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Oaxaca City may be one of Mexico’s most popular city breaks right now, and the locals may say you should kick rocks, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t miss the vast state of Oaxaca, full of some of Mexico’s most underrated beach towns , shouldn’t explore.
You may have heard of Puerto Escondido at this point, especially now that United has announced the only direct U.S. route to this trendy surfer’s paradise and digital nomad hotspot.
Along the coast lies an equally beautiful cluster of beach towns that are lesser known in comparison, but just as attractive.
One of these have just been marked as one of Mexico’s safest destinations, an idyllic refuge full of pride 36 beaches from which you can choose.
Huatulco is certainly not a household name in the shadow of the much more popular Mexican resorts, and even the timeless capital of its own state is always buzzing.
Despite flying under the radar, Huatulco makes for a great winter vacation with dozens of scenic beaches and major resorts.
Luxury accommodation and a summer feeling all year round
Huatulco is one of the few places that retains its coastal charm as a relatively small town while still offering all the modern luxuries you could wish for.
While it’s a far cry from the dime-a-dozen resorts and bustling bars of Cancun, Huatulco is a more relaxing beach getaway, but if there’s anything in common with Cancun, it’s the English-speaking locals and the great weather.
Expect summer atmospheres all year round, with… average highs in the 90s every month! When the winter blues are getting you down, Huatulco is the ultimate pick-me-up for all things beach.
You can surf, kayak, sunbathe and swim without any worries. Well, other than hurricane season, you don’t have to worry about that in the winter.
When you’re not enjoying Huatulco’s clear blue and warm swimmable waters, treating yourself to beachside luxury at an affordable resort is never a bad decision.
While you won’t find dirt-cheap Southeast Asia rates here, you can still score great deals by Mexican standards, but anything is better than Cabo’s prices, right?
Huatulco has incredible resorts overlooking the Pacific Ocean with household names like Secrets, Dreams and my favorite, Barcelona – anything under $300 per night for 5-star stays.
For budgeters, Airbnb is chock full of waterfront rentals and inland apartments off the coast, for those who like to incorporate a touch of culture and timeless cities into their travel plans.
I would be remiss not to mention the appeal of digital nomads here as well. Long-term stays with ocean views can be found for $1,000 and $1,500 per month.
9 bays and 36 beaches
When you say ‘Huatulco’ it encompasses a vast region of clustered beach communities. In fact, Huatulco itself is short for Santa Maria Huatulco, a small inland village a stone’s throw from Huatulco airport.
Largely referred to as Bahías de Huatulcothis region is bursting with beautiful beaches and bayside bliss.
To narrow down such a long list of options, TripAdvisor recommends these 5 beaches as your favorite destinations:
- Bahia San Agustin
- Playa La Entraga
- Bahía de Cacaluta (crescent-shaped with coarse white sand)
- Playa la Bocana
- Bahia Chahue
However, if I do my own research, I think I would choose a holiday in Huatulco Playa Zapotengo for more privacy away from the more popular beaches while still being surrounded by vibrant blue water.
Better yet, if you stay overnight, recent beachgoers brag about crystal-clear stargazing away from light pollution and great hole-in-the-wall restaurants nearby.
Sadly, the former crocodile sanctuary appears to be closed, but be careful if you spot them in the wild; they are active on this side of Mexico.
Multiple ways to reach Huatulco
There’s no better time to explore everything Huatulco has to offer, from beautiful beaches, chic resorts and cheap, local food.
With United now offering direct flights from the US to nearby Puerto Escondido, reaching Huatulco is just a stone’s throw away.
That said, Huatulco does have its own airport, but no direct routes.
For the more adventurous, traveler reviews are mixed: fly straight into Oaxaca City then hop aboard a bus through rugged mountains where the guardrail budget seems to have been diverted to mezcaleria happy hours.
The other option is to check your cruise itinerary as Huatulco has a fairly busy port.
No matter how you visit, Huatulco is worth the adventure to discover a Mexican paradise that is too often overlooked.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
