Here’s How to Take the Bus From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Traveling from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido?
✈️ Note: The Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido direct flight is the fastest way to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City, but it costs much more than the bus.
While the bulk of this article covers taking the bus to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca, it also has info on other travel options as well, so let’s dive in!
How do I get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
You have five options when traveling from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Mexico.
While the bus is a great option, if you’re traveling to Puerto Escondido on a budget (or traveling to Oaxaca on a budget), you’ll save some money by taking the colectivo.
Check out all your options below, with some info on the cost and amount of time each will take, and approximate costs:
- Private car with a driver: 3-4 hours, about $300 USD per car for up to three passengers
- Rent a car in Oaxaca City and drive: 3-4 hours, about $35 USD per day for the car rental (not including gas)
- Flight to Puerto Escondido: 45 minutes, about $200 USD per person
- Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Bus: 3-4 hours, about $17-30 USD per person
- Shared van (AKA Colectivo or Camioneta): 3-4 hours, about $17 USD per person
ADO Bus From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
From the downtown Oaxaca City bus station (📍 here), you can catch the bus from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido.
The ADO bus takes about 3-4 hours to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido (and just so you know, ADO is pronounced ahh-day-oh in Mexico, not a-dee-o).
The cost for a one way ticket is about $300-400 pesos ($17-23 USD) for the ADO, and about $400-500 pesos ($23-30 USD) for the ADO GL, which is a nicer bus.
Oaxaca Travel Tips: Bring a sweater because they tend to keep these buses from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido freezing cold.
The bus will drop you off at the ADO Puerto Escondido bus station (📍 here), located about 10-20 minutes from all the best beaches in Puerto Escondido.
There’s no Uber in Oaxaca state, but there are always plenty of taxis waiting outside of this bus terminal.
The taxis in Puerto Escondido won’t take US dollars, so make sure to have pesos to pay them.
You can check the Puerto Escondido ADO schedule on their website, but know it’s not very user-friendly.
It glitches a lot and doesn’t usually take United States credit cards, so I always use Bookaway when I book my Mexico bus tickets.
OCC Bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Looking for other bus companies offering this route? While OCC is owned by ADO, the tickets are sometimes a bit cheaper, as I’ve heard OCC called a second class bus.
I’ve been on both, and there isn’t that much difference, though I personally prefer taking ADO when I have the option.
The Overnight Bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
The OCC Coach Bus to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City used to be the only option for taking the overnight bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
However, after the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Highway opened in 2024, they stopped offering this overnight route, and now only offer daytime routes.
As with the ADO bus, I suggest you book your tickets here via Bookaway because the OCC Bus online ticketing system isn’t great.
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Van (Colectivo)
You may hear the van from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Mexico called a colectivo or camioneta, but they all refer to the same thing.
With the colectivo, you’ll be in a shared passenger van that seats between 10-12.
Most companies in Oaxaca use Nissan Urvans or Dodge Sprinter vans on this trip. The vans themselves are usually comfortable enough, and well-maintained.
There are a few companies, like Lineas Unidas, Transportes Villa del Pacifico and Service Express Arista, to choose from.
Their offices are located in downtown Oaxaca City, and you’ll have to go there to book your tickets in person.
A one-way ticket is about $300 pesos ($17 USD) — but do know that the bus is much more comfy, and about $the same price for round-trip tickets.
🚌 Prefer to take the more comfortable Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido bus? Book your Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca bus tickets here.
How long does the van trip take?
The van from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido takes about 3-4 hours — but that’s if you’re on a van that’s taking the new highway; otherwise it will take 8-9 hours.
On the older highways, Highway 175 and Highway 131, the van makes 1-2 stops in small pueblos like San Jose del Pacifico (the famous Oaxaca mushroom town), San Pedro Mixtepec or San José del Progreso.
Here, you’ll have a bathroom and snack break, and may also pick up other passengers for the remainder of the drive to Puerto Escondido. It really breaks up the drive.
🎟️ Pro TIP: Buy your tickets in advance
As this is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, van companies offer several trips daily, though do tend to be at full capacity.
You can buy your ticket in advance, or wait until the day of the trip; though there’s always a chance of the van selling out.
If your van is taking the older highways, and you’re prone to motion or carsickness, reserve the front seat so your journey time is more pleasant.
Don’t forget your non-drowsy Dramamine, as it’s a winding drive on bumpy mountain roads. (Note: This does not apply to the new highway.)
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Map
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
While this was in the works for a long time, the new highway from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is now open.
A full 15 years since its inception, the road was inaugurated in February 2024 — and has been a game changer for the Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido drive.
Officially called the Autopista Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway, it has shortened drive times to about 3-3.5 hours instead of 6-7 hours.
This Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido Highway is a MUCH more comfortable road to drive on, but will cost drivers $349 MXN pesos (about $20 USD) in tolls each way.
Puerto Escondido Travel: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Oaxaca Airport to Puerto Escondido bus?
No — You will have to get from Oaxaca International Airport to the bus station in Downtown Oaxaca.
How far is Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City?
The Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City distance is about 121 miles (195 km), and the drive takes 3-4 hours.
On the older roads, Highway 175 and Highway 131, the Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City drive time is about 7-8 hours.
This is why many opted for the private driver to Puerto Escondido, but it’s still a great option if you’re not renting a car.
Completed and inaugurated in 2024, the new Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Highway has cut drive times in half!
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 either, so you must use taxis or the pasajero (taxi truck).
🌡️ 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.
🏝️ Hotel Escondido ($$$$)
Though the decor is rustic-chic, the service is 5 Star luxury all the way at Hotel Escondido, one of the best Oaxaca boutique hotels in the entire state.
It is the perfect place to disconnect from it all, in one of their private beachfront bungalows.
This is a gorgeous boutique hotel with an on-site restaurant, located on a private beach area about 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido near Casa Wabi art gallery.
Do note that Hotel Escondido is on the outskirts of town, so you’ll want a rental car to get around.
🏝️ VILLAS CARRIZALILLO ($$$)
With million dollar views at a reasonable price tag, Villas Carrazillio overlooks Playa Carrizalillo below.
Each villa has a dining area and seating area with TV, and some have a terrace and kitchenette. There’s also a pool and restaurant with complimentary breakfast.
🏨 CASA UMI ($$-$$$)
I stayed here for about a week, and highly recommend Casa UMI. It’s 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 with private rooms and shared dorms available.
They are known to have the best WiFi in Puerto Escondido, as well as a tropical garden with swimming pool and a restaurant/bar.
My Final Thoughts on Taking the Bus From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
For travelers who don’t like to fly, or don’t want to spend $300+ to hire this private car with a driver, the buses from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido are a great option.
A budget-friendly option, the buses will get you from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido for about $17-30 USD, and in only 3-4 hours.
There are two companies offering this trip: ADO and OCC. ADO is Mexico’s largest bus company, and actually owns OCC.
The ADO bus to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca and the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido bus with OCC are comparable in quality — but for the nicest option, opt for the ADO GL luxury bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
As their online ticket system glitches a lot and doesn’t usually take United States credit cards, I always use Bookaway when I book my Mexico bus tickets.
