by You haven’t experienced sweet saltwater until you’ve been to Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Imagine driving over dusty roads with a surfboard on the roof and hair that has been bleached by the sun blowing in the wind. For those after the best surfing in Mexico, the journey itself starts far before you ever paddle out—it’s the unscripted moments that keep surfers coming back and swapping tales.
Time seems to move differently here. Under peach-colored dawns in Sayulita, the moon pulls the tides, and people tell stories over tacos on patios that have seen better days. One day, you’re swapping sets with Australian backpackers who have tattoos. Next, a child from the area in trunks that have faded in the heat is showing you the secret break where the reef hums under your feet.
Puerto Escondido? That’s not simply a place to go; it’s a rite of passage. Liquid mountains make waves. People who have ridden it before know how to treat it with respect. Even the most arrogant board jockeys know that the Zicatela break may bring them down. Don’t worry, beginners. Playa Carrizalillo has mild waves that will let you stand up straight, even if it means more spectacular wipeouts at first. Cheap beer and a setting sun help bruised egos heal faster regardless.
But maybe crowds go on your nerves. There are several of quieter places that offer peace and quiet. San Blas has lengthy, soft waves. As you paddle out, fisherman pull in their nets, hoping to capture both fish and a slow tide. People say that if it rains a little, the lines will clear out and you’ll have smooth peaks all to yourself.
The weather is a fickle friend. In the summer, the southern swells come in, bringing warm water that feels like a bath and waves that are hard to predict. Winter cools things off, clears the fog, and makes the waves less crazy. People who live there claim that storms far out at sea dictate the patterns for waves that come in days later, like sending a message in a bottle that you read later.
There is an element of surprise. A dolphin suddenly comes to the surface. It’s not an Instagram moment; it’s a wild, happy surprise. Or a loud thunderstorm comes in, and you have to stay beneath a palm-frond roof and watch puddles form around your flip-flops. These shores are just as good for stories as they are for coconuts.
Get ready for an adventure, but don’t anticipate anything. You can rent old boards with faded wax, or you can buy a hand-shaped beauty from a tiny coastal shop. No matter what, locals enjoy it when tourists respect the lineup. Ask questions. Smile. Give a wave. If you hang ten, someone is sure to smack your back, clap, and shout. No need for translation.
There is a change in every surfer. Memories stick to things, just like sand does. Painted sunsets mix with old boards, dings, scrapes, and sunburns. Getting the best waves isn’t the only thing that makes surfing in Mexico great. The laughter, the break between sets, the excitement of dawn patrol, and the feeling that anything could happen over the next hill.