Traveling from Puerto Escondido to Cancun, Mexico
Beach hop your way through Mexico and travel from Puerto Escondido to Cancun to swap out the chill beach vibes on the Pacific Coast for the white sandy beaches on the Caribbean side. The Yucatan Peninsula and Maya Riviera is best known for its long stretches of white beaches, turquoise waters and inland water holes known as cenotes. It’s also rich in tradition and Mayan historical sites including the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, named one of the seven man-made wonders of the world.
In this guide, we'll take a look at:
- 1. How to travel from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Cancun:
- 2. Fly from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, to Cancun
- 3. Bus from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Cancun
- 4. Where to stay on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast:
- 5. Connecting you to more Selinas…
How to travel from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Cancun:
Fly from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, to Cancun
For those that want more beach time the fastest and easiest way to travel from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Cancun is by plane. Even with the layover in Mexico City, it saves days of travel. You can find different transportation options from your hostel in Zicatela Beach to the main airport, just speak to reception about one that best suits your itinerary and budget! Plan in advance to get the cheapest deal and the best layover schedule. Flights depart multiple times a day.
Enjoy beautiful accommodation, coworking spaces, and the ultimate community experience at Selina Cancun Laguna!
Bus from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca to Cancun
Who’s up for an adventure? The other option to get from Puerto Escondido or Oaxaca City to Cancun is by bus. The journey by land isn’t drastically cheaper and consists of at least two overnight buses, however if time is in your favor it’s worth checking out the Mexican countryside and stopping off in towns in the neighboring states of Chiapas and Campeche.
If you’re in Puerto Escondido you need to take the ADO bus or shuttle back to Oaxaca City, details of this can be found here. The most popular traveler’s path departs from Oaxaca City to San Cristobal del las Casas, a quaint town that sits in the valley of the central highlands. This trip is overnight and takes between 10 to 12 hours.
Rooftop view in Oaxaca City
From San Cristobal del Las Casas to Cancun there are a few options. Firstly you can catch a long bus to Cancun which will take approximately 20 hours. Otherwise there other destinations that are great stop offs and can help break up the journey. All these stops can be booked through the ADO website and it’s recommended to do so a few days in advance to get a discounted rate and a seat away from the bathroom. Not all stops are essential but if the following towns and sights interest you it’s worth booking a ADO bus and exploring at your leisure. These are in order of towns from San Cristobal de Las Casas.
• A bus to Palenque to see the magnificent Mayan ruins. This journey takes eight hours and is suggested to do in the day so arrival isn’t in the middle of the night.
• Bus to Campeche to visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed colourful walled city. This journey is 13 hours from San Cristobal de Las Casas (overnight) or five to six hours from Palenque.
• Bus to Merida which is the largest city in the Yucatan State offering unique Mayan and colonial history. From San Cristobal de Las Casas it’s 17 – 18 hours or from Campeche it’s two to three hours.
Enjoy beautiful accommodation, coworking spaces, and the ultimate community experience at Selina Cancun Laguna!
Bus to Valladolid, the closest town to Chichen Itza, instagram worthy cenotes and the pink lakes of Las Colorados. From Merida this trip takes two to three hours. Alternatively the bus from Merida to Cancun is only four hours.
Cenote Suytun
From Cancun there are frequent buses to transit further down the Maya Riviera to popular towns such as Playa Del Carmen and Tulum.
Where to stay on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast:
Become part of Selina’s community of travelers and immerse yourself in the Selina ecosystem. Stay at Selina Hotel Cancun Downtown which is perfectly located near the ADO bus station and a great option after a long bus journey. Selina Cancun Hotel Zone is nicely located near the Caribbean Sea and the popular restaurants and nightlife clubs of Cancun. Further down the coast is Selina Playa Del Carmen close to the nightlife and white sandy beaches in Playa Del Carmen.
A show in Coco Bongo nightclub
Connecting you to more Selinas…
Surfing in Sayulita, Mexico
Hit up the Pacific coast of Mexico for a chance to ride some of the best waves in the country! An authentic and laid-back beach destination, Sayulita is a sanctuary for wellness and surf enthusiasts hoping to disconnect from the bustle of everyday life. Looking for the perfect Sayulita accommodation? Selina Sayulita is your one-stop-shop for all things surf, wellness, and community!
Guatemala Highlights
The rich Mayan history continues as you journey into Guatemala. Experience the mystical energy and #LakeLife at Lake Atitlan. Continue onto the colourful and UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Antigua, the perfect stepping stone to discover more of Guatemala, such as Semuc Champey and Tikal.
Cruising through Nicaragua
Nicaragua is another surfers’ haven with a laid-back atmosphere in Playa Maderas near San Juan del Sur. If history and architecture is more your jam, you’ll love Granada.
Enjoy beautiful accommodation, coworking spaces, and the ultimate community experience at Selina Cancun Laguna!