Your driver will meet you at your address in Puebla.
You’ll travel in comfort for 4 h 20 min.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Oaxaca de Juarez.
The journey south from Puebla to Oaxaca takes you right through the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, as well as the most diverse deserts in North America. If your first thought when you imagine a desert is a lifeless duststorm, this trip will change your whole perspective!
Stop by the Helia Bravo Hollis Botanical Gardens to get up close and personal with the dozens of plants and animals that call the desert home. This garden is part of the greater Tehuacán Biosphere Reserve, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its diverse and untouched wilderness.
The total driving time is 4 hours and 20 minutes and mostly takes place on the 135 and 135D highways. You will be glad to have a local driver for this trip, as you will be traveling through remote and mountainous areas before reaching the capital of Oaxaca de Juarez.
Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico, is renowned for its delicious cuisine, thriving indigenous traditions, and diverse desert environment. The capital, Oaxaca de Juarez (or Oaxaca City), is the cultural heart of the region and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The main indigenous cultures in Oaxaca are the Zapotecs and Mixtecs. They formed communities in the Valley of Oaxaca for thousands of years. The city of Oaxaca we know today naturally evolved into the largest city based on their patterns of settlement. Oaxacan geography
Oaxaca de Juarez sits in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. This isolation helped protect the natives from extensive Spanish colonization, allowing them to maintain some of their traditions, cuisine, and languages into the present day.
Networks of small, freshwater rivers supply the area with the necessities of life, and due to its range in altitudes and landscapes, the state of Oaxaca has the highest biodiversity of any Mexican state. Oaxacan art
Oaxaca is often called Mexico’s indigenous cultural capital. Rich natural resources sustained the local economy for thousands of years and fueled native artwork. The Zapotecs and Mixtecs developed advanced pottery, textile, carpentry, and metalsmithing techniques that live into the present day.
These artisan crafts, which we think of as quintessentially Mexican, are deeply rooted in Oaxacan traditions and are sold throughout all of Mexico. Pre-Columbian styles of pottery, Alebrijes, masks, and jewelry are not only important cultural symbols but also vital economic drivers.
Before setting off from Puebla to Oaxaca de Juarez, keep these travel tips in mind!
Don’t confuse Oaxaca City with Oaxaca the state
Oaxaca de Juarez is also often shortened to Oaxaca City or simply Oaxaca. Oaxaca is also the name for the whole state. YouTube videos and online lists of “Things to do in Oaxaca” often include places outside of Oaxaca City in other cities within the state of Oaxaca. When booking accommodation and researching activities, double-check the exact location to prevent disappointment or a last-minute scramble to another city! Bring a phone charger and car adapter in your cabin bag
When traveling such a long distance, your phone and other electronics are sure to need a charge. Always have your phone ready for photos, videos, and excursion tickets by keeping it charged while on the road. Pack a car adaptor and a portable battery pack for charging on the go.
Traveling through southern Mexico gives you the opportunity to see breathtaking arid and mountainous terrain, untouched by the endless growth of urbanization. However, it comes at a cost! Your Puebla to Oaxaca transfer will take most of the day, no matter how you travel.
Make the most of your trip south by hiring a private driver and planning for 2 or 3 cultural stops during the day. Despite the 4 hours and 20 minutes of travel time, driving is the fastest way to get from Puebla to Oaxaca.
Daytrip drivers are local professionals who speak English and know the local driving customs. Our fleet of vehicles is insured and meets rigid safety standards. If you are traveling with a larger group, Daytrip also has shuttle bus options!
Your driver will pick you up from your address in Puebla and take you on the road trip of a lifetime as you journey south to Oaxaca. Once you’re in Oaxaca, they will take you straight to your hotel or apartment.
ADO operates bus routes from Puebla Terminal CAPU to Oaxaca hourly during the day. Tickets cost from $23 to $50, and the journey takes 5 hours and 10 minutes. This trip may take longer on weekends or in the case of rush hour traffic.
There are no flights from Puebla to Oaxaca; however, you can travel by taxi or bus from Puebla to Mexico City and catch a flight from the Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (MEX). The drive from Puebla to the Mexico City Airport (MEX) takes two hours.
VivaAerobus, Volaris, and Aeromexico have daily nonstop flights between Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez (MEX) in Mexico City and Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) for $35 to $85. Flight time is 1 hour and 10 minutes, but the total travel time is 6 hours.
Welcome to Mexico’s cultural capital! Take in all the sights and sounds of Indigenous culture after your road trip from Puebla to Oaxaca with these great activities.
You’ll be surrounded by the colors, textures, tastes, and scents of all of Mexico in Mercado Benito Juárez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Sample traditional cuisine, buy handmade artisanal crafts, and enjoy fresh, local produce. If you’ve been waiting to purchase your souvenirs and gifts, Oaxaca is the perfect city to stock up. Purchasing Oaxacan handicrafts not only helps the local economy but also preserves indigenous knowledge of weaving, leatherwork, and carpentry.
Learn about the rich tradition of hand-woven cloth at the Oaxaca Textile Museum. See displays of beautiful woven and embroidered textiles from various indigenous communities. Admission is free, so don’t miss out!
Oaxaca is the culinary capital of Mexico. The lasting legacy of Indigenous cuisine leaves us with traditional dishes like:
Mole - This sauce can be sweet, spicy, or savory and is served over rice, meat, and vegetables. Oaxaca is “the land of seven moles,” so try as many as you can! Tlayuda - This popular street food is essentially the Oaxacan take on pizza. Fried tortillas are topped with endless combinations of refried beans, Oaxaca cheese, avocado, lettuce, beef, chicken and/or salsa. Chapulines - Fried grasshoppers are a great source of protein and are seasoned in salt, garlic, lime juice, and chilies. Mezcal - Tequila’s smoky cousin is often served with orange slices and seasoned salt. Follow the locals and drink it straight, not mixed into cocktails. Chocolate con leche - This drink is traditionally served cold with a variety of spices and is more bitter and complex than the chocolate milk you may be used to drinking at home.
The best time to plan a visit from Puebla to Oaxaca City is from October to March, during the dry season. Daytime temperatures range from 60° to 84° F (15° to 29° C), and the likelihood of storms interrupting your plans is very slim.
October and November are particularly special, as they coincide with the Day of the Dead celebrations. This holiday occurs on November 1st and is a culturally significant event in Oaxaca that blends Catholic and indigenous traditions.
The Guelaguetza festival in July is another colorful highlight, but it’s during the rainy season, which can bring occasional downpours. This festival celebrates the Oaxacan corn goddess, Cénteotl, and stems from the Zapotec word “guendalezaa,” meaning “gift or offering.”
All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
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