How To Get To Puerto Escondido: The Best, Cheap & Easy Way
Last Updated on April 17, 2024 by Ashlea J. Russell
Wondering how to get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca?
If you’re here, you’ve either decided to go to Puerto Escondido or you’re thinking about it, but either way you need to know how to get there.
I was you! Last winter I decided to take an extended trip working remotely from Mexico and my first stop – after a weekend in Mexico City – was Puerto Escondido on the Oaxaca Coast.
I had heard rumblings about this casual, cool beach town with sunsets so beautiful they’d bring a tear to your eye!
But when I started looking into how to get to Puerto Escondido it became clear that this place is not on the tourist trail.
I’m someone who likes to know all my options before I make a decision and finding the different ways to get to Puerto Escondido was no easy task. So, to help other travellers make this journey I’ve put together a complete guide of all the ways to get to Puerto Escondido from anywhere!
Getting to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
Figuring out the best way to get to Puerto Escondido really depends on a few things:
This guide covers all the ways to get to Puerto Escondido internationally as well as from other places inside Mexico like Oaxaca City, Mexico City and coastal areas.
We’re also going to look at the different modes of transportation that are available for each journey, how much time they take and how much you can expect to spend on each. So let’s get into it!
How to Get to Puerto Escondido From Oaxaca City
Most people who visit Puerto Escondido want to also spend a few days in Oaxaca City but when you’re doing the research it’s hard to find the best way to get from A to B. There are multiple way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido and I’ve done this journey so I’ve got you covered.
Fast: By Hopper Flight
The fastest way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is by plane, but this option is pricier and it isn’t as straightforward are you may think. There are no direct commercial flights that fly from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido so if you’ve been looking on Google you probably haven’t been having much luck.
There are two options when it comes to flying from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido.
The most common way to make this journey is by using Aerotucán. Aerotucán only flies within Oaxaca and only serves Oaxaca City, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Ixtepec.
There is only one flight from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido each day which is at 7:00am (10:00am on Sundays) and it takes about 35 minutes. These planes are small, holding about 15 passengers and they are more like a flying minivan that a commercial airplane.
The flights cost around $3,700MXN [$185USD/$255CAD] and they do sell out so you’ll want to book in advance. You can book directly on the Aerotucán website or if you run into any trouble you can give them a call.
By Tiny Hopper Flight
Believe it or not, there is an even smaller option which is AeroVega.
Captain Vega flies between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido with a 6-seat Cessna and has been doing this for a long time. He’s a hit amongst people who have been able to find and book him!
If you want to fly with Captain Vega you won’t find him on a website, you can email him at [email protected] or call him at +52 954 588 0062.
He requires a minimum of 4 people to fly and it costs $3,500MXN [$175USD/$240CAD] per person. If you want to ball out you can fly private with Captain Vega for $18,000MXN [$1,000USD/$1,250CAD].
By First Class Bus
A popular way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido if you want to save money rather than time is to take the ADO bus. ADO offers a really comfortable service across Mexico and it growing in popularity with travellers.
The journey is about 10-11 hours, mostly through winding mountain roads so you may want to take something to help with motion sickness.
Some people opt for the overnight bus so they can sleep through the journey but that can be difficult with the changing terrain.
There are two types of buses that operate this route, OCC and ADO GL (Great Luxury). They are both comfortable but ADO GL is an upgraded version. Check out the handy ADO Bus Class pocket cheatsheet below to compare.
Note: Platino is not available on this route.
Tickets cost $360-760MXN[$20-40USD/$25-50CAD] one way depending on when you purchase and the class you opt for.
If you speak Spanish, you can purchase tickets at the bus station or in advance on the ADO website. If you do not speak Spanish you can purchase your tickets in English through BusBud.
By Road
If you choose to rent a car you can brave the mountain roads. The most direct route along Highway 131 takes just under 7 hours but expect to spend longer. Some of the roads have tight hairpin turns and you’re going to want to take it slow and only drive during the day.
How to Get to Puerto Escondido From Mexico City
If you took my advice and are planning to spend some time in Mexico City you have a few options to get to Puerto Escondido.
By Air
Travelling by air is the easiest way to get from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido. Flights operate several times a day, take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and are inexpensive at under $1,800MXN [$90USD/$120CAD].
Below is a list of airlines to operate this flight but my personal choice is Volaris. Volaris is cheap and cheerful, I have flown with them all over Mexico and always had a good experience.
While any airline is fine, I would suggest skipping VivaAeroBus. They tend to have more schedule changes and cancellations than the other airlines and have had some safety issues in the past.:
Puerto Escondido airport is located five minutes from town (yes, really). For more information on getting from the airport to your accommodation check out the airport section of this ➡️ Puerto Escondido Taxi Guide.
By First Class Bus
It may surprise you to hear that Mexico doesn’t have passenger trains but it is known for having an excellent bus system! The first class buses are comfortable and reliable and can connect you to most of the country.
However 🙃
The journey from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido takes about 18 hours and costs about $1,800MXN [$90USD/$120CAD], which is roughly the same price as a flight. Buses are usually a great option for people wanting to travel on the cheap but in this case there are no real savings.
But, maybe you like to take the slow road! Check out this Mexico Bus Travel Guide for what to expect.
Buses depart once or twice a day – depending on the day – from Mexico TAPO Colon station (see map below) and arrive into the Puerto Escondido ADO Station in Centro, next to the Chedraui.
If you speak Spanish, you can purchase tickets at the bus station or in advance on the ADO website. If you do not speak Spanish you can purchase your tickets in English through BusBud.
By Road
Another option for getting to Puerto Escondido from Mexico City is by renting a car and driving yourself. This is a very long journey so you’ll probably want to break it up with some stops elsewhere.
Your first option is drive via Acapulco and then down the Oaxaca Coast. This journey takes about 12 hours and does include some toll roads.
The second option is drive via Oaxaca. This journey takes you down through Puebla to Oaxaca before heading to the coast. This option takes about 13 hours and about 6 of those hours will be on winding mountain roads.
How to Get to Puerto Escondido From Huatulco
Puerto Escondido and Huatulco are located about 2 hours apart and it’s not always clear how to get between them. You really have two options to make this journey so let’s go over what they are.
By Local Bus
If you’re travelling from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido by bus the process is a little less formal than a typical ADO first class bus experience. You’ll need to make your way to the 200 highway, make sure you’re on the side of the road headed toward Puerto Escondido and watch for the green, yellow and white Sur Bus.
When you spot the Sur Bus you’ll flag it down. The fare to Puerto Escondido is $70MXN [$4.50CAD/$3.50USD] which will need to be paid in cash, exact change is your best bet. This is a local bus so if you have a lot of luggage you may want to consider a taxi or van.
By Road
If you’re spending a lot of time in the area you may want to rent a car to add a little freedom to your trip. I’ve done the drive between Puerto Escondido and Huatulco so I can assure you it’s not complicated.
After collecting your vehicle just make you way toward the ocean to the 200 highway. The 200 runs right through Puerto Escondido so it would be hard to get lost – as long as you’re heading in the right direction, you can’t miss it.
This highway is newer and well maintained.
How to Get to Puerto Escondido From Mazunte, Zipolite and Puerto Ángel
By Bus
To get to Puerto Escondido by bus from this area you’ll need to first take a taxi to Pochutla bus station which costs around $100MXN [$5USD/$7CAD].
Once you reach Pochutla you can take the OCC or Alta Mar bus to Puerto Escondido. The journey takes around an hour and a half and only costs around $140MXN [$7USD/$9.50CAD].
Buses leave approximately every three hours starting at 3:35am and it’s not necessary to book a ticket in advance.
By Road
Similar to driving to Puerto Escondido from Huatulco, driving from Mazunte, Zipolite or Puerto Ángel is also pretty easy. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 15-30 minutes depending on your starting point and as long as you’re heading in the right direction it’s hard to get lost.
All you have to do is make your way to the 200 Highway and head in the direction of Puerto Escondido, you can’t miss it. There are no car rental places in these towns, you’ll need to rent one from Huatulco first.
If you don’t want to drive yourself you could take a taxi, which is what I did when I went from Puerto Escondido to Mazunte.
As with any taxi journey, you will need to negotiate your price in advance with the driver but for me I was able to take this trip for $800MXN [$50CAD/$40USD].
How to Get to Puerto Escondido From the US, Canada or International Locations
If Puerto Escondido is your first stop or only destination on your trip, you’re probably flying internationally. When I did this journey, I learned quickly that you can’t get to Puerto Escondido from Canada directly.
While Puerto Escondido does have an airport it is for domestic flights only. At present there are no direct international flights to Puerto Escondido.
There are two main ways to get to Puerto Escondido internationally by air but by far the easiest way is to fly via Mexico City. This is what I ended up doing on my trip and I’m so glad I did!
Puerto Escondido airport receives multiple flights per day and the vast majority of these come from Mexico City. There are a few direct flights a month that operate from Guadalajara and Tijuana if you happen to be there.
By Air Via Mexico City
The easiest way to get to Puerto Escondido is to fly via Mexico City. Some people may be apprehensive about travelling through Mexico City because they think it may not be safe, but I’m here to tell you that Mexico City is safe for travellers!
To fly to Puerto Escondido on a connecting flight through Mexico City, you will need to fly with Aeromexico, Mexico’s national carrier.
Aeromexico offers a morning and evening flight everyday from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido.
By Air Via Huatulco
If you don’t want to go through Mexico City, there is another way to get to Puerto Escondido that is a little more creative.
While there are no direct international flights to Puerto Escondido, there are to the town of Huatulco, located two hours down the coast.
Huatulco is a popular tourist destination so direct flights operate seasonally from a number of airports.
Once you reach Huatulco you’ll need to make your way up the coast to Puerto Escondido by bus, rental car or taxi.
How To Get To Puerto Escondido FAQs
You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers.
What is the Easiest Way to get to Puerto Escondido?
The easiest way to get to Puerto Escondido is by plane. There are multiple cheap flights from Mexico City every day.
If you’re travelling from Oaxaca City you will need to take a hopper flight.
Are there Direct Flights to Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido International Airport is actually not an international airport. It only serves domestic flights. There are direct flights to Puerto Escondido from Mexico City, Tijuana and Guadalajara. All other flights are indirect.
Where Do I Fly Into for Puerto Escondido?
Puerto Escondido has its own airport called Puerto Escondido International Airport [PXM]. This airport is domestic only. The closest international airport is Bahías de Huatulco International Airport [HUX].
How Do I Get From the Airport to Puerto Escondido?
The easiest way to get from the airport to Puerto Escondido is by authorized taxi. The price varies depending on the zone you are travelling to but the rates are fixed. Read this guide for more information on taxis in Puerto Escondido.
Is it Safe to Drive to Puerto Escondido?
Generally speaking, yes it is safe to drive to Puerto Escondido. But you should remember that Mexico is a developing country so always consider the tips below first:
Are Buses Safe in Mexico?
Yes, buses are safe in Mexico! But some buses are safer than others and there are certain things you should do to be proactive about your safety. Check out this Mexico Bus Travel Guide to understand more.
Summary: Getting to Puerto Escondido
Hopefully this article has answered every question you might have about how to get to Puerto Escondido, the easiest way to get to Puerto Escondido, and has provided you the information to choose the best way to get to Puerto Escondido for you.
This awesome, safe beach town isn’t going to stay a secret long so make sure you take the trip before it booms. There’s so much to do and see, and amazing food and mezcal to try.