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By Bus

Arriving & Departing

Deluxe buses make the six-hour nonstop run from Mexico City to Oaxaca for about $35 or $40. This is a very comfortable way to get between the two cities. Buses from Mexico City arrive at Oaxaca City's first-class bus station, which is frequently referred to as the ADO, because ADO is the most prominent bus company. ADO GL (ADO's more upscale division), UNO, and Cristóbal Colón also have frequent service to and from regional destinations such as Puebla (4 1/2 hours), Veracruz (7 hours), and Villahermosa (12 hours).

Bus Stations

First-class (Calz. Niños Héroes de Chapultepec 1036, at Calle Emilio Carranza. 951/513-0529). Second-class (Prolongación de Trujano at the Periférico. 951/516-1218).

Getting Around

The second-class terminal serves smaller towns within the state; it's southwest of the Zócalo near the Central de Abastos.

There's bus service within the city, but you probably won't need to use it as most major sights are within walking distance of one another and cabs are cheap and easy to come by.

To the Valles Centrales

Buses for the Valles Centrales depart from three bus terminals in Oaxaca City: those bound for villages south and east of the city depart from the second-class terminal; those bound for Zaachila or other villages along Carretera 131 depart from the terminal run by Añasa on Calle Libertad; and those bound for Ocotlán and other points along Carretera 175 depart from the terminal run by Estrella del Valle on Calle Armenta.

Distances are short: it takes 20 minutes to get to Monte Albán, San Bartolo Coyotepec, or Atzompa; 25-30 minutes to Zaachila; 45 minutes to Ocotlán; 50 minutes to Mitla.

Bus Stations

Añasa terminal (Calle Libertad 1215, at Calle Arista. No phone). Estrella del Valle terminal (Calle Armenta y López 721, Centro Histórico, Oaxaca City. 951/514-0806). Second-class Station (Prolongación de Trujano at Periférico. 951/516-1218).

To the Oaxaca Coast

Direct service between Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido is available on several first-class lines. Estrella del Valle and Oaxaca Pacífico have buses leaving from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido about four or five times daily. The trip takes 5 1/2 hours. Cristóbal Colón has several first-class buses per day leaving from Oaxaca's first-class bus terminal. Most, but not all, buses travel to both Huatulco and Puerto Escondido via Salina Cruz. ADO GL runs one daily direct bus between Oaxaca City and Huatulco (7 1/2 hours, $24).

If you don't have a mountain of luggage, a good alternative is to take the vans that run between Oaxaca City and either Puerto Escondido or Pochutla, off the highway near Puerto Angel. The two companies are safe and speedy, taking the more direct Route 131 and often shaving hours off the driving time. Both have about five departures a day and cost about $12 each way. Viaje a Oaxaca services the Puerto Escondido route. Autoexprés Atlántida heads down to Pochutla.

Buses

ADO GL and Cristóbal Colón (Calz. Niños de Chapultepec 1036, Jalatlaco, Oaxaca City. 951/515-1248; 800/702-8000 toll-free in Mexico. Avendia 1a. Norte 207, Puerto Escondido. 984/582-1073. www.adogl.com.mx). Estrella del Valle and Oaxaca Pacífico (Calle Armenta y López 721, Centro Histórico, Oaxaca City. 951/514-5700. Av. Hidalgo 400 at Av. 3a Oriente, Puerto Escondido. 954/582-0050).

Vans

Autoexprés Atlántida (Calle La Noria 101, Centro Histórico, Oaxaca City. 951/514-7077). Viaje a Oaxaca (Calle Galeana 420, Centro Histórico, Oaxaca City. 951/439-1319).

Around the Oaxaca Coast

Frequent, inexpensive second-class buses connect Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel, and Huatulco, making a pit stop at Pochutla. Buses rumble down Route 200 every one to two hours, stopping in the bus stations in each town; each leg costs about $2. The trip from Puerto Escondido to Huatulco takes about two hours.