About Huatulco
Huatulco, formally Bahías de Huatulco, centered on the town of La Crucecita, is a tourist development in Mexico. It is located on the Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca. Huatulco's tourism industry is centered on its nine bays, thus the name Bahías de Huatulco, but has since been unofficially shortened to simply Huatulco. Huatulco has a wide variety of accommodation from rooms for rent, small economy hotels, luxury villas, vacation condominia, bed and breakfasts, as well as several luxury resorts standing on or near the shores of Tangolunda Bay. The Camino Real Zaashila, Quinta Real Huatulco, Las Brisas, Dreams Resort & Spa, and the Barceló are examples of the most popular larger resorts in the area.
Places to visit in Huatulco
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Huatulco National Park
Nature · 6 mi from centreA protected stretch of coastline, dry forest, and reefs covering several of Huatulco's bays. The easiest way to see it is a boat tour that stops at beaches only reachable by water, so bring snorkel gear.
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La Crucecita
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreThe town center of Huatulco, built around a leafy main square with a church painted with a large image of the Virgin inside. Come in the evening, when families fill the square and food stalls open.
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Playa Zipolite
Beach · 27 mi from centreA long, laid-back beach west of Huatulco known for its bohemian vibe and cheap beachfront cafes. The surf and currents are very strong here, so swim only in calm spots and heed local flags.
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Mazunte
Beach · 30 mi from centreA small beach village known for its sea turtle conservation center and the Punta Cometa headland. Walk out to Punta Cometa in the late afternoon, which is one of the best sunset spots on the coast.
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San Agustinillo
Beach · 29 mi from centreA quiet fishing village between Mazunte and Zipolite with a gently curving beach and small guesthouses. It is calmer than its neighbors, which makes it a good base for a relaxed overnight stay.
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Puerto Ángel
Beach · 25 mi from centreA small working port on a sheltered bay where fishing boats come and go from the beach. Hire a local boatman for a trip to nearby coves or a seasonal whale and dolphin watching outing.
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Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park
HistoricA park near Tangolunda with forest trails leading to the remains of a pre-Hispanic settlement and a clifftop lookout over the ocean. Wear good shoes and bring water, as parts of the trail are uneven.
Things to do in Huatulco by type
24 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 13 experiences All Terrain Vehicle Ride -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences Customs and Traditions City Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Discover the Unspoiled Bays of Huatulco - VIP tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences National Park, Sun and Sea Tour -
Specialist tours 2 experiences 2 Days / 1 Night: Oaxaca Overnight From Huatulco
- 3-6 hours 4
- Over 6 hours 2
- 1-3 hours 1
- Couples 11
- Youth 11
- Families 10
- Senior 9
- Adult only 1
- Private 1
Top experiences in Huatulco
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 24 available.
Discover Huatulco: Viewpoints, Flavors and Traditions – Half-Day Tour
From $32 per adult
Tour to the Bays by Private boat
From $193 per adult
Discover the Unspoiled Bays of Huatulco - VIP tour
From $42 per adult
Sunrise Tour with Stars and Dolphins
From $62 per adult
Villages Coffee Tour
From $158 per adult
Visit to the Crocodiles with Turtle Release
From $42 per adult
Discover Puerto Escondido – Full-Day Tour
From $462 per adult
Sunset in Mazunte – Full-Day Tour
From $186 per adult
National Park, Sun and Sea Tour
From $47 per adult
Sunset Boat Tour
From $240 per adult
Huatulco Sport Fishing Adventure
From $961 per adult
Huatulco Hiking, Scenic Viewpoints and Snorkeling – Half-Day Tour
From $95 per adult
Where to stay in Huatulco
Popular hotels in Huatulco, out of 61 properties you can book.
Coral Blue Huatulco
From $252 per night
Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa All Inclusive
From $345 per night
Las Brisas Huatulco
From $281 per night
Park Royal Huatulco managed by Accor
From $277 per night
Binniguenda Huatulco & Beach Club
From $215 per night
Castillo Huatulco Hotel & Beach Club
From $103 per night
Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa
From $386 per night
Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco
From $141 per night
Quinta Real Huatulco
From $441 per night
OYO Hotel Betsua Vista Hermosa, Huatulco
From $38 per night
Villablanca Huatulco
From $158 per night
Marina Resort & Beach Club
From $77 per night
Best time to visit Huatulco
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Huatulco is January, when average daytime highs are around 89°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Huatulco weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 91° 77° 43%
- Thu 22 Oct 93° 76° 43%
- Fri 23 Oct 91° 77° 24%
- Sat 24 Oct 91° 73° 6%
- Sun 25 Oct 90° 76° 9%
- Mon 26 Oct 86° 76° 24%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)1 US dollar ≈ $18.4
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_CityUTC−6
- Capital
- Mexico City
Upcoming public holidays in Mexico
- Revolution DayDía de la Revolución
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Constitution DayDía de la Constitución
- Benito Juárez's birthdayNatalicio de Benito Juárez
- Labour DayDía del Trabajo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Huatulco
These are the airports closest to central Huatulco. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HUX Bahías de Huatulco International Airport9 mi (15 km) from the city centre
- PXM Puerto Escondido International Airport65 mi (104 km) from the city centre
- SCX Salina Cruz Airport69 mi (111 km) from the city centre
Getting around Huatulco
The Bahías de Huatulco tourist area revolves around a few town centers:
By taxi
Taxis are the most transport method for visitors, and the area is extremely easy to get around if you can afford paying M$35-100 for a ride (depending on how far you're going). Taxis are color-coded for different home base areas, but in generally any taxi will take you anywhere "especial" (paying the entire fare).
By local bus
Huatulco has a system of local public buses (called "camiones", not "autobuses") painted blue and white. There area few different routes, not always marked on the outside of the bus, so double check that it's going where you think it is. Most of them run either between La Crucecita and Santa Cruz (M$10 in 2024) or between La Crucecita and the inland town center of Santa María Huatulco (M$25 in 2024, passing the long-distance bus stations, the airport entrance, and the junction to San Agustín, see above).
By boat
Small boats ("lanchas") and catamarans are available for hire to take you just about anywhere in the area, generally for prices in the thousands of pesos for a whole boat. "Colectivo" boats (shared with strangers) do day trips from Santa Cruz that visit several different bays in the national park, with stops that depend on the operators, for about M$600 per person in April 2024.
Huatulco travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Huatulco?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Huatulco is January, when average daytime highs are around 89°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Huatulco?
April is usually the warmest month in Huatulco, with average highs of 94°F (34°C). September is the coolest, with average lows of 69°F (20°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 443 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Huatulco?
Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX) is the closest airport, about 9 miles (15 km) from the centre of Huatulco. Other nearby airports include Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM, 65 mi) and Salina Cruz Airport (SCX, 69 mi).
What currency is used in Huatulco?
Huatulco uses the Mexican peso (MXN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $18.4.
What time zone is Huatulco in?
Huatulco uses the America/Mexico_City time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Huatulco?
The Bahías de Huatulco tourist area revolves around a few town centers:
What are the best places to visit in Huatulco?
Top sights in Huatulco include Huatulco National Park, La Crucecita, Playa Zipolite and Mazunte. A protected stretch of coastline, dry forest, and reefs covering several of Huatulco's bays. The easiest way to see it is a boat tour that stops at beaches only reachable by water, so bring snorkel gear.
What are the top things to do in Huatulco?
Popular experiences you can book in Huatulco include Discover Huatulco: Viewpoints, Flavors and Traditions – Half-Day Tour, Tour to the Bays by Private boat and Discover the Unspoiled Bays of Huatulco - VIP tour. Destina Holidays offers 24 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Huatulco?
The most popular types of experiences in Huatulco are outdoor activities & adventure (13), day trips & excursions (3), cruise & water tours (2) and zoo, aquarium & nature (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Huatulco?
Popular areas for hotels in Huatulco include Bahia Santa Cruz, Bahia de Tangolunda and Bahia de Conejos. Well-reviewed options include Coral Blue Huatulco and Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa All Inclusive.
How many hotels can I book in Huatulco?
Destina Holidays currently lists 61 properties in and around Huatulco, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
