What to expect when visiting 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!
2 ways to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido
There are two ways to travel the distance of 620 km (385 miles) from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido: by bus (18h20m-18h35m) and flight (1h5m-1h15m). The journey takes between 1h05m - 18h35m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 824 MXN ($47.50) for the flight.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.
Mexico City to Puerto Escondido by Flight
Taking a flight from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido is a no-brainer. Total travel time when taking a flight is only around 2 hours, and that’s already including airport transfers. Also, if you book early, airfares are often less than half the cost of a bus ticket.
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 Mexico City Airport
Mexico City Airport, or Benito Juarez International Airport, is easily accessible with public transportation, as well as with taxi or Uber. There are 4 ways you can get to the airport from the city centre: a 45-minute Metrobus, a 25-minute taxi/Uber, a 30-minute shared minivan, or a 50-minute Metro.
If you are staying in the city centre, line #4 on the Metrobus offers a good combination of budget and convenience. The closest station to the main square is called Republica de Argentina. A ticket to get to the airport costs 30 MXN ($1.60) and the bus stops in both Terminal 1 and 2 of the airport.
If you prefer a little more comfort, you can use Uber/taxi. Rates from the city centre to the airport start from 80 MXN ($4.40).
For more info on other transport options, check out our guide for Mexico City Airport.
Step 2: Mexico City to Puerto Escondido
Flights from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido depart about 9x a day and flight time is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Four airlines fly daily for this route: Aeromar, Viva Aerobus, Volaris, and Aero Mexico. All of these airlines provide good quality service.
The most popular carrier is Aeromar, but you can find good deals with the other three airlines as well. To get the best rates it’s better to plan ahead and book some weeks in advance.
Step 3: Puerto Escondido Airport to the City Centre
Puerto Escondido’s 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 the best option may be to take a taxi right from outside Puerto Escondido Airport. Rates start from 50 MXN ($2.70), but increase depending on the distance.
Mexico City to Puerto Escondido by Bus
Taking a bus from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido doesn’t make a lot of sense. Travel time takes about 18.5 hours and fares are double that of a direct flight, which takes just about 2 hours.
But if you prefer travelling by land, we highly recommend bringing a lot of water, some snacks as well as a good book or a fun playlist to make the journey more pleasant.
Step 1: Getting to the bus station in Mexico City
There are a number of different bus terminals in Mexico City, but to travel to Puerto Escondido, you will be departing from Terminal de Autobuses de Oriente. Commonly known as TAPO, this bus station is located 6 km east of downtown Mexico City. You can easily access it by public transport or taxi/Uber.
With public transport, you can choose to take either the Metrobus or the Metro for just 6 MXN ($0.30).
Not sure about the difference? The Metro is a train that goes underground, whilst the Metrobus is a big bus that has its own lane on the roads and has set stops so it’s normally faster than regular buses. To decide which one is best, check whether your accommodation is near a Metrobus stop or a Metro station.
To get to TAPO Station by Metro, you need to use line #1. If you’re using the Metrobus, you’ll need to use bus line #4, which comes from the city centre. In both cases, you’ll need to get off at San Lazaro Station.
If you don’t want the hassle of finding your way to bus and train stations, then you might be better off taking a taxi or Uber for around 80 MXN ($4.40).
Step 2: Mexico City to Puerto Escondido by Bus
The bus company operating from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido is OCC, a sub-branch of Mexico’s largest bus company ADO. It offers first-class buses with AC, reclining seats and a toilet.
Buses depart every afternoon at 17:45 and arrive the next morning around 11:45. You can get bus tickets for 1,630 MXN ($90.00).
Bus options from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido
There is only one bus trip available daily, so it’s best to book your ride online beforehand. We recommend doing so via BookAway because it doesn’t add hidden charges, which is what often happens on other booking platforms.
Step 3: Puerto Escondido Bus Terminal to the City Centre
When you arrive in Puerto Escondido, the bus will drop you off at ADO’s bus terminal, which is very close to the city centre and just a couple of blocks from the main beach.
We recommend checking if your accommodation is nearby. Many of them are located within walking distance of the bus station.
If it’s not close, the most convenient option is to take a taxi from right outside of the bus terminal. The rate will depend on the distance but starts at around 50 MXN ($2.70).
Our favourite 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
Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico City to Puerto Escondido
What is the distance from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido?
The distance from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido is 620 km (385 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido?
The fastest way to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido is by flight and takes 1h5m-1h15m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido?
The cheapest way to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido is by flight with ticket costs starting from 824 MXN ($47.50).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Mexico City 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!
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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.
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.
