The Puerto Escondido nightlife is one of the top highlights for those who like to party. Regardless of what night of the week or what time of the year it is, there is always a party or event on and if you don’t have anyone to party with you should join the nightlife community.
For the purpose of this guide, we have broken down the nightlife into our recommendations based on each day of the week.
Where The Puerto Escondido Nightlife Is
Puerto Escondido has two main areas where you can find great nightlife almost every day of the week. These areas are known as La Punta and Zicatela, both areas having a large variety of restaurants and bars.
La Punta licensing dictates that bars need to shut at 11 pm so this is the area where people will normally start their night out.
Although they are supposed to close at 11 pm, bars in La Punta will normally push their luck and operate until around 12.30 am however they will never open later than this.
After the La Punta bars shut down most nights of the week the party shifts to Zicatela which has a large variety of clubs in addition to its restaurants and bars.
The club’s closing times vary here depending on the venue and what day of the week it is however they are usually open until at least 5 am.
Monday Nightlife
For normal people, this is the first day of the work week, and any form of quality nightlife is non-existent. Luckily for you, you’re not normal and you’re in Puerto Escondido, one of the ten top summer destinations of 2022 according to Airbnb.
Start at Savanna – La Punta
Savanna is an awesome bar located in La Punta that overlooks La Punta beach. If you’re keen to get the party started early on a Monday night they have a 2-for-1 cocktail special between 6 pm and 8 pm.
Savanna is open until 12 am however most people will have a drink or two here before going home to get ready to go out to Cactus at around 12 am.
Finish at Cactus Bar – Zicatela
Monday nights in Puerto are one of the best nights to party and the club of choice is Cactus. Although the venue is open from 11 pm, the night is at its best at around 1 – 2 am and the party carries on until around 5 am.
It is definitely worth noting that entry is free before 12 pm otherwise if you arrive later it costs 100 pesos at the door.
The beers are cheap and cost 50 pesos each however as is the case in most Puerto Escondido clubs, the mixers and cocktails are fairly expensive costing around 150 pesos each.
Cactus plays electronic / dance music and on a Monday night, the dancefloor parts in order to make way for local fire twirlers and dancers to entertain you during the party.
Tuesday Nightlife
Most other nights of the week have a go-to party destination however Tuesday nights are a little less scripted. As is the case with every night in Puerto Escondido we’d suggest starting at one of the bars in La Punta before grabbing a taxi to Zicatela.
Start at Mombasa – La Punta
Mombasa in La Punta is always a good option for starting the night on a Tuesday. As mentioned earlier Tuesdays are a little less scripted so if the atmosphere isn’t great at Mombasa you can always venture to Juana Mezcala or one of the other bars around the corner.
Finish at Chula or Xcaanda – Zicatela
Once you’re finished in La Punta we’d recommend heading to Chula, Xcaanda, or any other party that is being promoted in Zicatela. Normally each of these venues has a cover charge after 12 am which will cost around 100 pesos.
If you’re tight on cash and want to see how busy it is before paying you can always walk down the beach beside these bars and take a look.
Wednesday Nightlife
If you’re into salsa or dancing in general then Wednesday is definitely the place to be. As is mostly the case you’ll want to start the night in La Punta before making your way to Congo Bar.
Start at Juana Mezcala – La Punta
Juana Mezcala normally has a great atmosphere most nights of the week making it a great go-to party destination in La Punta. If you’ve never tried mezcal or if you’re a mezcal fan in general this is a great venue for it.
They have a wide variety to try or if you’re looking for a special you can normally get a beer and mezcal for 100 pesos which is a great deal.
After having a couple of these specials you’ll be ready to head on over to the taxi rank located right outside the door and head on over to Congo.
Finish at Congo – Playa Principal
Congo is a fairly small venue located on Av. Alfonso Pérez Gasga behind Playa Principal beach. This area is not normally frequented by partygoers however on a Wednesday Congo is very busy and the atmosphere is awesome.
The bar plays reggaeton and it is recommended to get here any time after 11 pm. If there is a big queue you can always go to the Oxxo located on the corner behind you and grab a beer to drink while waiting in line. The entry price for Congo on a Wednesday night is normally around 50 pesos.
Finish at Zazu – Zicatela
Discover the freshest beats at Zazu, a newly unveiled club on Zicatela Beach. With a techno-infused atmosphere, the ideal time to arrive is around 11 pm.
Your entry into this musical haven comes at a reasonable $100 pesos, ensuring a night filled with electrifying tunes and vibrant energy in the heart of town.
Thursday Nightlife
Thursday is a really popular party night in Puerto Escondido and the place to be is at Punta Origen for open mic night. Anyone is welcome to get up and perform although the caliber of musicians is quite high so be prepared! If you do wish to perform all you need to do is write your name down when you arrive.
Start at Punta Vida – La Punta
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Start your evening watching the Sunset with cocktails on Punta Vida’s rooftop bar and restaurant. It’s the only beachfront rooftop in La Punta and it’s become one of the best spots in Puerto.
It’s only one block away from Open mic which is a popular even on Thursdays. So get some food and drinks for sunset at Punta Vida and then walk down to Open Mic after that!”
Continue at Punta Origen – La Punta
If you’re more of an observer than a performer Thursday night is a great time to sit back, grab a beer and enjoy the show.
The best time to get there is anywhere from 9 pm – 10 pm as the bar is normally open until around 11.30 pm. Once open mic night finishes at Punta Origen if you want to keep drinking the party normally moves down the road to Mombasa.
If Mombasa is closed, or once the party finishes you’ll find the taxi rank conveniently located over the road where you’ll be able to grab a ride to Zicatela for 80 pesos or less.
There are normally promoters at Mombasa letting you know where the afterparty is however it is usually at Chula or Xcaanda or Coconutz.
Friday & Saturday Nightlife
For the purpose of this guide, we have merged Friday and Saturday nights into one section as there are endless options for getting amongst the Puerto Escondido weekend nightlife.
The streets of La Punta are normally swarming with travelers and you can make your way between the different bars based on the atmosphere you’re looking for.
Start at Bonita Escondida – La Punta
As mentioned above the weekend is full of countless options for places to party however if you’re looking for something a little different you may consider starting the night at Bonita Escondida hostel.
You’ll find yourself outside a closed door on the street which after knocking on a security guard will be more than happy to let you in.
Around the back, you’ll find the bar located next to the pool where you can get beers for around 40 pesos.
Start at Strawhat – Tamarindo
Embark on a sensational Saturday at Strawhat’s Pool Party, a weekly extravaganza that promises pure delight. Immerse yourself in a sun-kissed paradise where the pool beckons, and the atmosphere radiates with energy.
Revel in the festivities with enticing promotions on drinks and beers, creating the perfect backdrop for socializing and relaxation. Indulge your taste buds with the culinary wonders of Choripan and Argentinean BBQ.
For the adventurous spirits, why not leave with a lasting memory? Explore the world of dotwork tattoos on-site, making your poolside experience at Strawhat truly unique and unforgettable.
Finish at any club in Zicatela
Depending on where you started the night partying you’ll want to make your way to the Zicatela strip (the street that runs perpendicular to Zicatela beach) at around 12 am.
The weekend is when you get to choose where you want to party rather than the night of the week dictating where you need to go.
There are a lot of options to choose from however some of the most popular clubs to go to are Xcaanda, Mar & Wana, Iguana, and Cañabrava.
The entry price for most of the clubs is around 100-150 pesos depending on if there are any special events. Promoters normally presell wristbands for less on the street so if you want to preorganize your tickets it will save you a little bit of money.
Must Read → Puerto Escondido Bachelor Party Guide
Sunday Night Party
Following sunset on Sunday night at around 8 pm, it’s time for a BBQ and beers at Punta Vida. For 150 pesos the BBQ consists of either chicken or a vegetarian option accompanied by a large coleslaw salad. The food here is great and the beers are cheap, costing only 50 pesos each.
Start in La Punta at Punta Vida
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Following sunset on Sunday night at around 7 pm, it’s time for the famous Sunday BBQ at Punta Vida. Every Sunday, hundreds of people go to Punta Vida to hang with friends, listen to music and of course enjoy the BBQ dinner that consists of either slow cooked BBQ chicken or a vegetarian option accompanied by roasted potatoes with garlic and rosemary.
The food here is amazing and the beers are cheap, costing only 50 pesos each.
Punta Vida recently opened up their new Rooftop bar and restaurant which is also open on Sunday’s. If you want more fancy food and cocktails on Sunday you can head to their rooftop to enjoy their full menu and fresh air while still being able to see the big sunday BBQ party happening on the beach below.
At around 9:30 pm after everyone has finished eating and socializing, the tables are cleared away and the DJ turns up the music, and the real Sunday night party begins. They bring in some of the best DJ’s from around the world so you can dance the night away. By the end of the night all three floors are full of people dancing and having a great time with friends.
The party at Punta Vida normally goes on until 11 pm and if you’re feeling a little bit tipsy and want to keep going then head on over to Isha.
Finish in Zicatela at Isha
Isha is located in Zicatela and is a great go-to after-party on a Sunday. The entry is 50 pesos entry if not on the guest list which is on their instagram and closes at sunset on Sundays.
They offer a free drink before 23:45 if you get a flyer from Punta Vida or on the beach and it is open from 10 pm until 3 am.
Final thoughts
There are so many more great bars that are worth visiting in Puerto Escondido however this is just a general guide to follow that should help you find the party action while you’re here.
If you’re in town and you’d like to get the latest advice or pre-organize tickets for any of the parties send us a message and we’ll be happy to put you in touch with some promoters to ensure you get the best Puerto Escondido nightlife experience.
