Quick answer
What are the new hotels and restaurants in Puerto Escondido in 2026? The boutique wave is concentrated in La Punta, Punta Zicatela and Brisas de Zicatela, with Mexican-design houses like Hotel Humano, Castillo de Arena and Kymaia, plus a dining scene backed by the MICHELIN Guide (Almoraduz, Atarraya). At KORU we rent cars, vans, scooters and quad bikes delivered to where you are staying, so you can explore it all freely.
Why is Puerto Escondido making news in 2026?
National Geographic put the Oaxaca coast (the Costa Chica, home to Puerto Escondido) on its Best of the World 2026 list, describing it as a surfers' dream on a quieter coast. On top of that, according to Save The Waves Coalition, Puerto Escondido was dedicated on March 21, 2026 as the 14th World Surfing Reserve, protecting 10 km of coastline and 8 breaks, including Zicatela (the famous Mexican Pipeline), Punta Colorada, La Punta and Carrizalillo. That recognition put the town on the global map and sped up investment.
How did the highway and the airport change access?
The Barranca Larga–Ventanilla highway opened on February 4, 2024: 104 km that cost over 13 billion pesos and cut the trip from Oaxaca city from about 6 or 7 hours to just 2.5 to 3.5 hours, free (no toll) for the first year. By air, according to Statista, Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) handled around 917,000 passengers in 2023, more than double 2019 (+121%). In April 2025 United launched the first international flight from Houston, followed by routes from Dallas, Toronto and Calgary.
What are the new design hotels?
Where can you eat and drink something memorable?
Puerto Escondido's food goes well beyond the seafood on the beach, which is still spectacular. Almoraduz Cocina de Autor, by chefs Shalxaly Macías and Quetzalcóatl Zurita, open since 2013, is listed in the MICHELIN Guide as a fine-dining reference; it offers the tasting menus Menú Maíz (5 courses) and Sin Fronteras (10 courses). For cocktails, bartender Gabriela Campos of the Atarraya bar in Brisas de Zicatela won the Exceptional Cocktails Award of the MICHELIN Guide Mexico 2025. And if you stay nearby, Kymaia's restaurants (Septimus, Huachinango Bar and La Cueva) are open to outside diners. These venues are listed in or awarded by the MICHELIN Guide; they do not hold a star.
Which area is best to stay in?
“Puerto Escondido grew without losing its essence. Our job is to help you make the most of it: we deliver the vehicle where you are staying and get you ready to explore every area at your own pace.”
— KORU RENT
Rent your car, scooter or quad bike in Puerto Escondido
Get a quote on WhatsApp and pick the vehicle to move between La Punta, Zicatela and Rinconada.
Puerto Escondido, your base on the Oaxaca coast
Discover why KORU operates here and what else is nearby.
1-day trip to Mazunte and Punta Cometa
The coast's most famous sunset, an hour and a half from your hotel.
Frequently asked questions
The three most talked about opened in late 2024: Hotel Humano (Grupo Habita) in La Punta with 39 rooms, Castillo de Arena (Alberto Kalach) with 10 rooms in Punta Zicatela, and Kymaia, five stars, in Tlachicón. All are Mexican-design projects, not international chains.
La Punta, Punta Zicatela and Brisas de Zicatela concentrate the surf and the boutique hotels. Zicatela is the one with big swell and nightlife. Rinconada and Bacocho have swimmable beaches like Carrizalillo, ideal for families. Choose based on surf, atmosphere or calm sea.
Via the Barranca Larga–Ventanilla highway, opened in February 2024, the trip dropped from about 6 or 7 hours to just 2.5 to 3.5 hours by car. You can also fly into PXM airport, which now has international flights from the United States and Canada.
The dry season (November to April) brings calm seas and clear skies. From April to October there is better surf but also hurricane risk. Whales are seen from November to March, and turtles from August to November. It depends on what you want to experience.
It helps a lot. La Punta, Zicatela, Rinconada and the nearby beaches are spread out, and a car, a scooter or a quad bike give you full freedom. At KORU we deliver the vehicle where you are staying or at PXM airport and coordinate everything on WhatsApp.
Yes. Almoraduz is listed in the MICHELIN Guide for its fine Oaxacan cuisine, and the bartender of the Atarraya bar won the Exceptional Cocktails Award of the MICHELIN Guide Mexico 2025. These are venues listed in or awarded by the Guide, not with a MICHELIN star.
This guide is part of KORU RENT's content for traveling the Oaxaca coast better. In Puerto Escondido we operate today: contract, invoice, WhatsApp support and delivery of the vehicle where you are staying or at PXM airport. We are already expanding along the coast, toward Mazunte, Zipolite and Huatulco. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we'll quote your car, scooter or quad bike. Confirm insurance, deposit and fees with KORU before booking.. The KORU Team.