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Mexico is the most popular vacation destination for American travelers. But that popularity comes at a price…and a big hit to your wallet.
Popular resorts like Cancun and Tulum are often big budget destinations. But that doesn't have to be the case!
Enter Puerto Escondido, Mexico's hot new beach destination for travelers with a tight grip on their wallets.
Puerto Escondido is home to some worthy beaches, is the top-rated surfing destination in Mexico (and one of the best in the world), and also boasts some exceptional natural beauty.
Here's the thing: Budget travel doesn't have to mean low-quality travel.
I think you can enjoy the same cultural explorations, white sand beaches, and epic local cuisine for a fraction of the cost of a Cancun resort vacation.
And to prove it, here's a look at the perfect trip to Puerto Escondido and how much it will cost:
Things to do in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is located on the Emerald Coast of Oaxaca and is known for its beaches and epic nightlife.
One of the best beaches to explore in the area is Playa Carrizalillo, a quiet cove perfect for swimming and kayaking.
It is one of the few beaches in Puerto Escondido where you can also paddleboard.
Or Puerto Angelito. This is a more popular place with tourists, which means it is livelier and has a more vibrant atmosphere.
But it's a great place to eat seafood and sunbathe on the soft sand.
There's nothing I love more than spending time at the beach, swimming and paddleboarding, but as a bonus, they're some of the most affordable vacation activities – they don't have to cost a dime!
Many turtles return to the beaches of this part of the coast to nest.
Visiting the Baby Turtle Release Centre is a great way to learn more about these incredible creatures, and you can do your part for their conservation by participating in the nightly turtle release.
You can hold the baby turtle as you gently release it into the sea and experience the spectacle of hundreds of these tiny animals scurrying towards the water.
You will be asked to make a contribution of 150 Mexican pesos ($8) per person to participate in this.
If you're in the surf capital of Mexico, you'll probably want to surf.
Surfers come from all over the world to ride Puerto Escondido's famous barrel waves.
If you are an experienced surfer, the easiest and most affordable way to do this is to simply rent a board and hit the waves.
If you are new to surfing, it is advisable to take one or two lessons beforehand. Puerto Surf has an excellent reputation and you can choose between private or group lessons (group lessons being the most affordable option). the group lesson will cost 750 MXN ($39) and a private lesson will cost 900 MXN ($47).
How to get to Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido has its own airport (PXM), which is obviously the most convenient option, but you can't fly directly from the US at the moment as it's not an international airport.
You will need to fly to Mexico City and then another flight from here.
The two cheapest airports to choose from for flying this route in October are Houston and Chicago, at the time of writing.
Departing from Chicago, October 8-15, for a round-trip economy flight, you can expect to pay $276.
It is fly with Vivo Aerobusand as I mentioned above, you will have a stopover in Mexico City.
You can also fly into Oaxaca (OAX), located 131.3 km away, with a range of transfer options available.
In October, you can fly direct to Oaxaca from Los Angeles, Dallas or Houston. Flights from Los Angeles are currently the cheapest option.
Fly from October 7th to 14th to get a round-trip economy class ticket for $269.
You'll be flying with Volaris, and the flight time for this route is just 4 hours and 2 minutes.
There are flights with similar prices throughout October and November.
The drive time from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is just under 3 hours if you want to rent a car or a private driver. (Fun fact! It took me longer to get to Tulum from Cancun airport by private transfer in May)
Alternatively, you can take a bus, which takes about 7/8 hours, but on the bright side, the journey costs less than $20!
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
What pleasantly surprised me most when putting this article together was how affordable accommodation is in Puerto Escondido.
There are hostels available in the city for as little as $15 per night, and they are popular with backpackers and surfers.
The vast majority of them have received excellent reviews. But since I wouldn't be staying in a hostel myself, I won't be listing any of them here!
A 3-night stay in a 3-star hotel Camino Del Sol Hotel From October 16 to 19, the price will be $189, based on 2 people sharing a superior king room. It only costs $63 per night, and the hotel has a pool, air conditioning and is close to the beach.
If you want to treat yourself to a 4 star hotel, then the DC Boutique Hotel and Spa is located just 50 metres from the beach and features a rooftop outdoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre, as well as an on-site bar and restaurant.
For the same dates it would cost $268 based on 2 people sharing, which works out to $89 per night.
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This article was originally published on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are those of the author and not of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the article.
