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Huatulco

Huatulco travel guide

Tourist development in Mexico

Things to do24 experiences
Best time to visitJanuary
Nearest airportHUX · 7 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−6
Population7,409

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.

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.

How long
  • 3-6 hours 4
  • Over 6 hours 2
  • 1-3 hours 1
Good for
  • Couples 11
  • Youth 11
  • Families 10
  • Senior 9
  • Adult only 1
Ways to go
  • Private 1
Browse all things to do in Huatulco

Top experiences in Huatulco

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 24 available.

See all things to do in Huatulco

Where to stay in Huatulco

Popular hotels in Huatulco, out of 61 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Huatulco

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.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 64° – 89° 4
Feb 65° – 90° 8
Mar 67° – 92° 3
Apr 68° – 94° 7
May 71° – 94° 12
Jun 71° – 86° 26
Jul 69° – 87° 26
Aug 68° – 87° 26
Sep 69° – 84° 28
Oct 67° – 85° 19
Nov 65° – 86° 12
Dec 63° – 87° 7

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.

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 Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
  • PXM Puerto Escondido International Airport50 mi (81 km) from the city centre
  • SCX Salina Cruz Airport79 mi (128 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Huatulco

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 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Huatulco. Other nearby airports include Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM, 50 mi) and Salina Cruz Airport (SCX, 79 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 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.