Getting Around Puerto Escondido in 2023: A Complete Guide
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In the following post, I explain the best ways for getting around Puerto Escondido.
This content was written in November, 2022. At the time of writing, this information is correct and up to date.
When you are planning a trip to Puerto Escondido, it’s important to know the different ways you can get around. In this post, the different ways to get around Puerto Escondido are listed, including what’s the safest and cheapest option for backpackers.
Visiting Puerto Escondido? Check out one of my favourite travel experiences (ever!) that you can do too, here!
Other Mexico posts:
- BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (2022 Guide)
- Best Hostels in Puerto Escondido For Backpackers (2022 Guide)
- Is Puerto Escondido Safe? Solo Female Travellers Advice (2022)
- How to Visit Sian Ka’an WITHOUT A Tour: Ultimate Guide! (2022)
- 11 BEST Things To Do In Punta Allen, Sian Ka’an (Mexico)
How do you get around Puerto Escondido?
There are a number of cheap and fast ways to get around Puerto Escondido, with the most common being by taxi, colectivo or walking. For longer journeys, many backpackers hire a scooter for the duration of their stay.
If you don’t want to drive a scooter or use public transport, getting a taxi from place to place is your best option.
Puerto Escondido also has colectivos running up and down the main road, between Playa Bacocho and La Punta. Colectivos are privately owned buses which look like open-air trucks, and this is another common way to get around.
Not many people use bicycles, as the roads are too busy and congested. Walking, taking a taxi or hiring a scooter are the best ways to get around Puerto Escondido.
Does Puerto Escondido have Uber?
No. There is not Uber in Puerto Escondido. The best way to get around Puerto Escondido is to get a taxi, hire a car, walk, or ride the collective (privately-owned bus).
Most backpackers and tourists hire a scooter/bike for their stay in Puerto Escondido. I’m not going to go ahead and say they’re 100% safe, because they’re not, and the roads are busy! But if you’re confident driving a scooter, it’s one of the best options for getting around Puerto Escondido.
If you need to hire a car in Mexico, I highly recommend this company. They are easy to use, fast, user friendly and always have the cheapest deals for car hire around the world.
Getting from the airport to your accommodation
Getting from the airport to Puerto Escondido is easy, due to it being so close to town. The fastest and easiest way to get from the airport to your accommodation would be by taxi. Taxi prices shouldn’t be more than 200 MXN, even if you are travelling south to La Punta.
Puerto Escondido Airport is located 5 minutes from Playa Bacocho, so if you are staying near this beach, it may even be possible for you to walk.
Note these prices change and fluctuate regularly, but if you are paying more than 200 MXN to get anywhere in Puerto Escondido, you are being overcharged.
Getting from the ADO bus station to your accommodation
The ADO bus station is located in Centro. Depending on where you are staying in Puerto Escondido, you can either walk, get a taxi or jump on a colectivo.
If you are staying in the north of Puerto Escondido and in either Rinconada or Centro, it may be possible to walk to your accommodation. However, if you are carrying heavy bags, there are many taxis outside the ADO station for you to use.
If you are staying in La Punta, Zicatela or Bacocho, the most budget-friendly way would be to use the colectivo. Colectivos are essentially buses, and cost as little as 7 pesos (30p/$0.30) per journey. Most of the colectivos will be full of locals, but are easy enough to squeeze onto!
Note colectivos are privately owned, so there is no timetable or way of knowing when they will arrive. They normally drive along the main road in Puerto Escondido, then down to Bacocho. You may want to check before boarding though!
The best way to get from the ADO bus station to your accommodation is by taxi. Taxis are in abundance in Puerto Escondido, and it shouldn’t take longer than a minute to hail one down!
Getting around Puerto Escondido by taxi
There are plenty of taxis all over Puerto Escondido. The best way to get a taxi is by hailing it down at the side of the road. We never had to wait longer than 2-3 minutes before a taxi would drive past all the main areas in Puerto Escondido.
Tips for getting a taxi in Puerto Escondido:
- Always agree on a price before getting into the taxi.
- Make sure you have enough cash and the right change to pay your fare
- Prices for taxis vary between different times of the day. You may pay a higher price at night than during the day.
- The colectivo (bus) stops running around 10pm, so you will need to either walk or get a taxi after this time.
- The main colours for registered taxis in Puerto Escondido are white and green.
Taxi prices in Puerto Escondido
This content was written in November, 2022. At the time of writing, this information is correct and up to date.
If you are looking to get around Puerto Escondido via taxi, prices will vary depending on the time of day. Taxis at night tend to be more expensive than taxis during the day.
The majority of taxi rides in Puerto Escondido should cost between 50-100 MXN pesos.
However, rough guidelines for taxis in Puerto Escondido are as follows:
| Centro > Playa Bacocho | 100 pesos |
| Centro > Zicatela | 50 pesos |
| Rinconada > Playa Bacocho | 50 pesos |
| La Punta > Centro | 100 pesos |
| La Punta > Puerto Escondido Airport | 200 pesos |
| La Punta > Playa Bacocho | 150 pesos |
La Punta to the airport is around a 20-minute drive. If you are paying over 200 pesos for any journeys within Puerto Escondido, you are being overcharged.
Are taxis safe in Puerto Escondido?
Yes, taxis in Puerto Escondido are safe. However, make sure you always agree on a price before getting into the taxi and be sure to look for certification that the taxi is registered.
After living in Puerto Escondido, we had no problems with taxis, and found most taxi drivers to be friendly. Driving in Puerto Escondido can be a little crazy, but it’s no different to anywhere else in Mexico!
If you are a solo backpacker in Puerto Escondido, taking a taxi is safe. However, if you are unsure or feel worried, join the Facebook Puerto Escondido expat groups. There are lots of recommendations of drivers and taxis there, and it can help to put your mind at ease.
In general, Puerto Escondido is one of the safest areas in Mexico. I have many solo female backpacker friends who have also agreed and said they felt safe the entire time they were in Puerto Escondido.
Solo travelling Puerto Escondido as a female? Check out my safety tips here!
Getting around Puerto Escondido by colectivo
Colectivos (kol-ek-tee-vo) are the closest thing to public transport in Puerto Escondido. They are privately owned, and cost as little as 7 pesos (30p/$0.30) per journey. You can board a colectivo by hailing it at the side of the road, or standing in a busy line with the other locals.
Colectivos in Puerto Escondido usually have blue/green plastic canopy over the open-air truck part of the vehicle. They’re safe, economical and most importantly, cheap! They’re one of the best ways for budget backpackers to get around the area.
Note colectivos are privately owned, so there is no timetable or way of knowing when they will arrive. They normally drive along the main road and then down to Bacocho.
Getting around Puerto Escondido by scooter
One of the most popular ways to get around Puerto Escondido is by scooter. This is something I haven’t personally done but is something many backpackers choose to do when visiting.
Hiring a scooter allows for extra freedom when exploring the area. There are a few hidden gems that can only be accessed by scooter, and it makes finding the best sunset spots a whole lot easier!
However, the roads in Puerto Escondido can be pretty crazy. They’re not as hectic as Mexico City, but they are still chaotic and can get exceptionally busy. In general, the speed limit in Puerto Escondido is between 40km/h-60km/h.
If you are staying in Puerto Escondido for over a month, it may be worthwhile buying a scooter and then selling it at the end of your trip. Hiring and paying per day would end up being more expensive than buying one outright.
You can buy or hire a scooter on Facebook Marketplace, which is the most popular option for backpackers. Some accommodations also have scooters to hire.
Scooters generally cost around 200 pesos per day to hire, or 4000 pesos per month. If you’re renting, you’ll need a driver’s license, passport, and money for a deposit as well as the full rental.
If you’ve never driven a scooter before, I recommend practising in a quiet area at a slower pace to get used to it. You don’t want to be taking your first ride on the main road!
Helmets are mandatory, and fines are common for not wearing one.
Where to stay in Puerto Escondido
🛏️ Best hostel in Puerto Escondido for backpackers: Book here
If you’re a solo traveller and looking to party in Puerto Escondido, I recommend this hostel in La Punta. It’s known for its wild events and activities, has its own pool and isn’t far from the beach.
Getting around Puerto Escondido is easy, and if you prefer one area to another, taxis are cheap and widely available.
Best apartment in Rinconada: Book here
Bungalow in Centro: Book here
Apartment in Zicatela: Book here
Is there Uber in other places in Mexico?
Yes, there is Uber in Mexico, but it depends on the location. Whilst backpacking Mexico, we have found Uber to be safer and easier than regular taxis, although we had no problem with either.
Most major cities have Uber (Mexico City etc), and can easily be ordered on the app. Prices are low, and you can tip your driver directly in cash, or on the app after you have finished your journey.
There is a rising conflict between taxi and Uber drivers, as the taxi drivers state they are unhappy because Uber drivers don’t face the same fees and regulations that they do. This is ever-changing.
In my experience, Uber is always cheaper than a regular taxi. As soon as taxi drivers in Mexico notice you are a tourist or backpacker, you’re unlikely to get a standard price. Knowing basic Spanish will always help with this, and I cannot recommend it enough.
Is getting a taxi in Mexico safe?
In general, yes, getting a taxi in Mexico is safe. However, we found whilst backpacking Mexico that the taxi drivers have their own ‘turfs’, and only work in certain areas.
For example, some taxi drivers in Tulum will only be able to pick you up from specific areas in Tulum, as some of it will not be their ‘turf’. We didn’t experience any issues with this, but it’s something to be aware of.
Whilst backpacking Mexico, there were very few times we felt unsafe in taxis. However, driving in the cities (like Mexico City) can be pretty crazy, and you can get stuck in traffic for a LONG time, so be warned!
There are no Ubers in Tulum, so we used regular taxis to get around when we didn’t have a car. We always felt safe in these taxis, however, sometimes they did try to charge us more than what was needed!
Solo travelling Puerto Escondido as a female? Check out my safety tips here!
How to take an Uber in Mexico
If you are in a location that has Uber, you will need to order it on your phone. You can either use the Wifi in your hostel or accommodation, pick up a local SIM, or buy an eSIM.
I am a huge advocate for eSIMS, as I hate the fuss of changing SIM cards in every new country I visit. I bought mine from Holafly, with unlimited data for £30 ($35) a month whilst I’m living in Mexico.
Having a working SIM or Wifi connection will allow you to order an Uber. You will need to download the app, put the pin on your exact location, and wait for your Uber driver to accept your ride. Rides shouldn’t take more than 6-7 minutes to arrive, and if it’s anything longer than that, you may want to consider cancelling and re-ordering.
TOP TIP: Do not order an Uber in front of regular taxis. This can cause conflict due to the ongoing battle between taxi drivers and Uber drivers.
Getting Around Puerto Escondido: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! A complete guide to getting around Puerto Escondido I hope this has helped you with your planning, especially now you know there is no Uber!
Are you planning a backpacking trip to Mexico? Let me know on Instagram or in the comments below!
Happy travelling!
Jennie x
Other posts you might like:
- BEST Hostels in Oaxaca for Backpackers! (2022 Guide)
- Playa Manzanillo, Puerto Escondido: Ultimate Guide (2022)
- Playa Coral, Puerto Escondido: A Complete Guide (2022)
- Can You Drink The Water In Puerto Escondido? 2022 Updates
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
