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How to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua, Mexico

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 definitely visit on your trip to Oaxaca.

It is a magical island with beautiful lagoons and mangroves, bioluminescent plankton, and paradise beaches. It also offers one of the best surfing in Mexico.

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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 hours to two hours and 30 minutes to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua.

How to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua, Mexico

Here is our detailed guide on getting from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua.

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.

Universal Traveller recommends the following websites to plan & book your trip to Mexico

  • Check & book all available transportation options on GuateGo
  • Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to.

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 other people who were 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 tour through the mangroves.

We don’t recommend paying that much, especially 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.

Colectivo From Puerto Escondido To Chacahua

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, Mexico

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 an amazing 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 has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua?

To get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua you must take a colectivo from TUR bus station in the center of Puerto Escondido towards Rio Grande. Get off the colectivo at the intersection with El Zapotalito and continue by taxi to El Zapotalito. In El Zapotalito you can take a boat to Chacahua town.

What is the cheapest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua?

The cheapest way to get from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua is by colectivo to the intersection with El Zapotalito, by taxi from the intersection to el Zapotalito, and finally by shuttle boat to Chacahua town. The total price is about 275 pesos (around USD 14), depending on your negotiating skills.

Can I travel by bus from Puerto Escondido to Chacahua?

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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