By Land

Central Valleys
The capital of the State is the City of Oaxaca, located in the Central Valleys approximately 325 miles southeast of Mexico City. There are three highways from Mexico City ­ the Panamerican (190), Highway 131 and the new Super Toll Highway (135D).

Although the distance is about the same, the driving time via the first two is nearly double that of the Super Highway ­ average ten hours versus five on the toll road. The reason for the difference is that the first two take "natural" routes through the mountains while the toll road was blasted out where necessary to make a route with fewer curves which permits high speed driving. There are many bus services connecting the two cities ­ most of them via the Toll Road with a transit time of six hours. Prices start at around US$25 one way, up to about US$40 for the super luxury UNO Line.

Beach
There are three principal beach/resort areas on the Pacific Coast ­ Surfer's paradise of Puerto Escondido, Puerto Angel with its famous/infamous Zipolite Beach, and the new "planned" resort of Bahias de Huatulco. There are airports at Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, about 120 kilometers apart, with Puerto Angel slightly above the halfway point along the coastal highway (Fed. 200). There is bus service from Mexico City via Acapulco (a long ride of some 12 or more hours at a cost of US$40) or from the city of Oaxaca in tourist, first or second class buses( 6-10 hours depending on route and destination at a cost of US$10-20), as well as air taxi service (20-30 minutes at a cost of around US$125 one way).

By Air

The airport, "Xoxocotlan" International Airport (OAX), is 5 miles south of Oaxaca City. The airport has a small restaurant in the second floor, souvenir shops, a bar and three rental car agencies. The State of Oaxaca has three international airports: Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido and Huatulco. There is direct international service to Oaxaca City from Los Angeles (via "red-eye").

Travelers normally arrive via connections made in Mexico City, by Mexicana and Aeromexico Airlines. From Oaxaca City there is also service to Villahermosa, Tabasco; Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas; Merida, Yucatan; and Puerto Escondido and Huatulco.

This allows visitors to Oaxaca to enjoy easy connections to a beach vacation, or to Mexico?s archaeologically rich southern States of Chiapas, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan.

Continental Airlines used to offer direct service between Houston, TX and Oaxaca. Flights formerly departed Houston at 5:45 p.m. and arrived in Oaxaca at 8:33 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Return flights left Oaxaca at 8:30 a.m. and arrived in Houston at 10:58 a.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Thursday. I have left this information here because they might reinstate these flights. Suggest you call them to ask. (800) 231-0856, (800) 932-2732

You will need a valid passport or your original birth certificate (US and Canada). It must be presented at the airline check-in. Once on the plane you will be given two forms to fill out - one for immigration (Tourist Visa) and another for customs. There are restrictions as to what you can bring to Mexico......Some of these restrictions are limits for "duty free" and some are absolute, such as fire arms without a permit (not to mention drugs). Most commonly encountered restrictions are:

• Most food items - especially plants, fruits and seeds.
• Cigars and cigarettes - over 20 packs per person may be subject to duty.
• Liquor and wine - over 2 bottles per person may be subject to duty.
• Controlled substances and drugs - a no no!
• Firearms - only for hunting and must obtain a permit from the Mexican Consulate in advance.