Making the most of Huatulco
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Santa Cruz Bay is just south of the village of La Crucecita. Only a mile away or a 20 min. pleasant walk, from the Pier, La Crucecita, which is the main town in the Huatulco area, is worth a visit, if only to shop for the famous Oaxacan Alebrijes figures. Taxis are available. About $3 each way.
Printable map to take along.
Once a haven for pirates and weary sailors traveling from the Far East, today Huatulco (pronounced wah-tool-co) is a relatively undiscovered Cruise Port. Located on the Pacific Coast in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, it's one of the first destinations in the western hemisphere to focus on ecotourism and the protection of natural resources. And with 22 miles of jagged coastline, pristine beaches and spectacular crystal-clear waters – it's easy to see why.
Great swimming beach right off the pier. $5 for lounger.
Getting around
Plenty of tour operators at the pier.
Visit one of the Bays of Huatulco. There are nine individual bays along the coast, some of which are accessible only by boat. A local guide can show you the best spots for snorkeling and fishing, or if you'd like to see more than one bay, take a guided tour by motorized catamaran.
Nearby places
Visit the Cascadas de Llano Grande, a series of beautiful waterfalls located about an hour and a half from Huatulco. You can swim in the natural pools and enjoy the lush surroundings.
Food and shopping
The main destination for shopping is La Crucecita. Here you'll find a traditional open-air market with everything from beautifully embroidered clothes to alebrijes, animals carved in wood. You may also want to visit the Handicraft Museum where you can purchase the works of local artisans that are displayed.
The small town of La Crucecita is worth a visit – taxis are about $3 each way. To walk there, leave the port area and enter the crossing main street to the right, after 100 yards walk to the left entering a very broad footpath going uphill and downhill for appr. 1 ½ mile. Can be strenuous due to heat and missing shade. Note: there is no sign “La Crucecita” for the footpath!
From the Pier, the beach is on the left side, and the marina is on the right side. Just behind the beach you'll find a number of restaurant/bars, most of them offering free WiFI, and a small retail center, with shops selling souvenirs, tours, wines and liquors and other services.
Money
The currency of Mexico is the peso (MXN). The symbol for pesos is the same as for US dollars, which can be slightly confusing. Prices in dollars (in tourist areas) are labeled "US$" or sport an S with a double stroke. There are about 17 peso to 1US$.
US dollars are widely accepted in the far north and in tourist locales elsewhere.
Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in Europe or the USA. Some companies make an extra charge of around 5% on such transactions.
Staying connected
Spanish is the main language. English is largely spoken in border cities with the United States as well as tourist destinations.
Opening Hours and
Mon-Sun 1000/1100-2000/2200 (big towns and cities); Mon-Fri 0900-1400/1600 (rest of the country).