Huatulco Mexico in 2024: Ultimate Travel Guide for Visitors

Planning a trip to Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico?

Bahías de Huatulco, usually just called Huatulco, is a beautiful coastal town in Oaxaca state. (🗣 Wondering about the Huatulco Mexico pronunciation? Huatulco is pronounced wah-tool-co.)

Huatulco Mexico is known for gorgeous beaches with turquoise water, snorkeling and diving, whale watching in winter, delicious Oaxacan food, all-inclusive resorts, and friendly locals.

Book the window seat for your Huatulco flight, because the views from the air will leave you speechless. While descending, you’ll see the 36 beaches and 9 bays of Huatulco Mexico.

Though Huatulco is one of the best beach towns in Oaxaca Mexico, you have plenty of other options for things to do in Huatulco that don’t involve the beach.

There are canyons, rivers, hot springs, waterfalls, cooking classes, Spanish classes, shopping in local mercados (markets), and even some ancient ruins in Huatulco.

Ready to discover everything you need to plan the ultimate Huatulco Mexico trip?

Let’s get to it, starting with the basics about getting to Huatulco, where to stay in Huatulco, things to see and do, and a Huatulco travel FAQ at the end — basically everything you’d need to know.

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

Mexico City to Huatulco

Mexico City is about 435 miles (700 km) from Huatulco, and the drive takes 11-12 hours, without stops. However, you can also take flights from Mexico city to Huatulco.

Personally, I think the flight is a much better option; it costs about the same as the bus, but only takes 1.5 hours. For the Mexico City to Huatulco flight, you’ll take TAR Airlines.

Oaxaca to Huatulco Mexico

I have a very detailed guide that tells you everything you need to know about this travel route, including all your Oaxaca City to Huatulco transportation options — so head there for a deep dive.

In short, you can book private transportation (⬅ I recommend the one in that link), take the Oaxaca City to Huatulco flight, rent a car in Oaxaca and drive to Huatulco, or take the ADO bus to Huatulco.

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

Puerto Escondido to Huatulco

☀️🏝 Also planning to visit Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca? Check out this Puerto Escondido Travel Guide to help you plan your trip.

The Huatulco to Puerto Escondido distance is about 75 miles (120 km), and the drive takes about two hours. Note: There’s no direct bus from Puerto Escondido to Huatulco, so this route can take up to three hours.

If you don’t have a rental car, I recommend booking your private transportation shuttle or bus tickets through GuateGo — Reserve here.

✈️ Is there an airport near Huatulco Mexico?

Want to know about airports near Huatulco? Puerto Escondido International Airport (code: PXM) is the closest airport to Huatulco; not counting the Huatulco Airport itself, of course.

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Huatulco Mexico

When deciding on Huatulco accommodations, the first question you must ask is if you want to stay on the beach or in town.

If you want to stay right on the beach, there are a few distinct areas, but if you want to stay in downtown close to all the action, opt for a place in La Crucecita.

Staying on Huatulco Beach

There are a few areas on Huatulco Beach Oaxaca where you can stay. These include:

• Bahía Tangolunda, where you’ll find most of the Huatulco all-inclusive resorts
• Bahía Santa Cruz, the central area for all the beaches of Huatulco
• Bahía Chahue, where all the best beach clubs are

🏩 Tangolunda Bay, Huatulco Oaxaca

If you want to stay at an all inclusive Huatulco resort, this is the place. In my opinion, Tangolunda is also one of the most beautiful and best beaches in Huatulco.

If you want to stay in this area, opt for any of these great places:

• Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa
• Barceló Huatulco Resort
• Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco

🏩 Bahía Conejos, Huatulco Oaxaca

Literally meaning “Bunny Bay,” Bahia Conejos Beach is a beautiful and secluded beach. Here, you’ll find Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa, an adults only resort that’s perfect for a honeymoon in Huatulco or a romantic getaway.

Considering Dreams vs Secrets Huatulco for where to stay on your vacation?

Obviously, if you’re with kiddos, you’d need to pick Dreams. For a more quiet trip, go with Secrets — but if you want something more lively, opt for Dreams which is in a more central location closer to downtown.

🏩 Bahía Santa Cruz, Huatulco Oaxaca

While not in the exact center of town, Santa Cruz Huatulco is the center of activity among the beaches in Huatulco.

This is where the cruise ship docks, and there’s calm waters perfect for swimming. In fact, it’s one of the best swimming beaches in Huatulco Mexico. You can also find a lot of restaurants and tour operators here.

For a nice mid-range hotel in Huatulco Mexico, opt for places near Playa La Entrega, on the west side of the bay — like Hotel Castillo Huatulco & Beach Club.

Bahía Santa Cruz is also where you’ll find the most Huatulco Airbnbs, condos and timeshares, with many located near El Faro (Huatulco Lighthouse).

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

Staying in Downtown Huatulco

There isn’t really a Huatulco Downtown area, per se, but the nearby small town of La Crucecita is usually known as Centro, or downtown.

This is a pretty small area, subdivided by sectors. Sector H is downtown proper, right in the heart of all the action.

🤔 Wondering, What is the population of Huatulco Mexico? The Huatulco population hovers around 10,000 people.

As one of the safest places in Mexico to travel, pretty much all of Huatulco’s sectors are safe, though Sector H3 isn’t the nicest.

Besides Sector H, the most expensive of them all, you’ll find some nice accommodations in Sector A, Sector E, Sector I, Sector M, Sector U and Sector U2.

11 Best Things to Do in Huatulco

1. Head to the Best Beaches in Huatulco

Huatulco has 36 beaches and nine bays to choose from — so you could spend weeks there, and never run out of beaches to explore.

The main beach is Bahía Santa Cruz (Playa Principal), but visitors also love Playa Tangolunda, Playa la Entrega, Playa Maguey and Playa Organo.

Don’t miss Playa la Bocana, where you can get a mud bath massage.

The mud on this beach is good for the skin, with natural exfoliants. The locals at Playa la Bocana offer massages for about $100-200 MXN pesos ($5-10USD), which is a bargain for beachfront massages.

Personally, I find the bays of Huatulco Mexico even more picturesque than the beaches, though they are smaller and don’t usually have restaurants or services.

Still, don’t miss seeing the best bays in Huatulco, like Bahía Maguey, Bahía Conejos, Bahía San Agustín (my personal pick for the best beach in Huatulco) and the famed Bahía Cacaluta Huatulco.

Fans of the 2001 Mexican film, Y Tu Mamá También, will love seeing Bahía de Cacaluta in person.

Several scenes from the film were shot at this bay in Huatulco because it’s so beautiful — but even if you haven’t seen the film, you’ll love Bahia Cacaluta Bay.

⛵️ Best Huatulco Boat Tours

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

2. Visit Bahías de Huatulco National Park

At 29,000-acres (116 km²), Huatulco National Park is massive. Unlike many parks, this is a land and water park.

It was declared a national park in 1998, it’s also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a RAMSAR site with protected wetlands.

At Huatulco National Park, three ecosystems converge: tropical forest, dry forest, and of course, marine.

There is a lot to enjoy on dry land, like bird watching, hiking, biking and horseback riding, but take one of the Huatulco snorkeling tours to the healthy reefs just offshore.

The waters off Huatulco National Park are teeming with fish, turtles, coral and more. One of the more famous types of marine life here are the whales.

In fact, the Mexican government declared this area a national whale watching zone in 2019. In the winter months, you can see several species of whales in Huatulco, though the most common is the Pacific gray whale.

You can sometimes see the whales breaching the water from the shore, but take one of the boat tours in Huatulco to see them up close.

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

3. Check out La Crucecita, Mexico

When it’s time to escape the crowds in Huatulco, or if you want to do some shopping, head to La Crucecita, Oaxaca.

This is a small pueblo where many locals live. It’s named for a crucecita, or “little cross” that sits high atop one of the hills overlooking town.

Huatulco is a Mexico resort town, so La Crucecita is the place to experience the area’s cultural side.

It has the best authentic Mexican street food in Huatulco, and great shopping at colorful local mercados (markets), perfect for buying with artisan handicrafts and local souvenirs.

🚐 Best Huatulco City Tours

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

4. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Huatulco

Many don’t know this, but Mexico is not all tacos and burritos. In fact, the state’s capital of Oaxaca City is known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico, because this cuisine is so beloved and also incredibly delicious.

Mexican cuisine is very regional, and in fact, Oaxaca state has its own unique foods you don’t always find outside of the state.

While you’re in Huatulco, try some traditional Oaxacan food favorites, like tlayudas, tamales, memelas and mole (pronounced moe-lay).

One of the best places to try these, and more, is El Sabor de Oaxaca in La Crucecita, just off the beaches.

If you want to eat where the locals do, head to La Casa de las Tlayudas Huatulco, Tlayudas Arely, Tlayudas Del-i-ciosas, and Carnes Asadas las Canastas to try their tlayudas.

For a more upscale dinner, head to Rocoto. This is what many call the best restaurant in Huatulco, and they are also known for great service.

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

5. Take a Street Food Cooking Class

Not sure what a tlayuda is? Never heard of a memela? No worries, because the best way to learn about Oaxacan food is to cook it — and then eat it, of course!

There are numerous Huatulco cooking classes available in town, and in the nearby pueblo of La Crucecita.

In these classes, you can expect a fun and educational environment, as you learn to prepare things like mole, tlayudas and empanadas, and Mexican drinks like tejate.

👩‍🍳 Best Huatulco Cooking Classes

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

6. Release Baby Turtles in Huatulco

Oaxaca state is one of the best places to see turtles in Mexico. There are a few species that live in the waters off the coast, like the Hawksbill turtle, Green turtle, Leatherback turtle and Olive Ridley turtle.

The best time to see turtles in Oaxaca is from July to January.

In decades past, sea turtle numbers dwindled to the point of nearing extinction. However, conservation efforts are helping to change things. When you participate in a Huatulco turtle release, parts of the proceeds go to helping save the turtles.

With the Huatulco sea turtle release experiences, you get to hold a baby turtle and then place it in the sand and see it take its first steps into the Pacific Ocean.

The babies are adorable, and you will never forget your interaction with these amazing animals.

🐢 Best Huatulco Turtle Release Tours

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

7. Take a Huatulco Day Trip (Mazunte, San Agustinillo, Zipolite & Puerto Angel)

While there’s no shortage of beaches in Huatulco Mexico, you can also check out its neighboring beach towns on the Riviera Oaxaqueña (Oaxacan Riviera).

These towns include the pueblos of Mazunte, San Agustinillo, Zipolite and Puerto Angel.

🏝️ Mazunte, Oaxaca Pueblo Magico

Mazunte makes for one of the best day trips from Huatulco.

It’s a quaint, laid back town, popular with bohemian types, backpackers, artists and yogis. In fact, I even did a 10 day silent meditation retreat in Mazunte 🧘‍♀️

It is located about one hour from Huatulco, and a Mexico pueblo mágico (magic town).

🤔 Wondering, What are pueblos mágicos? These are small towns recognized by Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism for their outstanding value for visitors, and Mazunte does not disappoint.

Playa Mermejita in Mazunte is said to be the best beach in Oaxaca, and one of the best beaches in Mexico.

If you’re staying there all day, hike up to Punta Cometa, which overlooks this beach for epic views of the sunset.

🏝️ San Agustinillo, Oaxaca

San Agustinillo has some of the best beaches in Oaxaca. It is a laid back town, popular with travelers who are seeking the posh accommodations and quiet beaches.

The San Agustinillo beaches are famed for their large, unique rock formations.

🏝️Puerto Angel, Oaxaca

Visiting Puerto Angel is like going back in time. It’s a charming, old school fishing village that also has gorgeous beaches and bays, like Playa la Boquilla and Bahía Estacahuite.

You can also enjoy amazing, cheap and fresh seafood at one of the beachfront restaurants.

🏝️ zipolite, Oaxaca

Zipolite is famous, or maybe infamous, as the only nude beach in Mexico. There are other beaches which allow or tolerate nudity, but Zipolite is the only legal nude beach in Mexico.

However, nudity is only permitted in one area, so the majority of beaches in Zipolite require clothes. Zipolite attracts everyone from families to LGBTQ+ travelers.

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

8. See the Ruins at Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park

Located inside Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park, don’t miss the chance to explore the only ruins in Huatulco Mexico.

The Bocana del Río Copalita Archaeological Zone is a smaller site, but this prehispanic ruins site does have two temples and ancient ball courts to see.

Copalita excavations have confirmed that both the Zapotec and Mazatec peoples used the site as a ceremonial center.

During digs, archaeologists uncovered two tombs at Copalita, which they say are the final resting places of elite members of the ruling class.

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

9. Swim in the Cascadas Mágicas Waterfalls

One of the can’t miss things to see in Huatulco is Cascadas Magicas de Copalitilla (Copalitilla Waterfalls Park).

There are about 30 waterfalls throughout the park, the highest of which is 65-feet-tall (20 m), and there’s also natural waterfall pools that you can swim in.

The park is about one hour from Huatulco, in the small pueblo of San Miguel del Puerto, Oaxaca.

This far from the Huatulco city limits, you’ll feel like you’re in a tropical paradise, surrounded by lush vegetation, wild nature and freshwater jungle pools.

💦 Best Huatulco Waterfall Tours

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

10. Visit Hagia Sofia Ecological Park

Hagia Sofia Park, located near Huatulco, offers visitors the best of both worlds — nature and adventure. On their famed Exotic Flower Trail you can see more than 100,000 plants, including 60 species of rare and exotic flowers.

In the spring, they host seasonal fruit tastings in the gardens. The park has more than 80 varieties of tropical and exotic fruit trees they sample from, including rambutan and mangosteen trees.

With such a large collection, the trees attract butterflies and birds all year.

For Huatulco adventure travelers, the Hagia Sofia zipline that takes you on a 1.25-mile journey (2 km) over the gardens below.

You get a bird’s eye view of the park’s impressive biodiversity, as you soar through the air from a maximum height of 325-feet (99 m).

🌺 Hagia Sofia Tours from Huatulco

Huatulco Mexico Travel Guide

11. Tour the Huatulco Coffee Plantations

Oaxaca is known as a Mexico foodie destination, but it also produces some of the country’s best coffee. Head to the fincas (coffee farms) near Huatulco for a tour of the fields, and to sample their delicious product.

Many of the best fincas near Huatulco, like La Gloria and El Pacifico, don’t allow walk-ins, so you must book a tour (see below).

Most of these best tours from Huatulco combine the finca with a stop at some of the other places mentioned on this list, so you get two tours in one.

☕️ Best Huatulco Coffee Tours & Tastings

Huatulco Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions

Also, if you want a lot of nightlife options, Puerto Escondido works better. If Puerto Escondido sounds like it’s more up your alley, check out this Puerto Escondido travel guide to help you plan your trip.

As far as Huatulco Mexico safety, just take the same measures here as you would when traveling anywhere else on Earth. In short, the answer to Is Huatulco safe for tourists? — is usually yes.

If you want to know, Is it safe to travel to Huatulco Mexico right now? — then the best thing to do is ask a local just before your trip for the absolute most up-to-date info for those most in-the-know.

To network with locals and get a better feel for Huatulco before and during your visit, join some Facebook groups, like these:

• Huatulco What’s Up
• Huatulco Gringos

For more info, head to Can You Drink the Water in Mexico? for a complete guided to this topic.

What’s the best way to get around in Huatulco Mexico?

🚗 Renting a Car in Huatulco Mexico

A Huatulco rental car is definitely the best way to get around because you’re not dependent on anyone, you just come and go as you please, staying anywhere you want for as long as you want.

As one of the safest cities in Mexico, you’ll be fine driving in Huatulco Mexico.

🚙💨 For more info, head to Renting a Car in Huatulco: Everything You Need to Know.

When it comes to Mexico rental cars, I recommend and also use Discover Cars. Their search tool checks both international companies and local Mexican companies so you get the best rates.

🚕 Taxis in Huatulco Mexico

You might be wondering, Are taxis safe in Huatulco?

For the vast majority of travelers, yes, you will be safe using taxis in Huatulco. You can use them to get from Point A to Point B, but some drivers will also negotiate a day rate for you, and they will take you all over town for the day.

If you don’t have a rental car, you’ll have to use taxis or public transportation in Huatulco. Taxis will cost more than public transport, but they are also a lot more convenient.

🚌 Public Transportation in Huatulco Mexico

Huatulco public transportation is pretty good, though unlike taxis, don’t expect bus drivers to speak English.

If you do want to use public transport in Huatulco, make sure you have change and small bills to pay the driver; as many won’t make change for large bills.

Since I barely used the public transportation and buses in Huatulco, I’ll refer you to the best guide I’ve seen on the subject, How to Travel in Huatulco.

It was written by Shevaun (Shev for short), one of my fellow Mexico bloggers, who lives in Huatulco Mexico.

🧳 Huatulco Busy Season

You’ll also have no rain (or very little), low humidity, and no mosquitoes (or very few) in these months.

With perfect weather, however, comes larger crowds and higher price tags. To avoid the large crowds and higher-than-average prices, skip the weeks of Christmas, New Year’s and Semana Santa (Holy Week).

🌡️ Huatulco Weather: Yearly Averages

🧳 Not sure what to pack for Huatulco Mexico? Check out this guide to Packing for Mexico, and for outfit inspiration, head to Cute Outfits for Mexico.

🧳 Huatulco Slow Season

If you’re traveling to Huatulco on a budget, you’ll want to visit during the slow summer season.

For the best value, but still nice weather, plan your visit during what’s called the shoulder season, a magical time right in-between the high season and low season.

📆 Huatulco Travel Seasons

• Huatulco Busy Season: November to March
• Huatulco Slow Season: May to September
• Huatulco Shoulder Season: October and April
• Huatulco Rainy Season: April to September 
• Huatulco Dry Season: October to March

During this time, you can take this Huatulco boat tour and venture into the Pacific Ocean to (hopefully) see everything from Pacific gray whales, to orcas (killer whales), to humpback whales.

There are these great all-resorts in Huautlco, similar to Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, but without the large crowds. Huatulco also has great tourism infrastructure, and is safe for tourists.

I recommend Huatulco for those who want to enjoy the beaches, nature and relaxation. It’s great for daytime activities, but limited in its nightlife.

There are some bars in nearby La Crucecita (Downtown Huatulco Mexico), but even the bars at the best Huatulco resorts and hotels in Huatulco often close by 10pm.

Final Thoughts: Traveling to Huatulco Mexico

Huatulco is a very special place, and provides a very unique experience, as far as Mexico beach towns go.

Its nature is very well preserved, yet there are beautiful accommodations; it’s a beach town, yet still maintains an authentic, cultural feel.

Huatulco also has an international Green Globe Certification, meaning it meets standards for Sustainable Tourism.

With more protected space than most other Mexico travel destinations and Mexico resort towns, you’ll have an amazing trip but also feel good about traveling to Huatulco Mexico.

I hope this Ultimate Huatulco Guide will help you plan an epic trip to Huatulco Oaxaca Mexico.