Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido: bus, flight or private car?

Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido are only about 250 km apart, but the Sierra Madre del Sur sits in between, so the trip is nothing like a flat 250 km. Almost every traveler who combines the city with the coast has to choose between three options: the bus, a small plane or a private car. Each one is the right answer for somebody. Here is how they really compare.

The route in short

You leave a valley at about 1,500 m, cross the mountains and drop to sea level on the Pacific. The mountain road is winding, with long climbs, hairpin bends and fog at altitude in the rainy season (roughly June to October). Two routes are in use. The more direct road is the one most vehicles take today and, for a car, the drive takes about 4 hours, a bit more with stops or road works. The older road through San José del Pacífico is slower but more scenic, and it is the one to pick if you want to break the journey in the mountains.

Option 1: the bus

The bus is the cheapest way to go and it leaves directly from Oaxaca City, so you do not need to get to an airport. The trade-offs are time and comfort. Buses take noticeably longer than a car because they follow the winding road at a steady pace and make stops, and the road has so many curves that people prone to motion sickness often suffer. You will also need to reach the bus station with your luggage and, at the other end, get from the station to your hotel.

Companies, fares, classes of service and timetables change, so check them directly before you plan around one. If you take a night bus, remember that you will arrive without having seen the landscape and probably without much sleep.

Best for: solo travelers with a tight budget, plenty of time and light luggage.

Option 2: the flight

There are small planes between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido, and they save you the whole mountain road: the flight itself is short compared with the drive. That is their big advantage, and it matters if you are short on days or prone to carsickness. The downsides are practical. Aircraft are small, so baggage limits can be strict and surfboards may be a problem. Flights are few and can be cancelled or rescheduled, and fares rise at busy dates. You also still have to reach the airport in Oaxaca City and, after landing, get from the Puerto Escondido airport to your hotel. That last part is short: see the Puerto Escondido airport transfer if you plan to land there.

Check the operator, schedule and baggage rules on the day you book, since they change.

Best for: travelers who value time over money, with light luggage and a flexible plan if a flight changes.

Option 3: private car

A private transfer picks you up at your hotel door in Oaxaca City, drives you straight to your door in Puerto Escondido and does not change vehicles or follow anyone else's schedule. You choose the departure time, and you can stop for coffee, a viewpoint or lunch. If you want to see the mountains, you can ask to go through San José del Pacífico, and you can even spend a night there before continuing.

On this site the price is $5,500 MXN per vehicle, one way, for up to 4 passengers, booked online. For one or two people that is clearly more than a bus seat, but for three or four people the cost per person drops a lot, and you gain privacy, space for luggage and boards, and a driver who knows the road. It works both ways, including pickups at Oaxaca airport (OAX).

Best for: families, groups of three or four, anyone with luggage or surfboards, and anyone who gets carsick and wants to choose the pace and the stops.

What about driving yourself?

A rental car is possible, but this is not an easy road to drive on a first visit: constant curves, slow trucks, fog on some stretches and animals on the road. Avoid driving it after dark. Also check the rental conditions about one-way drop-offs, insurance and deposits before you count on it.

Which one should you choose?

• Solo, on a budget, with time to spare: bus, after checking schedules and fares directly.
• Short on days and traveling light: flight, with a margin in case it changes.
• Three or four travelers: private car, because the price is shared.
• Surfboards, kids or lots of luggage: private car.
• Prone to carsickness: flight, or a private car where you can ask for stops and a gentle pace.
• Want to see the mountains: private car through San José del Pacífico, with a night there if you can.

Practical tips

• Leave early in the day so the mountain section is behind you in daylight, and do not plan a tight connection on the same day.
• Carry a warm layer for the highest part of the road. The temperature jumps from the cool valley to the hot coast.
• If you get carsick, sit in front, eat lightly beforehand and tell the driver early.
• Bring some pesos in cash for small stops on the way.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Oaxaca City from Puerto Escondido?

About 250 km. By car expect around 4 hours without long stops.

Can I book the transfer from Puerto Escondido to Oaxaca City?

Yes, the route works in both directions, including a drop-off at Oaxaca airport (OAX).

How many people fit in one transfer?

Online bookings cover up to 4 passengers per vehicle. For larger groups, write to us on WhatsApp.

Landing on the coast instead and coming from the other direction? Our guide to getting from Huatulco airport to Puerto Escondido compares the options on that side. The details of this route, with a guide to Oaxaca City, are on the Oaxaca City transfer page.