Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido, oh, Puerto Escondido. Is this the place where surfers go after they die? Many locales claim to have the best surfing beach in the world, but Puerto Escondido's Playa Zicatela — 3.5 kilometers of golden sand and pounding waves – is in many wave-riders' top ten for good cause. At the northern end, the Mexico Pipeline is at the center of the action. However, if you want to learn from the finest, go to Playa Carrizalillo.

This small, picturesque sheltered cove west of the city is a beach superstar and a gorgeous area to hang out, swim, and pretend to be a surfer dude. In fact, it is the ideal location for beginning surfers. If you book a lesson, you'll most likely finish up here making a few splashes. When you're done, there's a nice stretch of palapa beach bars.

Around town, the Rinconada district is growing as a gastronomic hotspot, while the beach bars in Zicatela stage spirited dance parties for late-night mayhem.