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Huatulco is a stretch of Oaxaca's Pacific coast divided into a string of bays, each with its own beaches tucked between rocky, dry-forest headlands. Developed as a planned resort area starting in the 1980s, it kept much of its coastline undeveloped, and a large share of the land and sea falls within Huatulco National Park. The result is a calmer, greener alternative to Mexico's larger beach resorts.
Days tend to drift from one bay to the next. Santa Cruz Bay has the main pier and a small town feel, while Playa La Entrega is a favorite for easy snorkeling over coral. Bahía Maguey is lined with seafood restaurants, and the more secluded Bahía Órgano and Cacaluta reward those willing to walk or take a boat. A boat trip through the national park strings together several bays in an afternoon, and San Agustín, at the western end, has reefs and simple palapa restaurants. Inland, La Crucecita supplies the everyday life of the area, with its plaza, church and markets, and Bocana del Río Copalita has an archaeological park and surf.
Couples, families and travelers who want swimming beaches without nightlife intensity find Huatulco a good fit. Tangolunda Bay holds the larger resorts, while the Chahué marina area sits between the town and the beaches.
WiserMap travel guideHuatulco Mexico Nine Bays Calm Beaches and Pacific SunsetsExplore Huatulco's nine bays, calm beaches, national park trails and La Crucecita on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, with food, stays, seasons and a three day plan.Read the guide
Bahía Santa Cruz is Huatulco's most central bay, with a small harbour where cruise ships, tour boats and fishing launches dock, a calm beach lined with palapa restaurants, and a little chapel by the sand. Many boat tours to the other bays leave from the pier here. It is busy on cruise days, so come early or late.
La Entrega is a sheltered beach a short ride from Santa Cruz, with calm, clear water and coral close to shore that makes it one of the best spots in Huatulco for easy snorkeling. Gear rentals and seafood restaurants line the sand. It gets busy at midday, and you can reach it by taxi, boat or a coastal walk.
Maguey is a wide, sheltered bay inside the Huatulco National Park area with calm water, a row of rustic seafood restaurants and snorkel and kayak rentals. Rocks at either end are good for spotting fish. It is reachable by road, unlike some other bays. Try the grilled fish and spend a lazy afternoon in the shade.
Cacaluta is a long, undeveloped beach in Huatulco National Park with fine golden sand and a small island offshore with good snorkeling. There are no restaurants or services, which keeps it quiet. Reach it by boat or by a jungle trail from the road, and bring water, shade and snacks, as there is nothing to buy.
At the western end of the Huatulco bays, San Agustín has shallow coral reefs right off the beach that are among the best snorkeling spots on the Oaxaca coast, plus simple family seafood restaurants on the sand. It is reached by a long road or by boat. Rent gear on the beach and avoid standing on the coral.
Day boat tours from Santa Cruz cruise along Huatulco National Park's coast, stopping at several of the nine bays for swimming, snorkeling and a seafood lunch. On the way you pass rock formations such as El Bufadero blowhole and may see dolphins or turtles. Bring sunscreen, a towel and cash for food.
La Crucecita is the lively town centre of Huatulco, built around a shady plaza with a bandstand, restaurants, ice cream shops and craft stalls. It has the local market and more affordable places to eat than the resorts. Evenings are pleasant, when families gather in the plaza and street food stands open.
The church beside the main plaza of La Crucecita is known for a huge painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe covering its ceiling, said to be among the largest of its kind. The interior is bright and simple. Visit quietly outside service times, dress respectfully, and look up as you enter.
Tangolunda is Huatulco's main resort bay, lined with large all-inclusive hotels, a golf course and a long sandy beach. The surf can be stronger here than in the inner bays, so check flags before swimming. Even if you stay elsewhere, you can walk the beach and enjoy a meal or drink at some of the hotel restaurants.
Near the mouth of the Copalita River, this archaeological park protects remains of a pre-Hispanic settlement, including a ball court and platforms, along jungle trails that end at a clifftop lookout over the ocean. A small museum explains the site. Go in the morning when it is cooler, and bring water and insect repellent.
The hills inland from Huatulco, around Pluma Hidalgo, have long grown shade coffee on old fincas, some of which offer tours of the plantations, processing areas and tastings, often with waterfalls and river swims nearby. Day trips run from Huatulco. Roads are winding, so it is easiest to go with a tour.
The original town of Huatulco, the municipal seat, lies inland from the coast and has a quieter traditional feel, with a plaza, a church and a weekly market. Few tourists visit, making it a glimpse of everyday Oaxacan life. It is a short taxi ride from La Crucecita and can be combined with a trip into the coffee hills.
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