Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review [2024]

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Are you planning a trip and want to know if you should stay at Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido?

Finding a hotel in Puerto Escondido can be very difficult because there are literally hundreds to choose from.

While there are some great options out there, it’s important to choose the perfect hotel to ensure that your trip is everything that you want it to be.

The last thing that you want to do is choose a bad hotel and return home disappointed and frustrated.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, I’ve set out a comprehensive guide to the fantastic Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido so that you can find out everything that you need to know before making your decision.

Let’s dive right in.

*All images of Hotel Santa Fe in this article are credited to Expedia.com*

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Where is Hotel Santa Fe?

Hotel Santa Fe is a luxury 68-room family-friendly hotel with traditional Mexican architecture in the center of Puerto Escondido in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Puerto Escondido is situated on the Pacific Ocean about 160 miles south of Oaxaca City and about 250 miles south-east of Acapulco.

If you aren’t familiar with Puerto Escondido, it’s a beach town in southern Mexico that is home to Playa Zicatela, known as the “Mexican pipeline”.

It’s a remarkably beautiful place that has kept its laid-back beach vibe despite an increase in popularity in recent times.

Let’s take a look now at how to get you to Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

How Do I Get To Hotel Santa Fe?

Getting to Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido is a relatively simple process.

The first step is to fly into Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM). The second step is to get a taxi, rent a car or book a private transfer to the hotel.

I’ve set out the steps you’ll need to take to get to Hotel Santa Fe as simply and efficiently as possible.

Flying Into Puerto Escondido

To reach Hotel Santa Fe, you’ll need to first fly into Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM), which is around three miles from the hotel.

You won’t be able to get a direct flight to Puerto Escondido International Airport from outside Mexico, so unless you are already in Mexico, you’ll need to take a connecting flight.

From within Mexico, there are regular flights to Puerto Escondido from Mexico City, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Oaxaca.

Flights from Mexico City are by far the most frequent. Unless you’re planning on stopping over in one of the other cities listed above for a few days, I recommend you fly via Mexico City.

Puerto Escondido Airport to the Hotel

Once you arrive in Puerto Escondido airport, you’ve got a few options to get to Hotel Santa Fe. You can take a taxi, rent a car or book a private transfer.

I’ve gone through each of these below.

Rent a Car

If you’re staying for more than a day or two, I recommend that you rent a car at the airport.

Even though Hotel Santa Fe very centrally located in the Puerto Escondido town center, many of the attractions in Puerto Escondido are outside of the town center, so having a rental car is the ideal way to get around. Hotel Santa Fe also offers parking for US$5.00 per day, so you can easily park the car at the hotel.

Getting a car at the airport is very easy. You can book ahead and pick up your car in the arrivals hall of the terminal of Puerto Escondido airport when you get off the plane.

I recommend using DiscoverCars to book the best deal available ahead of your arrival. You can expect to pay around US$30 per day plus gas for a basic rental car.

Take A Taxi

If you aren’t renting a car, the simplest way to get from the airport to the hotel is taking a taxi.

You’ll need to be able to tell the driver your destination and agree a price for the trip. The journey should cost you around US$10 – US$15 and you may need to haggle to get the driver down into that range.

You’ll also need to make sure that you have Mexican pesos with you, as the driver may not accept US dollars and won’t take credit cards.

Book a Private Transfer

If you want to book a private transfer to the airport, the hotel staff will be able to arrange one for you for an additional charge.

You can reach out to the staff at Hotel Santa Fe using the contact details below:

If you’d prefer to arrange the transfer yourself, the simplest way to do it is to use a platform like Viator. There are plenty of different providers for you to choose from, and prices start at around US$50 for a couple.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Review Of Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido

Now that you know where it is that you’re going and all of the options that you have for getting there, let’s get into the review itself.

I’ve set out below a summary of the hotel, the rooms, hotel facilities, dining options and nearby attractions.

After that, I’ve given you a list of pros and cons of the hotel and given my personal view on whether you should book Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido for your trip.

Let’s jump right in.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

1. Location

The Hotel Santa Fe is brilliantly located right at the beginning of the famous Playa Zicatela. You can walk outside the hotel and literally cross the road to be on the beach.

From the hotel, you can easily walk east down the beach to Punta Zicatela or west towards Playa Principal and the center of Puerto Escondido.

Hotel Santa Fe’s location is the perfect base to visit and explore Puerto Escondido.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

2. Price

The price per room at Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido starts at around US$150 for two guests, including taxes. Breakfast is not included, but is available for an additional US$15 per person per day.

Discounted offers may be available from time to time, so it is worth checking prices in advance of your travel dates to see if you can get yourself a deal.

Check out Booking.com for prices and availability on your travel dates, or use the search box below:

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

3. Rooms

There are 68 rooms available at Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido. Each of the rooms is tastefully decorated using traditional Mexican furnishings that have been locally sourced.

There are standard suites, junior suites, and master suites. I’ve described each of these below.

Standard Suite

Each 377 sq. ft. standard suite is spacious and furnished simply but tastefully in the traditional Mexican fashion. Furnishings are mostly made from wood, and the floors are tiled with traditional terracotta colors.

Even though they’re called “standard” suites, each room is actually individually decorated and furnished, although all follow the Mexican style.

The king-sized beds are made up using premium Egyptian cotton sheets and colorful blankets. You can also choose to replace the king-sized bed with single beds if you prefer.

The rooms are air-conditioned with black-out curtains, and you’ll also have a ceiling fan. In the private shower-only bathroom you’ll find complimentary soaps and shampoos. A hair-dryer is also available on request.

You’ll also have the use of a flatscreen TV, WiFi, a desk, wardrobe, phone, and room safe.

Standard Suites start at around US$150 per night for a couple.

Standard Suite (Terrace Area)

Some of the standard rooms at the Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido have direct access to the pool terrace area. They are slightly larger at 388 sq. ft. and cost a little more.

The room amenities are otherwise the same as those described above.

Standard Suites (Terrace Area) start at around US$200 per night for a couple.

Junior Suite

Each of the six Junior Suites available at Hotel Santa Fe is a 495 sq. ft., making it feel like a small apartment.

In addition to being far more spacious than the Standard Suite, the Junior Suite also has a balcony overlooking the hotel gardens and pool area.

Similar to the Standard Suite, the Junior Suite is tastefully furnished in the traditional Mexican fashion, and also features artwork by Mexican painters on many of the walls.

The room amenities available in the Standard Suite are also available in the Junior Suite. You can also choose to replace the king-sized bed with single beds if you prefer.

Junior Suites start at around US$235 per night for a couple.

Master Suite

There are two Master Suites available at Hotel Santa Fe, each of which is a very generous 732 sq. ft.

Similar to the Junior Suite, the Master Suite has several balconies with beautiful ocean views. The Master Suite also has a large living room area furnished with antique Mexican furnishings and contemporary Mexican art adorning the walls.

The room amenities available in the Standard Suite are also available in the Master Suite.

The Master Suites start at around US$300 per night for a couple.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

4. Hotel Facilities

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido has a great selection of facilities including a pool area, spa treatments and direct beach access.

Pool Area

The Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido has two separate pool areas, one which is family-friendly and one which is adults-only.

Each of the pools is quite spacious and is lined with sun loungers and sun umbrellas where you can relax poolside with a book or a cocktail from the nearby bar, as takes your fancy.

Spa Treatments

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido also offers a range of massage services including full-body massages, neck massages, and foot massages.

You can book a treatment with the hotel staff and the massage therapist will come directly to your room.

Beach Access

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido also has direct access to Playa Zicatela, one of Puerto Escondido’s most well-known and beautiful beaches.

Playa Zicatela is around two miles long, so it’s a great beach for walking. Bear in mind, though, that it is known for being a pro-surfer beach with big waves, so it isn’t suitable for swimming.

If you looking for a swimmable beach, you’re better off going over to nearby Playa Marinero or taking a taxi over to Playa Carrizalillo.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

5. Restaurant

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido has an on-site restaurant which serves Mexican cuisine. It is open for both lunch and dinner.

You can also take your breakfast in the restaurant of a morning, although it isn’t included in the price of the room. Breakfast per person per day will cost you US$15.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

6. Reviews

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido has a solid rating of 8.5 out of 10 from over 600 reviews. Couples in particular rate the hotel highly, and for them the rating is a very respectable 9.3 out of 10.

The story that the reviews tell is that most people love this hotel, and it is easy to see why. The beautiful traditional Mexican architecture of the hotel, together with the amazing pool areas, receive glowing reviews from guests.

The vast majority of reviews are positive, and negative reviews often cite poor WiFi and/or value for money as the primary complaints.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

7. Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in at Hotel Santa Fe is from 3:00pm, and check-out is before noon.

Late check-out may be available, but you should contact the hotel to confirm if you think you will arrive outside the ordinary check-in hours.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

8. Pet-Friendly?

No, unfortunately Hotel Santa Fe is not pet-friendly.

If you want to visit this hotel, you’ll need to find a pet-sitter.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

9. Family-Friendly?

Yes, children of any age are welcome at Hotel Santa Fe.

The hotel is right across the road from the beach and has a family-friendly pool, which is great for entertaining the children.

You can also request children’s meals at the on-site restaurant for an additional charge. Cribs are also available for infants for an additional charge.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

10. Nearby Attractions

Puerto Escondido is full of interesting things to do and beautiful beaches to explore, and you can easily reach them with your rental car or by taxi from Hotel Santa Fe.

I’ve set out a few below that I recommend you put on your shortlist. Don’t forget your sunhat, suncream, and a bottle of water, particularly if you’re exploring in the summer sun.

Playa Carrizalillo

Unless you are a pro-surfer, Playa Carrizalillo is hands-down the best beach in Puerto Escondido. It’s just outside the Puerto Escondido town center, about two miles from Hotel Santa Fe.

Although it’s only about 300 ft long, it’s a picturesque swimmable beach with gentle waves, turquoise waters, and a sheltered shoreline.

If you swim out just a little way offshore, you’ll also discover a live coral reef full of marine life, making it the perfect place for snorkelling.

And when you’re done for the day, there are some great places to eat nearby if you want to grab a bite before heading back to the hotel.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Baby Turtle Release

If you haven’t experienced a sea turtle release, I recommend doing one while you’re staying at Hotel Santa Fe.

The Oaxaca coastline is a breeding ground for four of the seven varieties of sea turtles that exist on planet Earth. Some of those turtles species are endangered, and in and around Puerto Escondido there are non-profit organisations that try to support them.

Part of that work is incubating the eggs laid by the adult female turtles and helping the babies into the ocean after they hatch.

For a fee of around US$10, you can participate in a sea turtle release and watch them flapping their cute leathery little way down the beach and into the ocean.

The closest place to do a sea turtle release is at nearby Playa Bacocho, which is about three miles from Hotel Santa Fe.

At Playa Bacocho, turtle releases take place at 5:00pm of an evening. You’ll need to book and pay a fee of US$10.

The non-profit that runs the releases is ViveMar. Their contact details are set out below:

ViveMar Contact Details

You can also join a tour to a different beach if you’d prefer.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Casa Wabi

If you like art installations, you will love Casa Wabi. It’s 20 miles along the beach to the west of the hotel, though, so if you don’t have a rental car, you’ll need to ask the hotel staff to book you a taxi.

Casa Wabi is an artistic space that houses several resident artists and has 460 m² of contemporary art exhibits.

It was designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando under the initiative of the Mexican artist Bosco Sodi.

It’s open Mondays to Fridays at 10:00am, noon, and 4:00pm, and on the weekends at 10:00am, noon and 2:00pm.

You will need to make a reservation on their website and entrance will cost you US$30 (MX$600) per person.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Hotel Santa Fe: Pros and Cons

To pull all of the information above together for you, I’ve set out below the pros and cons of Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido as I see them.

Pros

There are some great pros for Hotel Santa Fe.

Traditional Mexican Architecture

The hotel is a great example of the understated traditional Mexican style, with its earthy colors and beautiful handwork.

One of the most important aspects of a hotel is its appearance, and Hotel Santa Fe’s beautiful traditional Mexican architecture and design elements really have an impact.

The rooms also feature locally made Mexican furnishings as well as Mexican artwork on many of the walls.

Great Pool, Garden & Terrace Areas

The hotel has beautiful pool areas divided into family-friendly and adults-only areas. It also has a beautiful terrace area looking directly out onto Playa Zicatela.

There are also lovely gardens surrounding the pools that offer privacy and shade during the heat of the Puerto Escondido days.

From the terrace you can sit and watch the surfers on the “Mexican pipeline” and can also enjoy some marvellous sunsets.

Top Location

The location of the hotel is superb. It’s right across the road from Playa Zicatela, and you can walk the two miles or so south down the beach taking in the sights before you reach the beautiful Punta Zicatela.

You can also head north over to Playa Marinero, which is a better beach for swimming and is also close to lots of restaurants and bars.

The hotel is also only three miles from the airport and is ideally located to reach all other attractions in Puerto Escondido.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Cons

There are a few cons to Hotel Santa Fe, although some of these are inevitable given the location of the hotel and its style.

Limited Facilities

Hotel Santa Fe isn’t an enormous hotel, and on that basis, I think that the facilities offered are reasonable. They have two large pools, an on-site restaurant and bar, and they offer massage treatments.

However, there is no gym, no spa area and while the restaurant is good, it doesn’t aspire to fine dining in the way that you might expect a more upscale hotel to do.

I don’t think this is a damning point, but it’s one to be aware of, especially given the many other hotels and resorts in Puerto Escondido that offer more in this regard.

Older-style Hotel

Hotel Santa Fe is an older style of hotel, focusing on preserving it’s beautiful traditional aesthetic rather than modernizing at the expense of tradition.

I mentioned the traditional architecture as a pro, because I think it does set the hotel apart from many others in Puerto Escondido.

The flipside to this, though, is that it lacks the glitz and glam of a modern hotel, because there’s a limit to what can be achieved if you want to retain the traditional Mexican look and feel.

I wanted to mention it here, because if you’re looking to be pampered in a modern setting, this could be a major con for you.

Value For Money

I wanted to mention this one because a few of the reviews suggested that those visitors thought that a breakfast option should have been included in the price.

Value obviously depends a lot on you, and depending on your experience, you might land either way on whether breakfast should be included in the price.

One thing that I noticed is that the hotel charges extra for making cribs available, doesn’t have any rollaway beds, and also charges extra for children’s meals.

The hotel may have reasons for this that I don’t understand, but given that it is family-friendly, I think families in particular may see the value for money dip on this basis.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

My Personal Views

In my view, Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido is a great example of a beautiful traditional Mexican hotel. It’s one of those hotels where you can spend a bit of time just wandering around and enjoying the architecture.

The hotel is obviously dedicated to maintaining the traditional Mexican architecture and design elements and they have maintained the rooms following the same theme.

It’s family-friendly, and has a brilliant location right opposite the world famous Playa Zicatela and is very close to all of the local Puerto Escondido attractions.

Within the hotel complex, there are great pool areas surrounded by gardens and trees to cast shade during the day and to provide additional privacy. The hotel terrace is also perfectly placed to let you watch the sun go down over the ocean.

While the price of the hotel per night isn’t cheap and some guests have questioned the value for money, it’s still far cheaper than other upscale hotels like Casona Sforza.

There are hotels like Vivo Resorts that are at a similar price point and which have more facilities, but they don’t have the brilliant central location of the Hotel Santa Fe.

All in all, I think the hotel is a great option for your stay in Puerto Escondido, especially if you prefer a traditional Mexican hotel that has a bit more soul than a more modern variety.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Just in case you still have a few questions that I haven’t covered, I’ve set out some responses to a few frequently asked questions about Hotel Santa Fe below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Hotel Santa Fe?

The best time to visit is during the high season (December to April) because the weather is cooler and there is little or no rain.

However, it’s also likely to be more expensive during the high season, so if you’re on a budget and can put up with a little rain, the low season is also a good option.

Is It Safe To Visit Hotel Santa Fe?

Absolutely. Puerto Escondido is safer than many major US cities. You’ll have no troubles when you explore Puerto Escondido provided you take basic precautions.

Read more about how to stay safe in Puerto Escondido here.

What’s The Closest Airport To Hotel Santa Fe?

Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) is the closest airport, and is about three miles away.

You can reach the hotel by booking a private transfer, taking a taxi or renting a car.

Why Is Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido Special?

Hotel Santa Fe is special because it is a secluded luxury hotel with a beautiful architectural design that perfectly blends simplicity with modern comforts.

It’s a perfect romantic getaway and a place where you can stay in style while disconnecting from the world for a time.

Hotel Santa Fe Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now have all the information that you need to decide whether Hotel Santa Fe is the hotel for you.

If you want to book, you can get the latest current prices and availability on your dates at Booking.com.

If you want to check prices of car rentals at Puerto Escondido airport, you can check out DiscoverCars.com.

Enjoy your stay!