Five of the Best Surf Spots in Mexico for Your Next Surfing Trip
Mexico is one of the best surfing locations on the planet. While the Baja California peninsula has long been known to day-tripping surfers from San Diego and beyond, it is the newer Pacific coast destinations, further down the coastline of Mexico, that are beginning to steal the surfing limelight.
Combine a surf trip to Mexico with a stay at a beautiful Mexican villa for the perfect escape. Whether it is a surf trip with the family, a getaway with friends or an escape for a surf-loving couple, we have the perfect villa for your Mexico surfing holiday.
In this post, we detail the five hottest surf spots in Mexico to wax up your board and hit some of the best waves on the planet while staying at a luxurious beach villa. Whether you are looking for classic point breaks and perfect beach breaks or you are hunting for those crucial offshore winds, surfing in Mexico will give you everything you need and more for your latest fix.
5 of the Best Surf Spots in Mexico
1. Los Cabos
Perhaps one of the most famous of surf destinations in Latin America, Los Cabos offers surfers great waves with fewer crowds than cramp the Northern Baja area. The coast stretching from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo is world renowned for its high-quality breaks. And the more remote “East Cape,” between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo Pulmo, has fewer surfers, warmer waters and incredible waves as the summer swells roll in from the Southern Hemisphere. In the winter months, you can surf Cerritos, which faces the Pacific and catches the swells coming down from the north.
A true test of your surfing ability, Monuments–a short, left-handed break right in front of Villa Surfer–is one of the most popular and best point breaks in Cabo San Lucas. It is sure to keep you busy for the day. Other nearby, popular breaks, such as Zippers and Acalpulquito, are only a short car ride away and great for both beginner and experienced surfers, should you want to mix things up.
Where to stay: Villa Surfer
Based in Cabo San Lucas at The Cape Hotel, this private villa has incredible vistas of Cabo’s famous El Arco, and you can sit and watch the Monuments point break and mind-blowing sunsets from your terrace.
This villa comes with a selection of surfboards that are included with your stay. After spending your morning in the water surfing, you can come back to relax in the hotel’s Currents Spa or enjoy entertaining alfresco with the BBQ, dining area and wet bar just steps from your own private swimming pool.
2. Sayulita
One of the coolest surfer spots in Mexico, this hip and happening town offers up some great beaches and fun waves. In fact, Sayulita has one of the greatest break variations on offer, providing a selection of smooth lefts and rights that provide long rides into the beach. These waves are heaven for experienced longboarders but also cater to beginner surfers looking to cut their teeth. Although Sayulita has waves all year, it can be better in the winter months as the waves come in from the north and northwest.
Where to stay: Casa Mis Amores
Nestled in the jungle just a 5-minute cab ride from the beautiful town of Sayulita, this villa is bound to leave you stunned. The chilled-out Balinese style of the property couples the chic feeling of a posh resort, with the intimacy of a private villa.
Time not spent surfing can be filled soaking up the incredible ocean view from the state-of-the-art infinity pool and built-in Jacuzzi. Or perhaps you would prefer to take a walk on the white sands of your own half-mile long private beach at sunset. The choice is yours.
3. Punta Mita
Just down the coast from Sayulita is the equally popular Punta Mita. This mini-peninsula has perhaps even more variety than its neighbor. For those of you who love a low and lazy wave, Stinky’s is the one for you. If you prefer a heavier and more aggressive point break, why not rent a small panga boat and head for the more testing El Faro surf break right out on the tip of the peninsula. Facing south, this area really picks up the fun summer swells, yet it can also pick up winter, northwest swells that wrap around the peninsula. Basically, you can always find a wave to ride in Punta Mita.
Where to stay: Villa Cascadas
Located in the Paradise Coves area of Punta Mita, this villa sits on the edge of secluded Bay of Banderas. The house manager/driver, maid and waiter will make sure that your every need is fulfilled. With a gorgeous palapa covering the outdoor dining area, you can sit back after a day of surfing with a delicious iced cocktail while admiring the expansive view over the Pacific Ocean.
You also have the option of picking up a kayak or a snorkel mask to explore the ocean out front to your heart’s desire. The friendly house manager, Antonio, can provide transportation in the villa’s eight-passenger vehicle and take you to any of the nearby surf breaks. Based on the swell direction, you can find the best waves for the day.
4. Zihuatanejo
The small fishing village of Zihuatanejo is probably one of Mexico’s lesser-known surfing spots, presenting an amazing opportunity to grab some excellent waves without having to contend with the crowds that some of the other resort destinations can attract.
With warmer waters and point breaks that cater to paddleboarders, longboarders and shortboarders alike, you are bound to find surf that’s just right for you up and down the coast in and around “Zihuat.” This area is best in the summer months as the southern swells wrap around the points.
Where to stay: Casa Zihuat
Designed by an esteemed Mexican architect, Enrique Zozaya, this ultra-private villa has great views over the harbor of Zihuatanejo. The incredible pool design will inspire you to swim even after a long day spent at the beach and in the water surfing.
You can relax and enjoy an alfresco meal prepared by the in-house chef and end your days by watching the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean with a cool and refreshing drink in your hand.
5. Puerto Escondido
Last, but certainly not least, is the farthest south of these locations, the fishing village of Puerto Escondido. Mexican surfing would not be where it is today without the famous Zicaleta, a legendary beach break with one of the most spectacular waves in the world.
This wave can reach heights of 30 feet (9+ meters) with offshore winds, so it is for advanced surfers only but fun for anyone to watch. La Punta offers a great alternative with the same beautiful barrels without the height and crowds that come with Zicaleta. This area becomes a surfing meca in the summer months as the Southern Hemisphere swells create some of the best waves in the world.
Read more: Puerto Escondido surf guide: Everything you need to know
Where to stay: Amalys
Run by an enthusiastic Belgian Couple, this luxury villa is just a twenty-minute ride away from the famous Zicaleta beach break. You may feel a little “worked” after surfing this wave, so why not end the days by relaxing on a sun lounger while listening to the sound of the birdsong coming from the mangroves surrounding your villa.
Or perhaps you will want to take a dip in the show-stopping, 40-meter salt-water pool which runs all the way from the main palapa to the beach itself. Once you reach the beach, enjoy a cold cerveza at sunset, or sip warm coffee as the sun rises on your own private stretch of beach manned by the attentive service staff.
