Getting around Oaxaca city is mostly on foot — the historic center is compact and walkable. For reaching the villages, markets and coast you need buses, colectivos or the occasional taxi.
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City Transport
The centro historico from the Zocalo to Santo Domingo is a 10-minute walk. Most restaurants, museums and shops are within this area. Taxis within the center cost 40-60 pesos. Always agree on the price before getting in — Oaxaca taxis do not use meters.
For the bus stations, it is about 15 minutes by taxi from the Zocalo. The first-class ADO terminal is on Calzada Niños Heroes de Chapultepec. The second-class terminal (Central de Abastos area) handles colectivos and local buses to the villages.
Colectivos
Shared taxi vans (colectivos) are the cheapest way to reach nearby villages. They leave when full — usually 4-8 passengers — from designated spots near the Abastos market or the second-class terminal. Fares are 20-60 pesos depending on distance. They are not comfortable for long rides but for 20-40 minute hops to market towns they work perfectly.
To the Coast
Getting from Oaxaca to the Pacific coast — Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Zipolite — involves mountain roads. OCC first-class buses take about 6 hours on the main highway via Pochutla. Passenger vans (often labeled Transportes Atlantida or Express Service) do the same route faster on the new highway but the driving can be aggressive.
Some travelers fly Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido or Huatulco — small prop planes on regional carriers, takes about 45 minutes versus 6+ hours by road.
