Surf: Less assured surfers should head down to the mellower, but busy lefts of La Punta, which offer the relief of a paddling channel and some long, fast slashable walls. Fun shoulders outside can get hollow over the sandier inside sections. Environment: It’s easier to take a bus rather than endure the long, hot walk. Late afternoons should see the wind drop away and Puerto Escondido should clean up. Always crowded with the less adept visitors and locals. Surf: General: Located at the far south headland of Playa Zicatela, La Punta is the every surfer's option when Puerto Escondido is too nuts. The headland does a good job of absorbing and refracting raw swell energy (which helps the chargers up the beach), making for a ridiculously fun lefthand pointbreak that pumps out barrel sections, ramps, steep walls and crisp shoulders with every wave. The water is pretty much always a deep turquoise and bathwater warm. Plus, when Zicatela blows out, La Punta will handle the wind far better and all day long. Tides: All tides Size: Chest high to double overhead. Wind: E, SE Swell: SSE, S, SSW, SW Bottom: Sand and rock Paddling: Long paddles back out after lengthy rides after battling the pack for waves. Spot Rating: Very versatile left. Access: Easy. Walk, drive or hop on bus from Zicatela. Crowds: Crowd Factor: Very heavy. Local Vibe: Heavy. Environment: Typically pretty clean. Hazards: Agitating the locals, rocks. Season: March-October