Kid-Friendly Beaches in Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Puerto Escondido is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in Mexico. However, while the area’s beaches are famous for their beauty and world-class surfing, many of them have strong waves and rip currents that can be dangerous, especially for families with young children.

Knowing which beaches in Puerto Escondido are safe and kid-friendly is essential for a stress-free and fun family trip. In this guide, we’ll highlight the best beaches in Puerto Escondido for kids, where calm waters and gentle waves create the perfect environment for a day of fun in the warm Mexican sun.

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Kid-Friendly Beaches in Puerto Escondido

Playa Carrizalillo

The first beach we visited on our family trip to Puerto Escondido was Playa Carrizalillo, and it’s easy to see why this beach is a local favorite. The first thing that struck me was the breathtaking view – the bay’s crystal-clear blue waters shimmered under the sun, framed by lush cliffs on all sides.

The golden sand, though coarse, was soft and warm beneath our feet, perfect for relaxing and watching the kids play in the water.

Since it was a Sunday and close to Christmas, the beach was packed with local families and travelers alike, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. While it was insanely busy, it added to the experience – kids laughing, families kicking soccer balls, kids riding boogie boards in the gentle waves.

Carrizalillo is ideal for families with children. The waves were gentle, making it safe for swimming and boogie boarding. The bay’s natural curve helps keep the waters calm, and avoids many of the more dangerous currents known in the area.

There were even some beginner surf lessons taking place at the far end of the beach, which was fun to watch. The only catch is that it’s about 150 steps down a large staircase to the beach. It’s manageable for most, but worth noting for parents travelling with younger kids.

If you’re visiting Puerto Escondido with children, Playa Carrizalillo offers the perfect mix of beauty and fun. Just be sure to arrive early to grab a good spot!

Playa Manzanillo

One of the nicest family beaches in Puerto Escondido, Playa Manzanillo is a wonderful destination for families seeking a serene beach experience.

While it can get crazy busy on weekends, visiting this very small beach on a weekday morning offers a tranquil atmosphere, as the beach is much less crowded. The compact, golden-brown sandy beach is flanked by picturesque rocks, creating a safe and enclosed environment for children to play and explore.

The calm, clear waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, allowing kids to observe vibrant marine life close to the shore. The beach is equipped with amenities such as restrooms and showers, and several open-air restaurants line the shore, offering local seafood-focused cuisine and shaded seating areas. It’s advisable to arrive early to secure a spot, especially during peak seasons.

Overall, Playa Manzanillo is an excellent family-friendly beach in Puerto Escondido. With its gentle waters, natural beauty, and convenient facilities, you are sure to have a fun family day at the beach!

Puerto Escondido Beaches Which Are Not Great for Kids

Puerto Angelito

Playa Puerto Angelito is connected to Playa Manzanillo via a small walkway. It’s a vibrant beach filled with energy and local charm. Nestled in a small cove, this beach offers calm waters, making it generally safe for children to swim close to shore. With golden sands and gentle waves, the beach has a fun, bustling atmosphere that families may enjoy. The water at Playa Puerto Angelito is clear and warm, inviting for a quick swim or splash.

Puerto Angelito is lined with small palapa restaurants serving fresh seafood and cold drinks, providing an easy and delicious family lunch option.

The main reason we suggest avoiding Playa Puerto Angelito with kids is that fact that many dolphin-watching tour boats operate here. These boats occupy a large portion of the beachfront, forcing swimmers to cram into the water along the edges. Due to the popularity of the beach, and the dolphin tour boats, the beach can get very crowded, particularly on weekends and holidays.

Lined with restaurants and shops, Playa Principal offers an authentic taste of Puerto Escondido. Kids can enjoy beachside treats like ice cream and freshly grilled fish, while parents sip on cold drinks under shady umbrellas. The beach is also a popular spot for catching boat tours or arranging fishing trips.

However, Playa Principal isn’t the best beach for families with young kids looking to swim or play in the water. The waves can be rough, and the area’s constant boat activity creates safety concerns. In addition, the beach tends to get busy with locals and tourists alike, making it feel crowded at times.

Playa Coral

Playa Coral is one of Puerto Escondido’s most secluded and picturesque beaches, offering a quiet escape from the busier tourist spots. Tucked away just past Playa Bacocho, this hidden gem boasts soft golden sand and calm, clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

The rocky cliffs surrounding the beach give it a private, almost secret feel, and it’s often much less crowded than other beaches in the area. For those seeking tranquility and stunning natural beauty, Playa Coral delivers.

To reach Playa Coral, you must either walk along the rocks from Playa Bacocho or access it through a private resort for a small fee. This sense of seclusion is part of its charm, but it also means the beach can be difficult to access, especially for families with young children or lots of gear. Additionally, Playa Coral is known to be clothing-optional, which may not make it the most comfortable choice for families.

While Playa Coral’s beauty is undeniable, its accessibility and atmosphere might not be ideal for a family beach day.

Playa Zicatela

Playa Zicatela is world-famous for its powerful waves and is considered one of the best surfing beaches in Mexico. Stretching over 3 km, this long, sandy beach is a hotspot for international surfers chasing the legendary Mexican Pipeline.

The beach’s raw beauty, lined with palm trees, beach bars, and small shops, makes it a very popular destination for visitors to Puerto Escondido. Whether you’re watching pro surfers ride massive waves or enjoying a long family walk on the soft, white sand, Zicatela exudes an energetic, laid-back vibe that embodies Puerto Escondido’s surf culture.

Despite its allure, Playa Zicatela is not ideal for families with young children. The waves here can be enormous and unpredictable, often dangerous even for experienced swimmers. Strong rip currents are common, and swimming is generally discouraged. The beach is more suited for sunbathing, beachcombing, or simply enjoying the surf scene from a safe distance.

If you’d like to enjoy some time in the water at Playa Zicatela, why not try a kid-friendly surfing lesson? We signed up for surfing lessons here and had an amazing time. Despite the waves being massive, each of the kids had their own dedicated instructor, who kept them safe and entertained in the smaller surf.

If you’re traveling with kids and hoping for a relaxing day in the water, a surfing lesson is a great idea, otherwise Playa Zicatela is best admired from the shore. Playa Zicatela is undeniably beautiful but best left to the surfers and thrill-seekers.

Playa Bacocho

Playa Bacocho is one of the most scenic and peaceful beaches in Puerto Escondido, offering long stretches of soft golden sand and a tranquil atmosphere. Known for its stunning sunsets and open, uncrowded space, it’s the perfect spot to relax, take a long walk, or enjoy the sound of the waves.

The beach is best know as the home of the Vive Mar Turtle Release program, where visitors can participate in releasing baby turtles into the ocean – a magical experience for kids and adults alike.

However, while Playa Bacocho’s beauty is undeniable, it’s not the best beach for families with young children looking to swim. The waves here are often strong and unpredictable, with powerful currents that can make swimming dangerous.

The lack of natural shade and limited beach facilities also means you’ll need to bring your own gear if planning to stay for a while. Although lifeguards are present, swimming is only recommended when conditions are especially calm.

Playa Bacocho is best enjoyed as a relaxing day trip or sunset spot rather than a swimming destination.