Huatulco is a resort town in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, located on the Pacific Ocean at the foot of the Sierra Madre del Sur. It is a tropical paradise of jungle and abundant vegetation, framed by mountains and nine large bays. It was once a small fishing village. Today it is a state-of-the-art resort, with luxury boutique hotels and a cruise ship terminal. The city relies on tourism, coffee production and fishing.
There are several key places in Huatulco that you need to visit. It will cost you to explore the city center, visit coffee plantations and beaches, and try local cuisine.
Huatulco National Park
The pearl of the park — The 35 km long Huatulco Bay is surrounded by amazing mountains, slopes, valleys and abundant vegetation. The national park is famous for its marine life and the many species found along the coast. It has one of the richest ecosystems in Mexico. There are 36 beaches along the bay, and each of them is magical and full of natural beauty. The height of the waves on the beaches is also different. The beaches of the bay surprise with golden sand and crystal clear water. During the rainy season, the mountains and hills around Huatulco are covered with greenery and flowers, everything around blossoms at the same time. Huge cacti against the backdrop of crystal water, much taller than human height, amaze the imagination. Absolutely wild places break off with high cliffs into the ocean. The park has many rivers, waterfalls, mountain trails and coastal areas with pristine nature. More than 413 species of plants grow here, 130 species of mammals, 291 species of birds, 72 — reptory and 15 — amphibians. To explore all the coastal spots, head early in the morning to Riscalillo or San Agustin, where nature and human life remain exactly as they were many years ago.
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Culture and gastronomy
Being part of Oaxaca, Huatulco's ancient history and culture are reflected in folk crafts, folklore, holidays and festivals, but especially — in mouth-watering Oaxacan gastronomy. Try exotic grasshoppers, tasajo, sesina enchiladas and the world famous mole sauce. With such a vast coastline, it is no surprise that seafood is a mainstay in many local restaurants, which offer the catch of the day. Everything is the freshest! Order delicious appetizers or dishes that contain lobster, shrimp, crab or any of the many types of fish. As souvenirs you can buy traditional local products such as quesillo, chocolate and mezcal.
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Coffee plantations
Visiting coffee plantations will be interesting not only for coffee connoisseurs. And especially those where organic coffee is produced, and therefore the process of growing and processing it is not so industrialized. There are many places in the city that offer tours of coffee farms and processing plants. You will understand why the product grown in this area is unique. On the plantations you have the opportunity to stop, spend the night, and during the day enjoy the excellent cuisine of the state of Oaxaca, and in addition, exquisite freshly roasted and ground coffee. Finca Margaritas offers a unique glamping experience where you can learn about the coffee brewing cycle and the entire process, from growing the plant to getting the coffee in your cup. In addition, temazcal is popular in these parts, which is an Indian bathhouse — a low-heat steam room dating back to pre-Hispanic times.
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Tour of the bays
Coastal bays are distinguished by their unique beauty. It is more convenient to take a boat tour or book a jet ski tour. Over the course of three hours, you will visit beautiful deserted beaches and snorkel on the most secluded ones. Relax by the sea and enjoy culinary delights in numerous coastal restaurants. If you choose a boat excursion, most leave from Bahia Santa Cruz and take you to San Agustin Bay where you can go snorkeling. Other popular activities include kayaking and surfing. This is a personal way to spend a day, especially for lovers of the sea and adventure.
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The combination of completely clear water, even at great depths, with clean sand and easy access to the water, makes many Huatulco bays an ideal place for a family holiday.
Magic waterfalls
An hour and a half drive from Huatulco, amid the green coastal landscape, you will find the Magical Falls of Copalitilla. These waterfalls are truly a magical sight, fed by the crystal clear waters of the Copalita River. You can get a natural massage under their refreshing and relaxing jets. Tours follow the river along a walking trail past several large cascades. Swinging cable cars, water-filled caves and natural pools are just some of the amazing places you'll encounter on this trip. In addition, you can enjoy quite extreme rafting on a mountain river.
Watch the dolphins, there are a lot of them in the bays. In the spring in Huatulco there is also the opportunity to see whales with calves, and guides will tell you when and where the best time to watch them is.
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If you like ecotourism, Huatulco should be your next place to visit in Mexico. The eco-friendly city has been certified as an EarthCheck Platinum Destination and is truly heaven on earth.