Are you in need of a sunny break away from the doom and gloom of the North American, suburban winter? Being a short two to three-hour flight away and boasting endless miles of unspoiled coastline, Mexico is truly a no-brainer.
But what if you don’t have the budget for Los Cabos, or Cancun, Tulum, and the like do not appeal, what with the bachelor and bachelorette parties, hordes of TikTokers, and the staggering number of tourists?
We get it: a beach vacay is meant to be relaxing, and as it turns out, you’re in luck, as nonstop flights are finally launching from the U.S. to a hidden beach town in the Mexican Pacific yet to be ruined by the masses:
Nonstop Flights To Puerto Escondido From April!
Starting April 2025, United Airline’s partner Mesa Airlines will operate the only direct flights from the United States to Puerto Escondido, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
More specifically, flights will be offered from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), a Texan hub handling over 40 million passengers annually, used by both Houstonites and other travelers transiting on their way south.
Houston is one of America’s main gateways to Latin America, and Mexico especially, with 21 different Mexican destinations within easy reach of passengers already.
According to Jim Szczesniak’s words, the director of aviation for Houston Airports, the new Puerto Escondido flights will help boost the hospitality and tourism industries on both ends of the line while ensuring ‘Houston remains the first choice for travelers’ when they look toward Latin America.
The new Puerto Escondido flights will remain operational daily, year-round, and an Embraer 175 aircraft will be deployed on this route.
Further details, such as the exact launch date in April, departure and arrival times, and prices are yet to be confirmed.
Fly Nonstop To Mexico’s Hidden Beach Paradise
As the name reads, Puerto Escondido means ‘Hidden Port’ in Spanish, and though it’s far from being a traditional hidden gem, having hosted its fair share of surfers and backpackers for decades now, it’s comparatively more laid-back and less crowded than Mexico’s usual tourism hotspots.
The main beach town in the state of Oaxaca is famous for its long and wide golden sand beaches, straddling shiny, azure seas, with a central Principal Beach strewn with tall palm trees and thatch-roofed kiosks.
Despite its central location, this coastal stretch feels much calmer and far more authentic than Cancun’s bustling Hotel Zone: instead of mega-resorts, it’s smaller boutique hotels and youth hostels that border it, and it remains mostly within the public domain.
In other words, big developers have not fenced off access to most of the beachfront, allowing locals to access it for leisure and thus retaining the area’s authenticity.
Golden Sands For Miles On End
Puerto Escondido is primarily a beach destination, owing to its plethora of beaches, beachfront stays, and pleasant temps regardless of season: it’s usually a max 83°F out, with lows of 69°F overnight.
Playa Carrizalillo straddles turquoise waters, and it is lined with seafood restaurants, including Turtle Bay Restaurant, where the best medium-rare tuna in town is served, and the airy, tropical-themed Almazul, which we love for the grilled veggies and octopus.
Elsewhere, Playa Zicatela is highly sought-after by surfers due to its powerful waves and heavy tubes, or as locals like to call it, the ‘Mexican Pipeline’: it is not a challenge to take on unless you’re experienced in this sport, but you’re always free to chill by the beach bar sipping on Margaritas.
Other popular beaches in the area include La Punta, with smaller waves and a family-friendly environment, and Carrizalillo, perhaps the most scenic, centered around a cove with towering sea cliffs as a backdrop.
How Affordable Is Puerto Escondido?
The affordability also plays a big part in its rising popularity, with plenty of good-value listings available, like Hotel Yurimar ($26-a-night), Cabañas Edda ($34), Casa La Paz 1 ($34), and Hidden Port Melrose Place ($42).
If you’re the luxury traveler kind, there are a handful of boutique offerings, such as the adults-only Ennea Hotel, characterized by its rustic decor and 5-star service ($441), and Bora Boutique, an equally charming property within walking distance to Zicatela Beach ($228).
For something mid-range yet exclusive, Tal Vez Boutique Hotel is equipped with an outdoor swimming pool, a lush garden, and poolfront rooms featuring a balcony and free WiFi from only $ 80 a night.
When it comes to dining out, you can get a main dish in an inexpensive restaurant for around $6, or the equivalent in Mexican pesos, or $39.36 for a three-course meal for two people, as per estimates provided by Numbeo.
Puerto Escondido is only one of Mexico’s numerous inexpensive beach cities.
This winter, Americans can also fly nonstop to the up-and-coming Ciudad Madero in the Gulf of Mexico, where there are oceanside hotels from $83, a stone’s throw away from the postcard-ready Miramar Beach.
Learn more here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
