How to get fromOaxaca to Puerto Escondido

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!

4 ways to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido

The 4 ways to travel the distance of 256 kilometers (159 miles) from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido are by: bus (3 hours), colectivo (7 hours), private transport (7 hours) and flight (1 hour 10 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 10 minutes to 7 hours and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 250 MXN ($12.40) for the colectivo.

Colectivos are sprinter-type minivans that take the most direct route from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.

This might sound like the best option, but keep in mind the Colectivos don’t take the regular route. Instead, you’ll be traversing winding roads that are also a bit bumpy.

If you are prone to motion sickness, it might be better to take the bus or at least take some medication before departure. Also, do note that Mexican bus drivers don’t seem to know what a speed limit is!

Which Colectivo company to travel with?

There are a number of Colectivo companies covering the route from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, but the three most popular are Villa del Pacifico, Service Express and Oaxaca Shuttle. These three Colectivo companies offer many departures throughout the day, once or twice every hour, meaning you won’t have to wait long for the next one or worry about tickets running out.

Unfortunately, there’s no option to book online. This means the only way to buy tickets for the Colectivo is from the ticket office at each bus stop. The average price is 250 MXN ($12.40) but can vary a bit depending on demand.

Buses are more comfortable than the colectivo. Not only do the buses avoid bumpy roads, but they also have more space to stretch your legs as well as a toilet onboard.

The only disadvantage is that it’s going to be a long journey. Travel time by bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is around 10.5 hours. That’s 3.5 hours more than when you take a colectivo.

On the plus side, you’ll be travelling with OCC Bus, which offers first-class buses with AC and reclining seats at affordable rates. There are three overnight bus trips available daily and they arrive in Puerto Escondido the next morning. This means you can save some money on accommodation and spend your daytime on more important things.

A bus ticket costs 330 MXN ($16.30), but may be more expensive during the high season (December to April).

Flying from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is the fastest option but also the most expensive. 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.

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 ($12.40).

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 flights start from 2,500 MXN ($125).

Booking with Aerotucan

Aerotucan offers 1 departure a day, usually in the mornings, and it costs around 3,300 MXN ($165). You can buy tickets online through the Aerotucan website. You can also book directly at their ticket counter at 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 +529545880062. The pilot speaks English, and his rates are often cheaper than Aerotucan, starting from around 2,500 MXN ($125).

Looking for a bigger aircraft? You can consider doing a layover in Mexico City, but this will make the flight duration to at least 6 hours, excluding airport transfers. If you want to look into this option, you can check flights on Skyscanner.

Puerto Escondido’s 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 a lot of luggage, it’s best to take a taxi right from outside the airport. Rates start from 50 MXN ($2.50).

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.

Private Transport options from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido