Nick Hilden

Read the latest articles by Nick Hilden at Thrillist

Contributor

Nation

Photo by Nick Hilden

Travel

Explore adventure guides and design a custom itinerary for the destination of your choice in and around the city.

Best Travel Guides, Cool Hotels and Interesting Events - Thrillist

Our rental car pulled off the unblemished, cliff-flanked highway and followed a winding exit toward a compact field of agave tucked amidst the lush Oaxaqueña mountain landscape.

Everything I Learned on Mexico's New Highway Connecting Oaxaca City to the Coast

by Marc Guitard/Moment/Getty Images

As far as Mexican beach destinations go, the Oaxacan port town of Puerto Escondido hits all the sweet spots: It’s moderately developed, laid back, and caters well to tourists while remaining blissfully free of mega resorts and hordes of spring breakers that are staples of places like Cancún.

What to Do in Puerto Escondido, Mexico’s Chillest Surf Town 

Beach Day

Beach Day brings you all the best beaches in the US and abroad, with advice on when to go, how to prepare, and more.

Beach Day: All the Best Beaches in the US and Abroad

Flickr/Addison Berry

Between mythically mooned-over mezcal and moles, paradisal playas, and lush green mountain ranges—plus an affordable price tag and year-round tropical weather—there are plenty of reasons to head to Mexico’s North Pacific Coast, which spans the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero.

6 Must-Visit Beach Towns on Mexico's Most Laid-Back Coast

Rob Kints/Moment/Getty Images

While Amsterdam gets an almost-overabundance of attention, another city sits nearby, quietly majestic in its splendor.

This So-Darn-Cute Netherlands City Looks Like It’s Made of Gingerbread Houses

Design by Maggie Rossetti for Thrillist

Shopping

Shopping - Deals, New Products & Gift Ideas From Across the Web - Thrillist

Originally, I’d planned on testing out the brand-new Apple Watch Ultra while hiking through the surreal landscape of Cappadocia or trekking the jungles of Vietnam, both of which loomed on the horizon of my never-ending itinerary.

The New Apple Watch Ultra Is a Game Changer for Athletes & Outdoor Enthusiasts

Rerouting

Nadia Yong/Shutterstock

Spanning the wilds of upper Washington, the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20, if you want to be boring) is an encapsulation of the mysterious, sprawling allure of the Pacific Northwest.

This Wild, Winding Highway Is 140 Miles of Pure Natural Awe

Dinosaur Provincial Park UNESCO World Heritage Site

Dinosaurs: the word in itself sums up why people are drawn to sprawling deserts and rocky landscapes that might have prehistoric fossils, giant footsteps imprinted into stone, or even just a ghostly landscape where large creatures once roamed.

See Jurassic Park Come to Life at These Amazing Dinosaur Fossil Parks

Dong Bui/EyeEm/Getty Images

On the streets of Hanoi, a torrent of motorbikes wind between dragon-throned temples, winged-roof pavilions, colorful colonial buildings with French doors, and modern glass towers.

This Friendly, Lantern-Lit City of Southeast Asia Is Having a Comeback

ferrantraite/E+/Getty Images

Mexico is rich with renowned destinations.

Skip Cabo: Mexico’s Most Underrated Destinations to Visit This Summer

Matteo Colombo/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Strolling the beach in Puerto Morelos, a two-mile Caribbean coastal town in Yucatán, you can look north and see the towering hotels of Cancún.

The Cenote Capital of Mexico Is Still Under the Radar

Lidija Kamansky/Moment/Getty Images

About two hours from Seattle, a spectacular land awaits.

Water Cascades Down the Mountains in This Breathtaking National Park

Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

Beach towns in Mexico tend to lean in one of two directions: gorgeous tropical paradise or somewhat unkempt beach drag.

Nick Hilden

Latest Posts From Nick

Everything I Learned on Mexico's New Highway Connecting Oaxaca City to the Coast

This new infrastructure is poised to transform the region—for better or worse.

What to Do in Puerto Escondido, Mexico’s Chillest Surf Town

Kick off your shoes and kiss the winter blues goodbye.

6 Must-Visit Beach Towns on Mexico's Most Laid-Back Coast

Not only does Mexico’s Pacific Coast offer warmer waters, it’s also popular for its surfable waves, fresh seafood, and handcrafted wares.

This So-Darn-Cute Netherlands City Looks Like It’s Made of Gingerbread Houses

But baked by a Dutch master of art.

The New Apple Watch Ultra Is a Game Changer for Athletes & Outdoor Enthusiasts

The new Apple Watch Ultra delivers a dizzying array of fitness and adventure features—but it does have a few quirks.

This Wild, Winding Highway Is 140 Miles of Pure Natural Awe

Gear up for the Pacific Northwest tour of a lifetime.

See Jurassic Park Come to Life at These Amazing Dinosaur Fossil Parks

Enjoy the views, travel through eons.

This Friendly, Lantern-Lit City of Southeast Asia Is Having a Comeback

May the streets overflow with food stalls.

Skip Cabo: Mexico’s Most Underrated Destinations to Visit This Summer

This way to a better vacation.

The Cenote Capital of Mexico Is Still Under the Radar

And it’s just around the corner from Cancún.

Water Cascades Down the Mountains in This Breathtaking National Park

And pools at the bottom in emerald lakes.

Mexico’s Gorgeous, Gritty Beach Town You Should Party in ASAP

Come on down for fresh seafood, immaculate vibes, and parties that last 'til dawn.