Puerto Escondido is one of the most important tourist attractions on the Oaxacan coast. It caters to a more downscale and eclectic clientele than neighboring Huatulco, mostly surfers, backpackers and Mexican families. Among its many attractions, this destination offers a notable group of beaches surrounded by lush vegetation. The blue-green waters are ideal for doing a wide variety of aquatic sports. One of the beaches, Zicatela, hosts an international surfing competition, while in November a sportfishing tournament takes place at Playa Principal. In the surrounding regions you’ll find nature spots like the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, which consists of a group of lagoons and mangroves where you can observe a wide variety of indigenous wildlife, such as crocodiles, iguanas, exotic bird species and songbirds.