Puerto Escondido International Airport ☎ +52 951 516 4982. You can also fly to Oaxaca and then reach Puerto Escondido with Aerovega's daily flight.
Flying with Viva Aerobus is the cheapest alternative (from 500 pesos one way), but flights are limited to certain days of the week (normally around the weekend). Aeromar has daily flights, but are much more expensive and use turboprop planes which can be scary in the rain-season due to turbulence.
Another alternative is flying into Huatulco with Interjet. Be sure to order the ground transportation when making flight reservations which costs only an additional 160 pesos. Taking a taxi to Puerto Escondido (~90 min drive, ~US$50-60 if you negotiate in advance).
Shared taxis (called colectivos) from the Puerto Escondido airport are cheap - about $35- and reasonably quick. The airport is close to town, but you may have to wait a few minutes as the colectivo driver waits to get a few more passengers, or drops one or two off ahead of you.
TuriStar and Estrella Blanca from Mexico City are the most comfortable and most expensive way to get here ($500-900, 12 hr), traveling via Acapulco. These buses only leave from the South (Taxqueña) bus terminal. Other first class buses leave from both the North and South terminals, traveling via Puebla and/or Oaxaca City, and taking several hours longer than the buses via Acapulco. The quickest (5-6 hr) service, but least comfortable transport from Oaxaca is by van (called suburban in Spanish). There are several companies ($140). More comfortable but longer are the buses leaving from the 2nd class bus station. Do not take a 1st class bus because the trip is over 15 hr - it takes the longest route. 2nd class buses take around 7-8 hr. There are also many buses from Acapulco.
Driving to Puerto Escondido is only advisable if you have experience with windy, poorly-maintained mountain roads. That said, it is an exhilarating, scenic drive from any direction. The roads that connect Puerto Escondido to Acapulco and Oaxaca are both narrow, twisty 2-lane roads in poor condition, that traverse the sparsely populated Western Sierra Madre. Driving your own car will not save you much time over taking the bus.
There are numerous other hotels on Zicatela with great beachfront locations and moderate to downright cheap rates, especially off-season during spring and early summer. For longer stays such as 1 month or longer renting an apartment is also an option.
* Opposite Zicatela Beach. Impeccably clean. Simple rooms with pleasant balcony. Room with fan (and slightly lesser view as it's the floor below) go for M$250 - double bed and single bed ensuite. Same thing a floor above with two double beds and A/C as well as fan M$400 as of Jul 2014 - both good value for a more than one person given going rates. Balconys are pleasant with chairs & table etc. Lady who runs the place very nice with some English tel. 582-14-74./sleep>
*An out-of-the-way getaway 100 meters from a secluded beach with ocean/pool views. Relaxing days-quiet nights. We are an adult only, all-inclusive, and gay friendly boutique beach resort.
* Come and check out this new and gorgeous hostel. The owners have traveled extensively throughout Latin America and truly believe they are able to provide the best backpacker experience. Some of its facilities and services includes a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, family dinners, bar.
* Feel at home in their clean, spacious rooms. Each is amply appointed with the essentials to ensure you of comfortable rest throughout your stay. Some of its facilities and services includes a sun terrace, swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, car rental, and facilities for disabled.
* Standard single, double, and suite with A/C, cableTV and WiFi. Restaurant, swimming pool, snack bar and room service.
* Bungalows and suites with A/C, balcony and internet. Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, massage services and car rental.
* On Zicatela beach, 2 pools and a bar and restaurant. Good views and the staff are friendly and helpful. Ask for room #13 and get their least expensive room.
* Hotel Barlovento offers single, double and triple rooms with air-conditioning, TV with cable channels and phone. Its facilities include bar, restaurant and wireless internet connection at the reception area.
* On the main tourist road with 22 rooms. Single to quintuple occupancy. Outdoor pool and restaurant. Surfing lessons and ecological tours on request. Free WiFi.
* Hotel Ines. Offers rooms ranging from about US$18-70/night off-peak. US$70 can get you an A/C double room with a balcony near the front of Ines, looking right over the beach, while US$18-35 can get you simple rooms with a fan and private shower, but not necessarily a full bathroom.
* Rincón del Pacífico provides fan room - triple, fan room - quadruple and aircon room - quadruple with TV with cable channels, telephone and complimentary breakfast. Its facilities include bar, restaurant and wireless internet access.
* Hotel Rockaway. Just steps from world-renowned Playa Zicatela lies an intimate and recently-renovated boutique resort, Hotel Rockaway. This authentic property features 32 guest rooms and 12 beautifully - luxury scaled Residences. All of the spacious units are unique in design and each one possesses their own character.
*Isreali managed hostel next to Playa Carillizo, only 200 m from the beach.
* Spacious hacienda style home with 7 suites, all have A/C, cableTV, fully equipped kitchen and free continental breakfast. Patio, a swimming pool in a tropical garden, and a lounge area.
*Oldest hostel in town, wonderful in most ways. Great location near a beach - though often a very packed one.
* A/C suites, cableTV, coffee/ tea maker, and a safe.
*On the beach. 3 large private bungalows, which sleeps up to 5 people, each shower toilet and sink, and equipped with a fan and mosquito nets. Also a hotel like dorm room with bunk beds, and a camping area with tents available for rent. The restaurant serves traditional Italian food like fresh hand-made pizza and pasta.
*A fair bit outside the town centre. Kitchen, pool table, internet, $10 Coronas and cableTV. Surfing lessons available, Spanish school is nearby. OK, but has a worn look, and cleanliness and security is not their strength, no lockers. Good vibe in the evening, individually themed staff.
*Private rooms and cabanas right on Playa Zicatela, private bathrooms. Shared kitchen with fridge, gas stove, cooking utensils and common area for guest use. 16 bed dorm room with communal balcony. 2 bedroom apartment with ocean view. Free wifi and drinking water. Common area has balcony overlooking the beach. Friendly owner and rooms cleaned daily.
*Rooms with A/C, TV, internet. Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, massage services.
Large selection of apartments, condos and beach front homes for rent. Includes both basic rentals through to those with private chefs, maids, car and driver. Discounts are available for longer stays.