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Voykit pocket guide · Mexico
Huatulco
Bahías de Huatulco
Spend 2–3 days in Huatulco: one day for the main bays and beaches, another for snorkeling or a boat tour; add a half‑day if you want a hike in the national park.
Huatulco is a small resort cluster on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, built around nine bays and four protected areas. Its beaches, boat trips and modest town centres fit comfortably in a short stay, while the surrounding national park offers extra outdoor activities for those with more time.
- Country
- Mexico
- Local name
- Bahías de Huatulco
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (peak foreign tourism)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy season, highest rain days and risk of storms)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MXN
- Money
- Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $). Cards work in hotels, chains and many restaurants; markets, street food, small shops and colectivos are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget MXN 800–1,200 excl. bed · Mid MXN 1,500–2,200 excl. bed · High MXN 3,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities. SIMs sell at OXXO shops and phone stores; registration with an ID may be requested — check.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Tourist assistance 078
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 127 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; many older sockets have no earth pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.; Bars: MXN 10–20 per drink or 10%.; Petrol station attendants: MXN 10–20; more for windscreen and tyres.; Guides and drivers: 10% or MXN 200–400 a day.; Supermarket baggers (often older volunteers): MXN 5–10.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | M$30–50 |
| Taco plate | M$70–120 |
| Beer (bottle) at a bar | M$40–70 |
| Local bus (camión) | M$10–25 |
| Taxi (short ride) | M$35–60 |
| Boat trip to bays (group) | M$600–650 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HUX · Bahías de Huatulco International Airport
- 10‑20 min drive to La Crucecita; flights from Mexico City, Oaxaca, and seasonal charters from Canada/US
Typical fares
- Airport → La Crucecita (authorized shuttle)
- about M$250 one‑way (check)
- Taxi La Crucecita → Santa Cruz
- M$10 per passenger (minimum 4, check)
- Colectivo taxi La Crucecita → Santa Cruz
- M$10 per passenger, leaves when 4 people board (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis (M$35–100 depending on distance) are the easiest way. Local buses (camiones) run between La Crucecita and Santa Cruz for M$10, and between La Crucecita and Santa María Huatulco (passing the airport entrance and the junction to San Agustín) for M$25. Shared “colectivo” taxis from La Crucecita to Santa Cruz cost M$10 per passenger (minimum 4 people). Boat trips to remote bays cost about M$600–650 per person.
See and do
Known for
- Nine bays and 36 beaches
- Ecological reserves and marine park
- All‑inclusive resorts in Tangolunda Bay
- Snorkeling and boat tours
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| San Agustín beach | Local bus to the junction (M$20) then colectivo taxi (M$30) | ≈1 h total |
Sleep
- Tangolunda Bay resorts
- All‑inclusive hotels (e.g., Dreams, Barceló, Crown Pacific) – good base for beach access
- La Crucecita
- Budget hotels, hostels and guesthouses; close to bus/shuttle hub
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑KUL‑pe |
| Thank you | GraciasGRA‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN‑to KWE‑sta |
| Where is the bus stop? | ¿Dónde está la parada del camión?DON‑de es‑TA la pa‑RA‑da del ca‑MION |
| Can I pay with card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?PWE‑do pa‑GAR con tar‑HE‑ta |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; a kiss on the right cheek among friends; avoid: Skipping 'buenos días' when entering a shop
- Punctuality: Be on time for tours and buses; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Talking: Warm small talk, family, food, football; avoid: Jokes about cartels, the wall or migration
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Photos during mass
- Dining: Say 'provecho' to other diners when leaving; avoid: Rushing the waiter
Scams and watch-outs
- Coral suffered major loss in the 2023 heat wave; snorkeling still possible but marine life is reduced – check recent reports
- Peak season (Dec–Apr) brings higher prices and more tourists – book accommodation early
- Taxi fares vary; confirm price before boarding; unofficial taxis may charge less but lack air‑conditioning
Huatulco is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on personal belongings on beaches and confirm taxi fares before riding.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Huatulco yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Nine bays and 36 beaches
- Ecological reserves and marine park
- All‑inclusive resorts in Tangolunda Bay
- Snorkeling and boat tours
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Huatulco, revision 5244022 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244022
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/huatulco). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.