How to Get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido

The journey from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido used to take around 10.5 hours by bus. That included a long, winding trip over mountain roads, often a bumpy experience. But on February 2024, the newly opened Barranca Larga-Ventanilla Highway completely changed things — cutting the travel time down to just 3h! Instead of navigating mountain curves, the new highway uses tunnels and bridges, making the ride smoother and faster. Buses are a reliable choice for travelling this route. With buses, you get extra legroom, reclining seats, onboard toilets and air conditioning. The shorter travel time also means you can enjoy more time in Puerto Escondido. ADO, OCC and ADO GL operate several trips daily. A bus ticket costs $17, though prices may be higher during the tourist season (December to April).

Flying from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido is the fastest but most expensive option. Also, note that big commercial airlines don’t operate direct flights for this route. Prepare to take a small plane operated by either Aerotucan or Aerovega.

Colectivos are sprinter-type minivans that take the direct route from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido in about . They have AC, and they’re usually the cheapest option. Colectivos can get cramped when they’re full, though. And luggage is often stored on the roof rack — something worth considering if you’re travelling with bulky bags.

Which colectivo company to travel with?

There are a number of colectivo companies covering the route from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido, but the most popular are . There are plenty of departures throughout the day, usually once or twice every hour. This means you won't have to wait around for long, and you don't need to worry about tickets selling out. The downside is that there’s no option to book online. The only way to buy tickets for the colectivo is from the ticket office at each bus stop. The average price is but can vary a bit depending on demand.