Best Ways to Get From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
If you’re wondering how to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, I’ve got good news for you. With the opening of the new highway that connects the Central Valleys of Oaxaca to to the coast, it now only takes a few hours.
The best way to get there for you (and the reverse from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca) will depend on how many people are traveling as well as your budget.
I’ve detailed each option to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, starting with the most popular. They include renting a car and driving, taking a van or bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, hiring a private driver, and taking a direct flight on a small plane.
Ready to travel to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca? ¡Vamos!
This article may contain affiliate links. This means if you click a link on our blog and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. For full information, please see our disclosure.
How do I get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
There are several ways to travel from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. The right one for you will depend on your budget and schedule.
I’ve listed the main ways to travel to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca below with links to read more. Keep in mind, the times are estimate and prices are subject to change.
- Shared Minivan – 3 hours, $15
- Hire a Private Driver – 3 hours, $250+
- Rent a Car and Drive – 3 hours, $70/day +expenses
- ADO Bus – 3 hours, $20
- Take a Direct Flight – 45 min, $150-200 each way
1. Book a Seat in a Shared Van to Puerto Escondido
A shared van is the cheapest way to travel from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. And now that the new highway is opening, it’s also pretty easy.
I prefer to use Coatlanes (map) because they have the newest vans and initially had the best driving record. But also because it’s run by the indigenous communities from the area that the new highway cuts through.
Other companies such as Lineas Unidas (map) sometimes use the old highway, so you’ll want to confirm before you reserve. Although if you want to travel from Oaxaca to Mazunte, it’s the best option since it goes all the way to Zipolite.
Staying in this surfer town? Check out my favorite hostels in Puerto Escondido.
2. Hire a Private Driver Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido
Well perhaps the only easier way to travel is to hire a private car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. This is great for a group since you can share the cost. Plus, who doesn’t love a road trip!
When you book this private car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, you’ll be picked up at your hotel in Oaxaca and dropped off at your hotel in Puerto Escondido. The price and car depends on how many people are traveling (up to 15).
The vehicle is equipped with air conditioner and Spotify (get your road trip playlist ready!) This transportation option also gives you more flexibility to choose your bathroom and food breaks along the way.
3. Drive to Puerto Escondido From Oaxaca
If you prefer the freedom, you should rent a car in Oaxaca City and drive to Puerto Escondido yourself. And now that the new highway is open, this is a fairly easy drive.
The drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido takes about 3.5 hours and is broken down into three parts. The first 1.5 hours takes you south of the city to Barranca Larga where you’ll enter the new highway.
The next 1.5 hours takes you along the new highway. It’s a modern highway with large curves, tunnels, and some beautiful rural mountain views. While this drive is not as gorgeous as the old route through the mountains of San Jose del Pacifico, it still includes some beautiful scenery.
And the last 30 minutes takes you from the end of the highway in Ventanilla to town of Puerto Escondido. The length of this last part will depend on where you decide to stay in Puerto.
Is it Safe to Drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Yes, in general it is very safe to drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido. I’ve never heard of issues along the highway. Although, the driving in Oaxaca is not for the faint of heart.
Typically, drivers straddle the emergency lanes to make way for cars passing in the center in both directions. When my dad visited, we drove to the coast via the new highway shortly after it opened. Thankfully he was already used to the driving customs. There were multiple times cars passed on a blind curve and/or used excessive speed.
Related Posts
4. Take a Bus to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca
The ADO bus, Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido also uses the new highway and has multiple departures throughout the day. The cost is about 350 pesos ($15-20 US) and you can buy tickets online.
The benefit of taking a bus over the shared vans is that there is a bathroom on board (vs a single stop along the way) and the seats are more plush. And you can reserve seats without traveling to the station.
Want to connect with other travelers that love Mexico?
Join my FREE Facebook group, the Mexico Travel Network. It’s a safe space where you can ask questions and share your experience traveling in Mexico and specifically Oaxaca.
See you there!
5. Take a Direct Flight Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
If you look at most flight searches, you’d think the only flights available have a layover in Mexico City. But, there are direct flights from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido if you know where to look.
The most popular is to book a direct flight from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido via Aerotucán. This small airline has a daily flight from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido (and one daily return) for about 3500 pesos ($150-200 USD) each way.
Yes, you read that correctly. This is easily the most expensive option. The price does not seem to fluctuate much. And before the new highway was open, the flights were subject to selling out during the high season.
Keep in mind – Your baggage is limited to 15 kg (33 lbs) on Aerotucan without incurring extra fees.
If you’re traveling to Puerto Escondido, you’ll want to read these related posts
FAQ About Transportation From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
How do I get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
To get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, you can take a colectivo, flight, bus, rent a car, or hire a driver. Which one is best for you will depend on how much time you have as well as your budget. The colectivo is the budget transportation option. Taking a flight or hiring a private driver is the most expensive.
Are there direct flights from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
Yes, Aerotucán has direct flights from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido daily for 3300 pesos (about $175 USD) each way. There is one flight per day, leaving in the morning. Keep in mind, that these are small propeller planes. The price includes one bag up to 15 kg (33 pounds).
How long is bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
With the opening of the new highway, the bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido now takes about 3 hours. The route can be delayed due to construction or landslides, but I rarely see reports of a delay for more than 30 minutes.
How much is a bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
The bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is about 350 pesos. You may be able to find cheaper tickets if you book 10 days or more in advance. These discounted seats are limited and are subject to selling out.
Where to fly into to go to Puerto Escondido?
The Puerto Escondido International Airport is the closest airport to the town of Puerto Escondido. There are direct flights from Mexico City, Monterrey, and Oaxaca. And United has recently added a direct flight to Puerto Escondido from Houston Texas.
Is there a new highway from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido?
Yes, the Barranca Larga-Ventanilla highway opened in early 2024 to connect the Central Valleys of Oaxaca to the coast. The drive from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido via the new highway now takes about 3 hours.
Is Puerto Escondido worth visiting?
If you enjoy the beach, Puerto Escondido is definitely worth visiting. And even if you are not a big beach person, there are other outdoor activities in the mountains nearby.
How many days do you need in Puerto Escondido?
You should spend at least a few days in Puerto Escondido. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy in addition to day trips and tours you can take. Plus, there are enough beaches that you could see a new one every day of the week.
