How to Easily Get From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Best Way to Get to Puerto Escondido From Oaxaca
The safest, most comfortable, and most stress-free option is the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido shuttle. โถ๏ธ Book your private shuttle here with the Oaxaca Shuttle Company.
You’ll also get info on 1) renting a car and driving from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, 2) the ADO overnight bus to Puerto Escondido, and 3) the colectivo shared van from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City.
The colectivo is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, but it’s also the least comfortable. For those who have the budget, the fastest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is by taking a flight.
For Oaxaca flights, you have two options โ AeroTucan and AeroVega. As I’ve personally done the flight, you’ll get all my Oaxaca travel tips on that below.
Ready to learn how to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City? Let’s get to it!
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
How do I get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
You have five options when traveling from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Mexico โ including a private car with driver, flight, driving your rental car, ADO bus and colectivo (shared van).

Check out all your options below, with some info on the cost and amount of time each will take. You can click on any link for the pros and cons of each one, or to book.
- Private car with a driver: 6-7 hours, about $359 USD per car
- Rental car: 6-7 hours, about $30 USD per day (not including gas)
- Flight to Puerto Escondido: 45 minutes, about $150-200 USD per person
- ADO Puerto Escondido Bus: 10-11 hours, about $50 USD per person
- Shared van (AKA Colectivo or Camioneta): 7-8 hours, about $15 USD per person
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
What’s the best way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
Your best way to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca will come down to two things: budget and time. The flight is the fastest way, and the colectivo is the cheapest way.
The one other thing to consider is if you get carsick, as this drive is known to cause it. If you’re prone to carsickness, consider the flight from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
Personally, I opt for comfort on long trips, even if it means paying more money, so I go with the Private Driver to Puerto Escondido, or the flight.
๐๐จ If you rent your own car for the trip, check out this article, Renting A Car in Oaxaca: Everything You Need to Know, before you do.
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Mexico: 5 Best Transport Options
1. Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
The safest, easiest and more comfortable option is to hire this private car or van to drive you to Puerto Escondido. With a 5 Star rating, you know you’re in good hands.
The private Puerto Escondido shuttle offers a nice way to see Oaxaca State on the drive โ and you can request bathroom breaks and food breaks to sample the local Oaxaca food as needed.
The drive takes about seven hours in normal traffic, which is the same as it takes in a rental car โ only you don’t have to do the driving.
The drive to Puerto Escondido is through the mountains so very windy but our driver did a superb job managing the roads and our needs. Highly recommend!
Abby M. (read more reviews)
As you’ll see on the map below, many don’t like to drive on the road from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido because it’s quite curvy.
The cost for a one way trip is about $359-399 USD, for up to three passengers. Of course, prices can vary.
When traveling with a group, this ends up being the most convenient, comfortable and a pretty economical way to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City, at about $120 USD each.
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
2. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Drive (Rental Car)

- Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido distance: About 160 miles (258 km)
- Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido driving time: About 6-7 hours
- Check rates and availability with Discover Cars now!
The drive from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Mexico is beautiful, but do consider a midsize rental car or SUV.
You’ll be on a very curvy mountain road with lots of switchback turns, that’s frankly not well maintained in all areas.
As mentioned, this is a bumpy and curvy road (see map image below), which is notoriously bad for anyone prone to carsickness.
If you don’t do so well in cars on road trips, remember to pack your non-drowsy Dramamine, or whatever helps you on the road.
While I am a huge proponent of Mexico solo travel, this isn’t a drive to do alone. Since a lot of people get sick on this drive, you’ll want to have at least two people who can drive.
If this all sounds too risky, book the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido private shuttle instead.
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
WHAT’S THE BEST PLACE FOR OAXACA CAR RENTALS?
For the best selection, there are several Oaxaca Airport car rental companies to choose from.

Head to Discover Cars and see what’s available, as sometimes you’ll get a better deal on your car rental in Oaxaca in the Centro Historico or Reforma neighborhoods, versus the airport.
๐๐จ I personally use Discover Cars whenever I rent a car in Mexico. I also opt for their full coverage insurance, which is the cheapest I’ve found at only about $10 USD per day!
Note: You are legally required to have Mexico driving insurance when renting a car in Oaxaca.
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
๐บ๏ธ Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Map

Use this map for the drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido โ but download the offline map, as your cell signal will go in and out when driving to Puerto Escondido.
Note that for much of the drive, you’ll be on curvy roads that aren’t well-maintained or well-lit in all areas. If you rend to get carsick, remember to pack your Dramamine.
Highway 175 or Highway 131: Which is better?
There are two main routes โ Highway 175 and Highway 131.
Highway 131 is the faster and shorter route at 160 miles (258 km), and about six hours of drive time (without stops).
Highway 175 is better maintained, but a longer route. The drive on Highway 175 is about 197 miles (317 km), and takes about 30-60 minutes longer than Oaxaca Route 131.
โ ๏ธ Note: No matter the road you choose, if you get car sick, remember to bring Dramamine for this windy and curvy drive. road you take from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido
oaxaca to puerto escondido new highway
This has been in the works for decades, but there has been progress made on the new highway from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
Once completed, the Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido Highway will shorten drive times, and give travelers a much more comfortable road.
๐ค We’re crossing our fingers the Autopista Oaxaca Puerto Escondido Highway gets completed soon! However, realistically, travelers shouldn’t hold their breath on a definite completion date.
tips for driving your rental car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido

1. Start the drive early so you arrive in Puerto Escondido before the sun goes down, as it’s not safe to drive at night. The drive takes 6-7 hours, so hit the road by 10am-11am to be safe.
2. Consider a full size car or SUV, as the roads are bumpy in many areas.
If you’re visiting in the Oaxaca rainy season (April to October), a larger car really helps for driving on the muddy roads that can get washed out in some places.
3. Don’t forget to bring non-drowsy Dramamine if you get car-sick.
There are also homeopathic remedies, like these anti-nausea ginger chewables, these anti-motion sickness wristbands and these anti-motion sickness patch, if you prefer natural remedies.
4. Have at least two drivers in the car, just in case one gets car-sick while driving from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
5. Double check the rental car fees if you don’t plan to drive back from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City. Many Mexico car rental companies charge a hefty fee if you don’t return the car to the same place you rented it from.
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE FROM OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO?
For the vast majority of travelers, yes, it is perfectly safe to drive in Oaxaca. The Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido drive, though long, is also considered safe for tourists.

The one caveat here is that you’ll be driving in a foreign country, where you’re unfamiliar with Mexico driving laws.
Luckily, it’s not too dissimilar than in the United States or Canada, so just have a look at the Mexico driving tips below, and enjoy your trip to Puerto Escondido.
๐๐จ 12 Useful Mexico Driving Tips
1. Rent with a reputable company! As they say, “you get what you pay for.” For a reliable Oaxaca car rental company, use Discover Cars to search what’s available, and pick a place with great ratings.
2. Avoid driving at night. When you live in Mexico as long as I have, you start to realize many people simply avoid driving at night, if they can. If you do drive at night, stick to only the main roads, toll roads and well-lit highways.
3. Always use the couta roads (toll roads). Yes, they cost money, but they are much better maintained and generally considered safer. Mexico Travel Tips: Bring cash (pesos) for the tolls.
4. Download an offline map. Your cell signal will go in and out as you travel through rural areas of Oaxaca, so download an offline map from Google or Maps.Me.
You’ll also want to download some podcasts and music while you’re getting that map.
5. Speed limit signs are in kilometers per hour, not miles per hour. You don’t have to worry about conversion math here; just make sure the speed limit sign number matches your car’s speedometer number.
6. Do not use your cell phone while youโre driving. Not only is this unsafe, it is also illegal. In fact, even having your phone in your hand is a ticket-able offense, so try not to even hold your phone while driving.
7. The rumors are true about the cops accepting bribes. If the cops pull you over, and they usually only will if you give them a reason to, they will expect a cash “payment” in exchange for not ticketing you.
8. Mexican roads are notorious for their abundant amount of topes (speed bumps). Make sure you keep your eyes on the road, as topes donโt always have signs alerting you to them.
9. Mexicoโs gas stations are not self-serve. When you stop for gas, an attendant will pump it for you and take your payment.
Many of these attendants live off tips, so when they finish, itโs customary to tip at least $10-20 pesos ($0.50-$1 USD).
10. Mexicoโs traffic lights go from green to yellow, to flashing yellow for a few seconds, to finally, a red light.
11. Make sure you purchase Mexican car insurance. You are usually not covered in any way through your U.S. company when you drive in any other country, and you do legally need Mexican car insurance to drive in Mexico.
12. Most travel insurance policies cover driving. In case you’re wondering Should I get travel insurance for Mexico? The answer is hell yes!
Get a FREE quote for the Explorer Plan with World Nomads, which has the option to include Mexican car insurance.
OAXACA Bloqueos (Road Protests)
Wondering, Is it safe to drive in Oaxaca Mexico? For the most part it is perfectly safe to drive in Oaxaca, but there are things to worry about beyond safety, and those are bloqueos, or blockades.
Though not common, bloqueos (road protests in Oaxaca) do happen from time to time, and can add hours to the trip.
These bloqueos happen when locals are protesting and essentially shut down the road that passes through their part of town. There’s no way to predict these, and no way to tell how long they will last when they happen.
As an absolute worst case scenario, I have heard of people having to stay the night in the town the bloqueo is happening in โ though this is extremely rare.
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
3. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Flight: AeroTucan and AeroVega

Wondering, Can you fly from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido? Yes, you can, and in fact, the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido flight is the most convenient, quickest, and most expensive option.
Two companies have flights from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido, AeroTucan and AeroVega, and each company has just one flight per day.
With both, youโll take a 6-8 seater plane; if youโve never been in a small plane before, watch this video to see if it seems comfortable.
From the airport, you can book private transportation to your Puerto Escondido hotel, rent a car or take a taxi.
โ ๏ธ Note: There’s no Uber in Oaxaca City, no Uber in Puerto Escondido, and no Uber in Oaxaca State anywhere. There’s also no Lyft in Oaxaca.
AeroTucan Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Flight: My Personal experience

I took the AeroTucan Oaxaca flight to Puerto Escondido, and really enjoyed it. However, this is a small plane, and it’s a lot shakier than a large airplane.
If you have claustrophobia, or don’t handle turbulence well, you might want to opt for the private driver or ADO bus.
How do I buy tickets for Aerotucan?
AeroTucan Contact Info
โข AeroTucan phone number: 1-800-640-4148
โข AeroTucan local phone number: (+52) 951-502-0840
If you want to take the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido flight with AeroTรบcan, you have to book in advance via phone or at the Oaxaca Airport.
Keep in mind you might not get an English-speaking agent via phone, so have a Spanish-speaking friend or acquaintance nearby to help.
You also have the option to buy directly at the airport, as the Oaxaca Airport is just a short cab ride from downtown Oaxaca City.
However, know there may or may not be an agent when you arrive, so the phone is usually a better option.
โ๏ธ Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance
If you want to take the AeroTucan Puerto Escondido flight, you’ll want to get your ticket as far in advance of your flight as possible.
As there’s usually just one daily flight from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, you’ll want to make sure you can travel on your preferred day.
How much do tickets cost?
One way flights on AeroTรบcan average about $3,000-3,500 pesos ($150-175 USD).
Yes, this is a lot more than most other options, but it’s also a lot more convenient as flights are only about 30-45 minutes, whereas the drive takes seven hours by car, and 10 hours by bus.
๐ค Oaxaca Travel Tips: AeroTucan offers a 15% discount on all Thursday flights.
๐งณ Pro Tip: Do you have luggage?
The final thing to keep in mind is luggage weight. You’re allowed 33 pounds (15 kg) on AeroTucan, which is about 20 pounds less than larger airlines allow.
My luggage was over, and I ended up with a surprise $50 USD fee. Other than that, I loved the flight and will take it again.
OAXACA TO Puerto Escondido flight
AeroVega Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Flight
AeroVega is owned and operated by the pilot, Juan Carlos Vega. Much like with AeroTucan, he operates a small plane with just six seats in total.
If you’ve never been on a single-engine plane of this size, check out the YouTube video above of a real experience on this flight.
If it doesn’t seem like it’s for you, and you have the budget, consider hiring a driver and private car. If you’re traveling with a group, splitting this ends up costing about the same as the plane does.
You can also rent a car, or take the ADO bus to Puerto Escondido.
Flight cost & How to book your Aerovega flight
AeroVega Contact Info
โข AeroVega phone number: (+44) 954-588-0062
โข AeroVega local phone number: (+52) 951-516-4982
โข AeroVega email: aerovegapto@hotmail.com
The flight costs about $2,000-$2,500 pesos ($100-125 USD), which you will pay in cash (pesos), and book directly with Juan Vega.
While this may seem unconventional, I have met people who have flown with AeroVega, and it is a legit company โ though there’s no website.
AeroVega usually only offers one flight per day, so book as far in advance as you can by calling and/or emailing the Captain Juan Vega using his contact information above.
If you’re unable to reach him like I was, you can always book with AeroTucan like I did.
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
4. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Bus (ADO)

The ADO bus takes about 10 hours to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.
There are daytime and overnight buses on this route, so you can sleep on the bus. The cost for a one way ticket is about $1,000 pesos ($50 USD), but prices vary throughout the year.
๐๐จ Oaxaca Travel Tips: ADO is pronounced ahh-day-oh in Mexico, not a-dee-o.
The bus will drop you off at the ADO Puerto Escondido bus station (๐map), located about 10-20 minutes from the beaches.
There’s no Uber in Oaxaca State, but there are always plenty of taxis waiting outside of this bus terminal; just make sure to have pesos to pay.
You can check the Puerto Escondido ADO schedule on their website, but know it’s not very user-friendly. It glitches a lot and doesn’t take United States credit cards, so I always use GuateGo when I book my Mexico bus tickets.
OCC Bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido: Second Class Bus

Looking for other bus companies that offer this route? If you want to take the overnight bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, you’ll need to use the OCC bus (which is actually now owned by ADO).
As with the ADO bus, I suggest you book your tickets via GuateGo.
The OCC Coach Bus to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City has two times you can choose from โ 9:30pm to 7:35am, and 10:30pm to 8:55am.
The overnight bus is very popular, and tickets can sell out during the Oaxaca busy season from November to March, so book ASAP.
OAXACA TO PUERTO ESCONDIDO mexico
5. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Van (Colectivo)

You may hear the van also called a colectivo or camioneta, which is a shared passenger van that seats between 10-12. This is the van from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Mexico.
Most companies in Oaxaca use Nissan Urvans or Dodge Sprinter vans on this trip. The vans themselves are comfortable enough, and well-maintained.
There are several companies, like Lineas Unidas, Transportes Villa del Pacifico and Service Express Arista, located in downtown Oaxaca City you can book with.
A one-way ticket is about $300 pesos (about $15 USD), but do know the bus is much more comfortable for about $30 USD more.
๐๏ธ Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance
As this is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, van companies offer several trips daily, though do tend to be at full capacity.
You can buy your ticket in advance, or wait until the day of the trip; though there’s always a chance of the van selling out.
๐๐จ Oaxaca Travel Tips: For those prone to motion or carsickness, reserve the front seat so your journey time is more pleasant. Don’t forget your non-drowsy Dramamine, as it’s a winding drive on bumpy mountain roads.
How long does the van trip take?
The van from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido takes about 8-9 hours.
This is longer than the car ride because the van makes 1-2 stops in small pueblos along the way. These include San Jose del Pacifico (the famous Oaxaca mushroom town), San Pedro Mixtepec and/or San Josรฉ del Progreso.
Here, you’ll have a bathroom break and snack break, and you can stretch your legs. You may pick up other passengers who are also traveling to Puerto Escondido or the Oaxaca coast.
Oaxaca to Chacahua National Park

Headed to Lagunas de Chacahua National Park near Puerto Escondido? The majority of travelers arrive by way of Puerto Escondido, and then take the Chacahua boat over to this beach town.
First, you’ll fly into Puerto Escondido Airport or one of the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondidoo over-land options.
From Puerto Escondido, you can book private transportation to Chacahua, or take a taxi or colectivo to the small town of El Zapotalito. At the Zapotalito boat docks, you’ll take the boat to Chacahua.
๐ Looking for the best Chacahua hotels? Check out Porรฃ Chacahua, Cabaรฑas La Isla Chacahua and Cabaรฑas Alta Mar Chacahua.
Oaxaca to Huatulco Mexico

Huatulco Mexico is another one of the best Oaxaca beach towns, and located about two hours from Puerto Escondido.
There are only over-land options, so you can either rent a car in Oaxaca and drive, or book this Oaxaca to Huatulco Private Shuttle.
If you’re traveling from Oaxaca to Huatulco, check out the linked article for a complete guide on that route.
Puerto Escondido Travel Guide & FAQ

How is the road from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
Not great โ The drive is on curvy mountain roads that aren’t well-maintained or well-lit in all areas, so exercise caution.
Why does it take so long to drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
The reason the drive takes so long is because the road it’s on is an extremely curvy mountain road, and you’ll be driving at low speeds of about 20-40 mph (32-64 km/h) for a lot of it.
Where do you stop between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido?
San Jose del Pacifico is a charming mountain town located about midway between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido.

It is a popular place to stop, eat, stretch your legs, buy souvenirs and take in the views. San Jose del Pacifico is located about 8,000-feet above sea level (2,438 m), so it sits above the clouds.
One of the best things to do in San Jose del Pacifico is ride the swing at Itรณo Restaurant. If you’re hungry, this is also one of the best restaurants in San Jose del Pacifico Mexico, and it has amazing views too.
OAXACA TO Puerto Escondido mexico
Where is Puerto Escondido located?
Puerto Escondido, usually just called Puerto by the locals, is located in Oaxaca State, in Southern Mexico.
It sits right on the Pacific Ocean, and is one of the best surf towns in Mexico, but also one of the most popular bohemian beach towns in Mexico.
๐บ๏ธ Puerto Escondido Map
๐จ Looking for Puerto Escondido hotels? Check out these best resorts and best hotels in Puerto Escondido.
How far is Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City?
The Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City distance is about 160 miles (258ย km), or 197 miles (317 km), depending on the road you take.
The Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City drive time is about 6-7 hours without stops โ which is why many opt for this private driver to Puerto Escondido instead.
OAXACA TO Puerto Escondido mexico
What’s the best airport for Puerto Escondido?
Wondering, Is there an airport in Puerto Escondido? Yes, there’s Puerto Escondido International Airport (code: PXM), located minutes from the beaches.

To get to your Puerto Escondido resort, you can book a private airport shuttle, rent a car or take a taxi.
๐๐จ Note: There’s no Uber in Puerto Escondido, and no Lyft in Puerto Escondido.
OAXACA TO Puerto Escondido mexico
What’s the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?
Weather-wise, the best time to visit any of the Mexico beaches is from November to March, during the dry season.
It can rain quite a bit during the Oaxaca rainy season of April to October, when it’s also quite humid and buggy (so don’t forget your mosquito spray ๐ฆ).
November to March is also the Oaxaca high season, or busy season โ so expect larger crowds and higher prices.
October and April are considered Mexico shoulder season months, where you’ll likely have nice weather, but also lower price tags.
Puerto Escondido Weather

Best time to see whales in Puerto Escondido ๐ณ
The Oaxaca whale season runs from about November to April, when several species of whales migrate past the coast of Oaxaca State.
The best time to see whales in Oaxaca is from December to March, when you can book a Puerto Escondido boat tour to see them.
OAXACA TO Puerto Escondido mexico
What are the best hotels in Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido is one of the best Mexico beach towns, so you’ll of course want to stay at one of these Puerto Escondido hotels on the beach, or as close to one as possible.
The best beaches in Puerto Escondido Mexico are Playa Zicatela, Playa La Punta, Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Bacocho and Playa Manzanillo. Here are some of the best hotels, at all price points:
1. Hotel Escondido ($$$$)

Though the decor is rustic-chic, the service is 5 Star luxury all the way at Hotel Escondido, one of the best Oaxaca boutique hotels in the entire state.
It is the perfect place to disconnect from it all, in one of their private beachfront bungalows.
This is a gorgeous boutique hotel with an on-site restaurant, located on a private beach area about 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido near Casa Wabi art gallery.
Do note that Hotel Escondido is on the outskirts of town, so you’ll want a rental car to get around.
2. VILLAS CARRIZALILLO ($$$)

Villas Carrazillio overlooks Playa Carrizalillo below โ with million dollar views at a reasonable price tag.
Each villa has a dining area and seating area with TV; some also have a terrace and a kitchenette. There’s a gorgeous pool and restaurant onsite with complimentary breakfast.
3. CASA UMI ($$-$$$)
I stayed here for about a week, and highly recommend Casa UMI.
It is located just four blocks from Playa La Punta in the boho chic La Punta neighborhood. The room was huge, with cold AC and a comfy bed, high end finishes in the bathroom, and a private hammock by the pool.
4. SelIna Puerto Escondido Hostel ($-$$)

One of the top names in hostels worldwide, Selina Hostel has a location in a quieter area of Playa Zicatela.
They are known to have the best WiFi in Puerto Escondido, as well as a tropical garden with swimming pool and a restaurant/bar. Private rooms and shared dorms available.
For the mid-budget traveler
Rent a car and drive to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City! The drive will show you the off the beaten path Oaxaca pueblos few others see.
Driving in Mexico is considered safe, and the linked article will walk you through the rental process โ Renting A Car in Oaxaca: Everything You Need to Know.
For Oaxaca budget travelers
Take the ADO bus to Puerto Escondido. ADO is Mexico’s largest bus company, with a fleet of luxury class buses.
It is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, but you’ll want to use GuateGo to book your tickets, as the ADO website isn’t user friendly at all.



