This is the Best Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Want to book the oaxaca to puerto escondido shuttle?
You’re in the right place because I’ve done the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido trip before. In fact, I always recommend the private car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido as the best way to get to Puerto Escondido.
🚙 Ready to book yours? This is the best private transfer from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido because it’s well-rated and you can book it online right now! In Mexico, not everything is bookable online — so take advantage.
Need more information before you book? In this article, I’m going to break down why a private shuttle is the safest, most comfortable, and most stress-free option is the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido shuttle.
Ready to learn all how to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City by private car service? Let’s get to it!
Best Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏰ Trip Time: 6 Hours (approx.) | 🚙 Book it!
The safest, easiest and more comfortable option for the Oaxaca Puerto Escondido trip is to hire a private car or van to drive you to Puerto Escondido. As someone who has don’t this drive — it is not for the faint of heart.
The drive takes about 6-7 hours in normal traffic, which is the same as it takes in a rental car. The only difference here is that you don’t have to do the driving… so all you have to do is kick back and relax (or sleep).
🚨 Don’t like driving on windy mountain roads?
As you’ll see on this map below, many don’t like to drive on the road from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido because it’s quite curvy. It is notorious for people getting car-sick — which is why you want to let a pro handle the drive.
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)
⛰️ for passengers, it’s a gorgeous Drive
However, it is a beautiful drive through the Sierra mountains. As a passenger, you get to take it all in and just enjoy passing through the off the beaten path Oaxaca towns that so few visitors see.
Driver was on time, car was clean and comfortable, and the drive through the mountains was scenic. He was a good driver, getting us to our destination in a safe and timely manner. Very professional.
—Suzanne (read more reviews)
On the drive, you’ll get to see the cool mountain town of San Jose del Pacifico and other lesser-visited places in Oaxaca State. Also, you can request bathroom breaks and snack breaks as you need them — an awesome perk!
How much is the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Shuttle?
The cost for a one way trip is about $359 USD, for up to three passengers. However, prices can fluctuate depending on the season, so you can check the current rates here.
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. Even if you’re traveling solo, the private driver is the way to go.
What’s included with my Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
1️⃣ Door to Door Service
No matter where you’re staying in Oaxaca City, the driver will meet you at your hotel and pick you up. They will drop you off at your hotel in Puerto Escondido. It couldn’t get any easier than that.
Our driver was FANTASTIC, he stopped whenever we wanted to, managed all the crazy curves with skill and got us to our destination in good time...
—Shelley (read more reviews)
2️⃣ Comfy Car with Air conditioning
You’re guaranteed a new, clean and insured vehicle with a driver who has done this route before. All cars have AC and you can connect your Spotify to set the playlist for the trip.
3️⃣ Unlimited Bathroom reaks
You can stop as much as you need to for quick bathroom breaks, or a few minutes to get some fresh air. You’re also allowed one stop for a meal, and I suggest doing this in San Jose del Pacifico, which is about midway to Puerto Escondido.
4️⃣ Leave on Your Schedule
With your private car, you set the schedule. Prefer to leave early in the morning so you can catch a sunset dinner in Puerto Escondido. No worries!
5️⃣ Transportation of large items
Traveling with any large items, like a surfboard or bike? The driver can accommodate for special requests like this if you let them know in advance. Note: There may be an extra cost, depending on what you have.
Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
How do I get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
If this private shuttle isn’t for you after all, you have four more options when traveling from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Mexico.
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+ hours, about $50 USD per person
- Shared van (AKA Colectivo or Camioneta): 8+ hours, about $15 USD per person
Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
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 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. For this reason, I go with the Private Driver to Puerto Escondido, or the flight which cuts the journey time way down.
🚙💨 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.
Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Drive (Rental Car)
- Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido distance: About 160 miles (258 km)
- Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido driving time: About 7-8 hours
- For a complete guide, head to Renting A Car in Oaxaca Mexico: Everything You Need to Know
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 and/or motion sickness.
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. 🚨 Note: Make sure it’s the non-drowsy version, or you’ll pass out!
Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
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.
🚙💨 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.
Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Map
Use this map for the drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido — 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 winding roads roads that aren’t well-maintained or well-lit in all areas. If you get car sick or are prone to motion sickness, remember to bring Dramamine.
🚧 Highway 175 or Highway 131: Which is better?
There are two main routes to take when getting from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido — Highway 175 and Highway 131.
Highway 131 is the faster and shorter route at 160 miles (258 km), however Highway 175 is better maintained. It is 197-miles-long (317 km), and takes about 30-60 minutes longer than Highway 131.
⚠️ 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. You can read that details in the liked article.
Once completed, the Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido Highway will not only shorten drive times — it will cut the drive duration in half! Is will also give travelers a much more comfortable road to drive on.
🚙 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 7-8 hours, so hit the road by 10am 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 anti-nausea ginger chewables, anti-motion sickness wristbands and the 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 when you don’t return the car to the same place you rented it from.
Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Is it safe to drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
Wondering, Is it safe to drive in Oaxaca Mexico? 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.
🚗💨 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 you’re 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 don’t always have signs alerting you to them.
9. Mexico’s 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, it’s customary to tip at least $10-20 pesos ($0.50-$1 USD).
10. Mexico’s 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!
🤔 Is the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Drive safe to do alone?
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 Bloqueos (Road Protests)
Though not common, road protests in Oaxaca (known as bloqueos, or blockades) 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. Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict these, and no way to tell how long they will last when they do 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 — though this is extremely rare.
Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Oaxaca to Chacahua National Park
Headed to Lagunas de Chacahua National Park near Puerto Escondido? Smart choice! Chacahua has some of the best beaches in Oaxaca, and the smallest crowds. It’s one of my favorite places in Oaxaca State.
There are no direct Oaxaca City to Chacahua transport options (yet), so you’ll want to book this private car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
From Puerto Escondido, you can book private transportation to Chacahua, or take a taxi or colectivo to the small town of Zapotalito, then the boat to Chacahua.
🏝 Looking for the best Chacahua hotels? Check out Porã Chacahua, Cabañas La Isla Chacahua and Cabañas Alta Mar Chacahua.
Puerto Escondido Travel Guide & FAQ
Where is Puerto Escondido located?
Puerto Escondido, usually just called Puerto by the locals, is located in Oaxaca State, in Southern Mexico.
🗺️ Puerto Escondido Map
🏨 Looking for Puerto Escondido hotels? Check out all the best resorts and best hotels in Puerto Escondido here.
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.
🚙 How far is Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City?
The Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City distance is about 160 miles (258 km), or 197 miles (317 km), depending on the road you take.
The Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City drive time is about 7-8 hours — which is why many opt for the private driver to Puerto Escondido.
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.
🚕💨 Note: There’s no Uber in Puerto Escondido, and no Lyft in Puerto Escondido.
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 🦟).
November to March is also the Oaxaca high season, or busy season — 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
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.
🏝️ Hotel Escondido ($$$$)
Though the decor is rustic-chic, the service is 5 Star luxury all the way at Hotel Escondido, one of the best Oaxaca boutique hotels in the entire state.
It is the perfect place to disconnect from it all, in one of their private beachfront bungalows.
This is a gorgeous boutique hotel with an on-site restaurant, located on a private beach area about 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido near Casa Wabi art gallery.
Do note that Hotel Escondido is on the outskirts of town, so you’ll want a rental car to get around.
🏝️ VILLAS CARRIZALILLO ($$$)
Villas Carrazillio overlooks Playa Carrizalillo below — 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.
🏨 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.
🏝️ 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.
Final Thoughts: Best Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
For travelers who have the budget, the safest, easiest and more comfortable option for the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido trip is to hire this private car with a driver. They will drive you straight from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.
As someone who has done this trip several times, I will say that is it not for the faint of heart. I have seen it called “the scariest drive of my life” in several Facebook threads — which is why I recommend letting a pro drive you.
The six-hour drive in on a curvy mountain road with a lot of switchback turns, and it’s not well-maintained in all areas. If you have any trepidation about that — book your Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido now!