The off-the-beaten-path island of Chacahua is a magical place in Oaxaca and a surfer’s paradise. Read here how to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua, Mexico.
Chacahua is one of the places that you should visit on your trip to Oaxaca.
It is a magical island with beautiful lagoons, mangroves, bioluminescent plankton, and paradise beaches. It also offers one of the best surfing in Mexico.
After countless journeys through Mexico, I’ve understood its unique transportation dynamics.
In this guide, I’ll unveil the trip step-by-step, ensuring you have the insights to travel efficiently and safely!
How far is Chacahua from Puerto Escondido?
The distance from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua is 33.5 miles or 54 kilometers. The best way to get to Chacahua is by colectivo, taxi, and boat. It takes approximately two to two hours and 30 minutes to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua.
How to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua, Mexico
1. Take a colectivo from the terminal TUR in Puerto Escondido towards the Rio Grande, indicating that you want to go to Chacahua. The minivans depart every 15 to 30 minutes.
The map below shows the location of the terminal TUR in Puerto Escondido. This is where the collective to El Zapotalito departs from.
2. Get off at the intersection with El Zapotalito. The ride takes between one hour and one hour and ten minutes and costs 55 pesos per person.
The map below shows where you have to get off the colectivo.
3. From the intersection, take a colectivo taxi to El Zapotalito. The price for the 10-minute ride is 20 pesos per person.
From El Zapotalito, you have two options to get to Chacahua town
4a. Take a direct boat from El Zapotalito to Chacahua town.
Tip: If you travel in a bigger group, the price for the 45-minute boat ride will be lower. We shared a boat with five others traveling with us in the colectivo from Puerto Escondido to El Zapotalito and paid 200 pesos per person. On the way back, we only paid 150 pesos. (Recommended option!)
We heard stories of people who paid up to 600 pesos per person for the boat ride to Chacahua town combined with a mangrove tour.
We don’t recommend paying that much, mainly because you will drive through the mangroves on the boat ride to the town anyway.
Here are some photos from the boat ride from El Zapotalito to Chacahua town:
4b. Alternatively, you can take a boat from El Zapotalito to the closest dock on Chacahua Island. The ride only takes five minutes and costs 50 pesos per person.
You will have to take a colectivo to Chacahua town from the dock. It is a bumpy ride on a dirt road. It takes around 45 minutes to get to town and costs another 50 pesos per person.
Our recommendation:
We highly recommend taking the direct boat to Chacahua town. For only 100 pesos (around USD 5) more, you can enjoy a scenic boat ride through the mangroves and arrive in Chacahua town more comfortably.
Best day tours in Chacahua
Chacahua National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Mexico. It is home to various landscapes, including beaches, lagoons, and mangroves. Many different species of animals can also be found in the park.
If you are looking for a fantastic experience in Chacahua National Park, then you should definitely consider taking a day tour. GetYourGuide offers various tours that will allow you to see all the park offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I travel by bus?
You can take a colectivo minivan from Puerto Escondido to the intersection with El Zapotalito. From there, you must take a (shared) taxi to the dock in el Zapotalito, from where you must continue by shuttle boat to Chacahua town.
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