Surfing in Mexico: spots, season and tips
On the Pacific coast, Mexico has waves for all levels: the power of Zicatela in Puerto Escondido, the gentle waves of Sayulita and the beaches of Baja California Sur. The water is warm almost everywhere, and the season changes from one region to another.
This guide focuses on three regions: Oaxaca (Puerto Escondido), Riviera Nayarit (Sayulita, Punta de Mita) and Baja California Sur (Cerritos, Todos Santos). You will find the spots by level, the season, practical info and our tips.
At a glance: surfing in Mexico
| Regions | Oaxaca (Puerto Escondido), Riviera Nayarit (Sayulita), Baja California Sur (Cerritos) |
| Level | Carrizalillo, Sayulita and Cerritos to start; Zicatela for experienced surfers and experts |
| Wave type | Beach breaks, points and reefs |
| Best period | April to October in Puerto Escondido; November to March in Sayulita and Baja California Sur |
| Water | 27 to 30 °C in Oaxaca; 24 to 30 °C in Sayulita; 18 to 23 °C in winter in Baja California Sur |
| Wetsuit | None in Oaxaca; 3/2 or shorty in winter in Baja California Sur |
| Getting there | Fly to Mexico City, then a domestic flight to Puerto Escondido, Puerto Vallarta or Los Cabos |
Why surf in Mexico?
Mexico has waves for every level, with warm water almost all year round. In Puerto Escondido, Zicatela is a powerful, hollow beach break for experienced surfers only, while the small bay of Carrizalillo welcomes beginners. Further north, Sayulita is a lively surf village where learning is easy in winter. In Baja California Sur, Cerritos can be surfed all year round, between desert and ocean.
The two main seasons complement each other: south swells, from April to October, light up Oaxaca; north-west winter swells light up Baja California Sur and bring manageable waves to Sayulita. Hesitating with Central America? Compare with surfing in Nicaragua and surfing in Costa Rica.
Surf camps and surf schools in Mexico
There are many surf schools in Puerto Escondido, especially at Carrizalillo and on the way to La Punta, and in Sayulita. In Cerritos, you can also find lessons and rentals on site.
Do you run a surf camp or a surf school in Mexico?
Present your school to readers planning a surf trip to Mexico.
List my surf campWhen to go surfing in Mexico?
It depends on the region. In Puerto Escondido, the wave season runs from April to October, especially from June to August, thanks to south swells; in winter, the waves are smaller. In Sayulita, from November to March, north-west swells bring manageable waves, easy for beginners; from April, they get bigger. In Baja California Sur, the main season runs from November to March, and Cerritos stays surfable all year round. To compare with other destinations, see where to surf in November and where to surf in December.
Note: the Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30, peaking from July to September. In Puerto Escondido, the rainy season runs from late May to mid-October.
The surf season in Mexico by region
| Region | Best period | Beginners | Experienced surfers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oaxaca (Puerto Escondido) | April to October, especially June to August | Carrizalillo; smaller waves in winter | Zicatela, in summer |
| Riviera Nayarit (Sayulita) | November to March to start; bigger from April to October | Sayulita, from November to March | Punta de Mita, on reefs |
| Baja California Sur (Cerritos) | November to March; surfable all year round | Cerritos, with a small swell | San Pedrito and La Pastora, in winter |
Water temperature in Mexico month by month
Average water temperature in Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca) and Sayulita (Riviera Nayarit).
| Month | Puerto Escondido | Sayulita |
|---|---|---|
| January | 28 °C | 25 °C |
| February | 28 °C | 24 °C |
| March | 28 °C | 24 °C |
| April | 28 °C | 25 °C |
| May | 29 °C | 27 °C |
| June | 29 °C | 28 °C |
| July | 30 °C | 30 °C |
| August | 30 °C | 30 °C |
| September | 29 °C | 30 °C |
| October | 29 °C | 30 °C |
| November | 29 °C | 28 °C |
| December | 28 °C | 26 °C |
In Baja California Sur, the water is cooler: 18 to 23 °C in winter and 24 to 29 °C in summer.
Surfing in Mexico: practical info
Surf
- Level: all levels depending on the spot and the season
- Wave type: beach breaks, points and reefs
- Water: 27 to 30 °C in Oaxaca, 24 to 30 °C in Sayulita, 18 to 29 °C in Baja California Sur
- Wetsuit: none in Oaxaca; 3/2 or shorty in winter in Baja California Sur
Before you go
- Flights: fly to Mexico City, then a domestic flight
- Airports: Puerto Escondido (Zicatela, Carrizalillo), Puerto Vallarta (Sayulita, 45 min to 1 h away), Los Cabos (Cerritos, 1 h to 1 h 30 away)
- Entry requirements: no visa for a tourist stay for many nationalities; passport valid for the whole stay; keep your proof of entry (stamp or immigration form)
- Safety: official advice warns against travel to the states of Guerrero, Michoacán and Colima, with exceptions: check the travel advice before you go
On site
- Currency: Mexican peso (MXN)
- Hurricanes: season from May 15 to November 30, peaking from July to September
- Currents: frequent, and beaches rarely have lifeguards: ask before you paddle out
- Wind: in Puerto Escondido, surf early in the morning: the wind turns around 10 or 11 am
Where to surf in Mexico: the best spots
All the spots in this guide are on Mexico’s west coast, facing the Pacific. The map shows the surf spots of the three regions, from south to north. Pick your region depending on the season, then your spot depending on your level.
Surf spots in Mexico for beginners
| Spot | Where | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrizalillo | Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca) | Small sheltered bay, gentle rights and lefts; lots of schools | April to October |
| Sayulita, the left | Sayulita (Riviera Nayarit) | Left over a sandbank, very busy | November to March, when the waves are smaller |
| Cerritos | Near Todos Santos (Baja California Sur) | Sandy beach break below a point | All year round; more swell from November to March |
Surf spots in Mexico for intermediate surfers
| Spot | Where | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Punta | Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca) | Left point over sand and rocks, at the southern end of Zicatela; beginners only on small days, with a school | April to October |
| Sayulita, the right | Sayulita (Riviera Nayarit) | Right at the river mouth, over rock and sand | All year round; bigger from April to October |
| La Lancha | Punta de Mita (Riviera Nayarit) | Reef: fast left, softer right | November to March, rather at high tide |
| Punta Burros | Punta de Mita (Riviera Nayarit) | Reef, not for beginners | Summer, with a south swell; low to mid tide |
Surf spots in Mexico for experienced surfers
| Spot | Where | The wave | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zicatela | Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca) | Powerful, hollow beach break, lefts and rights; broken boards are common | April to October, especially June to August |
| Barra de la Cruz | Oaxaca coast, east of Huatulco | Long right point over sand | April to September, with a south swell |
| San Pedrito | Near Todos Santos (Baja California Sur) | Right point over a rocky bottom | All year round, bigger from November to March |
| La Pastora | North of Todos Santos (Baja California Sur) | Exposed, powerful point, lefts and rights | Winter, with a north-west swell |
| Zippers (Costa Azul) | San José del Cabo (Baja California Sur) | Fast right over rocks and sand, very competitive peak | April to October, with a south swell |
Surf forecast for Mexico
Before each session, check the swell, wind and tide: in Mexico, beaches rarely have lifeguards and currents are frequent.
- Puerto Escondido: Windy map of Zicatela
- Sayulita: Windy map of Sayulita
- Cerritos: Windy map of Cerritos
Puerto Escondido, Sayulita or Cerritos?
The three regions don’t work in the same season: choose depending on your dates and your level.
Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca)
For experienced surfers, from April to October, with Zicatela. Beginners go to Carrizalillo. Water at 27 to 30 °C, no wetsuit. Everything is in our spot guides to Zicatela and Carrizalillo.
Sayulita (Riviera Nayarit)
To start and improve from November to March, in a lively village. Punta de Mita, right next door, has reefs for more experienced surfers. Everything is in our guide to Sayulita.
Cerritos (Baja California Sur)
A beach that can be surfed all year round, at its best from November to March, with moderate crowds. Bring a 3/2 in winter. Everything is in our guide to Cerritos.
What to do in Mexico besides surfing?
On flat days:
- Manialtepec lagoon: near Puerto Escondido, a night boat trip on a bioluminescent lagoon
- Mazunte: the Mexican Turtle Centre, dedicated to Mexico’s sea turtles
- Lagunas de Chacahua: a national park of lagoons and mangroves, reached by boat
- Islas Marietas: a national park off Punta de Mita, with blue-footed boobies and whales in winter
- Todos Santos: a village listed as a “Pueblo Mágico”, with many art galleries
- Whales and turtles: in Baja California Sur, whale watching from October to March and baby turtle releases in winter
All guided activities in Mexico
FAQ: everything about surfing in Mexico
Where to surf in Mexico?
On the Pacific coast: in Puerto Escondido (Oaxaca), in Sayulita and Punta de Mita (Riviera Nayarit) and in Cerritos (Baja California Sur).
When to go surfing in Mexico?
From April to October for Puerto Escondido, from November to March for Sayulita and Baja California Sur.
Where to learn to surf in Mexico?
At Carrizalillo (Puerto Escondido), in Sayulita from November to March, and in Cerritos with a small swell.
Is Zicatela suitable for beginners?
No. It is a powerful wave, for experienced surfers only. Beginners go to Carrizalillo.
Do you need a wetsuit to surf in Mexico?
Not in Oaxaca, where the water is between 27 and 30 °C. In winter, bring a 3/2 or a shorty in Baja California Sur.
Do you need a visa for Mexico?
Not for a tourist stay for many nationalities. Your passport must be valid for the whole stay, and keep your proof of entry. Check the conditions with your government’s travel advice before you go.
Is Mexico safe for a surf trip?
The situation varies from state to state: official advice warns against Guerrero, Michoacán and Colima, with exceptions. Check the travel advice before you go.
More surf destinations in the Americas
Information may change. This guide is for general guidance only: surf conditions, temperatures, access, opening hours and prices can change. Before your trip and every session, check the forecast, local conditions and information from local providers. A spot description and its suggested level are no guarantee of safety: always match your session to your level and the conditions on the day. Learn more
Updated November 2026
Sources: Surfline Zicatela, Surfline La Punta, Surfline Barra de la Cruz, Surfline Carrizalillo, Surfline Punta Burros, Surfline Sayulita, Surfline La Lancha, Surfline Cerritos, Surfline San Pedrito, Surfline Zippers, The Surf Atlas, Lush Palm, Wannasurf, Mondo.surf, Figaro Nautisme, Blog de Surf, Face and Wave, Noovo Moi, Yeeew, NOAA, Voyage.gc.ca, Seatemperature.info, WeatherSpark.
Photos: Unsplash (Anaclara Vardiero, Zeltzin Tuxtla, Christopher Farrugia, Josh Withers, @onegrandtrip, @thelifeofdev).
