What to expect when visiting Oaxaca
Oaxaca (pronounced wah-haak-kah) is a city filled with colourful colonial streets, architecturally-beautiful churches, communal squares, archaeological sites, and welcoming people. It’s also famous for its stunning embroidery and textile crafts. And those are only a few of the reasons why it has landed itself on the UNESCO world heritage list.
Also called Oaxaca de Juárez, the city is well-known for its exciting food scene, offering several dishes that are unique to just the Oaxaca region. A tip when visiting Oaxaca: eat your heart out! One dish you can’t leave without trying is the stew-like Mole, best paired with the popular Mezcal — a strong upgrade from Tequila!
3 ways to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
There are three ways to travel the distance of 256 km (159 miles) from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca: by bus (10h30m-11h10m), colectivo (7 hours) and flight (1h10m). The journey takes between 1h10m - 11h10m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 250 MXN ($14.00) for the colectivo.Where to stay in Oaxaca?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Oaxaca at the bottom of this page.
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca by Colectivo
Colectivos take the most direct road to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca and the vehicles are usually sprinter-type minivans. By direct route, we mean a windy and bumpy road, so it’s definitely not a great option for people with motion sickness.
Some of the most popular companies operating from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca are Villa del Pacífico and Service Express. Both companies offer multiple departures every day, so you can buy your ticket on short notice without the worry of them selling out.
Both companies offer a similar standard of quality, but Villa del Pacifico has a few more departures a day.
Travel time with a colectivo is around 7 hours. You will have at least one chance to stretch your legs during the ride, as the colectivo will stop for about 30 minutes for food and a toilet break.
Colectivo schedules from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
There’s no option to buy tickets online. This means the only way to buy tickets for the colectivo is through their terminal in Puerto Escondido. The average ticket price is 250 MXN ($13.50) but it can vary depending on demand.
Departure and arrival station
Both Villa del Pacífico and Service Express depart from Terminal TUR near Puerto Escondido’s main beach. If you are staying nearby, you can walk to the station. Otherwise, you can take a taxi with rates from 50 MXN ($2.70).
The colectivos park at their own terminals in Oaxaca City. Both colectivo stops for Villa Playa and Service Express are within the city centre, meaning most people will be able to walk to their accommodations. If your hotel is along the way, you can also ask the driver to drop you off earlier.
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca by Bus
If you value having space to stretch your legs, then the bus is a better option. However, buses take the longer route so be prepared to spend 10.5 hours on the road – 3.5 hours more than taking a colectivo. We recommend stocking up on water, snacks, a good book or a playlist to make the journey more pleasant.
The company that operates this service is OCC, a sub-branch of ADO Bus (Mexico’s largest bus company). To make the journey a bit more bearable, buses have comfortable reclining seats, an onboard toilet and AC.
There are two buses available daily – one departs in the morning and the other one departs at night. We highly recommend taking the night bus so that you can save your daytime for exploring and also save a night on accommodation.
A bus ticket costs 640 MXN ($36.50), but rates may go up during the high season (December to April).
Bus Schedule from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
Departure and arrival stations
Buses going to Oaxaca depart from the Main Bus Terminal in Puerto Escondido near the main beach. The bus station is within walking distance, but you can also take a short taxi ride if you’re carrying heavy luggage.
The last stop in Oaxaca is the main station, Central de Autobuses de Oaxaca. This bus terminal is on the northeast side, around 10-15 minutes by taxi from the city centre. Taxi fares start from 50 MXN ($2.70).
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca by Flight
If you check out flight deals on booking platforms like Skyscanner, you’ll notice that there are no direct flights for this route. This is not because they don’t exist, but because they are operated by two small local airlines called Aerotucan and Aerovega.
A direct flight from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is the fastest but also an expensive option.
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 Puerto Escondido Airport
Puerto Escondido’s International Airport is located within the city, just 5 minutes by car from the beach area and the town’s centre. You can get there on foot if your accommodation is nearby.
If you’re staying further away or carrying bulky luggage, you can also get a taxi with rates from 50 MXN ($2.70).
Step 2: Flight from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
If you choose this option, don’t expect any big jumbo-jet that most of us are used to flying on. The planes from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido are small! If you are not comfortable with single-propeller planes, it’s probably better to avoid this and stick to any of the land options or make a layover.
With limited seats, tickets tend to sell out quickly so it’s better to book ahead. Flight prices start from 2,500 MXN ($135.00).
Booking with Aerotucan
Both airlines offer one departure a day. An Aerotucan flight usually departs in the morning and a ticket costs around 3,300 MXN ($180.00). You can easily book flights online through the Aerotucan website, or you can go to their ticket counter at Puerto Escondido Airport and book there directly.
Booking with Aerovega
Aerovega is an even smaller airline with just one 6-passenger plane. Their information online is almost non-existent and the pilot does most of the duties including the booking. Don’t worry, Don Vega is a well-known and experienced pilot in the area and many travellers recommend flying with him over Aerotucan.
To check availability and prices, you’ll need to send an email to [email protected] or message them on WhatsApp +529545880062. If you don’t succeed, it’s best to call him directly. The pilot speaks English, and his rates are often cheaper than Aerotucan, starting from 2,500 MXN ($135.00).
If you still don’t fancy the idea of bumpy roads and a long journey but want to fly on a bigger plane, you can consider a layover in Mexico City. This will increase the travel time to at least six hours. If you prefer this option, you can check flights on Skyscanner.
Step 3: Oaxaca Airport to City Centre
From Oaxaca International Airport, you’ll need to travel 8 km north to get to the city centre. A private transfer is the most convenient option.
You can prepay for a taxi from the taxi counter at the airport. Rates depend on where you’re headed but start at around 250 MXN ($13.50). Travel time with a taxi is around 25 minutes. Note that Uber and other taxi-hailing apps do not work in Oaxaca.
If you want a cheaper option, there is a service of shared minivans also known as ‘Colectivos’ that depart from the airport and take you straight to your accommodation. The only downside is that they may take a little longer than the taxi because they will drop off other passengers too.
The colectivo ticket office is in the airport’s main hall and a ticket costs 90 MXN ($4.90).
Our favourite places to stay in Oaxaca
Ayook - Treating Yourself
Located within the stunning historic centre, Ayook is housed within the remnants of an 18th century house, but with a modern twist. It’s interior boasts a warm and cosy feel, thanks to the impressive wooden features and perfectly placed lighting. After just a glimpse at the hotel’s pictures, you’re guaranteed to want to stay here! You’ll feel like you’re staying in the height of luxury, without paying the price for it. The granduer continues with the à la carte breakfast served every morning. The beds are huge, with memory foam pillows, perfect for starfishing all night long.
- Delicious à la carte breakfast
- Traditional Oaxacan-style interior
- Great location
- Private patio with every room
Double rooms start from $80 per night
La Casa Carlota - Treating Yourself
Set within a historical colonial building, the La Casa Carlota’s interior and design creates a unique blend of the new and the old. The large roof terrace gives you the chance to sit back and admire the beauty of Oaxaca. From here you can see all of the best sites in Oaxaca as they’re only a few minutes walk from the hotel.
At the heart of the hotel is an open courtyard. The perfect place to enjoy your complimentary breakfast each morning before adventuring through the city. An added bonus, all of the rooms have their own patio, offering you some privacy and a personal place to relax.
- Spacious and modern rooms
- Large roof terrace
- Private patio with every room
- Amazing breakfast included
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Azul Cielo Hostel - Mid Range
Three words to best describe Azul Cielo are bohemian, cosy and colourful. It’s a social place with plenty of areas to meet other like-minded travellers. You get the best of borth worlds here — a friendly atmosphere and the tranquility of your own private room. Plus there are plenty of places around the hotel to hide yourself away and relax.
Every room is uniquely decorated, boasting their own style and atmosphere. Make sure to pick the one that suits your vibe the most. Once you’ve enjoyed a rejuvenating sleep, you can start your day off with a delicious complimentary breakfast served by the friendly staff.
- Friendly atmosphere
- Great outdoor spaces
- Excellent location
- Great breakfast included
Double rooms between $40-$80 per night
Casa EL Mundo - Budget Friendly
Situated only steps away from Downtown Oaxaca, the cathedral and the flea market, you’ll be able to see all of this from Casa El Mundo’s rooftop terrace. The Mezcal they serve at the rooftop bar is to-die-for, and if you can’t get enough, they even do a Mezcal tour.
The hosts welcome you like one of the family, offering tips on all of the best places to visit in Oaxaca. Every corner of the hotel is clean and bursting with colour no matter where you look. This is an unforgettable place to stay.
- Rooftop terrace
- Mezcal tour
- Friendly hosts
- Bright and colourful rooms
Double rooms between $15-$40 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
What is the distance from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca?
The distance from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is 256 km (159 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca?
The fastest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is by flight and takes 1h10m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca?
The cheapest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is by colectivo with ticket costs starting from 250 MXN ($14.00).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca. 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!
Oaxaca Travel Guides
13 best things to do in Oaxaca City
Most popular routes in Mexico
Cancun to Chichen Itza (and back)
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.
