Finally leaving Mazunte (what a place – loved it there!), we went to Huatulco, home to nine bays and thirty six beaches (no shortage of beaches!), and our last stop along the Oaxaca coast!
Beaches and bays aside, Huatulco has got a reputation as a popular resort destination for American and Canadian holiday makers.
We were slightly apprehensive and on the fence about visiting for this reason. However, we ultimately decided to go; it was a new place (with more beaches and sun!), and shortened our next night bus to San Cristobal by a few hours.
We had two full days in Huatulco, here’s what we got up to…spoiler…I ended up liking Huatulco more than I expected to…
Cacaluta Bay
Cacaluta bay is one of Huatulco’s nine bays. It’s one of the harder to reach bays, which for us immediately meant less people! Yay!!
Most people visit Cacaluta on a boat tour of the bays (which from what I saw didn’t really stop at the bay, just passed by). We opted for the second less popular option – a taxi and a walk.
From La Crucecita (Huatulco’s main town and where we were staying), we got a taxi to the drop off point for Cacaluta. There are two trails to the bay and we asked our driver for the jungle one – it’s quicker and more shaded! We reached the beach in around 20/30 minutes.
Tip: Mosquitos are plentiful in the jungle – take repellent! I was speed walking and topping up!
We were off the grid – no phone service – and had a bay and beach pretty much to ourselves! I loved it!!
Given its remote location, do take supplies with you – water, food, and your own shade if you want it. There’s nothing else there!
Lots of cacti line the back of the beach which was really cool! Cacti and sand!
For the way back, we followed the jungle trail again continuing along it until we reached the road to Playa Maguey, the next beach along where taxis wait to take you back to town. Again, this was only a 20/30 minute walk.
We checked Playa Maguey out briefly, five minutes was enough – it was heaving with people! Restaurants line the sand and it felt like a human zoo.
So so crowded, my idea of beach hell! Not for me at all! A complete contrast to Cacaluta bay in every single way. I imagine Playa Entrega would be similar. Playa Santa Cruz which is the closest beach, walkable from La Crucecita, was also packed with people and restaurants. I would honestly avoid!
Tours: 350 pesos or you can rent a boat for 10 people for 2000 pesos. The boat was way out of our budget! If you’re a big group on holiday, it could work.
Taxi: 75 pesos one way (fixed price) from La Crucecita to trail start point.
Bahía de Conejos
We were tempted to return to Cacaluta bay for our second day, but decided to explore elsewhere. Speaking to the lady at our hostel, she recommended Bahía de Conejos.
There’s several beaches to choose from. We went to Playa Conejos which had a few hotels overlooking the sand. It was busier than Cacaluta, but still quiet and no way near overcrowded. The waves were also calmer which made being in the water more relaxing and fun for me.
Taxi: 85 pesos one way from La Crucecita to Bahía de Conejos.
An alternative to a taxi is a shared colectivo one. We paid 18 pesos one way – much cheaper! Ask in La Crucecita for where the El Copalito shared taxis leave from, locals and other taxi drivers pointed us in the right direction. From memory, it was five or six blocks up from the main square in the direction of the ADO bus station.
Food
We didn’t eat out loads in Huatulco. We had our own lunches for the beach and cooked our first night.
Los Parados
The lady at our hostel recommended a taco place for our next night – Los Parados – and it was wonderful! We went back twice! It’s an amazing taco eatery always full of locals! The shrimp tacos are delicious! Highly recommend! All the food there looked great!
Crepes
After dinner at Los Parados, we wandered around and found a crepe street stall. It was 35 pesos for a banana and nutella crepe – my heaven! And didn’t disappoint! So so generous with the nutella! It’s several blocks up from the main square towards the ADO bus station next to an equally busy street taco stall.
How to get to Huatulco
Huatulco is another beach destination along Oaxaca’s coast, further east of Puerto Escondido and Mazunte.
We went to Huatulco from Mazunte. It was a 30 minute colectivo truck to Pochutla (20 pesos), and then just over an hour bus to Huatulco’s La Crucecita (30 pesos). I can’t give much of an idea of bus schedule from Pochutla to Huatulco, but we hopped on one straight away so I imagine frequently.
You can also reach Huatulco from Oaxaca (8hrs) and San Cristobal (10/11hrs).
There’s an airport too (makes it easy for American and Canadian holiday makers!) so flying from Mexico City and other cities are options.
Final thoughts
I liked Huatulco more than I expected to. I think Cacaluta bay, shrimp tacos at Los Parados and banana nutella crepes are why!
It’s definitely more a resort place for Americans and Canadians so I wouldn’t say it’s a must visit beach destination. I definitely prefer Mazunte, Chacahua and Puerto Escondido so set them as your priorities for the Oaxaca coast!
That said, if you’ve got the time and have already been to the other places, fancy seeing somewhere new, and San Cristobal is your next stop, Huatulco is a nice little stop for a day or two to see the bays. If you do, make sure you eat at Los Parados and go to Cacaluta bay to avoid the holiday hordes!
Next stop is the Chiapas region and San Cristobal!
