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How to get from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido
Since the new highway between Oaxaca and the coast opened, driving takes about 3 to 4 hours. Shared vans on the older mountain roads take about 6 to 7 hours, and small planes fly in about 40 minutes.
Best option: Car. The new highway has cut the trip to a few hours by car.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| car New highway Oaxaca–Puerto Escondido (Barranca Larga–Ventanilla) | about 3–4 h | tolls plus fuel | Check current road conditions. | |
| bus Shared vans and buses on the mountain roads or the new highway | about 4–7 h | several a day | about MXN 300–600 | Mountain roads are winding; motion sickness is common. |
| flight Small regional airlines Oaxaca–Puerto Escondido | about 40 min | a few flights a day | about MXN 1,500–3,000 | Check current schedules. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Take motion sickness tablets for the mountain roads.
- Book small flights ahead in high season.
- Puerto Escondido airport is close to town.
- Check current status of the new highway.
Common questions
How long is the drive?
About 3 to 4 hours on the new highway, which opened recently. The older mountain roads take about 6 to 7 hours. Check current road conditions before you go. The road through the mountains is winding, so take breaks if you are prone to motion sickness.
Can I fly?
Yes, small regional airlines fly between Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido in about 40 minutes. Flights are small and luggage limits apply. Check current schedules. Book a few days ahead in high season, around Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays, as seats on small planes are limited.
What about shared vans?
Shared vans (colectivos) are cheap and frequent. They take about 4 to 7 hours depending on the route. The mountain roads are winding. Book seats a day ahead at the van company office in Oaxaca, and ask which route the van will take, as some now use the new highway.
Can I do it as a day trip?
No. With 3 hours or more each way, it is not practical. Plan at least a few nights on the coast. Puerto Escondido's beaches, surf and lagoons deserve several days, and Mazunte and Zipolite further along the coast can be added to the same trip.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.