Surfing Mexico – ALL Top Spots / Surf Towns [2025]
A whopping 7,300+ kilometres of coastline strings along the Pacific Ocean, so there’s plenty of breaks for pretty much everyone who comes surfing Mexico! We now rank this among the top surf destinations on the planet, especially for intermediate surfers willing to explore a bit.
An introduction to surfing in Mexico
Mexico caps off the bottom of North America with a whopping 4,500 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline. Taking over from where the legendary breaks of San Diego and SoCal leave off, it’s hardly a surprise that it has oodles of waves.
They begin in earnest right over the US border in the Baja. That’s long been a spring breaker’s party hub, but also offers up big wave swells in winter and mellow beaches in the summer months.
And that’s only the beginning of things, because region after region follows, each with their own enticing barrels and peaks. Some – Oaxaca and Salina Cruz – are a perennial favourites of pros on the tour. Others – Sayulita and Nayarit – beckon beginners with cruisy longboard waves and nice beach wedges.
Any veteran of this country’s coast will tell you that Mexico surfing isn’t just about the waves themselves. Boasting gleaming beaches fringed by stooping palms, cool surf towns like San Pancho and Sayulita, taco stands, mezcal, tequila, margaritas and mariachi, it’s one darn fine place to unwind and embrace the Latin spirit.
If we had to pick downsides to surfing in Mexico, we’d say there’s always a question mark over safety here. This is the country that gave the world Narcos, remember! Some stretches of the Pacific Coast (like Sinaloa and even the Baja, for example) have been known to have some serious cartel trouble.
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This guide is a part of our larger guide to surfing North America
Surfing Mexico at a glance
Season: Summer for intermediate+, winter for beginners // Break type: Beach breaks, point, reef // Water temperature: Cool (in Baja) to tropical // Level: All levels
The good:
The bad:
What will I find in this guide to surfing Mexico?
Where to surf in Mexico?
Well…there’s plenty.
In fact, there’s WAAY too many spots to list everywhere you can surf in Mexico, even if we wanted to – there are still tons of totally secret places stringing up the Oaxacan and Nayarit coast, so we’ll leave those for you to find on your own.
What we will look at here is the chart-toppers and the main surf hubs of the country, running from the Baja in the north all the way to the less-trodden regions nearer the Guatemala border…
Baja California
Ensenada
Surf trips in Baja Norte are nothing new. SoCal pilgrims have been flocking this way for decades to hunt the point breaks south of the border and it’s now more popular than ever.
The quality is undeniable. Right-handers of sheer quality run the 100 miles from Rosarito to Ensenada, at San Miguel and others that work a lot like the setup in Trestles and California.
Stay at: Native Residence is an amazing eco lodge right on the coast of the Baja, with access to one of the finest point breaks in the region.
Here’s our complete guide to surfing in Ensenada
Cabo San Lucas
The southern part of the Baja California has long been a favorite travel spot. That’s largely down to the resort of Cabo San Lucas, a party mecca with shimmering beaches and warm seas.
The area also counts some cracking surf, from El Tule on the Sea of Cortez to Todos Santos and the beach breaks of the Baja’s Pacific coast. There’s something for all levels and summer is best with those southerly swells.
We rate it as a fantastic place to holiday, catch some sun and party, and surf by day – there are surf hotels and surf lessons on offer up and down the shoreline going west from town.
Stay at: Cabo Surf Hotel – This is luxury within walking distance of the best break in the region.
Read our full guide to Cabo San Lucas surfing
Sinaloa
iStock.com / WirestockA sketchy rep is backed up by some soaring crime rates in 2025, meaning Sinaloa remains one of the riskiest surf regions in the Americas. Come at your own risk and head straight for the main city of Mazatlan, which is very much the hub of the whole region…
Mazatlan
Mazatlan is the hub of the surfing in Sinaloa. It’s blessed with a great location on the Mexican Pacific coast that means surf breaks sit on the south and the north sides of town.
We think that holding off until the bigger summer sets is wise, since they will bend through into the north-facing bays in the Centro area of downtown to offer peeling lefts that are great fun for all levels.
Also, be sure to stay in the charming old town area! It’s recently been rejuvenated and oozes proper Mexican charm.
We’ve got a complete guide to surfing in Mazatlan
Nayarit
Probably the joint-first most famous surf region in Mexico – along with Oaxaca – Nayarit gets its plauydits from Sayulita.
That’s now a haven for gringo learners, but there’s more than just the town’s mellow log waves in the area, including some big and punchy breaks on the Bahia de Banderas, and lovely little San Pancho, one of our all-time favorite surf towns.
Chacala
Tiny Chacala has a nice buzz about it. It’s little more than a fishing town of 300 people knitted together by charming cobbled lanes and jungle-shrouded streets.
We call it one of the best-kept secrets of the Riviera Nayarit since it’s got boat-only access to two of the region’s finest left-hand point breaks.
On top of that, it’s not overly busy like Sayulita and it’s downright stunning.
You can also stay in the town of Los Ayala about 25 minutes’ drive to the south. It hasn’t got surf of its own but is a good base for surfing Chacala and the more traditional Nayarit spots of Sayulita/Punta Mita in the same trip.
Read our full guide to Chacala right now
San Pancho
We’ve got a serious soft spot for San Pancho.
We won’t say it’s all down to the surf. It’s not. Actually, the waves here aren’t anything crazy to write home about. I mean, they are consistent and challenging, but suffer from closeouts and steep take-offs that can dump you onto the reef.
The main thing is that San Pancho sits near some great breaks on the Bahia de Banderas, like La Lancha and Sayulita.
Spend your days riding those and then return to the charming beach town for margaritas and mariachi on the streets – it’s a seriously lovely place to be!
Stay at: PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical, a super boutique spot with thatched roofs and tropical cabana vibes, all framed with luxury amenities. <5 mins to the beach.
Read our full guide to San Pancho surf
Sayulita
Sayulita is probably Mexico’s most iconic surf town. Sat smack dab in the heart of the so-called Riviera Nayarit, it’s a doozy for anyone searching for surfing in Mexico for beginners.
That’s for the duo of breaks that roll into the main playa. One’s a mellow little ride that’s just about tailor-made for starting out on a foamy. The other is more challenging, so you can progress as your trip goes on.
Oh, and you’ll discover plenty extra breaks and points in the region, from sleek Punta Mita to intermediate-fav La Lancha and beyond.
Sayulita has surf camps coming out of its ears. We have a complete guide to the very best right here, which we try to update each year.
Stay at: WildMex Surf & Adventure run a 7-day progression surf camp in Sayulita that we rank as among the best in Mexico. It includes accomodation, all your surf training, and use of thier board stash (which includes more than 300 sticks!)
Read our full guide to Sayulita surf
Punta Mita
The geography of the Punta Mita headland makes it a corker of a surf destination, even by Mexican standards.
Between Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta, it offers both south- and west-facing spots.
Some are mellow cruisers, like Stinky’s on the main harbour. Others are wedgy lefts and rights, like La Lancha and Burros. You’ve also got reliable reefs on the side of it all, facing big luxury hotel resorts.
Summer will send size into the overhead range here for weeks on end, but the variety keeps it all-level all year round, making Punta a fine choice for learners right through to improver intermediates.
Stay at: Mita Surf House have a week-long camp that includes a stay in a sleek town villa with a pool, along with daily surf lessons, all for a touch under $800!
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a sprawling city in the middle of the beautiful Bahía de Banderas.
To the south is a string of gorgeous paradise beaches peppered with palm trees (they are great for hiking from cove to cove, but not so much for surfing).
To the north, you’ll enter the Riviera Nayarit, which is where some of the very best breaks on the Mexican Pacific crash into the shore. We’re talking the likes of Punta Mita, Punta Burros, La Lancha, Sayulita – the list goes on.
Basically, the city offers the night-time vibes, and there are plenty of fun places to get surfing during the day, so long as you don’t mind a 30-45-minute drive. The best way to do it is to book onto an organized surf lesson like this one – they cost around $100 per person but include transport, instruction, and gear rental.
Read our full guide to Puerto Vallarta surf
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Guerrero
iStock.com / Arturo Peña Romano MedinaGuerrero marks the more undiscovered shorelines of the central Mexican Pacific. You can drive for hours here searching for points that no one’s named.
There are a few famous spots that are growing in popularity. Fast. La Saladita, for example, is home to an epic left peeler, while Troncones is a fine intermediate and up destination for summer swell surfing.
Playa La Saladita
We think this is one to watch. Sat one more bend in the headland along from the already-established surf hub of Troncones, Playa La Saladita has a seriously epic left-hand rivermouth that recalls the likes of Nosara or Chile’s famous southern lefts.
It’s basically all about that one great wave here, and there’s a nascent scene growing around it for those who like remotish hotels right on the beach and walking access to the surf points.
Read our full guide to Playa La Saladita
Troncones
Troncones has a main beach that’s littered with some of the emptiest intermediate wedges we’ve come across in Mexico, though we’re not sure how long that will last!
Add to that a point break to the north for ripping shortboarders that works in the summer and a cruisy logger wave that’s among the finest of its type around and you start to get an idea why we think this one’s going places.
Get there now to dodge the crowds and the big resort hotels that are surely coming in the later 2020s.
Stay at: Troncones Point Hostel run a great package that’s got 11 surf sessions in a week, plus boat surf trips.
Read our full guide to surfing in Troncones
Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo – or just Zihua as it’s known for short – is one of those places that we can’t quite believe is still so quiet.
The waves are super reliable (SW-W-NW all works a charm here) and there are beaches for loggers next to performance points. It’s an all-round cracker!
From here, you can also access the remoter surf hubs of Guerrero State, most notably aforementioned Troncones, which really is a hidden gem.
Read our full guide to Zihuatanejo right now
Oaxaca
Oaxaca is a haven for right points and home to arguably the Americas’ most iconic beach break: Zicatela.
Puerto Escondido is always the place to begin. From there, travel south to more secret beaches and little surf towns.
There’s lots for less-experienced surfers. Places like Zipolite and La Punta take care of that. Intermediates, meanwhile, can paddle out to the scenic cove points of Carrizalillo (that’s just like a Mexican Hiriketiya, for any of you Sri Lanka lovers) and La Bocana A-frames.
Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido surf got its rep (that’s a world-famous rep) for hardcore beach breaks. We’re talking in the ilk of Portugal’s Supertubos here – big barrelling overheads with quick takeoffs and unforgiving drops.
Yep, chargers have been flocking to the big break along Playa Zicatela since the 1950s and some of the videos and pics to emerge from the sessions there are now the stuff of legends.
However, Puerto Escondido surf has gone a tad more mainstream in recent decades. There are places for beginners a little further north that the local surf schools know about, and regular competitions that draw big crowds alike.
Today (that’s as of the 2024/25 season), it’s probably the second best-known surf town in Mexico and a top spot for all levels of surfers thanks to a mix of breaks on the surrounding Oaxacan coast.
Stay at: Oasis Surf House – These guys are actually our top surf camp in Mexico for 2024. Over two weeks, they guarantee some pretty hefty improvements in technique and it’s very high quality surf teaching from start to finish. The best camp in Puerto Escondido for sure!
Read our full guide to Puerto Escondido surfing
Mazunte
If you want to spend 90% of your time swinging in a hammock and a little bit chasing waves, then Mazunte could be the place for you.
We don’t think the breaks can match what you get in Nayarit (Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita) but the town is great for R&R. Plus, those willing to explore can find hidden points that work all year round.
Read our complete guide to surfing in Mazunte
Playa Zipolite
Want yoga, naked sunbathing, and eco hotels? Prize all that above epic, consistent surf? Playa Zipolite could be just what you’re searching for.
This small beach town one bay along from Manzunte does have some surf. Yea, it’s mainly dumpy shorebreaks but everyone’s happy with it cos they drink wheatgrass all the time.
Read our complete guide to Playa Zipolite
Best surf camps in Mexico
We have a complete guide to the top surf camps in Mexico that has options for all levels of surfers in various surf destinations across this wonderful land. We’d highly reccomend reading that if you’ve decided a surf camp is the right thing for you (AKA – you want a fully-planned surf holiday that includes accomodation, gear rental, transport to surf spots, and surf lessons).
Anyway, here’s a sneak peak of the surf camps that we really think stand out from the crowd in Mexico right now…
- Oasis Surf House – This is an exceptional surf camp offering, lasting two weeks and including up to 20 hours of surf tuition. It’s run by expert guides that have a laser focus on technique. So, they will be picky but you will improve. That’s the point. Choose it if you’re determined to go from whitewash to green waves in a single trip.
- Mita Surf House – The Mita Surf House offers excellent bang for your buck. Coming in at under $800, it’s got daily lessons and a stay in an apartment or surf house in Punta Mita town.
- Barbarenas – We choose this because we know lots of people like to mix yoga with surf and Barbarenas does it fantastically. The package includes unlimited yoga, meditation, and holistic healing classes, plus 4x surf lessons, and – get this – 4x massages.
A note on why we partner with BookSurfCamps.com: Book Surf Camps are probably the biggest online aggregator of surf camps and surf-yoga packages in the world. We sounded out a quite a few potential partners before we affiliated with them. But, in the end, the abundance of choice for beginners, intermediates, and female-only surfing sealed it. We also love the simplicity of their booking system and the trusted brand name, along with the focus on connecting with homegrown local businesses on the ground.
Want more surfing Mexico camp options? Search the whole shebang below right now and book in a few clicks.
Best surf hotels in Mexico
Obviously, there are LOADS of hotels to pick from all across the various surf towns in Mexico.
We don’t have room to recommend places in each spot here (check our individual guides for that), but we can pick out a couple of what we think are the stand-out accommodations that get you near the surf in some of the top destinations…
- Cabo Surf Hotel – Oh lordy. One look at this gorgeous stay on the Cabo coast and you’ll see what all the fuss is about. The waves of the Baja roll in literally steps outside your door. Inside, the suites are sprawling, luxurious pads done in Mexicana adobe styles with a touch of modern minimalism. Extra frills come in the form of ocean side hot tubs and sunning terraces right by the Pacific.
- Hotel Ysuri Sayulita – We love this hotel right on the edge of Playa Sayulita. Takes two mins to go from bed to beach (and waves) and it’s got that old-school Mexican coast character. Can you tell we really enjoyed our stay here?
- PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical – A very nice boutique hotel in the small town of San Pancho. We’d reccomend this if being in a characterful Mexican beach town is your number one priority. There’s surf in the village but the better waves are a transfer away.
We tend to use Booking.com to search for surf hotels in Mexico – there’s a really handy map feature that lets you see exactly how far a stay is from a specific surf break. Plus, it’s like the world’s biggest accomodation platform, which means more reviews, and – often – the best prices.
Need more inspiration? Don’t worry – we have a complete guide to all the best surf resorts in Mexico right now. It’s got 7 amazing places to stay near some of the best waves in the country!
When to surf in Mexico
Generally speaking, the best surfing in Mexico happens in the summer months (April to September). That’s when the dominant swell changes to S-SW and morning offshores are common. Truthfully, there’s surf all year round, with winters tending to be better for beginners and summers for more advanced surfers.
Summer (April to October)
There’s no doubt that the best surfing in Mexico for experts happens in the summer months (April to September). That’s when the dominant swell changes to S-SW and morning offshores are common. The key here is that direction of the groundswell is ranging straight off the Southern Ocean. In fact, swells are generated as far afield as the Tasman Sea and New Zealand, which can add some real punch to the waves.
In addition to that, the late summer months (July onwards) adds the unpredictability of the Pacific hurricane season. Storms in the ocean churn up hefty undercurrents that add even more moxie to the Mexican breaks. At this time, it’s normal to see triple overheads, and you’ll find that only the most seasoned riders are risking the paddle out to breaks like Zicatela in Escondido. The downside of the summer is the quick change from morning offshores, which can cause blowouts anytime after 11 am. Dawnies it is, folks.
Wear: Rash vest and board shorts. Shorties and bikinis. Pack some booties for the reefs. Thin to med wetsuits up north in the Baja.
Winter (November to March)
Winter is the time to go surfing in Mexico for beginners. S-SW swells flip to N-NW swells, which keeps heights lower and periods more predictable. The weather is also nicer as the hurricane season drops away. Glassy, still mornings are the norm, so you’d be wise to get out in the water earlier. Extra chance of catching a nice N-NE offshore wind, too. That’s great news in the bigger breaks, like Puerto Escondido and Barra de la Cruz. Meanwhile, the smaller breaks, like La Lancha in Nayarit and other spots on the Baja become perfect for novices on a surf camp.
One downside of the winter months is that lots of the towns around the Mexican Pacific can fill to bursting with American snowbirds. Of course, that brings some good party with it, but you could find it trickier to get a space on the beach – and in the line-up.
Wear: Rash vest and board shorts. Swimwear. Booties if you’re hitting the reefs. Thin to med wetsuits up north in the Baja.
Be sure to take sunscreen to Mexico with you. Surfing here is generally a hot business with loads of UV beating down on ya throughout long sessions in bath-warm water.
These days, I use Suntribe block. I tried loads of other stuff but it’s my overall fav because of the use of non-nano zinc (the top option imo) and the total lack of chemicals that might harm the ocean. We’ve also managed to negotiate 10% off with them if you’re interested (use code Surfatlas10).
Should I rent a car to surf in Mexico?
This has to be up to you. There’s no doubt that renting a car to cruise the Mexican coast roads promises to be a true surf adventure.
It’s just that there remain some serious question marks over the safety of it all – we heard pretty scary stories of tourist murders on highways during our last trip in 2023. We can’t say how genuine they are but hey, who’s risking that?
Plus, Mexico is HUGE. You’ll need to be ready to drive four, five, six hours in a single sitting to get from break to break in some regions.
On the plus side, a car to yourself will give the freedom to explore lesser-known breaks and seek out secret spots.
Our advice would be to focus on one single region (Nayarit and Oaxaca are probably the two best, but the Baja and Guerro could also work). When it comes to renting, most pick-up points are near airports (Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Escondido).
We use Rentalcars.com for all our hires, just because we like that they often do late cancellation.
What shall I wear for surfing in Mexico?
Mexico benefits from balmy waters pretty much all year round. That means a vast majority of its best surf spots will be A-okay with just a rash vest and board shorts.
There are one or two exceptions to the rule. They come the further north you go.
In the Baja and Baja California, the water is actually only a few degrees warmer than over in SoCal, which means you’ll need to bring along either a 3/2 or a 4/3, depending on how well you handle the chill.
Booties are also recommended for getting in and out of reef and point break spots, especially in the rugged Baja. Also, you MUST, MUST, MUST take a good surf sunscreen. We tell you from a can’t-move-because-of-my-burn experience.
Top things to do in Mexico (when you’re not surfing)
Surfing Mexico is the perfect excuse to delve into one of the most enthralling countries on the planet.
From Wild West canyons speckled with cacti and sloshing with tequila all the way to soaring volcanos and misty jungles, there’s loads to keep you busy when the waves are low in these parts…
The Yucatan Peninsula
We know the Yucatan is all the way out on the far east coast of Mexico. However, you should be able to book an internal flight there for under $100. So, once you’re done surfing Mexico Pacific waves, why not hop over to see the white-sand beaches and enthralling historical ruins that abound? They include the vine-dressed temples of Chichen Itza and the gleaming shores of Tulum. Oh, and the party city of Cancun isn’t far – just saying.
Morelia
If you’re keen to discover some of the charm of inland Mexico, then the state capital of Michoacán is certainly worth a visit. Founded way back in 1541, it’s a quaint and pretty town with cobbled streets and stone-dressed cottages. At its heart is a vast plaza with a fine example of a colonial-era cathedral. It’s also a great place to launch a trip down to the amazing Mariposa butterfly reserves.
Tequila
The town of Tequila can be accessed after just a single day’s bus ride from the Riviera Nayarit. If you can’t already guess the reason you’d want to visit, then it’s probably not something that should be on the menu. If you can, then get ready for tasting sessions in age-old distilleries and plenty of history related to Mexico’s favourite drink.
Teotihuacan
The pyramids in Teotihuacan, an archaeological site north of Mexico City, genuinely blew our minds. You can get there on public transport from the capital, but a guided day tour is easier – including a walkthrough of the main Aztec site that’s a whopping 2,000 years old.
Bahía de Banderas
The Bahía de Banderas stretches south and north from Puerto Vallarta. The north side hosts hotspots for surfing Mexico, like Sayulita and San Pancho. The south side is more idyllic. It’s linked by coastal paths that weave through palm and pine groves to picture-perfect beaches. The most beautiful of the lot is probably remote Yelapa, but we also loved Playa Las Ánimas (which you can walk to in a single bout from PV).
Guanajuato
Few cities in the world can match the sheer audacity of Guanajuato. Steeped in the history of silver mining, it’s a good 600 kilometres from the surf towns around Puerto Vallarta. But that shouldn’t deter you, because the trip in can take you past vast agave plantations (used to make tequila) and dusty mountain ranges. But back to the city itself. A maze of old riverbeds is now a labyrinth of traffic arteries beneath (literally underground) the cobbled streets. Above, beautiful colonial plazas meet narrow alleys by gorgeous cathedrals and Spanish-style mansions. It’s one of the most fascinating cities we’ve ever visited.
Travel essentials for anyone surfing Mexico
Quick facts
- Population: 126 million
- Currency: Peso (MEX/$)
- Capital: Mexico City (CDMX)
- Size: 1.97 million km²
Where exactly is Mexico?
Mexico is the last country in North America before you cross over into Central America. It spreads between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. To the south, it borders Guatemala and Belize. To the north, it borders the United States.
How to get to Mexico
Virtually all international travellers get to Mexico by flying. The largest gateway to the country from the air (and one of the largest in the whole region) is Mexico City Airport.
Sadly, that’s more than 300 kilometres and a few mountain ranges from the closest point on the coast around Acapulco. That means to connect to the best surfing in Mexico, you’ll need to hop on a connecting flight. They shouldn’t be too much.
Alternatively, you can look for a flight that will take you directly into Puerto Vallarta or the city of Oaxaca. The first is linked to the major surf spots of the Riviera Nayarit.
The other is the gateway to the southern coast of Oaxaca, where you’ll find Puerto Escondido. There are also loads of direct flights to San Joe del Cabo, where the party town of Cabo San Lucas gives way to the surf breaks of the Baja California Sur.
How to travel around Mexico
Folks surfing Mexico will often just fly in and fly out of a single destination, so there’s no need to get around. The reason? This country is a whopping 1.97 million km². Getting from A to B can be a nightmare, especially when you factor in the rugged mountain ranges, jungles and deserts that can get in the way. If you do want to move around, you could consider:
- Car rentals: A lot of people get their own wheels. They are great for discovering hidden surf breaks. However, beware of driving at night and in dangerous regions – there have been reports of murders and muggings!
- VIP buses: One of the pleasant surprises of our last Mexican surfing trip (2019) was just how awesome the buses are. You can pay a little extra and get VIP service to go in style. They have reclining seats with HUGE headrests and even entertainment screens.
- Flights: The internal flight market in Mexico is pretty good. You can get cheap deals – particularly on those must-buy connecting flights from Mexico City to the coast – on carriers like viva Aerobus, Volaris, along with AeroMexico.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!