Is Puerto Escondido A Party Town? EPIC Party Tips! (2023)

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Is Puerto Escondido a party town? This post answers one of the most asked questions about Puerto Escondido. After living there for nearly two months in 2022 (with a return ticket booked), we saw just how much of a party town Puerto Escondido actually is.

So, is Puerto Escondido a party town?

Whilst there is a big party scene in Puerto Escondido, you can also spend your time there chilling, surfing, relaxing and eating. Puerto Escondido is big enough to either throw yourself into the party nightclub scene or stay completely away from it.

If you’re looking to drink in Puerto Escondido, the best place to start is La Punta. This is where most backpackers stay and is located in the south.

La Punta is known for its live music, chill bar scene and laid-back atmosphere. Most people tend to head out to Zicatela from midnight onwards, as La Punta comes to a close.

Zicatela is known in Puerto Escondido as ‘the party doesn’t stop until the people stop‘ place, so your night can last until the early hours!

But like I said, if you stay out of Zicatela, you don’t need to engage with the wild, party side at all! Even when we were in La Punta, we never felt like it was too ‘wild’.

We loved the laid-back atmosphere of Puerto Escondido, especially in La Punta. It’s an atmosphere like no other.

Is Puerto Escondido a party town? A Summary

Puerto Escondido is only a party town if you want it to be. If you want to party, head to areas like La Punta and Zicatela. If you’d prefer to chill, relax and eat good food, head to areas like Rinconada, Centro and Bacocho.

You can visit Puerto Escondido and never engage with the ‘party’ side if you don’t want to. Or, you can party the night away in a beach club and bar in Zicatela until 6 am!

Whilst we lived in Puerto Escondido, we did a mix of both. As we lived in La Punta, most of our evenings were filled with live music and chilled bars. Not technically a party vibe, but there was always the option to continue after.

The main area in Puerto Escondido to party is Zicatela. Most of the bars in La Punta are only allowed to play music and serve alcohol until 12 am. That means you need somewhere to continue if you’re not finished!

Most backpackers start their night in La Punta (most famously Juana Mezcala, Mombasa or Punta Vida), and then head down to Zicatela as the night goes on.

If you avoid Zicatela (we did most of the time), you won’t need to engage in any of the wild party side. That means you can travel to Puerto Escondido with people of any age, young or old, and not feel like you’re in the middle of Ibiza’s peak season every night.

However, if you enjoy a good atmosphere, chilled drinks, live music and a fun vibe, I recommend La Punta. It’s the best area in Puerto Escondido for music, sunsets and has an overall ‘chilled, hippy’ vibe. We loved it, and found it to be a better pace than Zicatela!

Where are the best places to party in Puerto Escondido?

So where are the best places to party in Puerto Escondido? That all depends on what you’re looking for.

Below I have listed the best places in Puerto Escondido for live music, crazy backpacker bars, late-late nightclubs and beach clubs.

Best live music in Puerto Escondido

If you’re looking for live music in Puerto Escondido, these are some of the best bars and restaurants in the area.

LA PUNTA

• Juana Mezcala: (££) 10am – 11pm. Every night live music or a DJ. There’s a small dancefloor for when you’ve had a few mezcals!
• Mombasa: (££) 5pm – 1am. Live jazz nights, DJs, a small dancefloor and delicious cocktails.
• Piyoli: (££) 8am – 12am. Live music most nights.
• Zicotolo: (££) 12pm-11pm. Live music most nights in an outdoor setting with fairy lights and lounge chairs. Also runs pool parties during the day!

ZICATELA

• Casa Babylon: (££) early-2.30am. Live music and dancing every night from 10pm.
• BrujaBar (££): 3.30pm-4am. Live music with a punk rock feel.
• Selina Hostel (£££): A hostel with an onsite bar and live music.

Spending January in Puerto Escondido? I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know here!

Best backpacker bars in Puerto Escondido

If you’re looking for cheap, crazy and wild parties for backpackers in Puerto Escondido, these are some of the best bars and restaurants in the area.

LA PUNTA

• Punta Vida: (££) 9am – 11pm. A beachside, run-down venue that hosts crazy day sessions (especially on a Sunday).
• Bonita Escondida: (£) – this is one of the most popular backpacker hostels, but in the evenings it opens its doors to anyone who wants cheap drinks and an epic party.
• The Boneyard: (£) 5pm – 12am. A large skating bowl with a bar, pizza and chilled atmosphere.
• Bikini Bar: (£) 1pm-11pm. A small bar with swings, good drinks and a fun atmosphere.

CENTRO AND RINCONADA

• Congo Bar: (£) 5pm – late. A cheap, backpacker bar with ping pong tables and loud music.
• Akupara Sports Bar: (£) 2pm-12am. Chill setting for sports and wings.

ZICATELA

• Rosarito Restaurant and Bar (££)
• Selina Hostel (£££): A hostel with an onsite bar and live music.
• Palapita Bar (££). Cocktail bar on the beach with a fun atmosphere.
• Restaurant Esmerelda (££). Happy hours during the day with large pool tables and games.
• La Taberna (£): 8am-12am. Chilled bar with good tacos and music.
• Cactus Bar (£): 10.30-11pm. Fun backpacker bar with good food and EDM music.

Best beach clubs in Puerto Escondido

LA PUNTA

• Punta Vida: (££) 9am – 11pm. A beachside, run-down venue that hosts crazy day sessions (especially on a Sunday).
• Xcaanda: (££) 8am-3am. Beach club and restaurant during the day, nightclub at night. It’s the place where most backpackers end up on a night out!

ZICATELA

• Zolem Beach Club (££): 10am-12am. Beach club with pool and music.
• Sunrise Beach Club (£££): 10am-10pm. A chilled day beach club.
• Brad’s Split Coconut: (££) Chilled bar with cheap drinks on the beach.

Best nightclubs in Puerto Escondido

LA PUNTA

• Juana Mezcala: (££) 10am – 11pm. Every night live music or a DJ. There’s a small dancefloor for when you’ve had a few mezcals!
• Mombasa: (££) 5pm – 1am. Live jazz nights, DJs, a small dancefloor and delicious cocktails.

ZICATELA

• Xcaanda: (££) 8am-3am. Beach club and restaurant during the day, nightclub at night. It’s the place where most backpackers end up on a night out!
• Mar and Wana (££): 5pm – 3am. The best place to party if you want house and trance music in an outdoor woodlands setting.

Can you drink on the beach in Puerto Escondido?

Yes, you can drink on the beach in Puerto Escondido, with the most popular drinking beach being La Punta. Around an hour before sunset, most backpackers and tourists (and locals!) will head down to the beach to watch the sunset and drink beer, tequlia or whatever they’ve got their hands on!

There will be a mix of calm, chilled drinking, as well as big groups having Mezcal shots poured down their throat with loud music playing on speakers. You pick your vibe!

TOP TIP: If you’re looking for a more chilled vibe when watching the sunset, head right as you walk onto the beach (towards ‘Punta Vida’ / Zicatela beach). Or, if you want the opposite and want to experience the mezcal shots and live music, head left when you walk onto the beach (towards the rocks).

There’s also a large volleyball pitch outside Punta Vida, where you can play for fun with other backpackers at 4.30pm every day.

In Puerto Escondido in February? I cover everything you need here: Puerto Escondido in February: Weather, Tips + More (2023)

Top tips for nightlife in Puerto Escondido

Want to party in Puerto Escondido? Check out these tips first!

• Spanish is spoken in Puerto Escondido, and not many locals speak English. It is so important that you have a basic level of Spanish before backpacking Mexico.
• Cash is still king in La Punta, but there are NO cash points! Bring cash with you or head to Centro to use an ATM.
• The best time to be in La Punta is during sunset. Head to the beach an hour before for the best atmosphere and live music.

Read this guide if you’re looking to rent a car in Puerto Escondido to help you get around!

Where to stay if you want to party in Puerto Escondido

Looking for the best places to stay in Puerto Escondido? I’ve written a guide on the best areas in Puerto, as well as the best hostels.

But if you’re specifically looking for La Punta hostels and hotels so you’re close to the action to party, here are some of the best places to stay.

• Bonita Escondida (££): if you want to party, meet friends and have a crazy time in Puerto Escondido.
• Casa Punta (££): for a fun, social hostel.
• Pacific Buddha (£): for those on a tight budget needing a hostel room in the heart of La Punta.

Check out the best hostels in Puerto Escondido here.

What to NOT do in Puerto Escondido on a night out

You will be offered illegal substances openly, especially at the first main beach entrance in La Punta, and throughout Zicatela. Do not engage in any buying of illegal substances.

Getting caught in Mexico will end your trip, and getting into trouble with law enforcement here isn’t something you want. We saw police doing regular spot checks on the beach, especially around sunset. Don’t get involved!

Can you swim in Puerto Escondido? Click here for everything you need to know.

Best travel insurance for backpackers in Mexico

If you’re visiting Mexico as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Mexico, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Mexico. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Where to eat in Puerto Escondido

One of the best things about Puerto Escondido is the food. And some of the restaurants have an amazing evening vibe too, so they’re the perfect place to start your night.

So whilst you’re here to know ‘is Puerto Escondido a party town?’, it’s also a foodie town! If you’re interested in the best restaurants in Puerto Escondido, check out my post: 25 BEST Restaurants in Puerto Escondido for Foodies! (2023). You’re not going to want to miss a single place on this list, trust me!

(Spoiler: My favourite is Smoke Shack in La Punta. It was one of the best restaurants we visited in the whole of Mexico).

Getting around Puerto Escondido

Getting around Puerto Esconido is easy (but not walkable) and is most commonly by scooter, hire car, colectivo (public bus) or taxi. It is possible to walk within each area, but journeys between areas like La Punta to Bacocho would take a couple of hours, and it’s HOT!

If you need to know the ins and outs of getting around Puerto Escondido, check out my post: Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2022: A Complete Guide.

At night, it’s safe to take either a taxi, or to walk (depending on how far you have to go). If you’re visiting Puerto Escondido and are worried about staying safe, check out my guide: Is Puerto Escondido Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice (2023).

Hiring a car? Check out the widget below to book easily!

Is Puerto Escondido walkable?

If you are sticking to one area, yes it is walkable. For example, if you have a day out to La Punta, you wouldn’t need a mode of transport to get around La Punta.

However, if you’re staying in La Punta, but would like to go to the turtle release on Playa Bacocho, it isn’t walkable. The five main areas in Puerto Escondido are not necessarily walkable to each other (for example, Rinconada and La Punta, as they are just too far). In this case, you will need a scooter, hire car, colectivo or taxi.

Are taxis safe in Puerto Escondido?

Yes, taxis are safe in Puerto Escondido. Even when I needed to take a taxi alone, I felt safe. Of course, always use common sense, trust your gut instinct and ideally travel with someone else (especially at night). But in general, taxis in Puerto Escondido are a safe, cheap and reliable way to travel.

Want to know if Uber is in Puerto Escondido? Read this post for more info!

• Is Puerto Escondido Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice (2023)

Is Puerto Escondido very touristy?

Puerto Escondido is a vacation/holiday town for Mexican families as well as backpackers, so there are many tourists in the area. However, Puerto Escondido isn’t easy to get to. As the mountain range between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido isn’t known to be safe to drive through, and flights are expensive, Puerto Escondido still isn’t too touristy or busy.

However, as it becomes more well-known (especially amongst backpackers and digital nomads), Puerto Escondido is becoming more and more popular.

In 2023, a highway between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido is opening, which means the treacherous mountain journey no longer needs to exist. I can’t predict what is going to happen, but I believe this will make Puerto Escondido a whole lot busier!

For your information:

• Busiest backpacker areas: La Punta and Rinconada
• Most local tourists and Mexican families: Playa Principal, Manzanillo and Angelito
• Quietest area with the least tourists: Bacocho
• Busiest areas with both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking tourists: Centro and Zicatela

Want to know more about Rinconada? My post has you covered – Rinconada Puerto Escondido: ULTIMATE Guide! (2023)

Do people speak English in Puerto Escondido?

No, Spanish is the main language in Puerto Escondido. Some locals have a basic understanding of English, but I strongly recommend learning basic Spanish before backpacking Mexico. We found communication the hardest part about being in the country, and it creates a barrier between you and the locals.

The majority of locals and people living in Puerto Escondido speak Spanish. The majority of visitors to the area are Mexican locals, or tourists from South and Central America. In bars, restaurants and shops, the workers will mainly speak Spanish, with very little English.

If you don’t want to sign up for a Spanish school or lessons, learn simple phrases. For example, we found the following phrases to be used the most:

• Please: por favor
• Thank you: gracias
• My name is…: Me llamo…
• Nice to meet you: Mucho gusto
• Yes: Si
• No: No
• What: que
• Where: donde
• Toilet: banos/bano
• Girls/ladies: mujeres or damas (look for an M or D on the toilet doors)
• Help: ayuda
• The bill/check: La cuenta
• Mas: more
• Lista: ready

Heading to Puerto Escondido from Mazunte? Read my guide here.

Is Puerto Escondido A Party Town?: In A Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about Puerto Escondido and it’s party town vibes!

When you’re planning a trip to Puerto Escondido, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Mexico content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x