Huatulco to Puerto Escondido – Best transportation options in 2024
Huatulco and Puerto Escondido are two popular tourist destinations located on the pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. These two communities may only be located 115 kilometres apart, but Puerto Escondido and Huatulco offer totally different experiences and attract a wide variety of visitors!
If you read through Huatulco vs. Puerto Escondido and came to the conclusion that you just can’t decide where to spend your Oaxacan holiday time, that’s ok! Thanks to their proximity to each other, it is very easy to get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido, and there are many transportation options available to you, depending on your comfort and budget.
Where are Huatulco and Puerto Escondido Located?
Huatulco and Puerto Escondido (generally referred to as Puerto or PE locally) are coastal communities on Oaxaca’s coast. They are popular destinations because of the wild and preserved landscape and ocean that surrounds them. Puerto for its surfing and the “Mexican Pipeline”, and Huatulco for its dozens of beaches and safe harbours.
This map shows you how close together Huatulco and PE are, and the difference in the number of beaches!
Although only 115 kilometres apart, the highways winds along the rocky coast and through many communities along the way, so the journey from Puerto Escondido to Huatulco takes at least 2 hours, depending on the type of transportation you select.
Take the Bus – The Best way to Get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido
Southern Mexico has a great network of buses that make it so easy to get around, and they are pretty comfortable too!
The main bus system in the south is the ADO. The easiest way to book is through their app, and that is usually where you get the best prices too!
What I love about the ADO is there is no limit to the amount of luggage you take, they don’t weigh your bags or care how many you bring, I usually travel pretty light but it does make travelling with shopping or things so easy!
As you can see from the image here, it is really cheap to go from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido by bus, only $232 pesos, less than $12 USD. ADOgl are nicer busses with more legroom and a bathroom, but I have also taken the OCC many times and it’s totally fine. They are smaller busses, but more than enough for the short 2.5-3 hour ride.
Pro tip: I like to pay for my bus tickets with my digital wise card to avoid paying any extra fees through my credit card or home bank card! I walk you through exactly how to use it for life in Mexico here.
Take a Private taxi – the easiest way to get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido
This is not the case everywhere in the world, but on the coast of Oaxaca the taxi drivers are awesome, particularly in Huatulco. They are unionized, so the rates are always the same, the drivers are professional and knowledgable, and are very friendly!
From Huatulco to Puerto Escondido in a taxi, you will pay about $1,200 -$1,500 pesos.
Why take a taxi between Puerto Escondido and Huatulco?
#1 It’s comfortable
The taxis in Huatulco mostly have air conditioning, and of course, you are the only patrons so if being around strangers is not your thing, a taxi is a great option!
#2 No stress about your luggage
While I have heard of minimum crime experienced in this area of Mexico, there is always a change. I always sit by the window so I can watch the luggage at every stop and make sure mine doesn’t walk away. In a taxi, that is not even a thought since your bags are with you at all times!
#3 Fewer contacts
If you prefer to minimize your exposure to the general public for any reason, that can be a great reason to choose a taxi over the bus. Fewer contacts means you are less likely to get sick!
The only con about taking a taxi is that its more expensive, but honestly its still very affordable to go to Puerto Escondido by taxi.
Pro tip: Download a playlist and bring an auxillary jack to play music in the car. The drivers usually love this, as it loosens any tension and we all know what its like to listen to the same songs or radio stations over and over again.
Collectivo – The most local way to get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido
Collectivos are quintessential forms of Mexican transport! Essentially, a collectivo can take many shapes (taxis, vans, camionetas), but the commonality is that you pay per seat, instead of paying the driver for the whole route. I talk all about the collectivos in the area if you want to know more!
While normally I don’t hesitate to recommend taking a collectivo around the Huatulco area, I personally don’t think its worth it to use this method to get to Puerto Escondido, simply because you don’t save any money! The bus is actually cheaper in this case.
But! If you really want to do it, here is how to take a collectivo from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido:
Step 1 – Take a collectivo to Pochutla – I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. All roads lead to Pochutla!
Step 2 – Take the Delfines bus from Pochutla to Puerto Escondido
Because you have to go to Pochutla first, you will end up paying more AND its more difficult and time consuming. I definitely recommend the bus over this method, this time!
Rent a Car – The Most Expensive way to get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido
I generally prefer to recommend visitors move about Mexico using the systems in place like the buses and taxis, but sometimes renting a car is the most practical option. Huatulco has several options for car rentals:
Europcar: Familiar to most people, there is an Europcar in the Huatulco Airport
Hertz: Also a familiar brand, there is a Hertz agency in the Huatulco Airport
The easiest way to book a car at the Huatulco airport is through Discover Cars.
Lost Tres Reyes: This is a local car rental company located across highway 200 from the Huatulco Airport. I have had great experience with them, and their rates are slightly lower than the ones directly through Discover/Europcar/Hertz, but you will need to speak spanish to rent from Los Tres Reyes, so if that’s a barrier its worth it to just use Discover Cars.
Reservationes Huatulco: Part of the Best Western Group in Huatulco, Reservationes Huatulco als rents vehicles. It can be more convenient if you are already in town because you don’t have to go all the way back to the airport, and you are supporting local business!
Whatsapp: +52 958 102-4650 Email: reservationes@bwhuatulco.com
What is the road like from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido?
Here are some things to expect and prepare for on the highway between PE and Huatulco!
About Highway 200
Highway 200 is a nifty stretch of road that runs from Salina Cruz, about 150km south of La Crucecita, all the way north to Puerto Vallarta. It is a beautiful highway that runs through popular destinations like Acapulco and Zihuatenejo, in addition to the stretch from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido.
The road is pretty well maintained, but the speed limit is usually 60km/hr and there are speedbumps everywhere. Every few kilometres you will come to a speed bump, or drive through a community, so it is not lengthy, high-speed highway driving like we are used to in Canada and the US.
Oaxaca is also pretty wild and under populated, and this is the main reason I don’t recommend driving at night. I am comfortable taking the bus at night because the drivers are experienced and well, busses are bigger and brighter. But the roads are not always well-lit and the risk of hitting wildlife is high when going in a car, so I always recommend driving in daylight hours.
Immigration Checkpoint
Never travel within Mexico without your passport and immigration documents, whether that is an INM form for tourists or your Temporary or Permanent residency card. It is very common for an immigration checkpoint to be on the road, especially near major cities.
It can be intimidating because there will be military personnel in full regalia outside, but one or two, usually unarmed, officers will get on the bus and ask to see everyone’s identification and if you don’t have Mexican ID, your immigration documents as well.
Its no big deal, the officers are usually very nice, and it always pays to be polite back. Despite popular belief, over-staying your tourist visa is a serious crime and the government is starting to crack down on those who try to stay in the country illegally. So always keep your documents handy and up-to-date!
Pro tip: Make photocopies of your documents and keep pictures on your phone. The officers happily accept a photo of your INM document if you don’t have the original on hand.
Conclusion – How to Get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido
As you can see, there are a lot of options to get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido easily, comfortably, affordably, and most importantly – safely! Any of the options listed above, taxi, bus and even car are great and safe ways to explore the coast of Oaxaca.
Happy Strolling!
