Huatulco, Oaxaca Travel Guide
- Alliey Kutynec
- Apr 7, 2022
- 4 min read
Huatulco has to be my favourite destination in Mexico, the beaches are amazing and so relaxing. Behind the beaches lays a lushes rain forest and beautiful mountains that has hidden coffee plantations.
When Mexico is brought up in a conversation it is talked about as a holiday destination for time share holders or winter getaways from up north. They always mention the Cancun area, Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta but rarely do we hear about Huatulco. Backpackers don't know much about this hidden gem as its not a backpacker destination (yet?). The tourism here is based on all inclusive resorts, but its not congested with one on every corner you would have to be looking to find them. Not only is it an all inclusive destination; the condo and apartment industry is booming with Canadian/ USA retires.
Huatulco ('Wa-tool-koh') is not considered one town it is made up of sections; the main downtown area is called La Crucecitia. You will find sovenier shops, banks, bars, food, market, grocery stores and bus stations.Huatulco is known for the 9 major bays, known has most beautiful beaches in Oaxaca.
Huatulco Best Beaches
The coastline stretches 26km long, has 9 major bays and has 36 beaches in total. Most beaches are in walkable distance from downtown and hotel area. The region has set prices on how much it is to take a taxi to a beach or an area ranges from shortest (50$ peso's to 150$) longest distance.
Recommended beaches:
Playa Santa Cruz
1.5 - 2 km walk from the downtown area, on the right side of the Marina and the cruise ship dock. Warm, clear water and beautiful sand. Has Kayak, SUP or snorkel rental right on the beach.
Playa Entrega
Voted the best beach in Oaxaca. It is a smaller beach with plenty of restaurants, SUP rental and snorkel rental. All inclusive tours and boat tours stop here for lunch, recommend going early in the week as locals come on the weekends and often can get crowded. $70 peso taxi ride (one way) 4.5km. Wouldn't recommend walking.
Playa Oregano
This beach is a hidden gem, crystal clear water and all to yourself. Located 4km out town on the left side, park on the main road; head down a sanded forest path (1km) and you'll reach an untouched paradise. The bay boat tours do stop here for a snorkel but its never busy.
Playa Tangolunda
5km walk, passing the tourist Huatulco sign over looking the bay on the right and before the golf course is the public beach access. Head down the gravel road, park and take the tire trail to the beach. Dreams Resort & Spa is located on the left side of the bay.
Playa Conejos
This beautiful golden sanded beach is one of the farthest away from the centre (8km walk). On the right side of the road there is a playa access sign, park and trail is 500m to the beach. This beach has Secrets Resort & Spa, Day packages start at $100 USD includes all food, drinks and activities. Would recommend for snorkelling or SUP.
Playa Maguey
Heading west from Santa Cruz section, 3km out you'll reach the end of the paved road or a 4.5km walk from downtown. This beach is 400m long and has plenty of restaurants, snorkel rentals and locals selling tours. Very clear water and is great for swimming, would recommend going during the weekdays as It can get very crowded with families on the weekends.
Playa Arrocito
This beach is hidden away surrounded by apartments and houses. Although this beach is tiny; it holds a couple of good restaurants, a few too many fishing boats and a great place for swimming. The water is very clear, would recommend bringing a floaty. It is located a 2 km, would suggest taking a taxi, but is walkable.
Place to Stay
There are lots of accommodation in La Crucecita ranging in different price ranges. Basic hotel rooms for $40 - $350 USD per night with no kitchen. We had found a budget hostel that we highly recommend:
Recommend place to stay:
This hostel is located in downtown, close to the grocery store, bank, and market. There is a fully stocked kitchen and a terrace that faces a soccer stadium to relax. They have hostel dorms that are $220 peso per night, and the privates with bathrooms are $600 pesos per night.
Places to Eat
La Crucecita has a fair few restaurants to pick from and the prices aren't expensive. What I look for in a good restaurant is locally fresh sourced ingredients.
Recommended Restaurants:
This restaurant is located a few blocks from the main square. There is lots of options from pizza to pasta. The average price for a meal is 150 - 250 pesos a meal.
This place has to be my favourite Italian restaurant that I have been to so far. Its locally owned and all the ingredients are fresh. There are so many options on the menu from pizza, pasta and salads. I recommend this place to eat if coming to La Crucecita. Located just a block away from the square next to a hotel.
Just around the corner from the square, you'll find this hidden gem. Although this restaurant is small it holds Thai and a mix of Indian food as well. All the ingredients are fresh and the service is fantastic. If your out and craving some good Thai food this is place.
Beside Thai Pei and near Once Once coffee bar, this gem is located right by the square. We were looking for a gourmet breakfast place and found this. They have fantastic coffee, and a great menu for breakfast & brunch. I would I highly recommend this place if looking for a place for omelette, classic breakfast or pancakes. Their menu is huge.
Bahia San Agustin
Just west 14km out of Santa Cruz Huatulco, is a fishing village and an upcoming development of a new town. There are two RV parks, and bungalow style accommodation.
Recommended Beaches:
Playa San Agustin
This beach is packed with restaurants that are over priced and can get away with it with the view. The restaurants are located very close to the water and is very congested to publicly sit and lay out a towel. The water is crystal clear and has amazing swimming and snorkelling; It is must beach to visit.
Playa Riscalillo
4km walk east from playa San Agustin down a sanded road you'll reach the beach of Riscalillo; another hidden gem. There is two restaurants on the beach, but lots of public area to sit and explore the water. Tour boats do stop here and snorkel if they have time. I would highly recommend visiting and heading for a snorkel In high tide.
Where to Stay
Got a tent? or want to rent a caravan for a night or 10? We stayed at Chuparosa Rv Park located 300m from the beach for 400 pesos a night. This is Canadian family owned park that has an upcoming fruit, vegetable and herb garden; Also has a swimming pool, with an outdoor kitchen and new modern shower house with hot water. I would highly recommend staying here if visiting San Agustin. *Note: make sure you bring all the food you need, this village doesn't have a grocery store*
Getting Here & Away
From Huatulco
There are two options to San Agustin, we took a taxi for 600 pesos from the downtown area which wasn't the right price. We had learned that you could take it for no more then $400 pesos. You can take the bus from the local terminal to the crossroads and get a car collective down, but they might not have room for bags. Best option is to get multiple people, split the cost and take a taxi.
From Puerto Escondido/ Pochutla
Leaving from Puerto Escondido is easy, on the main highway that goes through town stand on the right hand side heading south. There is a blue bus with dolphins on the front that leave town every 15min, that will take you directly to Pochutla for $4o peso pp. Tell the bus driver that you are heading to Santa Cruz, Huatulco and he will stop on main street where the collective agencies are.
From Pochutla
On main street you will find different local collectives that head to Santa Cruz Huatulco, it should cost you 35 peso/pp and they have the option for a microbus or a bus. It should take one hour to get there and has multiple stops at the cross roads of San Agustin and the airport. If heading the San Agustin, get off at the cross roads and take a taxi or collectivo down. Bus station in Huatulco is on the edge of the sectors; located just up from the ADO bus station, it is a short walk (1.5km) to the downtown area.
San Cristobal/Salina Cruz
Ado has a buses two over night buses leaving at 9pm and 12pm to San Cristobal via Salina Cruz costing $650 peso/pp; 200 peso/pp to Salina Cruz.
Thank you for visiting!
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