re relying on it for remote work.
Short-term rentals in Puerto Escondido generally include water, WiFi, and cooking gas as standard. Electricity is usually included as well, though properties with heavy air conditioning use may apply caps or separate billing for extended stays.
Yes, significantly so. Long-term rental agreements (monthly and beyond) in Puerto Escondido typically separate electricity from base rent, with tenants paying actual CFE consumption. Water remains included in most cases, while gas and cleaning responsibilities vary by agreement.
The most effective approach is asking direct questions before booking: request a written breakdown of what’s included, ask about overage policies if caps apply, and get the host to estimate realistic utility costs for your usage patterns. Reputable platforms and local hosts with strong review histories are more likely to offer transparent, consistent billing.
For a broader look at avoiding unexpected costs during your stay, our post on 5 ways to save on beachfront rentals in Puerto Escondido covers practical strategies that go beyond just utility management. You can also explore the full range of available properties with transparent pricing at Vacation Puerto Escondido’s accommodation listings, where utility policies are clearly communicated for every property.
The Oaxaca State Tourism Board provides additional guidance on traveler rights and accommodation standards across the region, which can be a useful reference if you encounter disputes during your stay.
Understanding what’s included in your Puerto Escondido rental isn’t complicated — it just requires asking the right questions before you confirm. Water and WiFi are almost universally included. Electricity is the key variable, particularly for longer stays with heavy air conditioning use. Gas is usually handled by the host for short-term rentals and more often the tenant’s responsibility in monthly agreements. Cleaning fees, security deposits, and tourism taxes round out the total cost picture that every renter should calculate before committing.
The rental market in Puerto Escondido rewards informed guests who take a few minutes to clarify terms upfront. Whether you’re planning a one-week surf trip to Zicatela or a three-month stay in La Punta while working remotely, the properties on our platform communicate utility policies clearly so you can book with confidence. Explore verified listings, connect directly with hosts, and plan your perfect Puerto Escondido stay today.
Join our platform for direct bookings, no commission fees, and secure transactions. Find your perfect beachfront escape or list your property with verified hosts and transparent pricing.
Puerto Escondido sits on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca where the sun doesn’t negotiate. Temperatures hover between 24°C and 35°C (75°F to... Per saperne di più
Puerto Escondido si è trasformato da un tranquillo villaggio di pescatori in una delle destinazioni più accoglienti del Messico per chi viaggia da solo. Con il rapporto INEGI... Per saperne di più
La scelta dell'ostello giusto a Puerto Escondido può fare o distruggere la vostra esperienza di viaggio. Sia che vogliate ballare fino all'alba al... Per saperne di più
One of the most common questions... Per saperne di più
Puerto Escondido sits on the Pacific... Per saperne di più
Puerto Escondido is one of Mexico’s... Per saperne di più
Partecipa alla discussione