How to Travel From Mexico City to Puerto Escondido
by Kristy Ambrose
A bus is the cheapest and most convenient way to travel in Mexico.
The coastline of Oaxaca, the southern Mexican province where you can find the seaside town of Puerto Escondido, was more difficult to travel to a generation ago. In the past 20 years, new infrastructure has appeared on the Oaxacan coast in the form of airports and highways as the resort town of Huatulco and the surrounding towns grow. It is easier than ever to travel from the heart of modern Mexico to what remains a rustic and underdeveloped coastline. There are virtually no passenger trains left in Mexico, but tour bus companies have popped up to fill the gap, with even the most upscale companies offering frequent travel times and economical prices.
Items you will need
- Proper identification (this includes your passport and traveler or work visa)
- Spanish phrasebook (optional, depending on your knowledge of Spanish, as little English is spoken in Oaxaca).
- Book, MP3 player or laptop (the trip will take 17 to 20 hours, depending on the bus line)
- Motion-sickness medicine, if needed, depending on your propensity for travel sickness, as the road winds through the southern foothills of the Sierra Madres)
Why Pay For Gas When You Can Take The Bus? Search Bus Services Now!
yellowpages.comChoosing your Bus Line
1
Use your North American credit card to buy and reserve tickets through a website called Ticket Bus. All of the major Mexican bus lines have their schedules posted on this popular and frequently used website. Peruse the schedules of all the major Mexican bus lines using this site, but because you are traveling south to Oaxaca you will be likely be choosing between ADO, OCC or SUR.
2
For the ADO or OCC bus lines (executive, first and second class) reserve your place at least a few days in advance either in person at the station (if possible) or online using a credit card. When traveling on one of the first class lines, you will have access to such amenities as free Wi-Fi, seats that fully recline, a movie and even meals served at your seat. These routes are popular, especially for overnight trips. Choose an upscale bus line if you would prefer to travel very comfortably.
3
Traveling on a third class bus is an option for the more adventurous traveler, or someone on a budget or with little time to plan. It is easier to buy your ticket closer to your departure time, because these inexpensive and frequent buses rarely fill up. These buses have their local charm, because you will likely be sharing your seat with a commuter or student, but also make frequent stops, and do not offer entertainment in the form of movies or Internet; they tend to offer a bumpy, less comfortable ride.
About the Author
Kristy Ambrose enjoys writing about teaching, travel and pet care. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Victoria.
