Summary
Barra de la Cruz is a legendary surf spot located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, about 30 minutes south of Huatulco and roughly 100 km from Puerto Escondido. Famous for hosting a historic WSL contest in 2006, Barra quickly gained a reputation as one of the best right-hand point breaks in the world.
With perfect, rippable walls, barrel sections, and ramps for aerials, this wave is a true gem—but it’s not always firing. Barra de la Cruz is more sheltered than nearby breaks like Puerto Escondido, meaning it typically picks up less swell, but when it turns on, it delivers world-class rides.
When to go
The best time to surf Barra de la Cruz is from April to November, during Mexico’s rainy season. That is when south swells pick up in size and consistency and turn most surf spots on the Mexican coastline into wave machines.
| January-February | March-April | May-June | July-August | September-October | November-December | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for: | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced | Intermediate Advanced |
| Air temperature | 26°C 79°F | 28°C 82°F | 29°C 84°F | 28°C 82°F | 28°C 82°F | 27°C 81°F |
| Water temperature | 27°C 81°F | 29°C 84°F | 30°C 86°F | 30°C 86°F | 29°C 84°F | 28°C 82°F |
| Crowd | Few people | Fairly crowded | Fairly crowded | Very crowded | Fairly crowded | Fairly crowded |
| Swell Consistency | 50% | 75% | 95% | 95% | 85% | 55% |
| Swell height | 4 ft | 4 ft | 6 ft | 6 ft | 5 ft | 4 ft |
Where to stay
The small town of Barra de la Cruz offers a small range of accommodation for surfers and travelers.
The best place to stay in Barra de la Cruz is Posada Blanca, a nice and clean hotel. For a cheap option, Cabañas jaysur is a under $15 for a dorm bed and is also within the town of Barra de la Cruz.
Browse our interactive map to find the best place to stay in Barra de la Cruz!
Getting to Barra de la Cruz
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Nearest Airport: Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX)
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From Huatulco: ~1-hour drive by rental car, taxi, or bus
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From Puerto Escondido: ~2-hour drive south
Safety/Things to know
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Crowds: The lineup can get competitive when it’s good. Be respectful and share waves.
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Currents: Watch for strong currents, especially near the rocks on bigger days or during tide shifts.
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Local Community: Barra is run by the local cooperative. Respect the town rules, the beach, and the environment.
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Amenities: Very limited. Bring cash, food, and plenty of water as services are basic near the beach.
Surf Spots in Barra de la Cruz
Barra de la Cruz Point
The main and only surf spot at Barra de la Cruz is the world-class right-hand point break. The wave offers long, fast, rippable walls with occasional barrel sections and ramps for aerials. Depending on the swell, the wave can run for hundreds of meters, offering rides that can last up to 45 seconds or more.
- Wave direction: Right
- Bottom: Sand and rocks
- Best tide: Mid to high
- Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
- Optimal swell direction: S to SW
- Optimal wind direction: N to NE
Beach Break (Inside Section)
When the point isn’t working or for those looking for something a little more mellow, there are beach break peaks closer to the beach park entrance. These waves are shorter, softer, and generally more forgiving, great for warming up or less experienced surfers.
- Wave direction: Lefts and rights
- Bottom: Sand
- Best tide: Mid to high
- Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
- Optimal swell direction: S to SW
- Optimal wind direction: N to NE
- Consistency: High (works on most swells)
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