Southern Pacific Coast holidays
Southern Pacific Coast holidays at a glance
This is one of Mexico’s most varied coastal regions. Rolling hills backed by vegetation ranging from arid desert and Mediterranean-style scrub to luxuriant forest tumble down to a shoreline dotted with coves and beaches running from bright white to deep ochre.
The Pacific Ocean shapes everything here. Waves travel vast distances before reaching shore, creating conditions that draw surfers from around the world. Some stretches of coastline – Acapulco, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta – have become heavily developed tourism destinations, while others, particularly around Manzanillo and Zihuatanejo, remain quieter, with hotels and resorts set on their own extensive grounds rather than packed shoulder to shoulder.
The Oaxaca coastline around Huatulco and Puerto Escondido is especially spectacular, with long stretches of undeveloped beach and coastal scenery that feels a world away from Mexico’s better-known resort strips.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Southern Pacific Coast
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Mexico’s Southern Pacific Coast combines beautiful beaches, dramatic scenery and a more relaxed atmosphere than some of the country’s better-known coastal destinations.
When to visit Southern Pacific Coast
The region stays hot and humid throughout the year, with a tropical climate defined by clear dry and rainy seasons rather than dramatic temperature swings.
Huatulco hosts the Fiesta del Mar in the first week of April, while Puerto Escondido’s Festival Costeño de la Danza brings traditional folk dancing – and a surfing tournament – to the town each November.
Mid-December to mid-January and July to August are the busiest tourism periods, worth planning around if you prefer quieter beaches.
There is plenty of sunshine and the climate remains hot and humid. With little to no rain during these months, by April the landscapes are parched and arid. December – January are the busiest months for visitors, though there are other cultural events which attract crowds. In April, Huatulco hosts the Fiesta del Mar, while November is a busy month in Puerto Escondido with traditional folk dancing for the Festival Costeño de la Danza and a surfing tournament.
The weather is hot and steamy with high humidity and plenty of sunshine. Most rain falls between June and September, which breathes new life into the parched landscapes. July and August can be a busy time to visit.
Accommodation in Southern Pacific Coast
Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts to boutique coastal properties positioned along some of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches, including Camino Real Zaashila, La Casa que Canta and Las Brisas Ixtapa.
A classy Mediterranean-style resort on its own beach on the Pacific Ocean at Huatulco.
La Casa que Canta is a luxurious, romantic adult-only hotel promising intimacy and privacy at Zihuantaneco on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Southern Pacific Coast Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Discover Mexico: Oaxaca’s culture and coastline
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Oaxaca · Southern Pacific Coast
13 days from £3,500
Explore and Relax Mexico: Silver cities to Pacific coast
Places visited: Mexico City · Colonial and silver towns · Southern Pacific Coast
12 days from £3,800
FAQs about visiting Southern Pacific Coast
Southern Pacific Coast is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit the Southern Pacific Coast?
It’s hot and humid all the year round. Most rain falls Jun-Sep when the vegetation wakes up in a carpet of lush verdure. The landscape is pretty parched by March. The high season for tourism is mid-Dec to mid-Jan and Jul-Aug.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken on the Southern Pacific Coast?
The main language spoken on the Southern Pacific Coast is Spanish.
- What currency do I need on the Southern Pacific Coast?
The Mexican peso is the main currency used on the Southern Pacific Coast. Notes can be withdrawn from the ATMs in the major resorts using a UK credit or debit card. You may have ask your bank to authorise withdrawals before you leave the UK, and amounts may be lower than in the UK.
- What is the time difference between the Southern Pacific Coast and the UK?
The time difference between the Southern Pacific Coast and the UK is GMT -6 hrs.
- What does a visit to the Southern Pacific Coast combine well with?
The luxury hotels around Manzanillo and Zihuatanejo In the southeast, west of Mexico City, are within easy reach of the colonial cities of Guadalajara, Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende; the low-key resorts around Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are easily accessible from Oaxaca by air (40mins) or winding road (3.5hrs).
- How do I get to the Southern Pacific Coast?
There are short flights from Mexico City or from Oaxaca (40mins)to Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.
- What key events are there on the Southern Pacific Coast?
Fiesta del Mar: Huatulco, first week of Apr.
Festival Costeño de la Danza: Puerto Escondido, mid-Nov. Folk dancing. There are other events in the town in the same month including a surfing tournament.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.