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 swell 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.
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.