Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido tickets

About the ride from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido 

When you’re finished exploring the fascinatingly diverse city of Oaxaca, take in one of Mexico’s prime beach spots by day and dive into the vibrant bar scene by night with a trip to Puerto Escondido.

Travelers seeking the best way to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido have a few options to choose from.

You could take a cozy bus to traverse the 195-kilometer (121-mile) distance between the two hot destinations, letting the rumbling turns lull you to sleep.

Or take a minivan or a car to make the journey more comfortable.

With many weekly departures, you’ll have no problem finding suitable transport for your adventure.

Is Puerto Escondido worth visiting?

This epic destination is a fantastic surfing spot loved by water lovers and sunseekers from all over the globe.

After arriving, you’ll never want to leave, thanks to the surplus of sunny days, flourishing wildlife, mesmerizing beaches, and flavorful food.

This coastal town covers all your bases with food, nightlife, and adventures. Still, the region has thankfully skipped building mega-resorts, like some of Mexico’s other more popular destinations.

Puerto Escondido also attracts a wide range of tourists, with surfers, backpackers, wellness gurus, and honeymooners flocking to the area and forming a diverse community.

Seven unmissable activities to do in Puerto Escondido

Adventurers will find no end to incredible activities when exploring Puerto Escondido. Take your time here and make sure these top attractions make it onto your itinerary: 

1. Watch baby turtles get released on the beach. Turtle moms bury their eggs in the sand, and when they’re ready, the babies break out and head to the sea. Make sure to keep your distance and resist interfering in this magical event!
   
   

2. Take a food tour. Puerto Escondido has a delicious array of cuisine, just like most of Mexico. Find a tour to get ferried between the hottest spots and gorge on sumptuous dishes before heading out for an evening of cocktail tasting.
   
   

3. Swim in bioluminescent lagoons. Lagunas de Chachua and Laguna de Manialtepec are famous for their bioluminescent beauty. Book a night tour to experience the magic up close.
   
   

4. Visit Chachua National Park. This popular day trip will introduce you to a stunning combination of tropical jungles and white-sand beaches. It’s a little tricky to get to, but it’s worth it just to see the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
   
   

5. Spend a day on the beach. You can’t come to Puerto Escondido without seeing the magnificent beaches here. Set aside at least a day or two to explore the best ones. Playa Carrizalillo is a swimmer-friendly beach complete with golden sand. Zicatela Beach is famous with surfing enthusiasts.
   
   

6. Explore La Punta. This beachside neighborhood is packed to the brim with local handicrafts and luxury shops to satisfy even the most ardent shopaholic. When you’ve brutalized the bank balance enough, head to the beach to watch a mesmerizing sunset or hike along the rocky point to discover hidden beaches.
   
   

7. Learn to surf. Puerto Escondido is a popular surfing spot. Experts will find plenty of places to rent a board and dive in, but newbies can also learn at a local school before tackling the ocean.
   
   

How to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido?

Those seeking to travel from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido have three options: bus, minivan, or car.

By bus 

The bus is the most affordable method of transportation between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido — tickets start around $19.

It’s a quick three-hour journey down the main highway to reach the luscious shores.

Amenities include:

Reclining seats

W/C

Air conditioning

WiFi

Charger 

By shared or private minivan

Taking a minivan is one of the most comfortable options to travel between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido.

It takes a bit longer, though, with a total journey time of seven hours. 

Shared minivan tickets start at $47. You’ll depart from the Oaxaca Real Hotel and arrive at the OXXO store - Av. del Morro in Puerto Escondido.

Choose the private option if you’re traveling in a group (5 people max) and wish to stay together by renting the whole minivan. The cost per vehicle starts at around $450, and you can choose your pick-up and drop-off times and locations. 

Amenities include:

Reclining seats

Rest stops 

English-speaking staff

Air conditioning

Charger 

A 15 kg luggage allowance plus one piece of hand luggage per customer

By private car

Taking a car between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido is the best option for small groups.

The vehicle can accommodate three passengers and 15 kg of luggage each, as well as one piece of hand luggage each. The price per vehicle is about $357 and takes around seven hours. 

Amenities include:

Rest stops 

English-speaking staff

Air conditioning

Charger 

Pick up and drop off at your chosen hotel or airport.

Meet and greet at the airport for those who want to get picked up there.

The best things about the journey between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido

Traveling between these two destinations isn’t the most thrilling journey because you’ll mostly stick to one road all the way down the coast.

However, because part of the journey overlooks the sea, you might spot some lovely vistas as you speed past but don’t worry too much if you can’t snag a window seat.

However, as you edge closer to Puerto Escondido, you’ll see why it earned the “Emerald Coast” nickname when the Pacific Ocean peaks over the horizon, welcoming you to its shores.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Escondido?

Visit Puerto Escondido during the dry season, between November and March, for the best chance of warm weather without suffocating humidity.

The weather is generally warm and dry in the dry season, with very little rainfall. Temperatures hover around 84.3°F (29°C) during the day and 77°F (25°C) at night.

How many days should I spend in Puerto Escondido?

It depends on how much time you have, but 7 to 10 days is plenty if you want to fill your days with all the adventures on offer.

If you plan to explore the rest of Mexico, three to four days is more than enough time. 

Where should I go after Puerto Escondido?

Visit the nearby beach towns of Zipolite or Mazunte, two seaside paradises just over an hour south of Puerto Escondido.

Just 15 minutes away from each other, it’s easy to fold a visit to both of these towns into one trip.

Zipolite is famous for having the only (legal) nude beach in Mexico, and Mazunte is considered a hippie beach town. However, if you’re looking to swim, these beaches are unsuitable due to the extremely strong riptides.

Or, switch from the relaxed beach atmosphere to San Jose del Pacifico or Puebla for a mountainous adventure.