The 12 Best Tours in Puerto Escondido

1.Boat Tour to see Dolphins and Marine Life

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 467 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $46Our pick

From Puerto Angelito, MikeTours takes you into the Pacific for 2.5 to 3 hours of dolphin watching, turtle spotting, snorkeling, and seasonal whale watching. Guides Mike and Hector lead small or private groups, explain the marine life in English and Spanish, and may let you swim near dolphins when sea conditions and animal behavior allow. Bring drinks for the cooler and your own music.

“We saw a lot of dolphins! There were also turtles and jumping rays! It was amazing boat trip and our guide Mike is great! Thank you!”

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2.Dolphin & Whale Watching in Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $65Top rated

Leave Puerto Escondido around 7am with a small group and guides such as Alex, Johnny, or Fernando. Cruise past Playa Zicatela and nearby bays, then search offshore for dolphins, humpback whales, turtles, manta rays, and seabirds. Swimming with dolphins may be possible, but jellyfish and sea conditions can change the plan.

“Absolutely wonderful experience! It was better than we hoped! We saw so many dolphins, even got to swim with them which was magical. We also saw many tortugas and manta rays.”

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3.Guided tour of an ancestral Mezcal distillery with transport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 240 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $83

Visit a family-run mezcal distillery near Puerto Escondido with Antoine and his team. Learn how agave spirit is made, see traditional equipment, taste six on-site mezcals with guacamole, peanuts, and chapulines, and arrange hotel pickup for an easy afternoon.

“Awesome experience! Jazmin and Tomas were great hosts! Tried 10 different kinds of mezcal with guacamole, spicy peanuts and some dried grasshoppers. Super fun! Definitely recommend for mezcal lovers and people new to mezcal :) five stars!”

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4.Turtle Release Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 228 reviews · 2 hours · from $40Best value

From your Puerto Escondido hotel, ride to a protected beach and turtle camp for a short conservation talk and sunset release. Guides such as Edgar and Carlos have led clear English and Spanish explanations, while local staff handle the turtles. Bring sandals and cash, but leave sunscreen and insect repellent behind.

“We had a lot of fun at the turtle release! We were picked up on time and taken directly to the beach, where we learned some interesting facts about the turtles and how they are protected. Afterwards, everyone received a baby turtle in a coconut shell and had the chance to release it into the ocean. Then we watched to see which one would make it to the water first. A beautiful experience you definitely shouldn't miss when visiting Puerto Escondido. Thank you!”

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5.2-Hour Surf Lesson in the Waves of Puerto Escondido

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Start with water safety and pop-up practice, then surf for the rest of this two-hour lesson with Silva Surf School. Instructors such as Ari, Oni, and Barrita adjust coaching to your level, move to better beginner waves when needed, and work with groups capped at eight. Boards, leashes, and rashguards are included.

“The great attentiveness of the instructors and the detailed explanations of how to learn to surf as well as their positive attitude. An overall really fun experience. I have re booked with them for me and daughter for December 2024”

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6.Oaxaca Coast Wildlife Ecotour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 82 reviews · 8 hours · from $50

Spend eight hours exploring the Oaxaca coast from Puerto Escondido with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. See crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, and birds at La Ventanilla, visit Mazunte and Zipolite, then stop for a sea-facing meal and swim at Estacahuite. Edgar has earned special praise for his clear explanations and patient style.

“Gran experiencia. Muy recomendable. Nuestro guia Edgar hizo que fuese un gran día lleno de actividades. Lo que más merece la pena es el tour de la laguna. De verdad vimos de todo. 10/10”

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7.Surfing Lessons in Puerto Escondido!

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 71 reviews · from $54

Meet at Carrizalillo Beach or La Punta Zicatela, depending on surf conditions and your level. Instructors such as Juan, Joy, Pablo, Emilio, and José teach a 30-minute land session before guiding you into the water. Equipment, rash guard, and face sunscreen are included in this two-hour small-group lesson.

“Great Surf Lesson – Highly Recommended The surf lesson was very well-organized. Juan is an excellent teacher. He explained everything clearly and gave helpful individual tips. The location was perfect for beginners. Thanks to the clear instructions, I was able to make progress and even catch my first waves. Overall, a really great experience – I would definitely recommend it!”

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8.BIOLUMINESCENCE IN PUERTO ESCONDIDO

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 57 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $57

Leave Puerto Escondido around 6:30 p.m. for a boat trip on the lagoon near El Zapotal. A local guide explains the ecosystem, then you can watch or swim as tiny organisms sparkle in the warm water. Pickup covers many Puerto Escondido hotels, with English, Spanish, and French support available.

“The experience was great. We had a lot of fun. The English-speaking driver collected us in time. We give minus one star for the fact that the boat captain was not speaking in English (even if we chose such option while makeing reservation).”

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9.Boat Tour among Dolphins and Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 52 reviews · 3 hours · from $79

Start at 7:00 AM with hotel pickup, then cruise Puerto Escondido’s Pacific waters for three hours with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide and captain. Look for playful dolphins, sea turtles, and migrating whales. This is a wildlife-viewing trip, not a swimming excursion, and sightings depend on nature.

“Super expérience, réservée à la dernière minute. On vous amène sur un petit bateau, on vous donne masque et tuba et hop on saute à l’eau parmi les dauphins. Une expérience inédite! Je déconseille juste d’acheter le café auprès des marchands ambulants de la plage car il est vraiment pas terrible”

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10.Bioluminescence Night Spectacle

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 45 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $46

After sunset, an English or Spanish-speaking guide takes you from your Puerto Escondido hotel to Manialtepec Lagoon. A night boat ride leads to water that glows when you touch it. You may swim, but the effect depends on the lunar calendar and disappears around the full moon.

“Superbe visite. Bus à l'heure. Temps sur place bien. Le seul hic vient des gilets de sauvetage obligatoires qui étaient à taille unique et beaucoup trop grand. Pas super agréable sur le moment.”

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11.Sunset by Horse on the Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 34 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $122

Leave Puerto Escondido around 3 p.m. for San José Manialtepec, where local horse riders teach you the basics before leading you through fields, cattle country, and a river to the beach. Ride at a walk, trot, or gallop as the sun drops, then return by a shorter route. Carlos and William are among the local contacts connected with the operation.

“Loved this experience! Beautiful varied scenery, friendly guides, happy horses! Was a treat to watch them swim across the lake and to ride back at dusk and see the fire flies.”

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12.Complete Temazcal Treatment

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 32 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

At Temazcal NA-HÁ MAYA, you spend two hours moving through a traditional steam hut, aromatherapy, music therapy, hydrotherapy, virgin-clay exfoliation, tea, and a 60-minute relaxing massage. The small group is limited to eight, with English and Spanish instruction. Bring beachwear, sandals, and a towel. Transportation is not included.

“Very unique experience. Great value& loved the exfoliating with clay & massage”

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