The Best Way to Get From Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido (and the Worst)
Traveling from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido?
In my opinion, the safest, most comfortable, and most stress-free option is the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido shuttle → Book your private shuttle here.
You’ll also get info on other methods, like renting a car and driving from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, the ADO bus to Puerto Escondido, the shared van from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City, and the flight.
For Oaxaca flights, you have two options — AeroTucán and AeroVega. As I’ve personally done the flight, you’ll get all my Oaxaca travel tips on that below.
Ready to learn how to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City? Let’s get to it!
How do I get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
You have five options when traveling from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Mexico — 1) private car with driver, 2) flight, 3) driving your rental car, 4) ADO bus, and 5) colectivo van.
Check out all your options below, with some info on the cost and amount of time each will take. You can click on any link for the pros and cons of each one, or to book.
- Private car with a driver: about 3 hours, from about 6,800 pesos (about $375 USD) for 2 people, or about 11,000 pesos (about $605 USD) for a group of 8
- Rental car: about 3 hours, from about 350 pesos (about $19 USD) per day (not including gas and tolls)
- Flight to Puerto Escondido: 45 minutes, from about 3,450 pesos (about $190 USD) per person
- Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Bus: about 3 hours, from 400 pesos (about $22 USD) per person
- Shared van (AKA Colectivo or Camioneta): about 3-4 hours, about 350-450 pesos (about $20-25 USD) per person
What’s the best way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
I recommend this Private Driver to Puerto Escondido or the flight, if you have the budget.
The Puerto Escondido flight is the fastest, and the bus and colectivo van are the cheapest options. You can also rent a car and drive yourself.
The drive on the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido toll highway (Autopista Barranca Larga-Ventanilla) takes about 3 hours, and costs about 490 pesos (about $27 USD) in tolls.
🚙 If you rent your own car for the trip, check out this article, Renting A Car in Oaxaca: Everything You Need to Know, before you do.
Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Mexico: Your 5 Best Transport Options
1. Private Car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
The safest, easiest and more comfortable option is to hire this private car or van to drive you to Puerto Escondido.
With a 4.6-star rating and lots of great reviews, you know you’re in good hands.
The private Puerto Escondido shuttle offers a nice way to see Oaxaca State on the drive — and you can request bathroom breaks and snack breaks as needed.
The drive to Puerto Escondido is through the mountains so very windy but our driver did a superb job managing the roads and our needs. Highly recommend!
Abby M. (read more reviews)
The drive takes about 3 hours on the new highway, which is the same as it takes in a rental car — only you don’t have to do the driving!
The cost for a one-way trip starts at about 6,800 pesos (about $375 USD) for 2 people, or about 11,000 pesos (about $605 USD) for a group of 8. Prices can vary.
When traveling with a group, this ends up being the most convenient, comfortable and a pretty economical way to get to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City.
🚙 Want more details? Read my guide to the best private car from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
2. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Drive (Rental Car)
- Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido distance: About 120 miles (193 km) on the new highway
- Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido driving time: About 3 hours and 15 minutes on the new highway
- Check rates and availability with Discover Cars now!
The drive from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido Mexico is beautiful, but do consider a midsize rental car or SUV.
The new highway from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is a nice road, but the roads in Puerto Escondido aren’t so nice if you’re in a compact car.
There are some steep hills and a lot of dirt roads in Puerto Escondido, which get pretty nasty during the rainy season from June to October.
If this all sounds too risky or inconvenient, you can always book this Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Private Shuttle instead.
What’s the best place for Oaxaca car rentals?
For the best selection, there are several Oaxaca Airport car rental companies to choose from.
I always use Discover Cars when I rent a car in Mexico, so if you’re ready to book, head to Discover Cars and see what’s available.
I also get their Full Coverage Policy, which is the cheapest I’ve found at only about 165 pesos (about $9 USD) per day!
In case you’re wondering, you are legally required to have Mexico driving insurance when renting a car in Oaxaca — and your U.S. policy won’t work.
🗺️ Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Map
Use this map for the drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido — but download the offline map, as your cell signal will go in and out when driving to Puerto Escondido.
🛣️ 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 the drive to about 3 hours and 15 minutes, instead of 6-7 hours.
This Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido Highway is a MUCH more comfortable road to drive on, but will cost drivers about 490 pesos (about $27 USD) in tolls each way.
🛣️ Highway 175 or Highway 131: Which is better?
In years past, there were two main routes you could take: Oaxaca Highway 175 and Oaxaca Highway 131.
However, with the new Oaxaca Puerto Escondido Highway open, I recommend using that instead — though it does cost about 490 pesos (about $27 USD) in tolls.
For those who want to use the old roads, I’ll include some info below.
Highway 131 (via Sola de Vega) is the shorter of the two old routes, at about 163 miles (263 km) and about 6 hours of drive time.
Highway 175 goes through the mountains and small towns like San José del Pacífico, then follows the coast. It’s about 195 miles (314 km), and takes about 7 hours.
I’ve driven the old Highway 175 route through San José del Pacífico.
⚠️ Note: No matter the road you choose, remember to bring Dramamine as these are winding, curvy mountain roads with a lot of switchback turns.
Is it safe to drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
For the vast majority of travelers, yes, it is perfectly safe to drive in Oaxaca, and the Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido drive is also considered safe for tourists.
The one caveat here is that you’ll be driving in a foreign country, where you’re unfamiliar with Mexico driving laws and local customs.
Luckily, it’s not too different from driving in the United States or Canada, so just have a look at these Mexico driving tips, and enjoy your trip to Puerto Escondido.
3. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Flight: AeroTucán and AeroVega
Wondering, Can you fly from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido? Yes, you can!
In fact, the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido flight is the most convenient and quickest option, but it’s also the most expensive option.
Two companies have flights from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido, AeroTucán and AeroVega, and each company has just one flight per day.
With both, you’ll take a 6-8 seater plane; if you’ve never been in a small plane before, watch this video to see if it seems comfortable.
From the airport, you can rent a car, book private transportation to your Puerto Escondido hotel, or take a taxi.
⚠️ Note: There’s no Uber in Oaxaca City, no Uber in Puerto Escondido, and no Uber in Oaxaca State anywhere. There’s also no Lyft in Oaxaca state.
✈️ AeroTucán Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Flight: My Personal experience
I took the AeroTucán Oaxaca flight to Puerto Escondido, and really enjoyed it. However, this is a small plane, and it’s a lot shakier than a large airplane.
If you have claustrophobia, or don’t handle turbulence well, you might want to opt for the private driver or ADO bus.
🎟️ How do I buy tickets for AeroTucán?
- AeroTucán phone number: (+52) 951-502-0840
- AeroTucán website: aerotaxisdemexico.com
If you want to take the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido flight with AeroTucán, you have to book in advance via phone, the AeroTucán website, or at Oaxaca Airport.
Keep in mind you might not get an English-speaking agent via phone, so have a Spanish-speaking friend or acquaintance nearby to help.
You also have the option to buy directly at the airport, as the Oaxaca Airport is just a short cab ride from downtown Oaxaca City.
However, know there may or may not be an agent when you arrive, so the phone is usually a better option.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance
If you want to take the AeroTucán Puerto Escondido flight, you’ll want to get your ticket as far in advance of your flight as possible.
As there’s usually just one daily flight from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, you’ll want to make sure you can travel on your preferred day.
✈️ AeroTucán Flight schedule
Have a look at the image above for the AeroTucán Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido flight schedule.
This has been their schedule for some time now, but they can change it at any time, so also double check the AeroTucán flight schedule online.
How much do tickets cost?
One-way flights on AeroTucán start at about 3,450 pesos (about $190 USD) on the promo fare, or about 3,650 pesos (about $200 USD) for the regular fare.
Yes, this is a lot more than most other options, but it’s also a lot more convenient as flights are only about 30-45 minutes, whereas the drive takes 3-4 hours.
🧳 Do you have luggage?
The final thing to keep in mind is luggage weight. One checked bag of up to 15 kg (33 pounds) is included on AeroTucán, which is about 20 pounds less than larger airlines allow.
My luggage was over, and I ended up with a surprise $50 USD fee. Other than that, I loved the flight and will take it again.
✈️ Want more details? Read about my experience taking the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido flight.
✈️ AeroVega Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Flight
AeroVega is owned and operated by the pilot, Juan Carlos Vega. Much like with AeroTucán, he operates a small plane with less than 10 seats.
If you’ve never been on a single-engine plane of this size, check out the YouTube video above of a real experience on this flight.
If it doesn’t seem like it’s for you, and you have the budget, consider hiring this driver and private car.
If you’re traveling with a group, splitting the private shuttle ends up costing less than the plane does.
You can also rent a car, or take the ADO bus to Puerto Escondido. With the new highway now open, the drive takes about 3 hours.
✈️ Flight cost & How to book your AeroVega flight
- AeroVega phone number: (+52) 954-588-0062
- AeroVega local phone number: (+52) 951-516-4982
- AeroVega email: aerovegapto@hotmail.com
- AeroVega Facebook Page
Historically, the flight has cost about 3,500 pesos (about $190 USD) per person, though rates can vary.
You’ll pay in cash (pesos), and book directly with Juan Vega.
While this may seem unconventional, I’ve met people who have flown with AeroVega, and it is a legit company — though there’s no website.
AeroVega usually only offers one flight per day, so book as far in advance as you can by calling and/or emailing the Captain Juan Vega using his contact information above.
If you’re unable to reach him like I was, you can always book with AeroTucán like I did.
4. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Bus (ADO)
The ADO bus takes about 3 hours to get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido on the new highway that opened in 2024 — but it used to take 10 hours!
With the new highway open, there are no overnight buses on this route anymore. There are usually five daytime departures, but that can vary.
A one-way ticket costs from 400 pesos (about $22 USD), and some departures cost 480 pesos (about $26 USD).
The bus will drop you off at the ADO Puerto Escondido bus station (📍 map), located about 10-20 minutes from the beaches.
There’s no Uber in Oaxaca State, but there are always plenty of taxis waiting outside of this bus terminal; just 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 take United States credit cards, so I always use Bookaway when I book my Mexico bus tickets.
🚌 Want more details? Read my full guide to taking the bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
🚌 OCC Bus from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido: Second Class Bus
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 ADO and OCC, and there isn’t that much difference, though I prefer taking ADO when I have the option.
As with the ADO bus, I suggest you book your tickets via Bookaway because the OCC website isn’t user-friendly.
5. Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Van (Colectivo)
The passenger van from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Mexico, known as the colectivo or camioneta, is a shared van that seats 10-12 passengers.
Most companies in Oaxaca use Nissan Urvans or Dodge Sprinter vans on this trip. The vans themselves are comfortable enough, and well-maintained.
There are several companies, like Líneas Unidas, Transportes Villa del Pacífico and Service Express Arista, with offices located in downtown Oaxaca City.
Do know the bus is MUCH more comfortable, and it only costs a little more.
You can check prices and book your bus tickets via Bookaway, but you have to get your colectivo tickets in person.
The van from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido takes about 3-4 hours, about the same as the bus or driving a rental car.
🎟️ Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance
As 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.
Oaxaca Travel Tips: For those prone to motion or carsickness, reserve the front seat so your journey time is more pleasant.
Puerto Escondido Travel Guide & FAQ
How is the road from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
The new Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido superhighway has made this an easy drive that takes about 3 hours.
In years past, this drive was on curvy mountain roads that weren’t well-maintained or well-lit — and it used to take about 6-7 hours.
Why does it take so long to drive from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?
With the opening of the new Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Highway, the drive is only about 3 hours (versus 6-7 hours on the old roads).
In years past, there were only two main routes you could take: Highway 175 and Highway 131.
They’re extremely curvy mountain roads and you had to drive at low speeds of about 20-40 mph (32-64 km/h) for much of it, which made the drive very long.
🗺️ Puerto Escondido Map
As you can see in this Puerto Escondido map above, it sits right on the Pacific Ocean.
Puerto is known as one of the best surf towns in Mexico, but also, one of the most popular bohemian beach towns in Mexico.
How far is Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City?
The Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City distance is about 120 miles (193 km).
The Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City drive time is about three hours without stops on the Autopista Barranca Larga-Ventanilla (Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca Highway).
What’s the best airport for Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido International Airport (code: PXM), which is located near downtown and just 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.
There’s no Uber in Puerto Escondido, and no Lyft in Puerto Escondido, but there will be plenty of taxis waiting outside Puerto Escondido Airport.
🌡️ 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.
My Final Thoughts on Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido Travel Options
Traveling from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido and the Oaxacan coast is easy when you know what you’re doing.
I hope this article clearly explained all the different options available for all travel styles and budgets, and that you now know how you’ll make the trip.
In case you’re still undecided, here’s a quick summary to help you pick the best option for your Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido trip:
💎 For the luxury traveler
Book this private car with a driver for the Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido trip, or take the Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido flight.
There are only two airlines that do these flights, so if their departure times don’t work for your schedule, the private car is much more flexible.
🚙 For the mid-budget traveler
Rent a car and drive to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City! The drive will show you the off the beaten path Oaxaca pueblos few others see.
Driving in Mexico is considered safe, and the linked article will walk you through the rental process — Renting A Car in Oaxaca: Everything You Need to Know.
🚌 For Oaxaca budget travelers
You’ll want to take the ADO bus to Puerto Escondido. ADO is Mexico’s largest bus company, with a fleet of luxury class buses.
It is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, but you’ll want to use Bookaway to book your tickets, as the ADO website isn’t user friendly.
🏖️ Heading to Huatulco instead? Here’s the best way to get from Oaxaca to Huatulco.
