• Summary

• When to go

• Where to stay

• Surf spots

• How to get to Saladita

Summary

Playa Saladita is a small Mexican surfing village located in the state of Guerrero, about an hour away from Zihuatanejo. If you’re a surfer seeking perfect waves in Mexico, look no further than Playa Saladita. This hidden gem offers consistent and world-class waves in a very laidback atmosphere. Playa Saladita is mainly known as a longboard spot, but many short boarders also manage to catch some great rides at the point. 

On an average day, you can find yourself riding a wave for more than 1 minute from the point to shore!

The perfect surfing destination in Mexico

La Saladita is still very rustic and authentic compared to other popular surf towns on the Mexican Pacific coast like Puerto Escondido or Sayulita. You will find a few beachside restaurants, lovely homestays or hotels with amazing sunset views and a few places to rent surfboards.

Playa Saladita is an absolute wave magnet and there will rarely be a day without anything to surf. It is one of the best kept secrets on the Pacific coast of Mexico so congratulations if you are looking to surf down here!

Another thing that makes La Saladita really stand out from other surf towns is the great vibe that you can feel in and out of the water. Surfers really look after each other, locals are welcoming and the atmosphere is just magical.

When to surf Playa Saladita

The best time to surf Playa Saladita is during the wet season, which typically runs from May to October. During this period, you can expect consistent swells and smaller crowds, creating ideal conditions for surfing. The waves are also great in Saladita from November to April with sunny weather, clear water and smaller swells. The dry season is also when crowds get much denser with many surfers coming from Canada and the United States.

• Best Season: May to October (wet season)
  Consistent south swells, fewer crowds, and great conditions.

• Dry Season: November to April
  Smaller swells, perfect for beginners, but much busier with surfers from the U.S. and Canada.

Where to Stay in Playa Saladita

Playa Saladita offers a range of accommodation options to suit various budgets. Some of them are right on the beach such as Casa Esmeralda which also offers a great range of surfboard rentals.

You can also find some cheaper options a little further away from the wave and everything is still within walking distance. 

Browse our interactive map to find the best accommodation deals in Saladita!

Surf spots near Playa Saladita

Saladita

Saladita is the main break in Playa Saladita. It is a long and mellow left point break that works almost every day and throughout all tide conditions. Early morning is best for lighter winds but that is also when most of the crowd shows up. Saladita is a perfect wave for long boarders of all skill levels. The reef is not too sharp and as the wave tends to be quite soft, there are not that many risks of cuts and injuries.

• Wave direction : Left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Any
• Optimal swell direction : SSW
• Optimal wind direction : ENE

The Ranch

El Rancho or The Ranch is usually bigger than Saladita and also slightly more powerful, yet still a fairly gentle wave. It is about 30 minutes north of Saladita so you will need to have a car or hire a taxi. The Ranch is typically less crowded than Saladita but on good days, things can get packed. Luckily there are at least 3 different take-off spots which helps spreading the crowd a little.

• Wave direction : Left
• Bottom : Reef
• Best tide : Any
• Skill level : Intermediate and advanced
• Optimal swell direction : SSW
• Optimal wind direction : ENE

How to get to Playa Saladita

The best way to get to Playa Saladita is to fly to Zihuatanejo airport and rent a car or get a taxi to Playa Saladita which is about 45 minutes away.

A taxi from Zihuatanejo to Saladita will cost you roughly 1200 pesos. If you want to get around from La Saladita to other spots like The Ranch, you might want to consider renting a car or try hitchhiking which comes with its risks.

Cash is king!

Keep in mind that there are no ATM’s in La Saladita so make sure to bring some cash either from Zihuatanejo or Los Llanos. You might also want to stop for groceries in Zihuatanejo because there is only one small supermarket in Saladita which tends to be more expensive. You will be able to find a lot of surfboard rentals so you don’t necessarily have to bring your own board.

The post Playa Saladita, Mexico appeared first on My Wave Finder.

Mexico is one of the world’s top surf destinations, offering thousands of kilometers of coastline, consistent Pacific swells, and a lively surf culture. Whether you’re a beginner looking to catch your first wave or an expert chasing heavy barrels at Puerto Escondido, Mexico delivers waves for all levels.

On top of world-class surf, you’ll find amazing weather, delicious food, affordable surf camps, and a great social vibe. Mexico is a perfect mix of surfing, culture, and adventure.

Best time to surf in Mexico

Mexico offers year-round surf, but your timing should depend on your skill level and surf goals:

• April to October (Rainy Season): Bigger, more powerful swells and the best time for intermediate and advanced surfers. Puerto Escondido and Barra de la Cruz shine during these months.

• November to March (Dry Season): Smaller, cleaner waves ideal for beginners. Consistent swells still hit key surf spots like Sayulita and Saladita.

Best Places to Surf in Mexico

Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido is a world famous surfing destination on the Mexican Pacific Coast with one of the world’s heaviest beach break, Playa Zicatela. However, surfing conditions are definitely not always monstrous in Puerto Escondido. During the shoulder seasons, even beginners can catch some fun waves in Puerto Escondido, either at Playa Zicatela or at one of the surrounding beaches.

Read our complete surfing guide to Puerto Escondido, Mexico

Sayulita

Sayulita is a lively and charming surf town located in Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. With several surf spots and year-round mellow waves, Sayulita is a great place in Mexico for beginners and intermediate surfers. The surfing vibe in Sayulita is awesome with many hostels, bars and restaurants that provide a great social aspect to your surf trip.

Read our complete surfing guide to Sayulita, Mexico

Baja California

Baja California is a surfers’ favorite on a surf trip to Mexico with many empty and unexplored waves as well as some world-class surf spots. The region is separated between Baja North, including Ensenada and Rosarito, and Baja Sur which includes Cabo San Lucas, Punta Abreojos and San Juanico. 

Read our surfing guides to Baja North and Baja Sur

Barra de la Cruz

Barra de la Cruz is a world-class surf spot located a short drive south of Puerto Escondido, near Huatulco. This right-hand rocky point break has hosted the World Surf League twice and remains one of Mexico’s most iconic waves. Barra de la Cruz is part of a reserve which makes it a bit secluded and there aren’t that many options of places to stay within a short distance to the wave. Most people stay in Puerto Escondido and drive down when swells hit.

Read our complete surfing guide to Barra de la Cruz, Mexico

Playa Saladita

Saladita is an awesome left-hand point break located in the state of Guerrero, just north of Zihuatanejo. This spot is still a hidden gem and is a long boarders’ favorite. Playa Saladita is a true wave magnet with waves all year round.

Read our complete surfing guide to Playa Saladita, Mexico

Best Surf Camps in Mexico

8-Day Surf Camp and Learn Spanish in Puerto Escondido, Mexico
US$590, including:

• 1.5 hours of Spanish semi-private tuition from Monday to Friday
• 7 nights of accommodation
• Learning material and final Spanish Diploma
• Yoga classes along the week
• Surf theory class
• Coaching session
• Welcome activity
• 5 surf lessons
• Surf photos

7-day Exclusive Surf Retreat in Cabo San Jose Del Cabo, Baja California Sur
US$425, including:

• 5 surf lessons
• 1 guided art-walk through San Jose art district
• All equipment, documentation photo and video, and professional instructors
• Daily healthy breakfast and ground transportation
• 6 nights accommodation
• Camping night

Budgeting a surf trip to Mexico

While Mexico used to be extremely cheap, prices have increased since the rise of digital nomads and post-Covid tourism. Here’s a realistic cost breakdown for surfers in 2025:

Travel Tips:

• Sayulita and Puerto Escondido are now quite popular and can get expensive in peak season (December to March).

• Look for surf camps or shared housing to save on accommodation.

• Street food is cheap, delicious, and an easy way to cut costs.

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