<strong>Puerto Escondido:</strong> This Mexican beach town is already beloved by surfers, but there's plenty more to see and do beyond the water's edge.
Puerto Escondido: This Mexican beach town is already beloved by surfers, but there's plenty more to see and do beyond the water's edge.
David Gannon/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Playa Zicatela:</strong> This gorgeous, rocky beach is popular with locals.
Playa Zicatela: This gorgeous, rocky beach is popular with locals.
Shutterstock
<strong>Playa Carrizalillo:</strong> Meanwhile, this white-sand beach is accessible only by walking along the rocks.
Playa Carrizalillo: Meanwhile, this white-sand beach is accessible only by walking along the rocks.
Shutterstock
<strong>Before the breakers</strong>: Depending how early you come to the beach, you may see fishermen out catching the fish you'll have for dinner that night.
Before the breakers: Depending how early you come to the beach, you may see fishermen out catching the fish you'll have for dinner that night.
Shutterstock
<strong>Book your tickets:</strong> Puerto, as the locals call it, is usually packed at Easter and Christmas but relatively quiet the rest of the year.
Book your tickets: Puerto, as the locals call it, is usually packed at Easter and Christmas but relatively quiet the rest of the year.
Shutterstock
<strong>Off the sand:</strong> Depending on the season and the stage of the moon, you can choose to take boat trips to see dolphins, seas turtles and whales, or get involved in a baby turtle release.
Off the sand: Depending on the season and the stage of the moon, you can choose to take boat trips to see dolphins, seas turtles and whales, or get involved in a baby turtle release.
Shutterstock
<strong>El Espadin:</strong> This restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sunset over Playa Carrizalillo.
El Espadin: This restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sunset over Playa Carrizalillo.
Courtesy Villas Carrizalillo
<strong>Almoraduz:</strong> This spot is textbook-perfect Oaxacan fine dining with touches like fresh peanut water.
Almoraduz: This spot is textbook-perfect Oaxacan fine dining with touches like fresh peanut water.
Courtesy Almoraduz
<strong>Villas Carrizalillo:</strong> If you want a beachside hotel, this one has a private pathway straight to the water.
Villas Carrizalillo: If you want a beachside hotel, this one has a private pathway straight to the water.
Courtesy Villas Carrizalillo
<strong>Hotel Escondido:</strong> For a slightly more upscale version, check out this Grupo Habita property.
Hotel Escondido: For a slightly more upscale version, check out this Grupo Habita property.
Courtesy Undine Pröhl/Grupo Habita
<strong>El fin del dia:</strong> Puerto Escondido's name, which means "hidden port" in English, is well deserved.
El fin del dia: Puerto Escondido's name, which means "hidden port" in English, is well deserved.
Shutterstock