Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes

Post originally Published May 2, 2024 || Last Updated May 3, 2024

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.


Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Surf's Up - Catching Waves Along Mexico's Shores


Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes

Destinations like Mazunte and Zipolite cater to beginner surfers, while Salina Cruz offers a more tranquil, authentic Mexican coastal experience.

The waves in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, can reach heights of up to 25 feet, earning it the nickname "the Mexican Pipeline" and attracting expert surfers from around the world.

Zipolite, Oaxaca, is known for its unique "drifter" surf culture, where surfers from all over the globe gather to ride the gentle waves and engage in a laidback, hippie-inspired lifestyle.

The Baja California Peninsula is home to Todos Santos, a popular surf destination known for its consistent, mellow waves that make it an ideal spot for beginners to learn the sport.

Surfline, the world's leading surf forecast provider, utilizes advanced technology and a network of buoys to deliver highly accurate wave height, wind, and swell predictions for surf spots along Mexico's coasts.

The region around Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, offers a more tranquil and authentic Mexican surfing experience, with uncrowded beaches and a charming local culture, in contrast to the more popular surf hubs.

What else is in this post?

  1. Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Surf's Up - Catching Waves Along Mexico's Shores
  2. Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Bohemian Bliss - Discovering Offbeat Enclaves
  3. Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Journey Options - Bus, Plane or Private Transport
  4. Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Culinary Cravings - Savoring Oaxacan Flavors
  5. Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Natural Wonders - Scenic Coastal Beauty Unveiled

Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Bohemian Bliss - Discovering Offbeat Enclaves


Tulum is described as a "bohemian paradise" with its stunning beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and diverse culinary scene.

The Oaxaca Coast is highlighted as an "independent traveler's dream," featuring dramatic shorelines, wildlife-rich lagoons, and charming bohemian communities.

The town of Zipolite, Oaxaca, is known as Mexico's only "clothing-optional" beach, attracting a unique mix of free-spirited tourists and locals alike.

The small fishing village of Mazunte, Oaxaca, is home to the world's largest nesting site for the endangered olive ridley sea turtle, drawing eco-tourists and conservationists to witness the annual arribada, or mass nesting event.

Tulum, once a sleepy fishing town, has experienced a rapid transformation in recent years, with the number of boutique hotels increasing by over 300% since 2018, catering to a growing demand for a chic, bohemian-inspired coastal getaway.

The coastal town of Sayulita, in the state of Nayarit, has become a hub for yoga and wellness retreats, with numerous studios and instructors offering classes and workshops in a variety of disciplines, from Vinyasa to Kundalini.

The small, picturesque fishing village of Celestun, in the state of Yucatan, is home to a vast mangrove estuary that serves as a critical habitat for the iconic Caribbean flamingo, drawing birdwatchers from around the world.

The remote Baja California Sur town of Todos Santos has emerged as a haven for artists and creative types, with a thriving gallery scene and an annual arts festival that celebrates the region's vibrant cultural heritage.

Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Journey Options - Bus, Plane or Private Transport


Travelers have several options when journeying from Oaxaca to Tulum, including bus, plane, shuttle, and private transport.

While the bus is the most affordable option, taking around 21 hours, flights with airlines like Volaris provide a quicker alternative, though at a higher cost.

Additionally, private car services offer a more comfortable and personalized experience, albeit at a premium price.

Bus travel in Mexico can be remarkably affordable, with tickets between major cities like Oaxaca and Tulum costing as little as 14-26 USD, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious travelers.

The fastest travel option from Oaxaca to Tulum is a direct flight, which can take as little as 3 hours and 53 minutes according to travel planning platform Rome2rio, though this may be more expensive than bus or shuttle options.

A new Tulum Airport Shuttle service is currently in development, which could provide a convenient and seamless connection between Cancun International Airport and the coastal town of Tulum, though this service is not yet operational.

Private ground transportation services, such as Veronica's Adventure, offer a personalized and comfortable travel experience from Oaxaca to Tulum, catering to travelers who prioritize convenience and flexibility over cost-savings.

The journey from Oaxaca to Tulum can be completed using a combination of flights and shuttle services, which Rome2rio deems the recommended option, though this may require additional transfers and coordination.

Bus travel remains a popular choice for interregional transportation in Mexico, with a wide variety of bus companies offering routes between major cities and towns, often with affordable ticket prices.

For travelers arriving at Cancun International Airport, there are direct bus services available to Tulum, which take approximately 2-3 hours and cost around 15 USD per ticket.

The exact travel time and cost from Oaxaca to Tulum can vary significantly depending on the chosen mode of transportation, with bus journeys taking up to 21 hours and 20 minutes, while private car or shuttle services can complete the trip in just 6-7 hours.

Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Culinary Cravings - Savoring Oaxacan Flavors


From the earthy mole to the savory memelitas, every dish offers a taste of the region's gastronomic heritage.

The culinary scene in Oaxaca is a cultural experience, with opportunities to learn about ancient cooking techniques and prepare authentic dishes in interactive cooking classes.

Oaxaca's coastal delights, such as the seafood-centric offerings in Puerto Escondido, further expand the culinary journey, showcasing the diversity and innovation of this vibrant Mexican destination.

Oaxacan cuisine utilizes an ancient pre-Columbian cooking technique called nixtamalization, which involves treating maize with an alkaline solution to increase the grain's nutritional value and improve the flavor and texture of tortillas and tamales.

The Oaxacan specialty dish called "memelitas" is made from a base of freshly nixtamalized corn dough, which is then pressed into thin, round discs and topped with a variety of savory ingredients like refried beans, cheese, and salsa.

Oaxaca is home to over 200 unique varieties of chili peppers, including the famous "chilhuacle" chili, which is a key ingredient in the region's signature mole sauces, lending them a distinctive earthy and smoky flavor.

Mezcal, the agave-based distilled spirit that is closely associated with Oaxacan culture, is often infused with a range of unique ingredients like worms, herbs, and even scorpions, resulting in a diverse array of flavors and aromas.

The traditional Oaxacan dish known as "tlayudas" is essentially a giant, wood-fired tortilla that is topped with refried beans, cheese, cabbage, and a variety of other ingredients, creating a flavor-packed and visually striking culinary presentation.

Oaxacan cooks utilize a diverse array of aromatic herbs, including epazote, which lends a distinctive flavor to dishes like beans and stews, and yerba santa, which is prized for its medicinal properties and often used to flavor mezcal.

The Oaxacan mole sauce, a complex and labor-intensive preparation that can take days to make, can contain up to 30 different ingredients, including multiple types of chili peppers, spices, nuts, and even chocolate, resulting in a richly flavored and deeply nuanced sauce.

Oaxacan cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's indigenous Zapotec and Mixtec cultures, which have contributed traditional cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavor profiles that are unique to the area.

Exploring the Coastal Delights A Journey from Oaxaca to Tulum via Bush Planes - Natural Wonders - Scenic Coastal Beauty Unveiled


Travelers can explore these destinations by taking bush plane flights, offering a unique aerial perspective of the dramatic landscapes and intricate coastal formations.

Destinations like Maine, Egypt's Hurghada, and the Finger Lakes region in New York also captivate with their remarkable natural wonders, showcasing the diverse array of scenic coastal destinations around the world.

The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia experiences the highest tidal range in the world, with water levels fluctuating up to 16 meters (52 feet) twice daily, creating dramatic coastal landscapes and exposing ancient rock formations.

The Finger Lakes region in upstate New York is home to over 11 deep, narrow lakes formed by glacial activity, offering stunning vistas and opportunities for exploring pristine waterways.

Maine's natural wonders include the iconic Acadia National Park, home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the US Atlantic coast, and the picturesque Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.

Oaxaca's coastline features an abundance of marine life, including the endangered olive ridley sea turtle, which nests en masse in the region's secluded beaches during the annual arribada event.

The Baja California Peninsula in Mexico is a prime destination for surfers, with consistent waves and varied conditions that appeal to beginners and experts alike.

The small fishing town of Celestun in Yucatan is home to a vast mangrove estuary that serves as a critical habitat for the iconic Caribbean flamingo, attracting birdwatchers from around the world.

Todos Santos in Baja California Sur has emerged as a haven for artists and creative types, with a thriving gallery scene and an annual arts festival that celebrates the region's vibrant cultural heritage.

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.