Laguna Manialtepec

The basics

There are a variety of tours available to help you explore Laguna Manialtepec. If you’re keen to see its diverse wildlife, opt for a kayaking tour of the mangroves to spot the native birds, fish, and reptiles. You can also visit with a horseback riding tour of the sandy sections on the oceanside, some of which depart at sunset for evening views. Bioluminescence tours are also a popular option, which transport you by boat and give you a chance to activate the vivid natural phenomenon by swimming or splashing your hands through the water at night.

Things to know before you go

• To enhance the brightness of the bioluminescent plankton, visit the lagoon on a night when moonlight is at a minimum or when it’s been dry for a few days.

• There are some basic restaurants serving seafood on the banks of the lagoon, but it’s a good idea to bring water and snacks with you.

• You can swim in the lagoon, so take a bathing suit if you want to take a dip.

How to get there

Laguna Manialtepec is 8 miles (14 kilometers) west of Puerto Escondido, a popular surfing spot on Mexico’s Oaxaca coast. It takes 20 minutes to drive from the center and most evening tours include round-trip transport. You can also take a shared taxi to San José Manialtepec.

When to get there

The best time to visit Laguna Manialtepec for birdwatching is from December through March in the early morning, when you’ll typically spot most birds. The bioluminescence season in Puerto Escondido runs from May through December; this is when the plankton that creates the phenomenon are most active.

The best beaches in Puerto Escondido

Thanks to its rural location, Laguna Manialtepec is close to some of the area’s most pristine beaches. One of the best is Playa Puerto Suelo, an unspoiled stretch of sand with a handful of rustic restaurants serving seafood. Just along the coast is Playa Bacocho, a rugged stretch famous as a turtle-nesting site.