Puerto Escondido
Nestled along Oaxaca’s Pacific coast, Puerto Escondido is a unique fusion of untouched natural beauty, laid-back surf culture, and expansive healing potential. It’s not just a beach town — it’s a vibrant community and an ideal launchpad for transformational travel.
Puerto Escondido offers space — literal and energetic. There are dozens of beaches (and hundreds more within driving distance), hidden coves, and cliffside lookout points where you can find quiet, solitude, or inspiration. Whether you’re watching the waves roll in at Zicatela, swimming in the calm waters of Carrizalillo, or taking a jungle path to a secret bay, the coastline here never stops giving.
Beyond the sand and sea, Puerto is alive with movement and medicine. It's a global hub for surfing, yoga, Jiu-Jitsu, freediving, and alternative healing — yet it maintains its down-to-earth charm. From breathwork circles and sound healing sessions to fitness gyms and martial arts studios, the town is brimming with spaces to connect, reset, and evolve.
In just a couple of hours, you can travel from the beach to the cool, misty mountains of Oaxaca, where you’ll find sacred mushroom traditions, rich Indigenous culture, and pristine pine forests. This geographic and cultural diversity makes Puerto Escondido a gateway — not only to nature, but to deeply rooted ways of living and healing.
For Evolve Vacations, Puerto Escondido is more than a location — it’s a living partner in the work we do. The calm mornings, the vibrant sunsets, the food, the people, the rhythm of the waves — all of it contributes to an environment where guests can truly decompress, reconnect, and grow.
Oaxaca City: Culture, Color & Connection
Just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Puerto Escondido thanks to the newly completed highway, Oaxaca City offers a vibrant, deeply rooted cultural experience that beautifully complements the beachside tranquility of our retreats.
This historic capital is a place where ancestral wisdom, Indigenous art, and natural healing converge. From the moment you enter the city, you’re welcomed by cobblestone streets, colorful colonial architecture, and the hum of traditional life lived with intention and grace.
Oaxaca is home to some of the most vibrant markets in Mexico, where you can explore local herbs, handcrafted remedies, ceremonial textiles, and organic produce. It's a place of nourishment and learning — a city with a pulse that invites you to slow down and tune in.
Our Evolve family has deep roots in Oaxaca City. Paloma, Colin’s wife and co-creator of Evolve Vacations, was born and raised here. Her intimate knowledge of the city, its traditions, and its rhythms allows us to offer guests a truly authentic and warm introduction to this magical place. Whether you're strolling through shaded courtyards, taking in the healing plants at local botanical gardens, or connecting with traditional practitioners, you'll be held in the care of people who genuinely know and love the land.
We offer accommodation options in Oaxaca City for those beginning or ending their journey with us, or for anyone looking to immerse in its artistic, natural, and healing landscape. From here, it’s easy to access ceremonial sites, spiritual guides, and alternative therapies in a city that’s as alive with soul as it is with color.
Chacahua is a hidden sanctuary of biodiversity, Afro-Mexican culture, and untamed coastal beauty. Just a few hours from Puerto Escondido, this island-like destination offers a powerful shift in energy—from movement to stillness, from stimulation to deep rest. Saltwater lagoons meet the Pacific Ocean, mangroves stretch for miles, and at night, bioluminescence shimmers across the water. There are few cars, no banks, and very little cell reception—and that’s the point. This is a place to unplug, reconnect, and remember what it feels like to move at nature’s pace.
Guests often explore Chacahua by boat, gliding through the mangroves and spotting wildlife along the way. Sunset swims, bonfires on the beach, and oceanfront cabanas create an atmosphere of peace and simplicity. At night, a bioluminescent swim becomes an unforgettable, almost mystical experience. During the day, optional journaling, movement practices, or coaching sessions help guests integrate the stillness and insights that naturally arise here.
All Evolve trips to Chacahua are fully supported with food, lodging, and safe transport. This is one of our favorite places to exhale deeply, slow down the nervous system, and let the natural world do its work.
Day Trips to Mazunte, Zipolite & San Agustinillo
Just a short drive from Puerto Escondido, the coastal villages of Mazunte, Zipolite, and San Agustinillo offer a magical window into Oaxaca’s slower, soulful beach life. These towns, nestled along a stretch of breathtaking coastline, are close enough for easy day trips—making them perfect for exploration without needing to pack an overnight bag.
Mazunte is known for its peaceful energy, beautiful beaches, and artisan shops. It’s also home to the National Turtle Center and a community of yogis, herbalists, and artists. San Agustinillo, the quietest of the three, is great for families and offers safe, swimmable beaches with soft sand and calm surf. Zipolite, while famous for its bohemian spirit, also has lovely spots for lunch, local shopping, and open-air markets worth exploring during the day.
At Evolve Vacations, we arrange guided day trips to this region that are relaxed, family-friendly, and full of local insight. With Puerto Escondido as your home base, you’ll enjoy greater comfort and safety in your accommodations while still accessing the beauty and charm of these nearby gems. Whether you’re looking to browse artisan crafts, eat fresh-caught seafood, or dip into crystal-blue waters, these beach towns offer something unique for everyone—no long stays required.
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🌲 Explore the Pueblos Mancomunados – Sacred Sierra Adventures
High in the misty Sierra Norte mountains of Oaxaca lies a hidden network of eight indigenous villages known as the Pueblos Mancomunados. These Zapotec communities—Benito Juárez, La Nevería, Latuvi, Cuajimoloyas, Amatlán, Llano Grande, Yavesía, and Santa Catarina Lachatao—have gained international recognition for pioneering community-led ecotourism, sustainable forestry, and environmental stewardship.
At Evolve Vacations, we’re proud to offer immersive experiences in this breathtaking region. Guests can explore ancient forest trails, take part in multi-day guided hikes between the villages, and stay in rustic cabins with wood-burning fireplaces perfect for mountain evenings. Whether you're foraging for wild mushrooms, learning traditional farming techniques, or participating in indigenous practices passed down for generations, each visit brings deep connection with nature, tradition, and self.
The Pueblos Mancomunados are unique in that they operate through a shared governance model. Their commitment to collective decision-making and conservation has granted them a level of autonomy and sustainability rarely seen in modern tourism. This is not just a mountain escape—it’s a chance to witness a living example of community resilience, indigenous wisdom, and environmental harmony.
Families love the safety, simplicity, and wonder of the Sierra. Healers and seekers find deep reflection in the silence of the forests and the strength of mountain traditions. With cool weather, welcoming hosts, and endless trails to explore, the Pueblos Mancomunados are a magical contrast to the coastal energy of Puerto Escondido—and a natural extension of any Evolve healing journey.
Locations
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons / Bernardo Bolaños (CC BY‑SA 3.0)
