Town in Oaxaca, Mexico
Is Puerto Escondido safe?
Generally relaxed, but petty theft and robberies on quiet roads and beaches occur.
Is Puerto Escondido safe?
Generally relaxed, but petty theft and robberies on quiet roads and beaches occur. The surf is the biggest danger, and highways to and from the town are risky at night.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-08-11.
- Homicide rate in Mexico: 24.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Mexico: 12.8 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Puerto Escondido at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone and bag theft from beaches and hostels, occasional night robberies on dark roads, and drug-related incidents mostly away from tourists. |
| At night | Zicatela's main strip is busy and mostly fine until late; use a taxi for the dark stretch to La Punta or Centro. |
| Solo women | Solo women travel and surf here often. Catcalls happen; avoid empty beaches at night, watch drinks and use taxis late. |
| Other risks | Zicatela's powerful waves and rip currents; novices drown; Hurricanes and tropical storms May–Nov; Strong sun and heat; dehydration |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Overcharging taxis and tuk-tuk-style mototaxis for short rides
- Surf-school touts promising cheap lessons then adding fees
- Currency or ATM problems; use ATMs inside banks
- Tour operators selling crowded or unsafe boat trips
Take care
- Zicatela beach at night: muggings on dark sand
- Mountain highway from Oaxaca City at night: robbery risk
- Zicatela waves: rip currents and shallow reef injuries
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carrying any firearm or even a single bullet can mean prison.
- Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned and can be confiscated.
- Drinking in the street is illegal in most cities and brings fines or arrest.
How Puerto Escondido compares in Mexico
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Mérida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Miguel de Allende | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cozumel | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Isla Mujeres | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Holbox | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bacalar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Guanajuato | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Monterrey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Valladolid | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Paz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puebla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Querétaro | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puerto Morelos | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mazunte | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Todos Santos | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ajijic | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mexico City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cancún | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tulum | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Playa del Carmen | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Vallarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cabo San Lucas | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Oaxaca | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Guadalajara | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Escondido | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Sayulita | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Cristóbal de las Casas | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mazatlán | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tijuana | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Acapulco | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is Puerto Escondido safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel and surf here often. Catcalls happen; avoid empty beaches at night, watch drinks and use taxis late.
Is Puerto Escondido safe at night?
Zicatela's main strip is busy and mostly fine until late; use a taxi for the dark stretch to La Punta or Centro.
What is the crime rate in Puerto Escondido?
Phone and bag theft from beaches and hostels, occasional night robberies on dark roads, and drug-related incidents mostly away from tourists. Nationally, Mexico records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Puerto Escondido?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
More about Puerto Escondido
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Oaxaca tourism
- ADO
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.