Zicatela (Puerto Escondido)

Zicatela is Mexico's most famous wave and one of the heaviest beach breaks on the planet. Known as the Mexican Pipeline, it produces massive, thick-lipped barrels that break over a steep sandy bottom with violent force. When solid south swells hit during the summer months, Zicatela transforms into a world-class barrel factory that attracts the best tube riders on earth. The wave is not for the faint of heart—wipeouts here are legendary, and the power of the closeouts has ended many careers.