Getting around Puerto Escondido: colectivos, taxis and the airport
Real fares in pesos for the airport, taxis between zones, colectivos and buses, plus what to know about Uber, DiDi and rentals.
Last reviewed:
From the airport (PXM) to town, the beaches and beyond
Puerto Escondido airport (PXM) is only a few kilometres from the centre, on Carretera 200. At the terminal you buy a fixed-price taxi ticket by zone at the transport counter; street taxis cannot pick up inside the airport. If you walk five minutes to the highway, street taxis and urban camionetas charge less, but that is only sensible by day and with light luggage.
| Destination | Taxi (per car) | Colectivo / bus (per person) | Private transfer (per vehicle, from) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town and nearby beaches: Centro, Adoquín, Zicatela, La Punta, Carrizalillo, Bacocho, Rinconada (10 to 20 min) | 300-600 at the airport counter (fixed by zone); 100-200 for a street taxi from the highway to Zicatela | 10-15 on an urban camioneta along Carretera 200 (daytime, light luggage) | 800 |
| Mazunte and Zipolite (about 1 h to 1 h 20) | 900-1,500 (from Puerto Escondido to Mazunte) | 80-130 via colectivo to the San Antonio junction plus a camioneta (1 h 20 to 1 h 45, from the town stops) | 2,500 |
| Pochutla (junction for Mazunte, Zipolite, San Agustinillo; about 1 h 15) | - | 70-110 by colectivo | - |
| Huatulco, La Crucecita (about 2 h) | 2,000-2,800 | 120-180 by colectivo with a change in Pochutla; 250-400 on an ADO/OCC bus | 3,000 (Huatulco airport HUX route) |
| Huatulco airport (HUX, about 1 h 45) | 2,800-3,800 | No direct bus; take a taxi to La Crucecita first | 3,000 |
| Manialtepec, Río Grande and Chacahua lagoons | - | 60-110 by colectivo to Río Grande (about 1 h), then change for Zapotalito, the boat dock | 2,500 (Chacahua) |
| Oaxaca City (6 to 7 h over the Sierra) | - | 450-700 first-class bus; shared camionetas run too (price -) | 5,500 |
Swipe the table sideways on small screens.
Approximate ranges in Mexican pesos (MXN), November 2026. Not official tariffs; they change with fuel and season. "-" means we have no verified price. Taxi and private-transfer prices are per vehicle, colectivo and bus prices are per person.
- Landing late or before dawn? Do not count on street taxis or shared vans being around. Book a transfer or ask your host for a driver's WhatsApp the day before.
- Pay in cash, with small notes: almost no taxi takes cards and few have change for a 500-peso note.
- With surfboards, young children or more than two large bags, a booked vehicle usually costs about the same as two taxis.
Read more: Arriving at the airport at night · How to get to Mazunte
Want a comfortable, fixed-price ride?
Book a private transfer: one price per vehicle (not per person), a bilingual driver who tracks your flight, air-conditioned SUVs and vans, room for surfboards, and pickup at the airport or your hotel, any hour. Airport to Puerto Escondido from 800 MXN, Mazunte or Zipolite from 2,500, Huatulco from 3,000.
Taxi fares between zones
Taxis in Puerto Escondido are licensed but have no meter: the driver names a price and you accept or negotiate before getting in. The price is per car, not per person.
| Route | Fare (per car, MXN) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Centro, Adoquín and Zicatela between each other | 50-80 | 5-10 min |
| Centro or Adoquín to La Punta | 70-100 | 10-15 min |
| Centro to Carrizalillo or Bacocho | 60-100 | 5-10 min |
| Any ride after 10 pm | +20-50 surcharge | - |
| Surfboard in the car | sometimes +20-50 | - |
| Highway outside the airport to Zicatela | 100-200 | 10-15 min |
| Airport counter to town (fixed by zone) | 300-600 | 10-20 min |
| Puerto Escondido to Mazunte | 900-1,500 | 1 h to 1 h 20 |
| Puerto Escondido to La Crucecita (Huatulco) | 2,000-2,800 | about 2 h |
Swipe the table sideways on small screens.
Approximate ranges in Mexican pesos (MXN), November 2026. Not official tariffs; they change with fuel and season. "-" means we have no verified price. Taxi and private-transfer prices are per vehicle, colectivo and bus prices are per person.
- Ask the price before getting in ("How much to Zicatela?") and name a landmark: the Adoquín, the La Punta roundabout or your hotel works better than an address.
- Agree one way or return, how long the driver waits and any stops on the way; waiting of two to three hours is charged extra.
- Note the taxi's fleet number painted on the door in case you leave something behind.
- Prices are higher in peak season (December to April) and at closing time on the La Punta nightlife strip.
Read more: Full taxi fares guide
Colectivos, urban camionetas and buses
Almost everything runs along one road, the coastal Carretera 200. Urban camionetas and small buses shuttle between the centre, the market and the beaches; colectivos (shared pickups and vans that leave when full) go to nearby towns. There is no route map, timetable or app: the destination is painted or taped on the windshield.
| Service | Main route | Fare (per person, MXN) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban camioneta or bus | Centro, Zicatela, La Punta, Bacocho, Rinconada, Mercado (look for the name on the windshield) | 10-15 |
| Colectivo east | Carretera 200 to Pochutla (about 1 h 15); get off at the San Antonio junction for Mazunte and Zipolite | 70-110 |
| Colectivo west | Carretera 200 to Río Grande (about 1 h), passing the Manialtepec lagoon after 20 min; change there for Zapotalito and Chacahua | 60-110 |
| First-class bus (ADO / OCC) | Terminal in the upper part of town to Oaxaca City, Huatulco and Mexico City; check ADO for current times | 450-700 to Oaxaca City |
Swipe the table sideways on small screens.
Approximate ranges in Mexican pesos (MXN), November 2026. Not official tariffs; they change with fuel and season. "-" means we have no verified price. Taxi and private-transfer prices are per vehicle, colectivo and bus prices are per person.
- Wave your hand from the roadside to stop one, and ring the bell or say "baja" to get off.
- By day an urban camioneta passes roughly every 10 to 20 minutes; service thins out a lot after about 8 pm, so take a taxi then.
- Bring coins and small notes. Nobody will change 500 pesos.
- Luggage: a backpack fits, a surfboard or big suitcase may cost an extra seat or not fit at all. Carry your phone and wallet in front on crowded vehicles.
- Rainy season (June to October) landslides can add hours on the mountain road to Oaxaca; leave a buffer before any flight.
Read more: Buses and colectivos: all routes
Uber, DiDi and inDrive
Not reliably. Oaxaca's state mobility authority (Semovi) has repeatedly said ride-hailing platforms such as Uber, DiDi and inDrive are not authorised to carry passengers, and local taxi associations defend that. The Uber app may open and show a map, but you will normally find no cars; DiDi or inDrive may show an occasional driver, mostly in high season, which you should never count on for a flight or a tour with a fixed time. Plan on a local taxi, colectivo or a booked transfer, and carry cash because there is no card payment without an app.
Read more: Is there Uber in Puerto Escondido? · Is there DiDi in Puerto Escondido?
Motorbike and car rental: advice
A scooter, ATV or small car gives you freedom for the beaches and lagoons along the coast, and the town is small. Ride and drive defensively: the risks are speed bumps (topes) without warning, potholes, animals on the road, unlit roads at night and tourists on rented scooters.
- Wear a helmet and keep your licence on you. Check the vehicle (brakes, tyres, lights) and photograph existing damage before you leave the shop.
- Ask what insurance is included and what you pay if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. Mexican law requires third-party liability cover for cars, and travel insurance often excludes motorbike accidents without a licence for that class.
- Avoid riding or driving at night on Carretera 200 and do not drink and drive. Police checkpoints exist; carry your passport copy and licence.
- Fuel up in town before heading along the coast; stations are fewer outside the centre.
- For a day trip to several beaches with a group, a driver is often easier than self-driving.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Puerto Escondido airport to Zicatela?
At the airport counter you pay a fixed fare by zone, roughly 300 to 600 pesos per car. A street taxi taken on the highway outside charges about 100 to 200 pesos. A private transfer starts from 800 pesos per vehicle.
How much does a taxi cost inside Puerto Escondido?
About 50 to 80 pesos per car between Centro, Adoquín and Zicatela, 70 to 100 to La Punta, and 60 to 100 to Carrizalillo or Bacocho. Add 20 to 50 pesos after 10 pm. There is no meter, so agree the price first.
How much is a colectivo or local bus?
An urban camioneta or bus in town costs about 10 to 15 pesos per ride. Colectivos to Pochutla or Río Grande cost about 60 to 110 pesos per person.
Is there Uber or DiDi in Puerto Escondido?
Not reliably. Ride-hailing apps are not authorised in Oaxaca. Use a local taxi, a colectivo or a booked private transfer.
How do I get from Puerto Escondido to Mazunte?
Cheapest: a colectivo to Pochutla, get off at the San Antonio junction and take a camioneta down to Mazunte (about 80 to 130 pesos, 1 h 20 to 1 h 45). Door to door: a taxi or private transfer, about 900 to 1,500 pesos for a taxi and from 2,500 for a private transfer, about 1 h to 1 h 20.
How do I get from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido?
By ADO/OCC bus from La Crucecita (about 250 to 400 pesos per person), by colectivo with a change in Pochutla (about 120 to 180 pesos), by taxi (about 2,000 to 2,800 pesos from La Crucecita, 2,800 to 3,800 from the airport), or by private transfer from 3,000 pesos per vehicle.
Is a private transfer worth it?
It is the easiest option with surfboards, children, lots of luggage, a late or early flight, or a group of three or four, because the price is per vehicle, fixed in advance and the driver waits for you. For a solo traveller with a backpack in daytime, a colectivo or taxi costs less.
Can I rent a scooter or car in Puerto Escondido?
Yes. Check the vehicle and photograph damage, wear a helmet, confirm what insurance is included and avoid driving at night on Carretera 200. See our rentals page for options.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Fares change. Spotted a price that is off? Tell us on WhatsApp.
Need help urgently? See our emergency numbers and hospitals.