The Laguna de Manialtepec is a coastal lagoon about 18 km west of Puerto Escondido in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. The name comes from Náhuatl “manial” (spring) and “tepec” (Hill), meaning (Hill where water is born). Access to the lagoon by car is via Federal Highway 200 or by boat from Puerto Escondido. The lagoon is 15 km long with patches of leafy jungle and mangroves that reach 15 meters of height in some places . The lagoon opens to the sea during the rainy season at a place known as Puerto Suelo or El Carnero.