Family Vacations in Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido is wonderful with children once you know where to swim: Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo are calm, while Zicatela, with its strong currents, is not. Casa Leah, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, welcomes families with babies and children, with two-bedroom suites, full kitchens and two pools.
Is Puerto Escondido good for families?
Very much so. There are calm coves, sea turtles, boat trips with dolphins, tacos everywhere and long stretches of sand for running. The town is easygoing and warm toward children.
The one thing to understand before you arrive is the ocean. Zicatela, the most famous beach, has powerful currents; it is for watching surfers, not for swimming. Sheltered bays for a proper swim are only a few minutes away by taxi.
Which beaches are best for kids in Puerto Escondido?
With small children, Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo are the easiest, with no long staircase. Carrizalillo is beautiful, but the 167 steps back up are felt with a baby on your hip.
| Beach | What it is like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Carrizalillo | Small, sheltered cove reached by 167 steps | Swimming, a first surf lesson |
| Puerto Angelito | Calm bay with clear water | Swimming and snorkeling with children |
| Manzanillo | Beside Puerto Angelito, gentle water | Swimming, playing at the water's edge |
| Zicatela | Open beach, heavy surf and currents | Watching surfers and walking only |
Things to do with children in Puerto Escondido
- Release turtle hatchlings at sunset at Playa Bacocho (Vivemar) or Campamento Palmarito. It depends on what hatched that day, so ask first.
- Take a boat out to see dolphins and, from December to March, humpback whales.
- Book a first surf lesson at Carrizalillo, with a school and a soft-top board.
- Watch Zicatela's surfers from the sand in the early morning.
- Visit the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga in Mazunte, just over an hour away.
- Take a night trip to the Manialtepec lagoon for bioluminescence (July to September), for children who can stay up late.
When is the best time to visit with kids?
If you travel on the school calendar, December and Easter week are the usual choices, and also the busiest. Book well ahead.
If you have some flexibility, March or April outside Easter week, or early December, bring dry weather, calm bays and fewer people.
July and August are summer holidays in Mexico. It is hot, it rains in the afternoons and the surf runs big, so mornings by the pool and the sheltered bays work best.
Casa Leah with children
We are not an adults-only hotel and never intended to be. Children are welcome, babies too, and we have cribs. The crib is free; ask for it when you book. There are no extra beds.
Every suite has a fully equipped kitchen, so the youngest can have breakfast when they are hungry rather than when a restaurant opens. There is a living room, a 55" smart TV, and air conditioning for the afternoon nap.
There are two pools. They are not lifeguarded, so children must always be with an adult at the pool and in shared spaces. The pools are open from 9 am to 11 pm.
Suites for families
Two-Bedroom Villa (121 m²): two bedrooms (one king, one queen), two bathrooms, garden and a partial ocean view. There are two villas, so two families can travel together.
The Grand Penthouse (205 m²): two bedrooms (king and queen), two bathrooms, a private terrace at the top of the house and a full ocean view. The largest suite we have.
For a family of three with a baby, the Garden View Suite (75 m²) is on the ground floor, with a patio and hammock beside the garden and pool, and no stairs.
Practical notes
- The airport is 15 minutes away; a private transfer for up to four can be arranged.
- Daily housekeeping, with pool and beach towels in every suite.
- Breakfast from 8 to 11 at the poolside bar.
- Reception from 7 am to 11 pm for tours, restaurants and anything else you need.
- Small pets up to 10 kg are welcome with notice at booking.
- Traveling with several families? You can reserve more than one suite, or the whole house for groups.
A few tips for traveling with children
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hats and rash guards: the sun is strong all year.
- Keep water close; May to October is warm and humid.
- Beach in the morning, then the pool or a nap through the hottest hours.
- Insect repellent for rainy-season evenings.
FAQ
Is it safe to swim with children in Puerto Escondido?
Yes, at the right beaches. Carrizalillo, Puerto Angelito and Manzanillo are calm. Zicatela is not for swimming, with strong currents and heavy surf, though it is perfect for watching surfers from the sand.
Does Casa Leah welcome children?
Yes, children and babies are welcome. We have cribs, two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, and two pools. Children must always be with an adult at the pool and in shared areas.
Which Casa Leah suite is best for a family of four?
The Two-Bedroom Villa (121 m², two bedrooms, two bathrooms) or The Grand Penthouse (205 m², two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private terrace and full ocean view). Both have a full kitchen and living room.
What is there to do with kids in Puerto Escondido?
Release turtle hatchlings at sunset, see dolphins and whales by boat, take a surf lesson at Carrizalillo, swim at Puerto Angelito, and visit the Centro Mexicano de la Tortuga in Mazunte.
Are the pools at Casa Leah lifeguarded?
No. Both pools are open from 9 am to 11 pm, without a lifeguard and with no glass allowed. Children must always be accompanied by an adult.
When should families visit Puerto Escondido?
March and April outside Easter week, or early December, offer good weather and fewer people. Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays are the busiest; book early.
