Playa Zicatela
Playa Zicatela
4.5
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4.5
1,237 reviews
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Bibliokos
Jalisco, Mexico34 contributions
Dec 2020
Amazing beach right south of Puerto Escondido.
Great for riding the waves or hanging out on the beach and taking a quick dip in the ocean.
This is not a beach for swimming or hanging out in the ocean unless you have a surf or bodyboard. The surf and undertow are dangerous along this beach.
Also, stay away from the over-priced and mediocre to poor quality food that is offered at the restaurants along the main drag of Av del Morro. If all you want is a cold drink and some guacamole and chips that's fine... but don't waste your money on dinner at these places. Take the beautiful walk to the southern area.... La Punta/Brisas (keep reading)
The only place you can really just sit in calm waters is at the far south end near the lighthouse. There you can relax and sunbathe and wade out into the water to cool off. This is also where you find the kids who are learning to surf. It's really quite fun watching them tackle the mini waves.
This Brisas de Zicatela neighborhood is also the place to stay if you want a younger and more hip and lively bunch to hang out with. Plenty of lodging and good restaurants and the best coffeehouse are down there.
Great for riding the waves or hanging out on the beach and taking a quick dip in the ocean.
This is not a beach for swimming or hanging out in the ocean unless you have a surf or bodyboard. The surf and undertow are dangerous along this beach.
Also, stay away from the over-priced and mediocre to poor quality food that is offered at the restaurants along the main drag of Av del Morro. If all you want is a cold drink and some guacamole and chips that's fine... but don't waste your money on dinner at these places. Take the beautiful walk to the southern area.... La Punta/Brisas (keep reading)
The only place you can really just sit in calm waters is at the far south end near the lighthouse. There you can relax and sunbathe and wade out into the water to cool off. This is also where you find the kids who are learning to surf. It's really quite fun watching them tackle the mini waves.
This Brisas de Zicatela neighborhood is also the place to stay if you want a younger and more hip and lively bunch to hang out with. Plenty of lodging and good restaurants and the best coffeehouse are down there.
Written 7 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cinamoon
london36 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
If you are thinking of coming to Puerto Escondido you are too late. This is an honest opinion. Especially if you are thinking of staying in La Punta area. Most of the businesses try to rip you off. They are so shallow minded it’s very sad to see. What may have been a great place years ago is now expensive, with mostly dishonest, tunnel visioned, greedy Mexican business owners. A real shame!
Written 19 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moveco
Almere, The Netherlands474 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We were at Punta, where you can find plenty of beach bed huts. The price is 200 pesos per bed.
Food and drinks are charged at about the same prices as elsewhere.
Beautiful long and wide beach. Lots of waves, but there was swimming at the high tide line. Chance to see whales. We saw it at Playa Marzarillo. There are stingrays jumping here all day long. Toilet available. No parking lot, but street parking.
Outside the beach there are cozy shops and many bars and restaurants.
Beautiful sunset that many people come for at the end of the day
You can spend a few days here
Food and drinks are charged at about the same prices as elsewhere.
Beautiful long and wide beach. Lots of waves, but there was swimming at the high tide line. Chance to see whales. We saw it at Playa Marzarillo. There are stingrays jumping here all day long. Toilet available. No parking lot, but street parking.
Outside the beach there are cozy shops and many bars and restaurants.
Beautiful sunset that many people come for at the end of the day
You can spend a few days here
Written 25 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rowan H
Cairns, Australia1,674 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Very large beach which stretches some 3.5km. A hard to miss set of large rocks seperates Zicatelas northern end from the gritty and somewhat polluted playa principal.
The beach actually has two quite distinct areas which vary significantly. The northern area is where surfers congregate mainly in the mornings and evenings to surf some of the mexican pipelines best waves. For most tourists the attraction here is lounging in one of many overpriced beach clubs under umbrella covered seats and watching them do their thing. Unfortunately due to strong waves and undertow this area is not safe for swimmers so most tourists stay dry unless surfing. Astute observers to the area will note a memorial along Calle del Morro featuring well known surfing icons who have lost their lives in these waters (Oscar Serra, Ron Cassidy, etc) which highlights the dangers of this area. There is also a commercial side to the northern end and the ugly appearance of numerous half constructed buildings and beach touts. In contrast to its northern neighbour, the southern edge of the beach features Punta zicatela which has much milder surf suitable for beginner surfers and/or swimmers on a good day. There is a milder vibe to accompany this. Depending on what you are after may dictate where you stay.
We did the northern end and largely lounged around for a day or so which was relaxing and enjoyable.
The beach is very wide and hot particularly in the middle of the day so bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat.
The beach actually has two quite distinct areas which vary significantly. The northern area is where surfers congregate mainly in the mornings and evenings to surf some of the mexican pipelines best waves. For most tourists the attraction here is lounging in one of many overpriced beach clubs under umbrella covered seats and watching them do their thing. Unfortunately due to strong waves and undertow this area is not safe for swimmers so most tourists stay dry unless surfing. Astute observers to the area will note a memorial along Calle del Morro featuring well known surfing icons who have lost their lives in these waters (Oscar Serra, Ron Cassidy, etc) which highlights the dangers of this area. There is also a commercial side to the northern end and the ugly appearance of numerous half constructed buildings and beach touts. In contrast to its northern neighbour, the southern edge of the beach features Punta zicatela which has much milder surf suitable for beginner surfers and/or swimmers on a good day. There is a milder vibe to accompany this. Depending on what you are after may dictate where you stay.
We did the northern end and largely lounged around for a day or so which was relaxing and enjoyable.
The beach is very wide and hot particularly in the middle of the day so bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a hat.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rebecca j
Oaxaca, Mexico5 contributions
Dec 2019
Nice beaches for walking, good if you want to go on boat trips too. But an experienced surfer friend of mine got bumped by one of many trying-it-out surfers. He had to avoid the other one, who was oblivious, and got a nasty bump on the head when he lost his board.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
srimanone
Joshua Tree, CA1,031 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
I spend some time on this beach. It is good for walking and long stretch for people watching. The swimming was not recommended those days, because of waves and rip tide. Better places to swim if that’s what’s needed. For surfing this entire stretch is a killer and you better be better then average
Written 16 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deftitae
Portland, OR18 contributions
Feb 2022
Playa Zicatela has many, many options for eating or just laying on the beach. Most of the lounge chairs can be occupied simply by purchasing a beverage or a bite to eat from the establishment closest to the furniture. Staff are invariably friendly and welcoming. The weather is too hot for comfort midday in February but mornings and evenings are lovely.
Written 23 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanne M
2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
It was a great experience. The staff is kind and patient. The atmosphere is ideal for learning. The landscape is amazing with wonderful views. Close to the beach and great restraunts
I mostly had one on one classes and the same teacher for the 5 days. Due to my level as a complete beginner.
I took 2 hours per/day. which was enough for me. It allowed me to take a salsa class and cooking class which the school offered as well.
I was invited to go salsa dancing by one of the staff. Which I thought was a very kind gesture. I really had a good time. The band and dancing with the locals was a highlight.
I stayed in one of the cozy bungalows at the school. Fully equipped kitchen,bathroom and sleeping area.
I would recommend ILPE to all spanish levels from complete beginner to advanced. The staff is awesome and tentive to individual needs
One thing I do regret is I did not take enough photos
I mostly had one on one classes and the same teacher for the 5 days. Due to my level as a complete beginner.
I took 2 hours per/day. which was enough for me. It allowed me to take a salsa class and cooking class which the school offered as well.
I was invited to go salsa dancing by one of the staff. Which I thought was a very kind gesture. I really had a good time. The band and dancing with the locals was a highlight.
I stayed in one of the cozy bungalows at the school. Fully equipped kitchen,bathroom and sleeping area.
I would recommend ILPE to all spanish levels from complete beginner to advanced. The staff is awesome and tentive to individual needs
One thing I do regret is I did not take enough photos
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
digitalroc
Calgary, Canada2,141 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
Although I spent 4-nights in Playa Principal, I spent a lot of time in Zicatela. I really enjoyed Playa Zicatela, from the beautiful wide-open beach, to the sounds of the waves crashing in, very soothing for me. Playa Zicatela is a long beach, there are parts of the beach that aren’t that very nice, but there are stretches of clean sand with barely any tourists around, that I enjoyed! Also, I liked the shopping and the number of restaurants along Del Morro Avenue, although there weren’t many tourists here for a mid-December time frame, which I had no issues with.
Written 15 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna
Toronto, Canada35 contributions
Feb 2024 • Family
Beach is 3 kms long, difficult for walking bc it is very steep in parts. The water is extremely rough and not at all recommended for swimming; it is exclusively a beach for surfing. Not at all recommended for small children. Great sunsets but other than that, I would not recommend it. The dirty foam that rolls in on waves looks suspiciously like the town’s sewage is emptied into the ocean - Puerto Escondido is frowning faster than they services can handle. Unless you surf, give it a pass.
Written 16 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, tengo pensado viajar a Puerto Escondido. Me hospedería en Zicatela pero quisiera conocer más lugares.
¿Cómo podría trasladarme a Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Bacocho, Mazunte y Punta de Zicatela? ¿Qué tan caro es un Taxi? ¿Conviene un rentar un carro? ¿Son largas las distancias?
Written 22 June 2023
Vicente T
Buenos Aires, Argentina
hola, tengo un nivel bueno de surf y queria irme en ENERO y FEBRERO a puerto escondido pero me dijieron que no habia muchas olas, y que hasta habia dias en los que no podias meterte ni siquiera. Que tan verdad es esto?
Written 13 June 2022
La mejor epoca para visitar playa zicatela? Que no sea temporada alta de vacaciones , me refiero a clima , y ambiente en la zona, surfistas para observar tomando las olas?
Written 22 January 2019
Hola Angie1005, respecto a tu pregunta, Yo fuí durante Julio cuando en clima esta fantastico, tambien muchos surfistas internacionales,hay buenos hoteles de todas las categorias pero necesitas reservar con tiempo, Punta Zicatela es donde se reunen más los surfistas , cuando hay competencias es en Noviembre , tambien hay exelentes playas si viajas al norte como Mazunte, Zipolite, Ventanilla, Roca blanca hasta Puerto Angel, es la riviera Oaxaqueña, fantasticos lugares y la mayoria de los hoteles ecologicos.
No te arrepentiras de viajar ahi, espero haya contestado tú pregunta, Saludos
Written 23 January 2019
Hello! Just returned from a lovely trip to Zicatela, staying down in Brisas de Zicatela. One day we walked along the beach to where all the streets end, (it felt like south, but maybe east?) and we got to a small resort set back behind a beautiful field of cacti. We wandered in just to check it out for future reference and it was really pretty. Quiet and upscale. I assumed I could find it on google maps and nothing shows up. Does anyone know what this place is? I don’t know how expensive it is, but if it is remotely affordable I would love to stay there or recommend it to others. My best description of the location is at the end of Calle Nuevo León. Anyone?? Thanks!
Written 5 January 2019
Hi there. Almost sounds like Playa Punta Zicatela. We’ve been here since July and I’m still directionally challenged...lol. Hope that was some help. Good luck. ✌🏼❤️🌴🤓
Written 8 January 2019
Where in relation to this beach were the shark fishermen shot in July 2016?
Written 31 July 2016
Playa Zicatella is just one beach of 4 in Puerto Escondido. It is the main surfing beach (mican pipeline) not a fishing beach. I have never seen any violence in Puerto Escondido and have been going there for over 20 years
Written 3 August 2016
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