A lot has changed in 2024 when it comes to traveling between Oaxaca City and the Oaxacan coast. A new expressway has opened, cutting down the travel time to about 3 hours from what used to be a 10-hour journey through winding mountain passes that could make you queasy. While some bus companies still service the old mountain routes, the new expressway is now the preferred option for a faster and direct trip to and from the coast. This means you can disregard suggestions of taking small propeller flights or private transfers over the mountains, as they no longer offer clear benefits. Traveling to places like Mazunte or Puerto Angel has also become much simpler now.
Let’s break it down for you:
Travel between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido:
Coach buses are now the most convenient way to travel this route. You can check the ADO coach bus website for options. The direct route takes around 3 hours and costs approximately 300 MXN one-way. Be careful, as some buses still take the longer route, which will eat up 10 hours of your time. In Oaxaca City, buses depart from the first-class bus terminal, while in Puerto Escondido, head to the ADO bus terminal.
Travel between Oaxaca City and Mazunte, Zipolite, Puerto Angel, Huatulco:
There are no direct bus services between Oaxaca City and these coastal destinations. You’ll need to make a change in either Puerto Escondido or Pochutla. Here are your options:
Option 1: Going via Puerto Escondido:
Head to Puerto Escondido from Oaxaca City. From there, you can easily travel to the other towns further east using local colectivos and larger buses that depart roughly every hour. Many of these services stop near the ADO coach bus terminal in Puerto Escondido.
Option 2: Going via Pochutla:
Pochutla is a major city and transport hub near Mazunte, Zipolite, Puerto Angel, and Huatulco. There are twice-daily direct coach buses by ADO from Oaxaca City to Pochutla. From Pochutla, you can catch coaches back to Oaxaca City. Due to limited services, consider booking your ticket online in advance via the ADO app or website. In Pochutla, you have various options for local transportation to your final destination, including camionetas, collectivos, and taxis.
Minibus Services:
Apart from larger coach buses, there are local minibus companies that operate between the Oaxacan coast and Oaxaca City. Companies like Eclipse 70 and Lineas Unidas offer services to Pochutla and Oaxaca City. These minibuses generally run on the winding mountain roads rather than the highway.
Traveling via San Jose del Pacifico:
If you want to make a stop at the town of San Jose del Pacifico, you can take the minibus service between Oaxaca City and Pochutla and stop at San Jose del Pacifico.
In summary, take the coach bus if you’re traveling to or from Puerto Escondido, and if you’re heading to Mazunte, Zipolite, Puerto Angel, or other coastal destinations, go via Pochutla. Car rental services are available, but they may not be the best option for a direct trip. Propeller plane services are pricey and less competitive now with the new road opening. I hope this information helps you on your journey!
