Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido: Ultimate Guide (2023)

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Playa Manzanillo is one of our favourite beaches in Puerto Escondido. Located right next to Playa Angelito, Manzanillo is perfect for sunbathing on the golden sand, swimming in the shallow water or snorkelling around the rocks.

Playa Manzanillo is only a short walk from Centro, and entry is via around 15 accessible steps. This makes it easier to reach than its neighbouring beaches; Bocacho and Carrizalillo!

In this post, everything about Playa Manzanillo in Puerto Escondido is explained. From the waves to the surroundings, restaurant prices and facilities, everything you’d need to know about this beach, is here!

This post is part of a beaches in Puerto Escondido series:

• Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2022)
• Playa Carrizalillo: Ultimate First Timer Guide (2022)
• Playa Bacocho: Everything You Need To Know (2022)

Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido Summary

🏖️ Best for: Laid-back vibes, calm, shallow waters with many restaurants.

📍 Location: A 10-minute walk from Centro Puerto Escondido. Right next to Playa Angelito, and can be accessed either via steps or Playa Angelito. Facing the sea, Puerto Angelito is on the left, while Manzanillo is right.

🌅 Sunset view: Partial views

🤑 Budget: Medium-high

🚽 Facilities: Toilets and sun loungers are available. No wifi.

🏊‍♂‍ Swimming?: Yes. Make sure to always check the signs before getting in the water (‘no nadar’ means no swimming).

🏄 Surfing?: No

🍔 Best restaurant: Colores Restaurant and Beach Lounge, or El Cafecito in Rinconada

Where is Playa Manzanillo?

Playa Manzanillo is around a 10-15 minute walk from Centro Puerto Escondido. It is just before the Rinconada restaurant strip and is a left turning off of Av. Hidalgo.

It is nestled between the Adoquín area and Rinconada. Playa Angelito is directly next to Manzanillo (which is another small beach) and you can walk across a walkway between the two.

If you are staying in La Punta or Zicatela, it may be best to get a colectivo, taxi or scooter to reach Playa Manzanillo. The walk there in the sun would be unbearable!

How to get to Playa Manzanillo

Access is via a left turn on Av. Hidalgo (if you’re coming from Centro). Continue walking along the dusty path, until you come to a ‘crossroads’ on the corridor between Manzanillo and Angelito.

If you’re facing the sea, the right path will lead to Playa Manzanillo, and the left path to Angelito. Don’t worry if you take a wrong turn, you can easily walk across to either beach when you are down the bottom.

The beach is at the bottom of around 15-20 steps. They’re not the best and don’t have a handlebar. But, they are much easier to use than the steep hill leading there about 20m further!

What to expect at Playa Manzanillo

Manzanillo is another beach full of locals and Mexican tourists, with a few backpackers in between.

It’s in a small bay with many docked boats. The water is calm and shallow, making it perfect to swim in. Snorkelling is a popular activity in Manzanillo, as there are so many colourful corals and fish swimming near the rocks.

Playa Manzanillo is full of restaurants, colourful parasols and old-school plastic chairs lining the beachfront. There’s also a small beach club with a DJ, and a few locals selling coconuts.

You can’t see the sunset entirely from here, but you can see it peeping through the palm trees on a clear day. The water also isn’t the cleanest as the docked boats are so close by, but it’s still clean enough to swim in.

The busiest time of day in Manzanillo is in the evening. Groups big and small congregate on the sand to watch the (partial) sunset and drink beer. It has a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, which is one of the reasons why we love it so much!

Facilities at Playa Manzanillo

Manzanillo has public toilets, restaurants and sun loungers for hire. There is no wifi available at Playa Manzanillo.

Where to eat at Playa Manzanillo

There are many restaurants in Playa Manzanillo, and they vary in price. If you stay on the beach for lunch or dinner, I recommend eating at:

• Colores Restaurant and Beach Lounge
• La Palapa Del Chacal
• La Isla Beach Club

However, if you’re a budget backpacker like us, I’d recommend heading back up to Rinconada for your lunch to save extra money.

Surfing at Playa Manzanillo

You cannot surf at Playa Manzanillo. The waves are not big enough, the bay is too small, and there are many fishing boats docked near the shore.

Playa Manzanillo Puerto Escondido is for swimming and snorkelling only.

Visiting Puerto Escondido for the first time? Check out my other posts:

• Best Beaches in Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2022)
• How To Get From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido (2022 Guide)
• Puerto Escondido in November: Weather, Tips + More (2022)
• Turtle Release Puerto Escondido, Playa Bacocho (2022)
• Other Puerto Escondido guides

Snorkelling at Playa Manzanillo

Snorkelling at Playa Manzanillo is a popular activity. There are a few small shops to hire a snorkel set, but I recommend buying your own in Centro or near your accommodation to get a cheaper price. Shops on the beaches in Puerto Escondido are also not very reliable, and can be closed when you need them!

Playa Manzanillo snorkelling gives you the chance to see colourful fish and corals, especially close to the rocks. The waves are calm enough to snorkel safely. Be careful though – I did get ‘lightly’ stung by something here, although I have no idea what it was!

Can you see the sunset in Playa Manzanillo?

Yes, you can see the sunset on Playa Manzanillo, but only partially. The surrounding cliffs and palm trees cover the sun when it gets to a certain point, but you can still see the orange and pink colours as the sun sets.

Can you swim in the water in Playa Manzanillo?

Yes, you can swim in the sea in Playa Manzanillo safely. The water is calm, as it is sheltered by a small bay. Playa Manzanillo is one of the best beaches in Puerto Escondido for swimming and snorkelling.

Is Playa Manzanillo accessible for wheelchair users?

Sadly, no. Playa Manzanillo is not accessible for wheelchair users for a number of reasons. One being the entrance; the stairs are not well maintained and are full of potholes and uneven surfaces. The steep hill down to Manzanillo is also full of potholes and bumps. There are no wheelchair walkways or ramps.

Where to stay near Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido

🛏️ Best hostel in Puerto Escondido for backpackers: Book here

If you’re a solo traveller looking to party in Puerto Escondido, I recommend this hostel in La Punta. It’s known for its wild events and activities, has its own pool and isn’t far from the beach.

If you’re not a solo traveller in Puerto Escondido, I actually recommend staying out of La Punta. It depends on the vibe you’re looking for, but we found La Punta centred around backpackers and partying. If you need a bit of a calmer vibe (still with a good atmosphere of course!) I recommend either Rinconada, Centro or north of Zicatela.

Getting around Puerto Escondido is easy, and taxis are cheap and widely available if you prefer one area to another.

Best apartment in Rinconada, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Bungalow in Centro, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Apartment in Zicatela, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Best time to visit Puerto Escondido

Let’s talk about the best time to visit Puerto Escondido. This is always going to differ depending on your preferences.

🌍 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido as a backpacker: November – April. The rain has come to an end, hostels are full of life and partying, it’s continuously hot and sunny, and the famous Puerto Escondido sunsets from Playa Carrizalillo. Note this is the hottest time to visit Puerto Escondido, and most days your weather app will tell you it ‘feels like 45-48°C’. It is CRAZY hot!

💻 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido as a digital nomad: October through May for atmosphere, sunny days and blue skies.

💰 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido for the cheapest deals: May-August, due to the rainy season (but the waves are still great!)

👫 Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido for avoiding crowds: May-August, again due to the rainy season.

🏄‍♀️ Best time of year to visit Puerto Escondido for surfing: Peak surfing season in Puerto Escondido is between April and September. This is when the waves are at their most consistent, and is the time when large surf competitions and events are held on Zicatela. The quietest surf time is in November.

Other things to do in Puerto Escondido

There are so many things to do in Puerto Escondido! That’s part of the reason why we decided to live there for a while. From daytime adventure activities to weekend trips and late-night dinners, Puerto Escondido is one of the best places in Mexico for digital nomads and backpackers.

Here are some of the best things to do in Puerto Escondido:

• Release baby turtles on Playa Bacocho
• Try surfing for the first time, or take a surfing lesson
• Spot dolphins, whales and turtles on a boat tour
• Learn Spanish in one of the friendly Spanish schools
• Dine in the restaurants on the Rinconada strip (our favourites being Pinches tacos and El Sultan)
• Go kayaking in the mangroves of Laguna Manialtepec
• Take a day or overnight trip to Mazunte
• Do a skydive
• Relax on the beach
• Go horseback riding during sunset
• Watch the unbeatable sunset from Playa Carrizalillo
• Party the night away at La Punta
• Watch a world-class surfing tournament at Playa Zicatela
• Go snorkelling or scuba diving
• Wake up early to watch the sunrise
• Drink a cocos frios on the beach
• Take a walk around Puerto Escondido’s biggest market, Mercado Benito Juarez
• Go on a day or overnight trip to Chacahua

Getting around Puerto Escondido

Getting around Puerto Esconido is easy, and most commonly either by scooter, colectivo or taxi. It is possible to walk, but journeys 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.

Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido Guide: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about Playa Manzanillo in Puerto Escondido.

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 seen 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

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