How to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Why visit Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido is fast becoming a well-known surfing location within Central America. Its famous Mexican Pipeline is one of the longest continuous surf breaks in the world. Many experienced surfers flock to Zicatela Beach, and those still learning can spend their days trying to ride a wave at La Punta.
If surfing isn’t your thing, you can relax on the golden-sand beaches, soak up the vibrant nightlife or explore the surrounding areas. The coastal town’s welcoming bohemian vibe will quickly make you forget about all your pre-holiday stress and live every day in the moment. Exactly the reason why it‘s so hard to leave Puerto Escondido!
What are the 5 ways to travel from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
There are 5 ways to travel the 256 kilometre (159 miles) distance from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. You can choose between the bus, minivan, private transport, flight and colectivo. The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes to 4 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 300 MXN ($16.50).
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Puerto Escondido at the bottom of this page.
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido by Bus
The journey from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido used to take around 10.5 hours by bus. That included a long, winding trip over mountain roads, often a bumpy experience.
But on February 2024, the newly opened Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway completely changed things — cutting the travel time down to just 3 hours! Instead of navigating mountain curves, the new highway uses tunnels and bridges, making the ride smoother and faster.
Buses are a reliable choice for travelling this route. With buses, you get extra legroom, reclining seats, onboard toilets and air conditioning. The shorter travel time also means you can enjoy more time in Puerto Escondido.
ADO, OCC and ADO GL operate several trips daily. A bus ticket costs 300 MXN ($16.50), though prices may be higher during the tourist season (December to April).
Bus schedule from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Book your tickets online through BookAway for a better chance of securing a seat on your desired date and time. If you prefer to buy tickets at the bus station, make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure time.
Departure and arrival stations
Buses from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido depart from Oaxaca Bus Station. Depending on your hotel’s location in Oaxaca City, the bus terminal can be within walking distance or a short taxi ride away.
In Puerto Escondido, the bus will drop you off at ADO Bus Terminal near the city centre, just a couple of blocks from the main beach. You can walk to most accommodations. If yours is too far, the most convenient option is to take a taxi from right outside the bus station. Taxi rates start from 50 MXN ($2.80).
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido by Colectivo
Colectivos are sprinter-type minivans that take the direct route from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido in about 3 hours 30 minutes. They have AC, and they’re usually the cheapest option.
Colectivos can get cramped when they’re full, though. And luggage is often stored on the roof rack — something worth considering if you’re travelling with bulky bags.
Which colectivo company to travel with?
There are a number of colectivo companies covering the route from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, but the two most popular are Villa del Pacifico and Service Express.
There are plenty of departures throughout the day, usually once or twice every hour. This means you won’t have to wait around for long, and you don’t need to worry about tickets selling out.
The downside is that there’s no option to book online. The only way to buy tickets for the colectivo is from the ticket office at each bus stop. The average price is 300 MXN ($16.50) but can vary a bit depending on demand.
Colectivo schedules from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Departure and arrival station
Both Villa del Pacífico and Service Express offer a similar standard of quality and each one has its own departure point in Oaxaca. Villa del Pacifico departs from Galeana St., while Service Express leave from their terminal along Calle de M. Arista. The two are about 1.5 km away from each other.
No matter which company you book with, the colectivo will drop you off at the central bus station, also known as Terminal TUR in Puerto Escondido. It’s close to the city centre and the main beach, so you may be able to walk to your accommodation.
If your hotel is too far, you can try hailing a taxi on the street, but availability isn’t guaranteed. A good alternative is to walk 100 metres down Avenida Costera Road to the ADO Bus Station, where taxis are more reliable. Fares start at around 50 MXN ($2.80).
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido by Minivan
The minivan is a good option if you’re travelling from Oaxaca International Airport directly to Puerto Escondido. Oaxaca Shuttle is the lone company running this route.
The departure area is about 1 km from the airport. While that might not sound far, it’s not exactly a walk you’d want to do with luggage. A quick taxi ride can get you there.
The main advantage? You don’t have to travel to Oaxaca City just to catch a bus to Puerto Escondido. This saves you both time and the cost of a more expensive taxi into the city.
Just keep in mind there’s only one trip a day, and it leaves at noon.
A minivan ticket costs around 600 MXN ($33), and the ride takes about 2 hours 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Minivan options from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido by Flight
Flying from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is the fastest but most expensive option. Also, note that big commercial airlines don’t operate direct flights for this route. Prepare to take a small plane operated by either Aerotucan or Aerovega.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: City Centre to Oaxaca Airport
All flights from Oaxaca to Mexico City depart from Oaxaca International Airport, which you can find about 8 km south of Oaxaca City. You can get there by taxi in around 25 minutes. Taxi fares start from 250 MXN ($13.80).
Step 2: Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido by Flight
Only small single-propeller planes fly direct from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. If you’re not comfortable with this type of aircraft, it’s better to look into the road options or make a layover.
Rates for one-way direct flights start from 3,000 MXN ($165).
Booking with Aerotucan
Aerotucan offers one departure a day, usually in the mornings, and it costs around 3,670 MXN ($200). You can buy tickets in advance through the Aerotucan website. You can also book directly at their ticket counter in Oaxaca City Airport, but we don’t recommend doing that on the same day of your trip because tickets are most probably sold out.
Booking with Aerovega
Online information about Aerovega is almost non-existent because it is a small airline. The pilot, Don Vega, does most of the duties, including the booking. Although a small company, Aerovega and Don Vega get great reviews.
To check availability and prices, you’ll need to send an email to aerovegapto@hotmail.com or message them on WhatsApp at +529545880062. The pilot speaks English, and his rates are often cheaper than Aerotucan, starting from around 3,000 MXN ($165).
Looking for a bigger aircraft? There is an option to take an indirect flight with a layover in Mexico City, but this will increase the flight duration to at least 6 hours, excluding airport transfers. That doesn’t really make sense, considering you can complete this route in less than 3 hours if you travel by land instead. But if you want to look into this option, you can check flights on Skyscanner.
Step 3: Puerto Escondido Airport to City Centre
Puerto Escondido International Airport is located within the city, just 5 minutes by car from the beach area and the town’s centre.
If your accommodation is nearby, you can consider walking. But if you’re carrying bulky luggage, it’s best to take a taxi right from outside the airport. Rates start from 350 MXN ($19.30).
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido by Private Transport
A private transfer from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is the easiest and most hassle-free option. The journey takes 4 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at 6,500 MXN ($355) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 2,160 MXN ($120) each.
Private Transport options from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Best places to stay in Puerto Escondido
Villas Carrizalillo - Treating Yourself
Villas Carrizalillo are the epitome of luxury. Every detail of this hotel – from the pool to the rooms – will make you want to say wow. The hotel views should be enough to convince you to stay here. It overlooks one of the best beaches in the whole of Mexico! You even have your own private staircase down to Playa Carrizalillo.
All of the rooms are spacious, beautifully decorated and clean, with most of them offering balconies. You’ll also receive a delicious continental breakfast every morning and can enjoy the excellent food prepared in the hotel’s restaurant at night. It’s one of the most popular hotels in Puerto Escondido, so make sure to book in advance.
- Some of the best views in Puerto Escondido
- Private staircase to Playa Carrizalillo
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Casa de Olas Boutique Hotel - Mid Range
Casa de Olas is one of those hotels you see on Instagram and instantly want to stay in. It’s stunning and has all the facilities you could ever need — a dreamy swimming pool, fitness centre, tennis courts, bar and tropical gardens.
There’s so many peaceful spots to just hang out in, that you’ll leave the hotel completely relaxed and rejuvenated. It’s the little touches that make this place special like the yoga classes, free breakfast and friendly staff. The rooms are spacious, modern and all include a private bathroom.
- Relaxing swimming pool
- Bicycles for rent
- Fitness centre and tennis courts
- Incredible breakfast included
Double rooms between $50-$90 per night
Casa Losodeli & Coworking - Mid Range
Whether you’re a digital nomad or not, Casa Losodeli is a great choice in Puerto Escondido. It’s a beautiful hostel that creates a friendly community amongst the guests, something often lacking in hotels.
If you are not here to work, you can spend the day lounging around the pool below one of the many mango trees. Casa Losodeli also has a well-equipped communal kitchen. Although there are plenty of restaurants and bars only steps away. You’ll never want to leave this place!
- Refreshing swimming pool
- Co-working space
- Communal kitchen
- Close to bars, restaurants and Carrizalillo beach
Double rooms between $50-$90 per night
Casa de la Gente Nube - Budget Friendly
Casa de la Gente Nube is only a 5 minute walk from the beach. It’s so close, you can see it from your private balcony! And if you are very lucky, you can even see whales whilst eating your breakfast on the balcony during Puerto Escondido’s whale season (Dec-Feb).
Every room is spacious and brightly coloured, perfectly matching Puerto Escondido’s vibrant vibe. The hosts will start your day right with their friendly smiles and delicious breakfast. Puerto Escondido accommodation isn’t the cheapest, so Casa de la Gente Nube is a real steal.
- Incredible sea views
- 5 minutes from Zicatela beach
- Friendly and welcoming hosts
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms between $15-$50 per night
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
What is the distance from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
The distance from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is 256 kilometre (159 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
The fastest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is by flight and takes 1 hour 10 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
The cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is by bus with ticket costs starting from 300 MXN ($16.50).
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
