World-Class Surfing Comes to Our Backyard: The Zicatela Surf Open

Most surf fans plan trips around watching the world's best compete. In Puerto Escondido, we just walk to the beach. The Surf Open League returns to Playa Zicatela this year, bringing a WSL Qualifying Series-caliber field to our famous beach break — and it's free to watch from the sand.

Why Zicatela Draws the World's Attention

Competitors travel across the Pacific for a shot at Zicatela because it doesn't forgive mistakes. This isn't a forgiving point break — it's a heavy, fast beach break that rewards precision and punishes hesitation. When the QS contingent lands here, the swell window and the wave's raw power combine to produce some of the most respected results on the North America regional calendar.

What to Expect

Expect an international field, heat after heat of high-consequence surfing, and a beach-level view most surf events can't offer. Unlike stadium-style contests, you can walk the sand, find your spot, and watch heats unfold a few meters from the action.

Time Your Trip Around It

If you've been putting off a Puerto Escondido trip, an event like this is the perfect excuse — pair a swell-season visit with a front-row seat to competitive surfing at the wave that put Mexico on the world surf map. Bring sun protection for a full day on the sand; check our Caps Collection and Swimwear Collection before you go.

More Than a Contest

Events like this do more than crown a winner — they put Puerto Escondido's name back in front of the global surf community, right as the wave earns recognition as a World Surfing Reserve. For a town whose whole identity is built around this stretch of sand, that's worth showing up for.