This is the Best Way to Get From Oaxaca to Huatulco
Traveling from Oaxaca City to Huatulco, Mexico?
You’re in the right place because I live in Mexico, and I’ve done the Oaxaca to Huatulco trip before.
In this article, you’ll learn about the four ways to get from Oaxaca City to Huatulco and all the other beaches in Oaxaca Mexico near Huatulco, like Mazunte and Zipolite.
The best way to get to Huatulco is via private Oaxaca to Huatulco shuttle. It’s the safest, easiest, and most stress-free option, and you can book yours right here!
If that’s not for you, you’ll also see how to rent a car and drive from Oaxaca to Huatulco, and get tips for taking the ADO bus to Huatulco.
For those who have the budget, the fourth and fastest way to get from Oaxaca to Huatulco is by taking a 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 Huatulco from Oaxaca City? Let’s get to it!
How do I get from Oaxaca to Huatulco?
- Private car with a driver: about 5 hours, about 14,000 pesos (about $765 USD) per group of up to 8
- Rental car: about 5 hours on the new highway, from about 350 pesos (about $19 USD) per day
- Flight to Huatulco: 30-45 minutes, from about 3,250 pesos (about $180 USD) per person
- ADO Huatulco Bus: about 5 hours, from about 400 pesos (about $22 USD) per person
Best Oaxaca to Huatulco Transportation
1. Oaxaca to Huatulco Private Shuttle
The safest and easiest option is to hire this private car or van to drive you to Huatulco.
It offers a nice way to see Oaxaca State on this beautiful drive — and you can request breaks to stop and try some local Oaxaca food when you’re hungry, as well as bathroom breaks when needed.
The cost for a one-way trip is about 14,000 pesos (about $765 USD) for a group of up to 8 people. Prices are always at the discretion of the company.
For groups of up to 3, this Lamby Tours private transfer costs about 9,500 pesos (about $520 USD).
For a lower-cost private option, check GuateGo’s private car, from about 8,200 pesos (about $450 USD).
When traveling with a group, this ends up being the most convenient, comfortable and economical way to get to Huatulco from Oaxaca City.
Tomas, our driver and tour guide, was absolutely wonderful! We had extra time in our day, so he offered several stops along the way… I couldn’t speak more highly of him and his company.
Elizabeth E. (read more reviews)
It takes about 5 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!
Many people don’t like to drive the old mountain road to Huatulco because it’s quite curvy. Even on the new highway, it’s about 5 hours behind the wheel.
My $0.02: If you have the budget, opt for the Oaxaca to Huatulco driver.
2. Rental Car: Oaxaca to Huatulco Drive
- Oaxaca to Huatulco distance: About 175 miles (282 km) on the new highway
- Oaxaca to Huatulco driving time: About 5 hours on the new highway, or about 6.5 hours on the old Highway 175
- 🚗 Check rates and availability for rental cars now!
The drive from Oaxaca City to Huatulco is beautiful, and you now have two routes to choose from.
The new highway (fastest): Most travelers now take the Barranca Larga–Ventanilla toll highway down to the coast, then coastal Highway 200 to Huatulco. It’s a modern highway, and the drive takes about 5 hours.
The toll is about 490 pesos (about $27 USD) each way. Any standard rental car is fine on this road.
The old Highway 175 (scenic): This route goes through the mountains and small towns like San José del Pacífico, Mexico’s famous “mushroom town.”
It’s a beautiful drive, but it’s very curvy, with lots of switchback turns, and it’s not well maintained in all areas.
I’ve driven the old Highway 175 route through San José del Pacífico, and I’ve also flown this route on AeroTucán.
San José del Pacífico is super charming, so this is the road to take if you want to stop in the mountain towns. It’s not a good choice if you get car sick easily.
If you take Highway 175, consider a midsize rental car or SUV.
🤢 Pro Tip: If you take the old Highway 175 and don’t do so well in cars on road trips, remember to pack your non-drowsy Dramamine, or whatever helps you on the road.
While I am an avid proponent of Mexico solo travel, the old Highway 175 isn’t a drive I recommend doing alone. The new highway is fine to drive alone, since it’s a modern highway.
Since a lot of people have told me they got sick on the old road, you may want (need?) to have at least two people who can drive if you take that route.
If this all sounds too risky, book this Oaxaca to Huatulco private shuttle instead.
What’s the best place for Oaxaca car rentals?
I personally use Discover Cars whenever I rent a car in Mexico.
I also opt for their full coverage insurance, which is the cheapest I’ve found at only about 165 pesos (about $9 USD) per day!
Note: You are legally required to have Mexico driving insurance when renting a car in Oaxaca or driving to Mexico.
For the best selection, there are several Oaxaca Airport car rental companies to choose from.
Head to Discover Cars and see what’s available, as sometimes you get a better deal on your car rental in Oaxaca in the Centro Histórico (Downtown) or Reforma neighborhoods.
🗺️ Oaxaca to Huatulco Map
Use this map for the new highway route, and download it so you can use it offline, as your cell signal will go in and out on the drive.
If you take the old Highway 175, much of the drive is on curvy roads that aren’t well maintained or well lit in all areas.
For safety, make sure you only drive during daylight hours.
6️⃣ tips for driving your rental car from Oaxaca to Huatulco
1. Start the drive early, so you arrive in Huatulco before the sun goes down, as it’s not always safe to drive at night.
The drive takes about 5 hours on the new highway (about 6.5 on Highway 175), so hit the road by 10am.
2. If you take the old Highway 175, consider a full-size car or even an SUV, as the road is bumpy in many areas.
If you’re visiting in the Oaxaca rainy season (June to October), a larger car really helps on the muddy stretches of the old road, which can get washed out in places.
3. If you take Highway 175 and get car sick, don’t forget to bring non-drowsy Dramamine.
There are also homeopathic remedies, like these anti-nausea ginger chewables, these motion sickness wristbands and this motion sickness patch, if you prefer not to take pills.
4. On the old Highway 175, have at least two drivers in the car, just in case one gets car sick.
5. Double check the fees if you don’t plan to drive back from Huatulco to Oaxaca City.
Most Mexico car rental companies charge a hefty fee when you don’t return the car to the same place you rented it from.
6. Have pesos on hand for the toll on the new highway, which is about 490 pesos (about $27 USD) each way.
Is it safe to drive in Oaxaca?
Yes — For the vast majority of travelers, it is safe to drive in Oaxaca Mexico as long as you’re following all local driving laws and customs.
If you’re also wondering, Is it safe to drive from Oaxaca to Huatulco?, for most travelers this is also a very safe drive.
The new highway is a modern toll road. The old Highway 175 is slower and curvier, so it’s best for confident drivers.
The one obvious caveat here is that you’ll be driving in a foreign country, where you’re unfamiliar with Mexico driving laws and 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 Huatulco.
⚠️ Bloqueos: Oaxaca Road Protests
Though not common, road protests in Oaxaca do happen from time to time, and can add hours to the trip.
These bloqueos, or blockades, happen when locals are protesting and essentially shut down the road that passes through their part of town.
Unfortunately, there is no way to predict these, and really no way to tell how long they will last when they do happen.
As an absolute worst case scenario, I have heard of people having to stay the night in the town the bloqueo is happening in — though this is extremely rare.
3. Flights from Oaxaca to Huatulco Airport
The Oaxaca to Huatulco flight is the most convenient, quickest, and most expensive option.
There are only two companies, AeroTucán and AeroVega, with flights from Oaxaca City to Huatulco.
If you want to fly from Oaxaca to Huatulco, book ASAP as each company offers just one flight per day. With both companies, you’ll take a 6-8 seater plane.
If you’ve never been in a small plane before, check out this video to see if it seems comfortable.
From the airport, you can book private transportation to your Huatulco resort, rent a car or take a taxi.
⚠️ Note: There’s no Uber in Huatulco, and no Lyft in Huatulco.
HEADED TO MAZUNTE, ZIPOLITE, SAN AGUSTINILLO OR PUERTO ANGEL?
You’d also fly into Huatulco International Airport, and then pick up your car rental in Huatulco, grab a taxi, or take public transportation to these other Oaxaca beach towns.
You can also take the bus from Oaxaca to San Pedro Pochutla, then a cab or colectivo (small, shared van) from there.
✈️ AeroTucán Oaxaca to Huatulco Flight
I took the AeroTucán Oaxaca flight to Puerto Escondido and also to Huatulco, and really enjoyed it.
However, this is a small plane, and it’s a lot shakier than a large airplane — so some travelers won’t like it.
If you have claustrophobia, or don’t handle turbulence well, you might want to opt for the private driver or bus.
How do I buy tickets for AeroTucán?
If you want to take the Oaxaca to Huatulco flight with AeroTucán, you have to book in advance via phone or at the 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 a better option.
Pro Tip: Buy your tickets in advance
If you want to take the AeroTucán Huatulco 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 Huatulco, 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 Huatulco flight schedule.
This has been their schedule for some time now, but know 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 3,250 pesos (about $180 USD) on the promo fare, or about 3,600 pesos (about $195 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 about 5 hours by car or bus.
Do you have luggage?
The final thing to keep in mind is your 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, but other than that, I loved the flight and will take it again.
✈️ Want more details? Read my full guide to taking the Oaxaca to Huatulco flight.
✈️ AeroVega Oaxaca to Huatulco Flight
AeroVega is owned and operated by the pilot, Juan Carlos Vega. Much like with AeroTucán, he operates a small plane with just six seats in total.
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, I recommend hiring this driver and private car.
If you’re traveling with a group, splitting this ends up costing about the same as the plane does.
You can also rent a car, or take the ADO bus to Huatulco.
Flight cost & How to book your AeroVega flight
AeroVega Contact Info
• AeroVega phone number: (+52) 954-588-0062
• AeroVega local phone number: (+52) 951-516-4982
• AeroVega email: aerovegapto@hotmail.com
Historically, the flight has cost about 3,500 pesos (about $190 USD) per person, though rates can vary.
You’ll pay in cash (pesos, not dollars), and book directly with Juan Vega.
While this may seem unconventional, I have 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, you can always book with AeroTucán instead.
4. ADO Bus from Oaxaca to Huatulco
The ADO bus from Oaxaca to Huatulco takes about 4 hours and 55 minutes, which is about the same as driving on the new highway.
There are usually two departures a day, one in the morning and one late at night.
A one-way ticket costs about 400-420 pesos (about $22-23 USD), depending on the departure.
🚐 Budget tip: Líneas Unidas runs shared vans (colectivos) from downtown Oaxaca City to Pochutla, about 47 km west of Huatulco.
Tickets cost 330 pesos (about $18 USD) on the mountain route, or 370 pesos (about $20 USD) on the highway. From Pochutla, take a taxi or colectivo to Huatulco.
The bus will drop you off at the ADO Bahías de Huatulco station (📍 map) in downtown.
It is located about 10-30 minutes from the beaches, depending on the beach you’re staying at.
There’s no Uber in Oaxaca State, but there will be plenty of taxis waiting outside of this bus station at all hours of the day and night; just make sure to have pesos to pay.
You can check the Huatulco 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 GuateGo when I book my Mexico bus tickets.
How to Get From Huatulco to Mazunte
Mazunte is one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, or magic towns.
It is located about one hour west of Huatulco by rental car or taxi.
The easiest and fastest way to get from Huatulco to Mazunte is to drive your rental car, then you can see all the best Oaxaca beaches.
If you don’t have a rental car, you can take a taxi.
Rates can vary, but will likely run you about $500-800 pesos ($25-40 USD) for the one way trip.
You can always negotiate with a taxi driver for a day rate, but know there is no Uber in Oaxaca State, so Uber isn’t an option.
☀️🏨 Planning to stay the night in Mazunte? Check out all these best hotels in Mazunte!
How to Get From Huatulco to Zipolite (Nude Beach)
Zipolite is located about 45 minutes west of Huatulco, and 15 minutes east of Mazunte.
It is well known as the only nude beach in Mexico, but there are plenty of beaches for families as well. Much like Mazunte, you can get there by rental car or taxi.
☀️🏨 Planning to stay the night in Zipolite? Check out all these best hotels in Zipolite!
Huatulco Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Bahías de Huatulco Map 🗺️
☀️🏨 Looking into Huatulco hotels? Check out all these best resorts and best hotels in Huatulco!
The map above will give you a visual on where Huatulco is located, but for reference, it’s about 2.5 hours (117 km) east of Puerto Escondido.
Puerto Escondido is the most-visited of all Oaxaca beach towns, and Huatulco comes in second.
How far is Huatulco from Oaxaca City?
It’s about 175 miles (282 km) on the new highway, and the drive takes about 5 hours — which is why many opt for this private driver from Oaxaca to Huatulco.
What’s the best airport for Huatulco?
Wondering, Is there an airport in Huatulco? Yes — There’s Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (code: HUX).
It is located about 20-30 minutes from all the best beaches in Huatulco.
To get to your Huatulco resort, you can book this private airport shuttle, rent a car, or take a taxi.
There is no Huatulco Uber service, and no Huatulco Lyft service.
Is there a bus from Oaxaca to Huatulco?
Yes. ADO runs about two buses a day from Oaxaca City to Huatulco, one in the morning and one overnight. The trip takes about 5 hours and costs about 400-420 pesos (about $22-23 USD).
What’s the best time to visit Huatulco?
Weather-wise, the best time to visit Huatulco is from November to March, during the dry season. It’s also high season, so expect bigger crowds and higher prices. It can rain quite a bit from about June to October, when it’s also humid and buggy, so don’t forget your mosquito spray 🦟
My Final Thoughts on Your Best Oaxaca to Huatulco Travel Options
As you now know, there are options for all travel styles and budgets for your Oaxaca City to Huatulco trip.
Here is a quick summary, so you can pick the best option for your travel style:
For the luxury traveler
Book this private car with a driver for the Oaxaca to Huatulco trip, or take the Oaxaca City to Huatulco 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! The new highway is the fastest way to drive there. Or take the old Highway 175 to see the mountain towns and off-the-beaten-path Oaxaca pueblos few others see.
Driving in Mexico is generally 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
Take the ADO bus to Huatulco. ADO (pronounced ahh-day-oh) is Mexico’s largest bus company, with a fleet of luxury class buses.
It is the cheapest way to get from Oaxaca to Huatulco, but you’ll want to use GuateGo to book your tickets, as the ADO website isn’t user friendly and doesn’t always accept foreign or United States credit cards.
