Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review [2024]

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

Finding a hostel in Puerto Escondido can be very difficult because there are so many to choose from.

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

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

To make sure that doesn’t happen, I’ve set out a comprehensive guide to the fantastic Selina 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 Selina Puerto Escondido in this article are credited to Expedia.com*

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Where is Selina Puerto escondido?

Selina Puerto Escondido is a well-known hostel in the center of Puerto Escondido in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. It’s part of a large chain of hostels that also has a branch in Oaxaca City.

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 Selina Puerto Escondido.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

How Do I Get To Selina Puerto Escondido?

Getting to Selina 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 hostel.

I’ve set out the steps you’ll need to take to get to Selina Puerto Escondido as simply and efficiently as possible.

Flying Into Puerto Escondido

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

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 Hostel

Once you arrive in Puerto Escondido airport, you’ve got a few options to get to Selina Puerto Escondido. 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, you might want to consider renting a car at the airport.

Even though Selina Puerto Escondido very centrally located in the Puerto Escondido town center, many of the attractions in Puerto Escondido are outside of town, so having a rental car is the ideal way to get around.

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 hostel 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 hostel staff will be able to arrange one for you for an additional charge.

You can reach out to the staff at Selina Puerto Escondido 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.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Review Of Selina 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 hostel, the rooms, facilities, dining options and nearby attractions.

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

Let’s jump right in.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

1. Location

The Selina Puerto Escondido is brilliantly located at the western end of the famous Playa Zicatela. You can walk outside the hostel and literally cross the road to be on the beach.

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

The Mirador Romance de Verano, a great lookout and perfect place to watch a Puerto Escondido sunset, is also just down the beach from Selina toward the town center.

Selina Puerto Escondido’s central location makes it the perfect base to visit and explore Puerto Escondido.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

2. Price

The price per dormitory room at Selina Puerto Escondido starts at around US$30 per person per night, including taxes. Their cheapest private room will cost you US$100 per night, including taxes.

Breakfast is not included, but is available for an additional US$10 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:

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

3. Rooms

Selina Puerto Escondido strikes a nice balance between offering both hostel and boutique hotel room options.

The hostel divides its rooms up into Private Shared, Private, Private Plus, Teepee and Shared categories.

I’ve set out in detail what you can expect below.

Private Shared

There is only one room in this category, and it is a 65 sq. ft. room affectionately dubbed the Micro.

It’s very cosy, but you get a double bed with clean linen, free WiFi, air-conditioning, a place to hang a few things, a wall-mirror, a bedside table and a mosquito net for the bed.

The bathroom is shared between up to four Micro rooms.

Not the Ritz, but it does what it says on the tin and starts at US$100 per night for a couple.

Private

In the private category, there are two types of room: the Standard Room and the Family Room.

Standard Room

The Standard Room is 161 sq. ft. and has a double bed and a private bathroom.

It has a little more space than the Micro and has a desk, wardrobe as well as the amenities available in the Micro.

The Standard Room starts at US$110 per night for a couple.

Family Room

The family room is a larger 258 sq. ft. room with bunk beds and your choice of a two twin beds or one queen-sized bed.

It sleeps up to four and it’s a great option if you’re in a group or travelling with a family.

You’ll get all of the amenities available in the Standard Room and it’s great value with prices starting at US$175 per night.

Private Plus

In the private category, there are three types of room: the Suite, the Suite Plus and the Loft.

Suite

The Suite is quite a bit larger than the Standard Room at 237 sq. ft. and comes with a queen-sized bed, an armchair and a private bathroom with luxury toiletries.

You’ll also have all of the other amenities available in the Standard Room.

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

Suite Plus

The Suite Plus is a spacious 355 sq. ft. and comes with a king-sized bed and a sofa in addition to everything else available in the standard Suite.

The Suites Plus rooms also come with either a private balcony or with a large window with ocean views.

Suites Plus start at US$165 per night for a couple.

Loft

The Loft is a massive 538 sq. ft. and includes a king-sized bed, a huge private bathroom with a hot tub, and a private balcony with a hammock and a beautiful ocean view.

You’ll also have all of the amenities available in the Suite Plus.

The Loft starts at US$175 per night for a couple.

Teepee

The Teepee is a unique 107 sq. ft. room with thatched walls, wooden flooring and a canvas front-door covering to give you the teepee camping feeling.

The Teepee has a double-bed as well as clean linen, free WiFi, power sockets and a mosquito net.

The bathroom is shared with the other Teepee rooms.

The Teepee starts at US$110 per night for a couple.

Shared

The shared rooms are bunk-bed dormitory style hostel accommodation. You can choose from 6-room, 8-room, or 10-room dormitories and female-only dormitories are available.

All of the dormitories have free WiFi, air-conditioning and clean linen. You’ll have access to your own locker and a shared bathroom.

Beds in the dormitories start at around US$30 per night per person.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

4. Facilities

Selina Puerto Escondido has a great selection of facilities including two pool areas, a co-working area, a movie room, free yoga classes, free surfing classes and direct beach access to Playa Zicatela.

Pool Areas

The Selina Puerto Escondido has two separate pool areas, the larger of which is located behind the restaurant area.

Don’t miss the pool party every Saturday from 2:00pm until the pool closes at 8:00pm. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people while escaping the Puerto Escondido heat.

Yoga

Selina Puerto Escondido offers free yoga classes in their private yoga space or down on the beach.

They also offer a range of spa services for an additional fee including relaxing and deep-tissue massages, manicures, pedicures, and waxing.

You can book a treatment with the hostel staff.

Co-Working

Selina Puerto Escondido is known for having reliable WiFi. That might not seem like a big plus, but WiFi is notoriously poor in Puerto Escondido, so it actually is a big draw.

The hostel is also known for having a great business and co-working space and attracts lots of digital nomads as a result.

The co-working services are not ordinarily included in the room price, although the hostel often does offers where you can get a free day’s co-working with your booking.

A day-pass for the co-working area is 300 Mexican pesos (around US$18) and you can also get a weekly pass for 900 Mexican pesos (around US$50).

You don’t have to be a guest to access the co-working area, so bear it in mind if you’re staying in another hostel nearby.

Movie Room

Selina Puerto Escondido also has a movie room where you can chill out for a few hours with your favorite film.

The hostel also holds movie nights each Sunday that kick off at 8:00pm and include two movies, usually following a theme. Make sure that you add that to your calendar if you’re a movie-buff.

Free Surfing Lessons

Selina Puerto Escondido offers free introductory surfing lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at noon.

You’ll start off learning some basic theory and can practice in the first floor pool before you head out to the ocean to try it for real.

Beach Access

Across the road from Selina Puerto Escondido, you’ll have 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’re looking for a swimmable beach, you’re better off walking over to nearby Playa Marinero or taking a taxi over to Playa Carrizalillo.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

5. Restaurant and Bar Area

Selina Puerto Escondido has a downstairs restaurant & bar area as well as a rooftop bar.

The hostel also packs a full weekly entertainment program into their offering.

Monday is karaoke night, Tuesday is tacos and table-games, Wednesday is beer-pong and ping-pong, Thursdays is salsa-night followed by a live band, and then Fridays feature music of one variety or another.

Restaurant

Selina Puerto Escondido has an on-site restaurant which serves Mexican cuisine. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also offers vegetarian and vegan options.

Breakfast isn’t included as standard, but you can include it for US$10 per person per day and enjoy it in the restaurant of a morning.

Rooftop Bar

In addition to the restaurant, Selina Puerto Escondido also features an amazing rooftop bar.

Depending on the night, the bar may be hopping to the sounds of a local DJ or cheering on a live act. Either way, the venue is fantastic and the best part is you can easily and safely get back to your room right after the night ends.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

6. Reviews

Selina Puerto Escondido has a solid rating of 7.7 out of 10 from over 650 reviews. However, couples give the hostel a very respectable 9.3 out of 10.

The location of the hostel is universally praised, and couples taking the private rooms also give glowing reviews.

In fact, most of the recent reviews are positive. The few negative reviews raised concerns about cleanliness, availability of hot water, and issues when communicating with staff. A few also thought that the price per room was a little expensive in comparison to other hostels in Puerto Escondido.

The story that the reviews tell is that most people are happy with their stay, but there are a few issues that need to be addressed.

In the last few months, Selina staff have responded to all negative comments promising to address the issues raised, so it looks like they are on top of the problems.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

7. Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in at Selina Puerto Escondido is from 3:00pm, and check-out is before 11:00am.

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

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

8. Pet-Friendly?

Yes, Selina Puerto Escondido is a pet-friendly hostel, although there is an additional charge of US$10 per pet per night.

If you have a guide dog or other service animal, you won’t have to pay any additional charge.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

9. Family-Friendly?

Yes, children of any age are welcome at Selina Puerto Escondido.

The hostel is right across the road from the beach and has two pools, which is great for entertaining the children.

Selina 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 Selina Puerto Escondido.

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 Selina Puerto Escondido.

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 hostel.

Selina 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 Selina Puerto Escondido.

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 Selina Puerto Escondido.

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.

Selina 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 hostel, though, so if you don’t have a rental car, you’ll need to ask the hostel 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.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Selina Puerto Escondido: Pros and Cons

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

Pros

There are some great pros for Selina Puerto Escondido.

Fantastic location

The location of Selina Puerto Escondido really is fantastic.

From the hostel, you can cross the road and be on the beach at Playa Zicatela, which is Puerto Escondido’s most famous beach.

From there you can reach all of the nearby bars and restaurants on foot, and other great Puerto Escondido beaches like Playa Carrizalillo are a short taxi ride away.

Top Entertainment Offering

A key reason for going to any hostel is to be able to meet lots of like-minded people. Selina Puerto Escondido makes that very easy by having an event of one sort or another every night of the week.

The great thing about the offering is that there is something for everyone. There are salsa evenings, movie nights, pool parties, beer pong and live music.

If you’re keen to meet people and have some fun, they’ve got you covered.

Free Classes

Selina Puerto Escondido also offers some great free classes.

The hostel has its own yoga area and you can join a free yoga class to kick-start your day in a healthy way.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to surf, you can also take a free introductory surf lesson so that you can get out there and start slashing up the waves in no time.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Cons

There are a few cons to Selina Puerto Escondido, although to be fair, I think that some of these are inevitable given the style of the accommodation.

Price

Selina Puerto Escondido is at the upper end of the price range for dormitory rooms among hostels in Puerto Escondido.

Similar highly-rated hostels like Puerto Dreams Hostel are a little cheaper and have similar facilities available. Private rooms are also a little more expensive at Selina Puerto Escondido.

Having said that, Selina Puerto Escondido does have a full weekly entertainment program and provides a number of free activities. If you get value from that, then you might see your way to paying the higher rates.

Stairs to Rooms

It isn’t immediately obvious until you arrive, but there are lots of stairs to reach many of the rooms at Selina Puerto Escondido.

There are no lifts, so you’ll need to be prepared to slog your luggage up the stairs, likely after two long and tiring flights. If you don’t want to or aren’t able to carry yourself or your luggage up the stairs, then you shouldn’t book this hostel.

The stairs are also outside without cover in many areas, which makes them a little slippery. You’ll need to be careful going up and down, especially if it’s wet or you’ve had a few drinks.

Late Party-Goers

Given Selina Puerto Escondido’s packed entertainment offering, you’ll need to be prepared for a bit of party noise.

That obviously comes with the turf, and if you’re keen to party, then it won’t be an issue for you.

But if for whatever reason you need to get a bit of shut-eye, make sure that you bring your earplugs with you. The pool parties and the DJs can keep things loud quite late into the evenings.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

My Personal Views

In my view, Selina Puerto Escondido has a lot going for it.

Its location is brilliant, they’re known for having reliable WiFi in a town where that is a rarity, and they have a packed weekly entertainment catalogue. They even throw in a few freebies like surfing lessons to make sure that you have fun.

The flip-side to this is that the price of dormitory beds and private rooms are a little high in comparison to other hostels in Puerto Escondido.

Some reviews compared the pricing of the private rooms to the prices at a boutique hotel, although that doesn’t seem to be the view of couples visiting the hostel, who have given a stellar overall rating of 9.3 out of 10.

If you’re into the entertainment offering and are there to meet people, then I think you’ll get value for money. There’s literally something on every night, so you won’t have trouble making new friends.

The trade-off isn’t as clear, though, if you’re just there to use the co-working facilities and are trying to keep to a budget. That’s even more the case given that access to the co-working facilities isn’t included in the room price.

My take is that you’ll love Selina Puerto Escondido if you’re keen to party, meet new people, and to get into all of the activities offered. If that isn’t you, you might want to opt for Puerto Dreams Hostel or another hostel in the area instead.

Selina 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 Selina Puerto Escondido below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Selina Puerto Escondido?

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 Selina Puerto Escondido?

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 Selina Puerto Escondido?

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

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

Why Is Selina Puerto Escondido Special?

Selina Puerto Escondido is special because it is a hostel in a brilliant location with a fantastic weekly entertainment offering and top co-working facilities.

Because of all of those things, it’s great for anyone keen to party and meet new people and for digital nomads passing through and looking to get stuff done on the go.

Is Selina A Hotel Chain?

Yes, Selina is a chain of hostels originally founded in Panama in 2007. Its head office continues to be in Panama City in Panama.

The group has experienced rapid growth and there are now Selina hostels throughout the world, including several in both Mexico and the US.

Selina Puerto Escondido: The Definitive Review

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now have all the information that you need to decide whether Selina Puerto Escondido is the hostel 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!