La Punta beach is located at the southern end of Zicatela beach right next to the headland. This beach is a very popular spot for sunset and surfing and swimming.
The beach is littered with backpackers and travelers alike and is also a popular spot for beach volleyball and other ball activities.
Where is La Punta Beach
La Punta Beach is located right in front of La Punta, the area of Puerto Escondido that is voted as the best area to stay for those who are traveling solo or with friends.
La Punta beach is a 20-minute drive from the Puerto Escondido Airport or a 1-hour 40-minute walk.
How to get to La Punta
If you’re coming to La Punta directly from the airport it will cost you approximately 400 pesos in a taxi or 80 pesos in a colectivo.
Alternatively, if you’re already in Puerto Escondido and staying in Zicatela it would take you approximately 40 minutes to walk here along the beach or 60 pesos in a taxi.
If you have your own transport such as a bike or a car you can also drive here yourself and park in front of the Savanna restaurant as there is free parking right in front of the beach.
What to do at La Punta, Puerto Escondio
La Punta beach is an awesome location to watch the sunset and get amongst one of the many activities that the area has to offer.
Whether you’re looking to relax, go for a surf or socialize there is definitely something for you to do here.
Go for a swim
La Punta beach is a little more protected than other areas that are along Zicatela beach so it is a little bit safer to swim here than anywhere else along the strip.
With that being said the area is known for large surf and shore breakers and sweeps at times so it is still important to take care when swimming here.
If you’re not a confident swimmer make sure you swim near the lifeguard towers and make sure they actually have lifeguards in them.
Unlike other beaches around the world, Puerto Escondido does not have flags where the safest areas to swim are so we’d recommend asking the lifeguard where the safest spot to swim is.
Usually, the safest area to swim is closer to the headland as there is less of a sweep and the surf isn’t as strong however still make sure to ask a local if you’re unsure.
Go surfing
If you’re looking to surf in Puerto Escondido La Punta beach is one of the most popular spots and it doesn’t disappoint.
Depending on the day and the time of year the intensity of the surf can range anything from a complete beginner to an intermediate level.
There are a number of different surfboard rental companies that line Alejandro Cárdenas Peralta, the main street that runs parallel to the beach and a surfboard rental will normally cost 300 pesos for 24 hours.
If you’ve never surfed before then we would highly recommend taking a surf lesson which will cost you around 600 pesos for 2 hours and the price includes the board and instructor.
If the conditions at La Punta aren’t good the price of a lesson includes transfers to Playa Carrizalillo where the surf is less intense.
Walk the headland
Unbeknown to the vast majority, La Punta beach is also the point where you can walk to a gorgeous hidden beach and lookout point, Chingabal’e.
This is highly recommended to experience for sunset as it takes you away from the La Punta crowd to a more secluded bay.
If you’re looking to experience this we have put a full guide together on how to get there as there are a number of different options depending on how high the tide is.
Grab a bite to eat
There are a number of great restaurants that line both the beach as well as the street behind, Alejandro Cárdenas Peralta.
If you’re looking to grab a beer or food while watching the sunset any of the chairs that line the waterfront can be rented out.
If you don’t want to eat or drink you can rent them for around 200 pesos however usually if you’re spending money the price is included – ensure to check with the waiter beforehand as this can vary depending on the time of year.
Savanna, the bar which is located in front of the car park is a popular spot to grab food and watch the sunset if you’re looking for more of a restaurant vibe and they often do 2-for-1 cocktails and cheap beers during sunset.
If you’ve spent the sunset at the beach and want to grab food afterward one of the most popular restaurants for post-sunset food is fish shack.
Where to stay near La Punta Beach
There are a number of awesome accommodation options in La Punta and we would highly recommend staying in this area if you want to be near all the action and want to get amongst the Puerto Escondido nightlife.
Best hostels near La Punta beach
The most popular hostels that are located right near La Punta are Bonita Escondida and Villa Bonobo. Our personal favorite is Bonita Escondida as it has a great social scene with its own bar and pool
Best hotels near La Punta beach
Three of our top hotel recommendations that are located near La Punta are Punta Zicatela Hotel, Casona Sforza or Posada Real Puerto Escondido.
La Punta Summary
We’d definitely recommend visiting La Punta beach while you’re in Puerto Escondido as it is by far one of the most popular beaches in Oaxaca.
Whether you want to swim, surf or just relax with a drink and watch the sunset, the area is renowned for its laid-back vibe while being an awesome area for restaurants and bars.
