If you’ve been searching for that special beach where you can relax while also enjoying the peacefulness of stepping away from the bustle of city life, then you may want to check out the Huatulco region at Oaxaca, where you will find some of the best beaches in Mexico.
For all beach lovers out there, Mexico is a top destination spot. Cancun, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Mazatlan, and many more are the most common beach spots people visit during summer. This also makes them among the most crowded during these months. If your go-to vacation is a beach, but you're in a more peaceful mood, you may want to look elsewhere. Thankfully, there’s Oaxaca, Mexico, where you will find one of Mexico’s top travel destinations: Huatulco.
Huatulco, pronounced wah-tool-coh, is one of the many culturally rich places in this massive country, filled with art, history, great scenery, and amazing food. This region is located in Oaxaca state, on the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico, where you will find 9 bays and many attractions for a wonderful time.
Even though Huatulco is a crowded spot, its vibe feels more peaceful than any other beach in Mexico. If you want to enjoy a beach without noise or a large crowd, this is the place. The top 5 beaches at Huatulco that we recommend you visit are Santa Cruz, La Entrega, Chahué, Órgano, and San Agustín.
Huatulco is also a place rich in tradition, with cultural and magical places all over. From great restaurants, eco-friendly beaches, luxurious accommodation rentals, and many other picturesque sites to visit. Keep reading to learn more about what Huatulco has to offer, and start planning your next trip!
Looking for things to do in Huatulco besides swimming and enjoying the beach is easy, as there are many adventures you can do in the actual waters. For instance, there are certain months of the year when you can see the marvelous Mexican sea life at Huatulco’s beaches.
Beautiful humpback whales can be seen from November to April, when they mate. If you are passionate about discovering new things on each trip, trust us: this will be a great experience, as you don’t always see these animals with your own eyes. It’s magical!
Oceanico Huatulco is the operator to book for this. They're the only marine biologist team in Huatulco actively researching the local dolphin and whale populations, and they run small-group tours — maximum 8 to 12 guests — so the experience stays intimate.
For a more local take, Pilo Vazquez was born and raised in Huatulco and runs bay tours for groups up to 15. He knows the coast intimately, takes you through sea caves, and handles lunch recommendations and cold drinks along the way.
Feel free to contact your accommodation, as there are always special sightseeing packages, or, even better, take a look at this tour and schedule it in advance to see the sea life up close.
In case you didn’t know, Huatulco has 4 beaches that hold the #BlueFlag certification. This award is given to beaches worldwide when their waters are clean, and they commit to global environmental quality standards. In Huatulco, you will find Chuahué, Tangolunda, Santa Cruz, and Pescadores beaches; these are among the cleanest, safest, and most beautiful beaches along the southern coast of Mexico.
The best snorkeling is inside Huatulco National Park, where the reefs are protected, and the fish populations show it. National Park visitors need to buy a day pass (around 70 pesos) and should use only certified operators who display a green park flag on the boat. It keeps the reefs in the condition that makes them worth snorkeling. La Entrega is the most accessible from shore. Maguey, La India, and Riscalillo each have distinct reef structures worth exploring. You can view the detailed Huatulco Snorkel Map that breaks down what to expect at each bay worth checking before you decide where to go.
Beyond snorkeling, the bays are calm enough for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, and the deeper offshore waters are excellent for sport fishing.
Certainly, there's nothing else like Mexican food… oh, and its beverages. Mexican dishes are always filled with salsas and lots of spicy flavors, perfect for the most adventurous! Huatulco's restaurant scene punches well above its size.
Huatulco's restaurant scene punches well above its size. Here are restaurants worth putting on your list:
You don’t want to visit Mexico without trying these! Plus: All of these restaurants come with vegan options as well!
To truly enjoy the best beach vacation in Mexico, one must rest like a king or queen. Huatulco is known for its magical landscapes, which are complemented by some of the finest and most luxurious vacation rentals. Here, you will find many villas and furnished houses. All of these are by the coast and can be accessible to anyone. Some homes in Huatulco offer special services, including daily maid and cooking service and direct contact with the on-site restaurants.
For those who desire to travel with the whole family: brothers, sisters, cousins, grandparents, sons, nephews, and even pets, a fully equipped house is your choice. Multiple bedrooms, a private pool, a hammock strung somewhere sensible, a full garden, and enough common space that people can be together or apart depending on the hour. These aren't resort properties with a gate and a lobby. They're houses that feel like someone's home, a very nice home, on the Oaxacan coast, which is a different kind of luxury than a hotel can provide.
Whatever you choose, book as early as possible if you're traveling between November and April. The well-positioned properties move quickly during high season, and the difference between a rental that puts you steps from the bay and a last-minute option is significant in a destination this spread out across nine bays.
November through April is the sweet spot — dry weather, calm seas, and whale season running from mid-December through March. May through October brings the rains, which turn the jungle lush and keep crowds down, though ocean conditions can make boat tours harder to predict.
Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX) is about 20 minutes from the main hotel zone and is served by several Mexican carriers, as well as international routes. Most tour operators offer hotel pickup, and taxis are the standard way to move between bays once you're there. If you're planning day trips into the mountains, a rental car gives you a lot more flexibility.
As you can see, Mexico’s vacation rentals within the Huatulco region almost feel like a dream-come-true space. Rest assured, if you decide to visit Huatulco for the first time and try the amazing spots we just recommended, you will make Huatulco your home every summer!
