About 20 minutes from Puerto Escondido lies Manialtepec Lagoon, one of the few places in the world where you can swim in water that glows. Here's what you need to know.
What bioluminescence is
It is caused by microorganisms that emit blue light when they move. Every stroke, every drop, leaves a luminous trail. It doesn't show up on phone photos: it's an experience to live, not to record.
When to see it
It shows best on moonless nights (new moon) and during the rainy season, from May to January, when the lagoon holds more fresh water. Check the lunar calendar before booking.
What the tour is like
Tours leave Puerto Escondido at dusk. You reach the lagoon by van, go out by boat or kayak, and there's a moment to swim. They last between 2 and 3 hours.
What to bring
Swimsuit, towel, a light change of clothes, natural repellent and a waterproof bag. Avoid chemical sunscreen and lotions: they pollute the lagoon.
Other things to do at the lagoon
By day, Manialtepec is excellent for birdwatching, kayaking through mangroves and eating fish at the palapas along the shore.
Where to stay
The bioluminescence tour gets back in the small hours, so you'll be glad to have a bed nearby: Raíz Hotel Boutique is in La Punta Zicatela, with an unhurried breakfast the next day. Write to us on WhatsApp at +52 954 124 0793 and we'll go through the lunar calendar together to see which nights fall within your dates.
From La Punta the tours pick you up and drop you back at the hotel; you don't need a car.
