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Oaxaca is Mexico's food capital, known for mole, mezcal and busy markets. It sits inland from the Pacific coast, high up in the mountains. By road, the cheapest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is the bus at $16 (285 MXN), and the ride takes 3h. Flying is the quickest option, taking 1h 10m.
Distance from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca are about 139 km (86 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 195 km by road. The quickest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h 10m.
5 ways to travel from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
There are five ways to travel from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca. You can choose between the bus, colectivo, minivan, flight, and private transport. The journey takes 1h 10m–4h and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $16 (285 MXN).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- City Centre→Puerto Escondido Airport5m
- Flight from Oaxaca→Puerto Escondido40m
- Oaxaca Airport→City Centre25m
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1Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca by Bus
If you value having space to stretch your legs, then taking the bus is a solid choice. Thanks to Mexico's newly-opened "superhighway" in 2024, you can now travel by bus from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca in just 3h.
Previously, the bus journey between these two cities took 11 hours across winding roads.
A bus ticket costs $16 (285 MXN), but rates may go up during the high season (December to April).
Departure and arrival station
Buses going to Oaxaca depart from ADO 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 $2.90 (50 MXN).
Bus schedule from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca by Colectivo
Colectivos are sprinter-type minivans that now take the new superhighway instead of the old bumpy road, making the journey much quicker. Travel time from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca with a colectivo is about 3.5h.
There are two companies operating minivans from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca: Villa del Pacifico and Service Express. These companies offer multiple daily departures so you don’t need to worry about booking in advance — you can grab a ticket last minute.
The service quality is similar for both, but Villa del Pacifico offers a few more daily departures. Just a heads-up: if you’re travelling with bulky luggage, it will probably get stored on the roof rack, so keep that in mind.
There’s no option to buy tickets online for Service Express and Villa del Pacifico. You’ll need to buy them at their terminal in Puerto Escondido. The average ticket price is $17 (300 MXN), 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 grab a taxi with fares starting at around $2.90 (50 MXN).
The colectivos park at their own terminals in Oaxaca City. Both colectivo stops for Villa Playa and Service Express are within the city centre. This makes it easy to walk to most accommodations. If your hotel is along the route, you can also ask the driver to drop you off early.
Colectivo schedule from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
All services arrive at Oaxaca
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca by Minivan
A minivan ride from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca costs around $48 (835 MXN). The minivan journey takes about 4h, depending on traffic.
Oaxaca Shuttle is the only company operating on this route.
Minivan schedule from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
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 option, but also quite expensive. Combined fares start from $220 (3,820 MXN).
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 International Airport is located right within the city, just 2 km from the beach and town centre.
If you’re staying further out or have bulky luggage, it’s easiest to grab a taxi. Fares start from around $20 (350 MXN), depending on where you’re headed.
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 Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca 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 $170 (3,000 MXN).
Booking with Aerotucan
Both airlines offer one departure a day. An Aerotucan flight usually departs in the morning, and a ticket costs around $195 (3,370 MXN). You can 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.
To check availability and prices, you’ll need to send an email to aerovegapto@hotmail.com or message them on WhatsApp at +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 $170 (3,000 MXN).
Looking for a bigger aircraft? There is an option to take an indirect flight with a layover in Mexico City, but this will increase the flight duration to at least 6 hours, excluding airport transfers. That doesn’t really make sense, considering you can complete this route in less than 3 hours if you travel by land instead. 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 at the airport's taxi counter. Prices vary depending on your destination zone but start at about $27 (465 MXN). Travel time with a taxi is around 25 minutes.
Note that the Uber app doesn’t work in Oaxaca, but you can try the taxi-hailing app, Didi.
If you want a cheaper option, there is a shared minivan service, also known as ‘colectivo,’ that departs from the airport and takes you straight to your accommodation. The only downside is that it may take a little longer than the taxi because they also drop off other passengers along the way.
The colectivo ticket office is located in the airport’s main hall, and a ticket costs $6.90 (120 MXN).
Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca by Private Transport
A private transfer from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is the easiest and most hassle-free option. The journey takes 4h, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at $240 (4,200 MXN) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $80 (1,400 MXN) each.
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway and GetYourGuide.
Our favourite places to stay in Oaxaca
Here are our favourite places to stay in Oaxaca for every budget.
Treat YourselfAyook
- Delicious à la carte breakfast
- Traditional Oaxacan-style interior
- Great location
- Private patio with every room
Treat YourselfLa Casa Carlota
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
Mid-RangeAzul Cielo Hostel
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
BudgetCasa EL Mundo
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
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit 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!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca, roughly 139 kilometres (86 miles) apart. In all, there are 5 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $16 (285 MXN). The quickest trip takes 1h 10m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca?
The distance from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is 139 kilometres (86 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 1h 10m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca?
The cheapest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca is by bus with ticket costs starting from 285 MXN.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
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.
Senior Travel Writer
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.
Travel Writer
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
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