Playa Puerto Suelo is the stunning beach that resides in front of the well-known Laguna Manialtepec. It is a lesser-known beach in Puerto Escondido however it is definitely worth a visit.
A lot of the tours that operate in Laguna Manialtepec will try to make it to Puerto Suelo for sunset as that is the optimal time to visit.
Where is Playa Puerto Suelo
Playa Puerto Suelo is located between Laguna Manialtepec and the ocean. It is 24.3 kilometers and approximately a 33-minute drive northwest of the Puerto Escondido airport.
How to get there
Getting to Playa Puerto Suelo is dependent on what time of year it is and how the rivers are flowing. You can’t simply just walk up the beach to get there as you may find the way blocked by Laguna Manialtepec and the ocean being connected.
The easiest way to get there is to go by car or bike although you may want to postpone the adventure a couple of days if it has been raining as there is a good chance that parts of the road may be covered in water from the rain making it hard to navigate if you’re on a scooter.
As long as the roads aren’t completely covered you’ll still be able to navigate around the water-covered road to eventually get to the point where you can’t drive any further. After reaching this point, you’ll want to park your vehicle (or horse) on the side of the road.
Once you’ve parked your vehicle you’ll see a little boat that is going back and forth across the river. This is your transport for getting across the river and it costs 10 pesos per person each way.
It is a very small crossing and it will only take a couple of minutes to get across. Some locals wade across the river however it is important to note that it is home to crocodiles so this is definitely something we wouldn’t recommend.
Once on the other side of the river crossing a really short walk through the palm trees will take you through to the beach.
What to do at Playa Puerto Suelo
Puerto Suelo is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the gorgeous views away from the normal Puerto Escondido crowd. So very few people visit here that you’ll have your own slice of paradise all to yourself.
Walk along the stunning beach
Around 500 meters to your east is the river mouth where Laguna Manialtepec connects to the ocean. The walk along the beach here is nice and peaceful and it won’t take you long. The river does not always connect but when it does this is what causes the bioluminescence phenomenon.
If you’re into fishing and have the equipment you may want to take it with you as you’ll notice a lot of locals fishing around this area in general.
Grab something to eat
What better way to enjoy the view than by sipping on a beer or enjoying a nice tasty seafood meal. Ribera del Rio, Playa Puerto Suelo is a restaurant that is located right on the waterfront where you can grab a bite to eat.
Open every day until 8 pm the food is well priced although they don’t have a set menu. The most popular option is the guacamole and the shrimp dish that they do.
Horse Riding
Horse riding at Playa Puerto Suelo is one of the most popular things to do in Puerto Escondido. Although you can’t organize it yourself once you get there if you’d prefer to visit this area by doing a horse riding tour and you have the money to spare it is highly recommended.
If you made your own way here then you can still enjoy watching the horses stroll along the beach at sunset which makes for an awesome picture.
Best time to visit Playa Puerto Suelo
The best time to visit Playa Puerto Suelo is at sunset or a few hours beforehand if you don’t want to make your way back to your Puerto accommodation in the dark.
Sunsets here can be enjoyed almost exclusively and as previously mentioned there is a good chance you’ll see the horse riding tours pass by as the sun is going down making for a great photo opportunity.
Where to stay near Playa Puerto Suelo
There are a number of exclusive resorts that are located near Playa Puerto Suelo. One option is Hotel Escondido which is an adult-only resort. The other great option that is nearby for families and couples is Vivo Resorts.
These are high-end accommodation options however if you’re looking for something a little cheaper and more adventurous you can actually stay right next to Playa Puerto Suelo in the cabin accommodation that is behind the Ribera del Rio restaurant.
The cabins themselves are nothing special however it’s the location and experience you’re paying for. They cost 500 pesos for a night and have a double bed inside them.
If you have your own tent you can always chat with the owner and she’ll be happy to let you camp here for a small fee of around 200 pesos per night. It is well worth it to sleep next to the ocean and hear the waves breaking only on the beach less than 50 meters away from you.
Playa Puerto Suelo Summary
Playa Puerto Suelo is a hidden gem in Puerto Escondido that is definitely worth a visit. Although getting there may require some effort, the stunning beach and peaceful surroundings make it all worth it.
The best time to visit is at sunset, where you can enjoy the exclusive view and take in the beauty of the Laguna Manialtepec meeting the ocean.
Whether you’re looking for a high-end accommodation option or an adventurous camping experience, there are plenty of options nearby. Don’t miss the chance to relax and enjoy your own slice of paradise at Playa Puerto Suelo.
