Santa Maria Colotepec is a town that is located approximately 20 kilometers East of Puerto Escondido. It is a small quaint town with a population of approximately 27,000 people as of 2020.
The town is situated on the Colotepec River which runs all the way down to the mouth at La Barra.
If you have a scooter or a bike while in Puerto Escondido we would definitely recommend driving from Puerto Escondido to Colotepec as the surrounding Mexico scenery makes for a stunning backdrop.
Although you can take a Colectivo or a taxi all the way to Colotepec, we’d probably only recommend going here if you have a bike as the adventure of getting there on the winding roads make for half of the excitement.
Where is Santa María Colotepec
Santa María Colotepec is located approximately 20 kilometers, 25 – 30 minutes drive from Puerto Escondido.
How to get here
Taxis and colectivos will take you to Colotepec however we would recommend coming here with a bike/scooter for the most enjoyable experience.
What to do in Colotepec
The town center of Santa María Colotepec is a great spot to sit down and enjoy the quiet little town. Behind the Colotepec sign, there is an old building that has been overrun by tree roots which is a great photo opportunity.
Not many tourists venture to Colotepec but if you have spare time and want to explore somewhere new it’s definitely a fun little afternoon outing and it doesn’t take long to get there.
The locals are more than welcoming and if you’re lucky they’ll usher you over to join them for a beer.
Puente colgante
Though the town itself is small and there is not an excess of things to do, the journey here is half the adventure and if you go a little North there is an awesome rope bridge that suspends over the Colotepec river which is a fun little walk and also a great photo opportunity.
Agencia Municipal Santa Maria Colotepec
This is an establishment where citizens can request various licenses related to construction or obtain information such as birth certificates.
Best time to visit Colotepec
We would recommend visiting here for a little half-day adventure and we would recommend going in the afternoon and coming back before sunset.
Making your way back to Puerto Escondido on the winding roads while the sun is setting over the fields makes for an awesome experience that will make you love the fact you’re in Mexico.
Where to stay in Colotepec?
As it is less frequented by tourists, finding hotels can be challenging in this primarily local area. Most accommodations nearby are situated in La Barra or La Punta. We suggest considering a day trip and returning to Puerto Escondido for lodging.
Colotepec Summary
Santa Maria Colotepec is a small town located approximately 20 kilometers East of Puerto Escondido. With a population of around 27,000 people, it is situated on the Colotepec River, which flows down to the mouth at La Barra.
While there may not be an abundance of activities in the town itself, the journey there is an adventure in itself, with winding roads and stunning scenery.
Although we wouldn’t put it at the top of our list of things to do in Puerto Escondido if you have a bike or scooter, it is recommended to drive to Colotepec for the most enjoyable experience.
The locals are welcoming, and there are some great photo opportunities, such as the old building overrun by tree roots and the rope bridge over the Colotepec River.
The best time to visit is in the afternoon, and be sure to head back before sunset to enjoy the picturesque scenery on your return to Puerto Escondido.
