How to get to Lagunas de Chacahua from Puerto Escondido

Lagunas de Chacahua is the easiest real escape from Puerto Escondido: a national park of lagoons, mangroves and long beaches, with a small fishing village where there are no cars. That last detail is the key to planning the trip. Whatever you choose for the road, the final stretch to the village is by boat. Here is how the options compare, and what to expect when you reach the water.

The route in short

Chacahua lies about 70 km west of Puerto Escondido along Highway 200, the coastal road towards Pinotepa Nacional. You pass the turnoff for Manialtepec lagoon, then farmland and small towns, with Río Grande as the main stop on the way. By car, count on about 1 h 15 min to the lagoon landing, a little more with rain or holiday traffic.

From the highway, two roads lead down to the lagoons, and each ends at a different boat landing:

• Zapotalito, near Río Grande. From here boats cross the lagoons and wind through the mangroves to the village. It is the longer boat ride and, for many people, part of the fun, with birds along the way.
• Cerro Hermoso, reached by a side road further west. From this side the boat crossing to the village is much shorter.

Which one suits you depends on where you are staying and how much time you want on the water. Boats at both landings can be shared or private, and prices are set locally, so agree on them before you get in.

Option 1: bus and colectivos

This is the budget route and it works, but it takes most of a morning. The usual way is to take a regional bus or van west from Puerto Escondido to Río Grande, then a colectivo or local taxi to the landing at Zapotalito, then a boat to the village. Some travelers instead get off at the road to Cerro Hermoso and continue from there.

Each step means a wait, and you carry your bags through all of them. Departures thin out in the afternoon, so start early: you don't want to reach the landing when the last boats have gone. Companies, fares and timetables change and we can't vouch for them, so ask in Puerto Escondido the day before and again at each stop.

Best for: solo travelers with a backpack, a light load and a flexible day.

Option 2: drive yourself

A rental car gets you to the landing on your own schedule, and the drive west on Highway 200 is straightforward. The usual cautions apply: topes (speed bumps) in every village, slow trucks and animals on the road, and no driving at night if you can avoid it. The side roads to the landings are narrower and can be rough after rain.

The catch is what happens to the car. You can't take it to the village, so it stays at the landing for as long as you are in Chacahua. Ask locally where it is safe to leave it and whether there is a charge. If you are only going for a few nights and don't need a car afterwards, it can be more hassle than it saves.

Best for: travelers who already have a car for a longer trip along the coast.

Option 3: a private transfer to the landing

A private transfer picks you up at your hotel in Puerto Escondido and drives straight to the boat landing, with your luggage in the car and no changes on the way. You choose the departure time, which helps if you want to arrive with plenty of daylight for the boat and for finding your cabin.

On this site the transfer costs $2,500 MXN per vehicle, one way, for up to 4 passengers, booked online. When you book, write the name of your cabin or hotel in Chacahua, and we will confirm which landing suits you. The boat to the village is arranged at the landing and is not part of the car fare. For one person it costs more than the bus; for a couple or a small group sharing the car, the difference per person narrows, and you skip every change.

The same route works the other way: we can meet you at the landing at the end of your stay and drive you back to Puerto Escondido.

Day trip or overnight?

A day trip from Puerto Escondido is possible, but it is rushed: well over two hours on the road for the round trip, plus the boats, leaves only a few hours in the village. Most people who go once wish they had stayed. Two or three nights let you take a boat tour through the mangroves, walk up to the lighthouse, swim on the lagoon side and simply enjoy how quiet it is after dark. The Chacahua transfer page has a short guide to the village, what to do there and when to go.

What to bring

• All the cash you need. There is no ATM in the village and cards are rarely accepted. Withdraw in Puerto Escondido and add extra for boats and meals.
• A light bag. You will carry it onto a boat and along sandy lanes. A backpack or a small duffel is easier than a hard suitcase.
• Repellent, sunscreen and a flashlight. Mosquitoes come out at dusk, especially in the rainy season, and the lanes are dark at night.
• A power bank. Electricity and phone signal can be limited, so don't count on charging everything every night.
• Your booking details offline. Save the name and phone number of your cabin before you leave town.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Chacahua from Puerto Escondido?

About 70 km by road to the lagoon landing, around 1 h 15 min by car, plus the boat to the village. By public transport, with changes, plan on considerably longer.

Can you drive to Chacahua village?

No. You can drive to the boat landings at Zapotalito or Cerro Hermoso, but the village itself is reached by boat.

When is the best time to go?

The dry season, roughly November to May, is the easiest, with calmer days and fewer mosquitoes. Christmas, New Year and Easter week are busy, so book your cabin and transport early for those dates.

Can I stop on the way?

With a private car you can ask the driver for a short stop for food or supplies. If you also want to see the mangroves of Manialtepec, closer to Puerto Escondido, the Manialtepec lagoon transfer is a separate trip worth its own morning.

Heading east afterwards instead? Our guide from Puerto Escondido to Mazunte and Zipolite covers the other direction along the coast.