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Puerto Escondido on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Puerto Escondido is very good on a budget, especially if you stay in La Punta and eat street food. A realistic minimum is about MX$1,050 a day per person sharing a room — around MX$400 for a bed, MX$400 for food, MX$150 for activities and MX$100 for transport.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | MX$400 | MX$1,100 | MX$3,000 |
| Food & drink | MX$400 | MX$800 | MX$1,500 |
| Sights & tickets | MX$150 | MX$600 | MX$1,200 |
| Local transport | MX$100 | MX$250 | MX$600 |
| Per person, per day | MX$1,050 | MX$2,750 | MX$6,300 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Puerto Escondido day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Watching the surfers on Zicatela in the morning
- La Punta beach at the southern end of Zicatela
- Swimming at Carrizalillo, down a stairway of about 160 steps
- The sheltered bays of Puerto Angelito and Playa Manzanillo
- Sunset from Bacocho beach or the cliffs above Carrizalillo
- Walking El Adoquín, the pedestrian street near Playa Principal
Cheap eats
- Tlayudas, large crisp tortillas with beans, cheese and meat — MX$40–100
- Memelas, thick tortillas with toppings
- Tamales in banana leaves
- Ceviche or aguachile shrimp at a simple beach stall
- Fruit and snacks at the Mercado Benito Juárez
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and surf camps in La Punta, at the quieter southern end of Zicatela, at about MX$500–1,000 a night, with dorm beds cheaper. Book early for Christmas, New Year and Easter.
Getting around cheaply
Walk along Zicatela and El Adoquín, and use colectivos and cheap taxis (about MX$60–120) for longer hops between beaches. From Oaxaca City, shuttle vans and buses are cheaper than flying.
A sample budget day
- Morning: watch the surfers on Zicatela and walk to La Punta, free
- Lunch: memelas and a tlayuda from a street stall (about MX$100)
- Afternoon: taxi to Carrizalillo (about MX$80) and swim in the cove, free
- Evening: sunset on Bacocho, then grilled fish and a beer on El Adoquín (about MX$300)
- Total: about MX$1,050 including a shared room (about MX$400)
More ways to save
- Share taxis with other travellers to split the fare.
- Book tours directly with local operators at Playa Principal and compare prices.
- Drink mezcal in local bars rather than resort-style places on the beachfront.
- Refill water bottles at your hostel instead of buying many small bottles.
- Travel in November or April for dry weather with fewer crowds than December to March.
- Carry cash for tours, markets and Chacahua, where card payment and cash machines are limited.
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Common questions
Can you visit Puerto Escondido on a budget?
Yes. Stay in La Punta, eat street food and use free beaches. Plan on about MX$1,050 a day.
How much is a taxi in Puerto Escondido?
About MX$60–120 for most rides in town. Agree the price before getting in.
How do I get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido cheaply?
By shuttle van or bus, roughly 3.5–4.5 hours on the newer highway. Book a day ahead in high season.