Oaxaca is one of Mexico's most culturally rich states, home to 16 recognized indigenous groups, the archaeological capitals of Monte Albán and Mitla, and a coastline stretching from the surf town of Puerto Escondido to the calm resort bays of Huatulco. Oaxaca de Juárez, the colonial capital, is celebrated for mole, mezcal, and some of the finest regional cooking in the country.
- Public
- Oaxaca city's colectivo and bus network covers the valley well but is not aimed at tourists; the coast relies almost entirely on colectivos and moto-taxis
- Taxi
- Sitio taxis are widely available but rarely metered — always confirm the fare before getting in; Uber is a more transparent alternative in Oaxaca city
- Rental
- Useful for independent exploration of Mitla, Hierve el Agua, and mezcal villages, but colectivo tours or shared vans cover the same routes for less
- Walking
- Oaxaca city's Centro and the coastal beach towns are each individually very walkable; walking between coastal towns is not practical
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- 250-350 MXN ($13-18), 20 min to central Oaxaca city
- Taxi Info
- Buy a fixed-price ticket from the authorized taxi counter inside the OAX terminal before exiting — this avoids price haggling. Puerto Escondido and Huatulco airports work the same way.
- Shuttle
- 90-120 MXN ($4.50-6), shared colectivo van to Oaxaca city hotels
- Shuttle Info
- Shared colectivo shuttles wait outside the OAX terminal and depart once full or on a schedule; cheaper than a private taxi but takes longer with multiple drop-offs.
- Bus
- Not applicable — none of Oaxaca's three airports have direct public bus or transit connections
- Bus Info
- All three airports (OAX, PXM, HUX) require a taxi, colectivo shuttle, or pre-booked transfer; there is no metro, light rail, or scheduled city bus serving any of them.
- Private
- 300-500 MXN ($15-25), pre-booked private transfer from OAX
- Private Info
- Arrange through a hotel or a reputable local transfer company for a fixed price and driver waiting with a name sign
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Oaxaca city buses cover the historic center and valley towns for 8-10 MXN per ride. Coastal towns generally lack conventional city buses.
Alternatives
Colectivo vans and sedans (dominant mode valley-wide and coast-wide), moto-taxis (coastal towns), bike rental (limited, mostly in Oaxaca city Centro)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- 40 MXN ($2) base fare + negotiated distance rate; always agree on price first
- Apps
- Uber, InDriver
- App Names
- Uber, InDriver
- Typical Fare
- $2-6 USD for average Oaxaca city ride; $13-18 to/from OAX airport
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
ADO, OCC, and AU depart Oaxaca city's main terminal for Puerto Escondido (350-600 MXN / $18-30, about 3-4h on the toll autopista) and Huatulco via Pochutla (450-700 MXN / $23-35, about 6-7h); Oaxaca city to Mexico City runs 600-900 MXN ($30-45, 6-7h)
Shared
Shared colectivo taxis link Oaxaca city to nearby valley towns like Mitla or Teotitlán del Valle for 25-40 MXN ($1.25-2); on the coast, colectivos run constantly between Pochutla, Puerto Escondido, Zipolite, and Mazunte for 15-40 MXN ($0.80-2)
Flights
Aeroméxico and Volaris connect Oaxaca city (OAX) to Mexico City in about 1 hour from roughly $60-100 one-way; direct OAX-Puerto Escondido flights are limited and often routed via Mexico City
Private
Private car hire or driver from about 1,800-2,500 MXN ($90-125) per day from Oaxaca city; car rental agencies operate at all three airports
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Oaxaca state is served by three airports: Xoxocotlán International Airport (OAX) near Oaxaca city, Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) on the coast, and Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX) near Huatulco. A new toll superhighway (Autopista Barranca Larga-Ventanilla) now links Oaxaca city to the coast in about 3-4 hours, a major improvement over the older winding mountain routes through the Sierra Sur. Colectivos (shared vans and taxis) are the backbone of local transport both in Oaxaca city's surrounding valleys and along the coast between Puerto Escondido, Zipolite, Mazunte, and Pochutla. Uber operates in Oaxaca city but has inconsistent or no coverage on the coast, where colectivos and moto-taxis dominate.
Airports
Xoxocotlán International Airport
Puerto Escondido International Airport
Bahías de Huatulco International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Reliable in Oaxaca city for airport transfers and around-town trips; largely unavailable on the coast
InDriver
Negotiated-price rides, useful as a backup where Uber coverage is thin
Moovit
Helpful for checking Oaxaca city's local bus routes and approximate timing
Rome2Rio
Useful for comparing bus, flight, and driving options between Oaxaca city and the coast
Busbud
Book ADO, OCC, and AU intercity bus tickets online in advance for Oaxaca-Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca-Huatulco routes
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber before arriving in Oaxaca city — it works reliably there but has little to no coverage on the coast
Buy a fixed-price authorized taxi or colectivo ticket inside the OAX terminal building rather than negotiating with drivers outside
For the coast, budget 3-4 hours by ADO bus on the new toll autopista rather than the old 7-hour Highway 175 route through the Sierra Sur
Colectivos to valley villages (Mitla, Teotitlán del Valle, Hierve el Agua turnoff) leave from the second-class bus station area near the Central de Abastos market when full — no fixed schedule
On the coast, flag down colectivos anywhere along the main road between Pochutla, Puerto Escondido, Zipolite, and Mazunte; fares are paid in cash to the driver
Check the Autopista Barranca Larga-Ventanilla status before travel during rainy season (June-October), as landslide closures occasionally reroute buses onto the older highway
Rent a car only if planning to self-drive to Hierve el Agua or remote mezcal palenques; parking in Oaxaca city's Centro is limited
Moto-taxis are the fastest way to cover the 2-3km stretches between Puerto Escondido's Zicatela, Carrizalillo, and Rinconada beach neighborhoods