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In need of a sunny getaway, away from the doom and gloom of the North American winter in the suburbs? With a short two- to three-hour flight and endless miles of pristine 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 aren’t appealing, what about the bachelor parties, hordes of TikTokers and the staggering number of tourists?
We get it: a beach holiday is meant to be like that relaxingand it turns out you’re in luck because non-stop flights are finally launching from the US to a hidden seaside resort in the Mexican Pacific that has yet to be ruined by the masses:
Direct flights to Puerto Escondido from April!
Mesa Airlines, a partner of United Airlines, will be active from April 2025 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 Texas hub that handles more than 40 million passengers annually and is used by both Houstonites and other travelers transiting south.
Houston is one of America’s main gateways to Latin America, and especially Mexico, with 21 different Mexican destinations within reach of passengers already.
According to Jim Szczesniak wordsthe director of aviation for Houston Airports, the new Puerto Escondido flights will boost the hospitality and tourism industries at both ends of the line while ensuring that ‘Houston remains the first choice for travelers’ when heading to Latin America Watch America.
The new Puerto Escondido flights remain operational daily, all year roundand an Embraer 175 aircraft will be used 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 non-stop to Mexico’s hidden beach paradise
As its name goes, Puerto Escondido means ‘Hidden Haven’ in Spanish, and while it is far from a traditional hidden gem, hosting a large number of surfers and backpackers for decades, it is relatively more relaxed and less crowded than Mexico . usual tourist hotspots.
The main beach resort in the state of Oaxaca is known for its long and wide golden sandy beacheslocated on the shiny, azure blue sea, with a central main beach dotted with tall palm trees and thatched-roof kiosks.
Despite its central location, this stretch of coast feels much quieter and much more authentic than Cancun’s bustling hotel zone: instead of mega-resorts, it is bordered by smaller boutique hotels and youth hostels, and it remains largely within the public domain.
In other words, major developers have not closed off access to most of the beach, allowing locals to access it for leisure and thus preserving the authenticity of the area.
Golden beach, miles long
Puerto Escondido is primarily a beach destination, due to its abundance of beaches, beachside stays and pleasant temperatures regardless of the season: it is usually a maximum of 83°F outsidewith lows of 69°F overnight.
Playa Carrizalillo is set on turquoise waters and is dotted with seafood restaurants, including Turtle Bay Restaurantserving the city’s best medium-rare tuna, and its light-hearted, tropical theme Almazulwhich we love because of the grilled vegetables and octopus.
Elsewhere, Playa Zicatela is highly sought after by surfers due to its location powerful waves and heavy tubesor as the locals like to call it, the ‘Mexican Pipeline’: that’s what it is not a challenge to take on unless you have experience with this sport, but you are always free to relax at the beach bar and sip 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 bay with towering sea cliffs in the background.
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.
