Puerto Escondido in November: Weather, Tips + More (2023)

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Backpacking Puerto Escondido in November? This post explains everything you need to know about visiting Puerto Escondido in November, including the weather, events, temperature and crowds.

If you’re looking for what Puerto Escondido is like in November, this post explains everything you need to know; from weather to events and what to pack.

Puerto Escondido is a 365-day-a-year destination and you can often find digital nomads and backpackers setting up camp here for a while. From the white sandy beaches, giant surfing waves, fun nightlife and incredible sunsets, it’s by far one of our favourite places in Mexico.

Puerto Escondido is on the coast of Oaxaca state, and takes around 10 hours to reach on an ADO bus via Oaxaca City. However, there are a few different ways to reach Puerto Escondido, which we will discuss further in this post!

November in Puerto Escondido is one of the best months to visit, but also one of the busiest! Use the tips in this post to help you to plan an epic trip to Puerto Escondido, and one you won’t forget in a while!

Psst! I have lots more videos and photos of Mexico over on my Instagram. If you want to check them out, they’re all saved in my highlights! You can follow me here!

Other Puerto Escondido posts:

Puerto Escondido in November

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Overall, November is a great month to visit Puerto Escondido. The days are sunny and hot, the water is warm and clear, and there are lots of local events taking place.

The markets are bustling, there’s a linger in the air for Christmas, and the atmosphere is chilled, feel-good and fun.

After living in Puerto Escondido throughout the month of November, I can personally vouch for it being an amazing time to visit. Although the crowds were steadily becoming increasing day by day, we never found it to be too hectic or overwhelming.

However, there are some negatives to visiting Puerto Escondido in November.

For one, the prices for accommodation are expensive. It’s difficult to find a 1 bedroom apartment for under £60-70 ($70-80) per night, and even these do not include air conditioning. And you want air conditioning in Puerto Escondido, trust me!

November is still cheaper than December, but as it is the beginning of the dry season, you can expect to pay high prices if you want your own place.

What is the 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.

Best Hostels in Puerto Escondido For Backpackers (2023 Guide)

Weather in Puerto Escondido in November

The weather in Puerto Escondido in November is hot. Really, really hot. And it’s relentless. Don’t expect any cooler evenings or nights. The heat is 24 hours a day (which may be loved by some of you, but dreaded by many!)

There are around 11.5 hours of daylight in Puerto Escondido in November, and barely any cloud cover. Expect little to no wind, and little humidity. The days are hot and dry, with clear blue skies with the warm North Pacific ocean to swim in.

The sun will usually rise around 6.30am, and set at 6pm. This makes it perfect to watch the sunset and head out for dinner afterwards.

The hottest time of day is around 3pm, and this really can be brutally hot. I strongly advise wearing factor 50 sunscreen and hiding in the shade when this time hits!

Sadly not many places in Puerto Escondido have air conditioning, including most accommodations. Make sure you pack lightweight, loose-fitting clothes and lots of bikinis to adjust to the heat in Puerto Escondido!

There is little to no rain in Puerto Escondido in November.

Looking to hire a car in Mexico? We’ve driven all over Quintana Roo, and recommend it as one of the safest ways to travel. Use this company for the best prices!

Average Temperature in Puerto Escondido in November

The average temperature in Puerto Escondido is 30°C-33°C, but feels more like 45-48°C, as the BBC weather app kindly reminded us every day.

When the sun goes down in the evenings, bear in mind the temperature doesn’t. You can expect it to drop slightly, but not by much. Even eating your dinner in the moonlight can be as hot as eating your lunch on the beach!

Is there rain in Puerto Escondido in November?

On average, no, there is little to no rain in Puerto Escondido in November. Most days are sunny with blue skies, with very little cloud coverage.

According to the BBC weather app, there was between 0-2% chance of rain every day in November in Puerto Escondido.

Of course, this isn’t definite and can change last minute. But throughout our time in Puerto Escondido in November, we didn’t even see a cloud in the sky!

Booking buses in Mexico? I highly recommend the ADO bus when moving from place to place. It’s safe, clean, modern and has toilets! You can compare prices and book tickets here.

What is the rainy season like in Puerto Escondido?

Rainy season in Puerto Escondido is from May – September, whilst June, July, August and September have the most rain. September is the wettest and the most humid month of the year.

Don’t forget to pack a Microfibre towel for Mexico. If you’re anywhere near the beach, you’re going to be in and out of the water all the time (trust me, it gets hot!)

Is it hot in Puerto Escondido in November?

Yes. As previously mentioned, the weather in Puerto Escondido in November is hot – incredibly hot – and usually feels more like 45°C (113°F) than it’s actual 30-33°C (86-91°F) that is actually is.

Visiting Puerto Escondido in November is the best time for relaxing on the beach, swimming in the sea and catching a tan. The sun is hot and there is very little cloud coverage. However, it is too hot to lay in for several hours a day, so make sure you’re on a beach where you can swim!

Backpacking Mexico? Make sure you check out my travel resources for everything you will need on your trip (and some great ways to save money!)

Are there hurricanes in Puerto Escondido in November?

No. There is a very low chance of a hurricane at any time of year in Puerto Escondido. In the past 160 years, there have only been three mild hurricanes reported in Puerto Escondido.

When is hurricane season in Mexico? – If you’re visiting other parts of Mexico, hurricane season lasts from early June to October, so be sure to check out the details on the specific location you’re visiting.

Looking to hire a car in Mexico? We’ve driven all over Quintana Roo, and recommend it as one of the safest ways to travel. Use this company for the best prices!

Is the water warm in Puerto Escondido in November?

Yes! You can swim in the water on all of the beaches in Puerto Escondido in November (unless the waves are too big, of course!). The average sea temperature is 29 °C (84.5 °F, which means you can swim comfortably in the beaming Puerto Escondido sun!

Do I need a wetsuit in Puerto Escondido? – You do not need a wetsuit to swim in the water in Puerto Escondido, although some surfers use one to protect from the sun and UV rays. The water is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit.

Check out all of my Puerto Escondido beach posts here:

Cost of living in Puerto Escondido in November

If you’re looking to backpack in November, it’s important to know the kind of prices you’ll be facing when arriving in Puerto Escondido.

I’ll be honest, we were shocked at how expensive it is here. In fact, most accommodation here is the same nightly price as an apartment in London. Puerto Escondido is not cheap, and unless you’re staying in a shared dorm for the entirety of your stay (and even then, it’s not SE Asia prices), Puerto Escondido does require some budgeting!

The prices in the table below are based on Puerto Escondido in November.

	Price per night/per meal
1-bed apartment (A/C)	£50-100 ($58-117)
1-bed apartment (no A/C)	£50-80 ($58-94)
Shared dorm room	£12-30 ($14-35)
Private hostel room	£40-100 ($47-117)
Meal + drink in a restaurant	£8-15 ($9-11) (depending on location and restaurant)
Street food	£2-5 ($2-6)
Weekly shop	£50-100 ($58-117)
Coffee shop/bakery	£3-6 ($3-7)

Prices in Puerto Escondido

Of course, these prices will vary depending on where you are living, and what type of backpacker or tourist you are.

Puerto Escondido events in November

There are so many small and local events in Puerto Escondido in November, including the month-long Fiestas de Noviembre. This is a fun-filled month full of beach parties, surf competitions, cooking competitions, food markets and more.

Most of the events are held on Zicatela or Playa Principal, and are run by the locals. However anyone can join in!

See this website for more information and a full itinerary!

Best 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 a baby turtle into the ocean
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 Zicatela
Listen to live music (every night) in 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

Puerto Escondido FAQs

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 safe for backpackers?

Yes. Puerto Escondido is known to be one of the safest places in Oaxaca, and in Mexico as a whole. Taxis are safe, venues are safe and there are very few muggings reported in Puerto Escondido.

However, it is important to always keep your wits about you, use common sense and tell someone if you are feeling uncomfortable or threatened. This is uncommon, but like anywhere in the world, there are going to be some things we want to avoid.

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

Essential Packing List for Puerto Escondido in November

If you’re visiting Puerto Escondido in November, be sure to pack:

Light, loose-fitting clothes. No denim! As I said, it gets HOT!
Packing cubes (to squeeze in all the extra bikinis)
Swimsuits, beach clothes, flip flops
GoPro for underwater and surfing footage
Waterproof phone case for the beach
Microfibre towel for swimming in the sea
Your Kindle for those long hot beach days!

Even during the evenings, it’s hot. So you’ll want to wear loose-fitted dresses or light t-shirts. Don’t pack anything too heavy or thick, you just won’t wear it.

Is there Uber in Puerto Escondido?

No. There is not Uber in Puerto Escondido. The best way to get around Puerto Escondido is to get a taxi, hire a car, walk, or ride the collective (privately-owned bus).

Most backpackers and tourists hire a scooter/bike for their stay in Puerto Escondido. I’m not going to go ahead and say they’re 100% safe, because they’re not, and the roads are busy! But if you’re confident driving a scooter, it’s one of the best options for getting around Puerto Escondido.

If you need to hire a car in Mexico, I highly recommend this company. They are easy to use, fast, user friendly and always have the cheapest deals for car hire around the world.

Check out my post: Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2023: A Complete Guide for more information.

Can I drink tap water in Puerto Escondido?

No. You cannot drink the water in Puerto Escondido. There is no tap water in Puerto Escondido that is safe to drink. Tap water throughout Mexico is not safe for human consumption, due to the filter systems. This means even the locals do not drink the tap water in Puerto Escondido.

Check out my post: Can You Drink The Water In Puerto Escondido? 2023 Updates for more information and what you can do when you visit.

Where to stay in Puerto Escondido

🛏️ Best hostel in Puerto Escondido for backpackers: Book here

If you’re a solo traveller and 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.

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

Best apartment in Rinconada, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Bungalow in Centro, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Apartment in Zicatela, Puerto Escondido: Book here

Puerto Escondido in November: In a Nutshell

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

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