The Best Huatulco Guide – Las Bahias de Huatulco (the Huatulco Bays), or Huatulco, is a beach destination made up of nine bays with 36 beaches. Huatulco is located on the Pacific coast of the state of Oaxaca. Huatulco stretches out over 22 miles of coastline between the Coyula and Copalito rivers. They boast 36 beautiful white-sand beaches. The biodiversity and pristine landscapes make Huatulco a favorite destination of nature lovers. It has diverse activities like diving by its beautiful reefs, kayaking in its rapids and sport fishing. If you want something quieter, you can also take a horse ride.
There are nine bays in Huatulco, and the area offers a variety of beach experiences. Most have blue-green water and the sand ranges from golden to white. Some of the beaches, such as Santa Cruz, la Entrega and El Arrocito have very gentle waves. Most of the development is centered around a few of the bays. Tangolunda is the largest of Huatulco’s bays, and is where most of Huatulco’s large resorts are located. Santa Cruz has a cruise ship port, marina, shops and restaurants. Some of the beaches are completely pristine and only accessible by boat. To learn more about all the beautiful beaches of the Mexican Riviera, visit here, or visit us on Pinterest. Now view our Huatulco Travel Guide to help plan your next Mexican Riviera vacation!
Huatulco Weather – When to Visit
October through February are the driest, sunniest and nicest months for visisting Huatulco with temperatures in the 70s. Avoid the rainy season from June through September when humidity is high, temperatures are in the mid-80s, and most of the rain occurs during these months. Huatulco experiences a peak in tourism from December to April, so visit in October or November to avoid the crowds.
Best Huatulco Beaches
San Agustin Bay
San Agustin BaySan Agustin Bay has some of the best snorkeling or scuba diving in Huatulco. The waters here are very calm and gentle and perfect for a little exploration beneath the waves. You’ll find lots of colorful and exciting marine life here. The beaches here are some of the most pristine in Huatulco.
Cacaluta Bay
Cacaluta BayCacaluta Bay is very beautiful and some Mexican films have been filmed here. The sand is soft and smooth, the waves are blue and frothy, and the views will take your breath away. It’s one of the best beaches in the area and should not be missed.
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Santa Cruz Bay
Santa Cruz BaySanta Cruz Bay is one of the most popular beaches with good amenities and plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels. Santa Cruz Bay can get quite busy and crowded, but with super soft sands and shallow, shimmering waters, this beach one of the best for swimming and sunbathing.
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Chahué Bay
Chahué Bay is home to some of the cheaper accommodation options in Huatulco, making it a good spot for budget-conscious travelers. It’s a popular spot and close to great restaurants and nightlife spots. There’s a very lively vibe at this beach, especially in the evenings and at weekends, but during the day the ambiance is much more laid-back.
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Tangolunda Bay
Tangolunda BayOn Tangolunda Bay is where you’ll find many of Huatulco’s upscale, 5-star resorts and hotels. Wealthy travelers tend to stay in this part of Mexico, but there are some cheaper accommodation options in the area too. Tangolunda Bay features golden sands and beautiful blue waters, as well as offering some spectacular views in every direction.
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Best Huatulco Restaurants
Azul Profundo $31 – 60
If you’re in the mood for some amazing seafood, be sure to check out Azul Profundo located inside the Camino Real resort. Their self-titled Thai-Mex fusion includes some traditional French influences that result in a well balanced seafood menu. Although there are some alternatives, this is absolutely a seafood restaurant and they showcase it well. Telephone: 52-958-583-0300 Web: Azul Profundo.
La Terraza $11 – 30
Terraza offers a ‘fresh catch’ seafood menu with quality that doesn’t go unnoticed. Their ever-changing menu makes it difficult to recommend any one dish in particular, however, both the seafood and high quality steak makes this an excellent dining choice. When you visit, the menu for the day is available in both English and Spanish, which removes the guess-work for those still trying to perfect their Spanish. Telephone: 52-958-587-1157 Web: La Terraza.
Las Cúpulas $31 – 60
This restaurant offers a succulent selection of regional, domestic and international cuisine. In addition to their standard menu, you have the option of choosing from their Presence Menu, which is a fusion of the best dishes found throughout the Quinta Real hotel chain. Las Cúpulas restaurant is located just off the Quinta Real lobby in Huatulco, Mexico. Its prime location, perched high atop a cliff, gives you amazing views of Tangolunda Bay. Telephone: 52-958-581-0428 Web: Las Cupulas.
Finca De Vaqueros $11 – 30
Finca De Vaqueros is a ranch style barbecue joint offering well priced meals and an experience you won’t soon forget. This grill house offers a laid back dining experience perfect for anyone looking to have a good time. As you dine, it is typical for your waiter to bring out complementary chilled mescal adding to the festivities. In fact, the staff at Finca De Vaqueros are known for breaking out the Mexican karaoke as the mescal flows. Telephone: 52-958-587-0807 Web: Finca De Vaqueros.
Café Viena $11 – 30
When it comes to restaurants in any area, it’s the locals that know where to go! Located near Tangolunda Bay, Café Viena offers a mouth-watering menu that has made them a top contender amongst the locals. Their interesting blend of Austrian and Spanish dishes creates a unique menu that pleases a variety of palates. Telephone: 52-958-5760 Web: Cafe Viena.
Best Huatulco Bars & Nightlife
La Papaya
The trendiest night club in town, normally busy on Fridays and Saturdays, is where the locals meet and mix with the tourists, which creates a nice international atmosphere. The music selection ranges from Spanish rock from the ‘80s and ‘90s, to reggaeton, to club and commercial house music. Telephone: 52-958-587-1011 Web: La Papaya.
La Crema
This exotic restaurant-bar in La Crucecita has already become a tradition in the Bays of Huatulco. Live music is presented on some weekends and customers can spend the evening sitting back on a comfortable sofa, relaxing on a cozy chair or dancing to everything from rock and reggae to salsa. Telephone: 52-958-587-0702 Web: La Crèma.
10 Best Huatulco Hotels
In need of a vacation and I believe I might have found my next Mexican Beach Travel Destination! You make Huatulco sound very delightful. Usually end up on the Gulf/Atlantic side. Think its time to try out the pacific side! Thanks for all of the helpful info.
The water will be more refreshing on the Pacific side 🙂 You will love Huatulco! Let me know if you need any further information, and thanks for visiting Huatulco Vacations.
This place looks beautiful. I’ve been to many places in Mexico, but not here. Looks like it’s time to plan another trip so I can visit this place and go horseback riding and snorkeling. Thank you so much for writing about this and introducing me to a new vacation destination. 🙂
Tammy, horseback riding on the beach cannot be beat. I love it, and know you would too. This is a great place in Mexico without all the crowds. You’ll have a blast. Thanks for reading!
Travel Blogger here 🙂 I have been looking at other travel blogs, just to see what is out there.
I haven’t really thought about Mexico for beaches just yet, But you certainly put it on the radar for me, and you have done an awesome job! Maybe we can work together 🙂
Great post. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, maybe we can work together. That sounds like a great idea. Travel is endless, that is for sure. I love beaches, and have been a LOT of places, so this is perfect for me ? Thanks for reading!
That looks like a really fun place to visit! We have been in Mexico couple of times, but have never heard about this hidden gem. We are currently planning our family vacation and this place brought my attention. It looks like there are a lot of family activities to pick from. Do I understand correctly that this place does not have as much tourists compared with other vacation destinations in Mexico?
It is a great hidden gem! You would absolutely love it, and yes less tourism here than places like Cancun, Cozumel, and Cabo among some. Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com
You’ve done a great job with this article I can’t thank you enough. I’m an aspiring traveler so I’m noting down all the best spots that I want to visit. The fact that the best time to visit Huatulco is in October through to February works best for my schedule. I’m in New Zealand and enjoy these beaches but I’m looking for ones even better! Thanks for all the pictures too.
You are very welcome Brandon and I am glad you found my post on Huatulco Vacations helpful for you. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Hi Leahrae. What an incredibly beautiful looking place on our planet. I would definitely be interested in the scuba diving activity. This is something that I have wanted to do for a long time. You listed some night-time spots and I was wondering if there were any cultural events as well?
Thanks also for your fabulous site. It’s a pleasure to go on a mini-travel to all the locations that you have reviewed.
All the best,
Brian
Thanks for visiting Huatulco Vacations Brian. Yes, you will find that there are quite a few cultural events going on in Huatulco. Too many for me to list. A good place to find them is at viator.com. Thank you so much for visiting!
Looks like a nice spot to vacation. We’re just went through our third Nor’easter in the past 2 weeks. It’s getting old. I live in a beach community, but can only enjoy the beach in summer. Looks like there are beautiful beaches there and can’t beat temperatures in the 80’s. Looks like I’ll have to renew my passport. Thanks for the information!
You are very welcome Kevin, and yes, get busy on the passport. That can take a few months to get back. Thanks for reading Huatulco Vacations.
How are the waves in Huatulco? Usually Pacific coast beaches are good surf destinations and that would be a plus for me if I could surf while visiting. Huatulco really does look beautiful so may just have to go even without surfing! I like diving too so that is a huge plus!
-Tony
You can surf there. They do have some rough waters. My son surfs, so I know what a plus it is to be able to surf while vacationing! Thanks for reading about Huatulco Vacations.
Show me a beautiful beach destination, and I will show you where I want to spend my next vacation 🙂 I just love beautiful beaches with their clear waters and whites sands. My dream is to live close to a place considered a beach vacation destination.
The video shows the place to be a family friendly destination too which is good for someone with young kids like me. The safety warning is a little of a bummer though, but it’s good that safer alternatives of moving around are mentioned. I have never been to Mexico, but it’s definitely on my list! Thanks for sharing!
I have been to Mexico many times, too many to count. Always with my son in tow. I think that if you are aware of your surroundings and travel safely, then everything will be fine. Huatulco is a great beach destination with so much history as well! You will love it!
How lovely – I could do with a beach holiday. I liked the activities offered around the place, particularly Hagia Sofia. Nature is the best go-to holiday I think. It is quite different to anything we have here in Victoria Falls. Thanks for reccomending things to do and suggesting various holiday destinations.
Thanks
Tracy
You are welcome Tracy and thanks for visiting Huatulco and BeachTravelDestinations.com.
Wow! An amazing post you have here. I feel like I could book a trip right now. The information is very thorough and I feel well taken care of with the presentation that you have here. Its too bad that they have travel warnings for Mexico as spots such as Huatulco are so enchanting and pristine. Well, thank you for this post that you have written, I will share it with friends or family who wish to vacation or visit there!
Glad you enjoyed Camille. Let me know if you have any more questions about Huatulco and the Riviera Maya.
Paradise! I’m seriously looking into this as a vacation destination, and your post was just lovely to read. I especially like the idea of going to La Crucecita. I love the idea of shopping, relaxing with a cocktail at the sidewalk cafes and tasting the authentic Oaxacan cuisine.
I’m a little concerned about the safety of travel, but as you say, taking first-class buses during the day should be fine. Thanks for this great post in the middle of a snowy New York winter!
You are very welcome Amy. Glad you enjoyed reading about Huatulco!
Sign me up! I would love for my family and I to get out of freezing New England! This place looks very nice and it would be amazing to visit. I love the words “All Inclusive”! Maybe this will be a future destination for me!
Yes, you and your family would love it. All Inclusives are great! Just pack your bags and go. Huatulco is a wonderful place, you will love it!