8 Things to Do in Huatulco, Mexico and Why I Won’t Be Back
What is Huatulco Known for?
Sitting along the Oaxaca’s Pacific coast, Huatulco Mexico is a beach destination famous for its nine bays, beautiful beaches, and all-inclusive resorts. The perfect place to sip a margarita while watching the sunset dip into the Pacific Ocean.
An Honest Opinion
But for me…Huatulco was a head-scratcher and not in a good way. It may have just been my personal experiences here, but I would say that this town, at least La Crucecita is a No No Don’t Go Go instead.
It wasn’t that Huatulco was “bad”, just in my opinion, not special enough to warrant a stop when Mexico has so many other lovely options. I don’t want to tear into this small village too much as there were still great things to do in Huatulco, Mexico. So if you are interested in the reasons behind my not-so-positive review, I’ll list them out at the end of the post here.
But as it often is in traveling…my experiences may not reflect yours, and you may walk away brimming with smiles about Huatulco. And if you are planning a trip here, I would still love for you to enjoy the best things to do in Huatulco. Everything is relative, and if you are escaping the freezing United States winter, then I would say this is still a lovely getaway.
Best Copalitilla Waterfall Tour
⭐️ Rated: 5 Stars
Huatulco is a Misleading Name
Huatulco is a misleading name because it is not a town but an entire area with attractions like the Huatulco Bays and Huatulco National Park & Protected Area. When the locals refer to the Huatulco area, they generally mean the beach town named La Crucecita.
How to Get to Huatulco, La Crucecita
Bus From Puerto Escondido to Huatulco
The ADO/OCC station on Puerto Escondido’s main road has tickets every 1-2 hours and costs a surprising 246 pesos for a 2.5 hour ride. This is usually high for Mexico as I had taken another bus for the same amount of time for 135 pesos.
The bus stop will be called Santa Maria Huatulco, but the ending destination is actually in the small town of La Crucecita (which to me is weird because there is literally a town named Santa Maria Huatulco!)
Bus From Oaxaca City to Huatulco
Taking a bus from Oaxaca City overland will take 8-10 hours. There are both daytime and night buses available for this route. The ADO bus will cost between 400-600 pesos and drop you off at the La Crucecita ADO station.
If you’re planning on renting a car to Huatulco, here are other Oaxaca road trip stops you should visit on the way.
Bus From Mexico City to Huatulco
It’s a 19hr bus that is more than a flight. You should fly.
What Airport do You fly into For Huatulco Mexico?
Along with domestic flights, there are direct flights from other North American countries that fly straight to Huatulco International Airport. From there book a transport service to take you to your hotel or the city center.
How to Get Around Huatulco Mexico
Rent A Scooter or Motorbike
Renting a scooter is a great way to see the best places in Huatulco. Although almost double the cost of a scooter compared to Puerto Escondido at a minimum of 500 pesos for a full-day rental, it is definitely worth it if you are trying to get a good day of sightseeing in. The scooter company will usually also take a deposit, the ones I had asked for ranged from $50 – $175 USD.
I got my rental from Huatulco – Adventura Mundo, who seemed pretty legit and professional. I received a scooter with only 14,000 km on it, and it was the cheapest per day with a price of 500 pesos but took $175 USD as a deposit on a credit card.
Taxis
This is Mexico, so there is no shortage of taxi drivers. Huatulco actually posts its taxi fees in the town center. This was especially useful when going to the Bahias de Huatulco International Airport.
Note: If you do not leave from the posted signage, it will be up to you to negotiate your fare. Make sure to ask before driving away.
Top Things to Do in Huatulco Mexico
Marvel at the Copalitilla Magic Waterfalls
I would almost go as far as to say you should put the Copalitilla Magic Waterfalls on your Mexico bucket list, at least for the state of Oaxaca. It doesn’t look so grand in pictures, but it really is magical once you get there.
These beautiful waterfalls are separated into three sections, and the Magical Falls of Copalitilla are the best. You can walk straight up to the multi-tiered waterfalls to play in the blue pools, and there is even a cave for you to crawl in and rappel up.
On a guided tour – like this waterfall tour, some itineraries will also include a tour of a nearby coffee plantation and a traditional meal. If you travel to the falls on your own but still want a tour guide, a friendly local guide is available for hire before the waterfall entrance.
👉 Book your Copalitilla Magical Waterfall Tour ahead of time
Get Baked in a Mud Bath in La Bocana Beach
I love mud baths. Adding this activity to the list of mud volcanoes, mud hot springs, and mud spas I have done throughout my traveling career.
At La Bocana beach, which is not walkable from town at all (8km), some ladies give mud baths. Usually, they are out near the beach from around 10 am – 3 pm.
I came later than that, so they were no longer on the beach, but one lady was just a 1-minute walk in her house/shop, ready to slather a girl with mud. It cost 200 pesos (which not sure if it was worth it, but we were already there).
The Mudding Process
A hand scoops mud minerals and muck out a bucket, and slathers it across every inch of your body. Afterward, you will bake in the sun until dry. I decided to take the time to take some ridiculous photos before the lady rubbed the sprinkling dry mud off.
Afterward, you can clean off in the ocean or at a Copalita river mouth at the end of the beach (in the wet season). But as the sun was setting, the shop also just had a shower outside her shop. Oh yea, did I mention this whole thing is just on the side of the road on the side of her shop? Hilarious.
Note: My bathing suit has never been the same, no matter how often I washed it afterward.
Archeological Park of Copalita
Right by Playa La Bocana beach is a small archaeological site you can tack into your itinerary. Here’s a website with specific details of how to visit. It costs foreigners 80 pesos to enter.
Address: Huatulco, 70989 Bahías de Huatulco, Oax., Mexico
Explore Huatulco’s 9 Bays and 30+ Beaches
On a map of Huatulco, there seems to be a beach in every nook and cranny of the bay. The total comes out to nine bays and more than thirty beaches in the immediate Huatulco area. Many are not reachable by land vehicle, only by hiking or a boat tour. Also, the number of beaches and bays is debatable, depending on different sources.
So which Huatulco beaches should you visit? Why not a bunch of them. There really are so many beaches to discover, some developed, some not so much, some secluded, and some built for parties. We beach-hopped and visited 7 or 8 beaches in just one afternoon!
Can you swim in the Ocean in Huatulco?
Yes, you can at (almost) all the beaches. All the sandy beaches sit in one of Huatulco’s many bays, which provide shelter from the swells of the Pacific.
Bay Boat Tour
Aside from signing up with a tour agency, at Playa Santa Cruz, you can buy tickets for boat rides yourself. There is also the option to rent out the entire boat for one day, paying as a group. This makes sense if you have the maximum number of people allowed, and it’ll be cheaper for everyone.
The boat tours can be different, but they will most likely include a variation of the following stops and bays of Huatulco: Santa Cruz Bay, Chachacual Bay, Playa La Entrega, Cacaluta Bay, India Bay, Organo Bay, Maguey Bay, Tangolunda Bay, the lighthouse, and face-shaped rock formations.
👉 Discover all 7 + of Huatulco’s bays while catching some dolphins, turtles (and maybe whales) by booking this all-day boat trip
Lighthouse Viewpoint
We found a neat lighthouse viewpoint while driving around the bays. This was one of the top things to see in the area.
Go Scuba Diving
Huatulco Dive advertises 24 reef dive locations in the various bays around Huatulco, where you can see many fish species. Two scuba dives here will set you back ~$100 USD, all equipment included. If you aren’t so much a fan of going to places with no escape, they also offer snorkeling trips.
Check out the Zocalo
In the usual Mexican manner, the town is set up around a Zocalo, or a town center, and La Crucecita is no different. Surrounding the center square is four rows of restaurants and shops and, of course, a cathedral. Take a peek into some of the buildings, and you will see that many are designed courtyard-style too.
Where to Stay in Huatulco
SPLASH OF LUXURY ON PLAYA BOCANA – Hotel Casa Bocana
After getting a mud bath and sunbathing in the chillest stretch of beach on Playa Bocana, there is nothing better than living in the lap of luxury at this 4 star hotel, Hotel Casa Bocana. One look at the natural, modern design will have you in awe. From the guest rooms to the spacious lounge areas and outdoor pool facilities, it’s clear that no detail has been left out.
PRIVATE BALCONY & HAMMOCK OVERLOOKING CITY CENTER- Casa Hotel Shaguiba
After wandering into a meh hotel the first night, we spent the next day looking for a better alternative. Then we found Hotel Casa Shaguiba, almost right on the Zocalo!
Location: ✅ Price: ✅ Room: ✅ Room 301 on the roof has a personal balcony and hammock *ding, ding, ding*.
If you are in La Crucecita, I would recommend this hotel, and definitely ask if the top room is available.
AFFORDABLE RESORT NEXT TO BEACH CHAHUE – Hotel Plaza Delphinus
Hotel Plaza Delphinus’s main draw was its proximity to the beach. It was the cheapest we could find at only 500 pesos at a decent hotel. Pros: It was only a few minutes from the beach. Once you cross the strangely vast parking lot, a lovely walkway lined with flora and maintained greenery leads you straight to Playa Chahue.
More: Find Other Top Accommodation Deals in Huatulco on Booking.com
No No Don’t Go Go: Why I will not be returning to Huatulco
1. I had some encounters with locals that left a bad taste in my mouth…mostly about money.
- After eating out for lunch, we received and paid the bill. Upon looking more closely, we questioned why the amount was so high. The waiter said that the tip was included. Without notifying us anywhere, they had added a 25% tip for themselves. When we asked them where it was indicated, the host replied, “Oh so what, it’s only 2 or 3 dollars.”
- My travel buddy ordered an omelet and asked for two extra eggs, and they charged him for two omelets. Usually, it is just a small additional fee for such a change.
- We went to the gym and were asked if we wanted to rent towels for 10 pesos, but we were let in as they were not needed. The next day, we were required to have towels or rent them for 15 pesos each.
- I had an encounter with a scooter rental rep whom I did not end up renting from. He had adamantly talked about how 50$ was nothing in Mexico, of which, if you are budgeting, can last you at least 1-2 days of travel.
I recognize that each individual encounter itself does not amount to much thought, that it could happen anywhere. The consecutiveness of these interactions in the short time that we were there determined my opinion: too many tourists have already raked the authenticity out of this place.
2. The shape of La Crucecita town reminded me of Cancun…very spread out.
If you’ve been to Cancun, then you know how it is, not very walkable. There is a resort area by the beach. La Crucecita’s main town is a couple of miles away, just far enough to be uncomfortable to walk between the two locations. La Crucecita was initially designed as a service town to support the growing number of tourists arriving to the Hotel Zone via cruise ships, thus the divide.
If you would like to visit most beaches of Huatulco, you either need to rent a scooter, get a tour/boat, or hire a taxi. None of the main attractions are very public transport friendly or walkable.
3. Hot Take: The beaches are just average…but mainly because the trees were all dead in January.
We probably rode to at least 10 different beaches in the area on the scooter, and they were just…
…meh.
They weren’t bad; the beaches had crystal clear waters, the sand was clean, but I think that January may not be the best season as Mexico is at the peak of its dry season. Thus all the surroundings are kinda dead.
Related Post: For some fantastic beaches, check out Chacahua or Acapulco
4. I am not the target demographic
Many of these problems would not have been problems for Huatulco and La Crucecita’s target demographic. This is very much a cruise harboring port, so there weren’t many backpacking backpacks in sight.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Huatulco, Mexico
Ultimately, I would say that you may have a great time here, and I don’t want to discourage anyone from visiting and forming their own opinion. There are still many things to do in Huatulco, but out of all the places to visit in Mexico and this world, I just think once here is enough.
Although I didn’t fall in love with Huatulco, I wouldn’t hesitate to do these activities again:
- Day trip to the magical waterfalls of Copalitilla
- Getting baked in mud by the mud ladies
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Going Elsewhere? Discover Other Mexico Adventures and Resources
- Best Things to Do in Tepoztlán, Mexico
- Fun Things to Do in Acapulco, Mexico
- Best Things to Do in Taxco, Mexico
- Best Things to Do in Zihuatanejo – Ixtapa, Mexico
- Ixtapa Island: A Perfect Beach Day at La Isla Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo
- How to Visit Chacahua, Oaxaca – A Secret Mexican Beach Paradise
- Adventurous Things to Do in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
- Day Trip to the Magical Waterfalls of Copalitilla and Llano Grande
- Never Lost in Mexico: Transporation Guide to Getting Around Mexico
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