is Puerto Escondido Safe? This is one of the first questions we get askes when someone is planning a trip to this gorgeous Oaxacan town.
The short answer is yes, however within this guide we will dissect some of the different safety aspects and how you can ensure a drama-free visit.
Generally, Mexico doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to safety however if you keep your wits about you and try to avoid putting yourself in harmful or dangerous situations you are normally safe.
When it comes to Puerto Escondido it is no different from the rest of Mexico in that most of the violence that occurs doesn’t implicate tourists.
Violence is normally between different cartels and the police. In Puerto Escondido, you are located in one of the safer regions of Mexico as it’s in Oaxaca.
9 General Puerto Escondido Safety Tips 2023
- Stay vigilant and keep an eye on your belongings, particularly your valuables, by keeping them out of sight when possible.
- To avoid becoming an easy target for pickpockets, keep your valuables in a front pocket and keep your hands in your pockets while in crowded areas. This will make it more difficult for thieves to access your belongings.
- To increase the security of your valuables, consider wearing a money belt that is worn under your clothes and out of sight. This will help prevent you from being targeted as a tourist.
- Get advice and tips from locals or long-term residents of Puerto Escondido. It is easy to meet and make new friends in the area.
- To stay informed on the latest safety tips, listen to the advice of people who are familiar with the area. You can also ask your accommodation provider for guidance on local safety concerns.
- Although it is unlikely, if a robber confronts you, it is generally best not to resist. One way to prepare for this rare occurrence is to avoid being alone at night and only carry cash and items that you are willing to lose.
- To reduce the risk of losing valuable items, only carry the cash you need for the day and leave your valuables at home. In this way, if you are mugged, you will not lose anything important.
- It is best to avoid the beach at night due to the higher risk of problems occurring there. Many incidents that occur during a night out in Puerto Escondido happen on the beach, so it is safer to avoid it.
- Learning some Spanish can help you blend in and reduce the likelihood of being targeted. It can also help you make friends with locals, further decreasing the risk of being targeted. Even making an effort to learn Spanish can be beneficial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puerto Escondido Safe For Tourists?
Generally, Puerto Escondido is safe for tourists as long as you stay aware of your surroundings and look after yourself. As with most areas in Mexico crimes such as pickpocketing and mugging can occur.
The best way to avoid this is to make sure you leave your belongings locked in your accommodation to reduce the risk of them getting stolen.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe At Night?
Although Puerto Escondido usually is safe at night time as with all destinations around the world the risk of crime increases as daylight subsides.
If you’re looking to enjoy the Puerto Escondido nightlife It is recommended to stay around busier or well-lit areas at night if you’re alone so as not to present yourself as an easy target.
It’s not necessarily that you need to be worried but it’s more so a matter of reducing unnecessary risk. You should also avoid going to the beach at night especially if you are planning on going for a late-night swim.
Petty crooks have been known to wait in the shadows for people to go in the water before stealing their valuables and even clothes.
The other thing that should be mentioned here is that you should never urinate on the beach as police also wait in the shadows to come and make you pay a fine or take you to jail if you don’t pay.
Phones should also be kept in your pocket wherever possible while on the street as there have been scenarios where people will double up on a scooter and snatch your phone from your hand.
Where possible stick to well-lit and populated streets and stay with friends so as to reduce the risk of running into any issues.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe From Dangerous Wildlife?
Depending on where you are in Puerto Escondido the main wildlife that you need to be wary of are crocodiles and the odd scorpion.
Most of the time if there are crocodiles the area will be signed but just make sure you avoid swimming in any rivers and creeks which although may seem like common knowledge needs to be reiterated.
With regards to the scorpions just make sure not to walk barefoot at night so as not to accidentally trod on one.
It is also advised to keep your shoes inside and always shake them out in the morning as scorpions love to venture in them for protection.
The other question we sometimes get asked is if there are sharks in Puerto Escondido and although there was a shark sighting in 2021 in Mazunte, these were not the feared great white sharks or tiger sharks.
From our knowledge, these species of sharks are not in the area and there has never been a recorded shark attack in Puerto Escondido.
The biggest risk factor when entering the water is the sweeps and monster waves, not the sharks.
It is also worth mentioning to be wary of stingrays in the shallows as they have a powerful barb that they may stab you with if you stand on them so just be careful where you walk.
A stingray barb is not deadly though it can cause a lot of pain. If you were to experience this we’d recommend reading about first aid treatment for a stingray sting.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe For Females?
Traveling alone as a female has always been a conversation across many travel communities and for Puerto Escondido the conversation remains the same.
As mentioned previously Oaxaca, in general, is one of the safest places to travel in Mexico so the safety aspect for females is not much different.
Many women travel solo to Puerto Escondido and it is rare that they feel unsafe in doing so.
By sticking to standard safety practices such as not leaving your drink unattended or avoiding non-well-lit streets generally Puerto Escondido is safe for women.
Rather than walking the streets alone at night, it would be recommended to take a registered taxi or even meet some fellow travelers and head out as a group as the more of you there are the safer it is.
Is The Tap Water Safe To Drink In Puerto Escondido?
The tapwater drinking situation in Puerto Escondido is no different from anywhere else in Mexico. Drinking it can definitely lead to an upset stomach so it is advised to drink bottled water from Oxxo or other corner stores.
Fruit and vegetables should also be washed in bottled water as well to avoid the risk of getting sick.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe From Natural Disasters
Unfortunately, there is a risk of earthquakes and hurricanes in Puerto Escondido as it is in the tropics. In 2017 there was an 8.2 Richter scale earthquake that affected a lot of the southwestern coast including Puerto Escondido.
In 2022 hurricane Agatha was just off the coast measuring in as a grade 3 hurricane. Luckily at the last minute, the hurricane lost power and Puerto Escondido avoided being hit though at the time there was a large risk of mudslides and flying debris.
Although not a regular occurrence it is advised to check the weather ahead of your trip so as to avoid the risk of getting caught in a natural disaster.
It can’t always be avoided as sometimes there is a lack of warning so in this case it is advised to know what to do to prepare and maximize your safety.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe To Swim?
There are many beaches where you can swim in Puerto Escondido and they all have their unique differences.
If you’re not the most confident swimmer it is advised to only swim where there are lifeguards make sure to look for signs warning of the water conditions before entering.
Playa Manzanillo and Playa Carrizalillo are the safest places to swim as the waves aren’t as intense as other beaches such as Zicatela.
Even if swimming at the safer beaches it is still advised to use your due diligence and ensure your safety.
Also, make sure not to leave your valuables unattended on the beach. Either don’t take them at all or ask a friend to watch them while you’re in the water so as to prevent the risk of them getting stolen.
Is Puerto Escondido Safe For Public Transport?
The most common public transport that people tend to use in Puerto Escondido is the colectivos which for the main part are safe.
It is common sense but just make sure you ensure to keep a close eye on your belongings while on these so as to once again reduce the risk of painting a target on your back for someone to take advantage of.
The colectivos have the option to either sit in the back or stand on the back holding on and it may sound like common sense but we’d suggest sitting down inside where possible.
The roads can get fairly chaotic and if you’re not paying attention and hanging on to the back when the colectivo suddenly breaks or speeds up you may slip.
Getting around Puerto Escondido is fairly easy so for the main part you’ll probably be walking depending on where you’re staying.
Is Puerto Escondido safe for scooters?
There are a number of different places to rent scooters in Puerto Escondido and for the main part, they are safe.
We’d recommend never renting a scooter from a stranger and ensuring the company is reputable with good reviews.
Don’t have over your passport and make sure that the scooter is registered and that you have a helmet as to avoid hurting yourself when you fall off or have unnecessary run-ins with the local police.
If you’ve never ridden a scooter before we’d probably advise against it as Puerto is increasing in popularity and the roads can get fairly busy.
Are taxis in Puerto Escondido safe?
There are a number of different taxis that operate in Puerto Escondido and for the main part, they are safe.
Where possible look for taxi ranks and ensure you double-check the price before going to your destination as pretty much none of the taxis run meters.
Is There Cartel In Puerto Escondido?
The drug cartels are present in Puerto Escondido and other major tourist destinations in Mexico. However, it is unlikely that they will bother you as they are primarily focused on their business.
If their products are not of interest to you, you may not even be aware of their presence.
Puerto Escondido Safety Guide Summary
Puerto Escondido is one of the safest destinations for tourists in Mexico however it is important to stay aware of your surroundings to ensure your personal safety and the safety of your belongings.
Staying vigilant and taking precautions at night time while also heeding the advice of locals will also increase the chance of a drama-free visit.
We’d also recommend learning a little Spanish as this will further decrease the chances of you being targeted.
Overall, as long as you use common sense, Puerto Escondido is a safe and enjoyable Oaxaca destination that we highly recommend visiting.
