Huatulco is known as one of the best beach regions in Mexico, so it’s no surprise that this area is home to some of the prettiest coastal spots in the whole country. The only problem with visiting Huatulco is having to decide which gorgeous beach you want to visit first. The region has a long list of superb sandy spots to be enjoyed, with some being better-suited to certain activities than others. To learn more about the best beaches in Huatulco, read through the useful information in the guide below.
Santa Cruz Bay, Mexico
Santa Cruz Bay is one of the most popular beaches in Huatulco and it shows; the local area has a lot of good amenities designed with tourists in mind including restaurants, bars, and hotels. This beach is very conveniently located near Huatulco's harbor where lots of cruise ships stop off, so it's the first port of call for many tourists in the area.
This means that Santa Cruz Bay can quite busy and crowded, but that busy vibe is compensated by the super soft sands and shallow, shimmer waters that make this beach one of the best swimming and sunbathing spots in Mexico. Map
San Agustin Bay, Mexico
If you're looking to do some snorkeling or scuba diving in Huatulco, San Agustín Bay is the place to be. The beaches here are renowned for providing very calm, gentle water conditions that are just right for a little exploration beneath the waves.
Lots of colorful and exciting marine life can be found off the beaches of San Agustin Bay and the area is relatively untouched by the tourism industry for now.
There are some decent restaurants not too far away and some basic amenities down by the sand, but these are some of the most pristine beaches in the Huatulco region. Map
Cacaluta Bay
Cacaluta Bay is so beautiful that it's actually been used as a filming location for Mexican movies and TV. It's regarded as one of the best beaches in the Huatulco region but is actually quite difficult to get to.
However, if you're willing and able to make the journey, you'll fall in love with this beach at first sight.
The sands are soft and smooth, the waves are blue and frothy, and the views are good enough to take your breath away. In short, it's one of the best beaches in the area and an unmissable part of any Huatulco vacation. Map, Tripadvisor reviews
Tangolunda Bay
Tangolunda Bay feels like one of the wealthier parts of the Huatulco region as this is where you'll be able to find many of Huatulco's upscale, 5-star resorts and hotels. Wealthy travelers tend to stay in this part of Mexico, but there are some cheaper accommodation options in the area too.
The local marina and a nearby golf course offer plenty of fun opportunities and tourists at Tangolunda Bay can also check out the local streets for plenty of shops and restaurants. As for the beach itself, Tangolunda Bay features golden sands and beautiful blue waters, as well as offering some splendid views in every direction. Map
Chahue Bay
Highly popular with travelers, Chahué Bay is almost the opposite of Tangolunda Bay. While Tangolunda Bay has quite an exclusive and wealthy vibe, Chahué Bay is home to some of the cheaper accommodation options in Huatulco, making it a good spot for budget-conscious travelers or people who aren't interested in staying in a truly luxurious hotel or resort.
It's a popular spot and very conveniently located near La Crucecita and all of its great restaurants and nightlife spots. There's a very lively vibe at this beach, especially in the evenings and at weekends, but if you come here in the middle of the day you'll find the ambiance to be much more laid-back. Map
La Entrega Beach
La Entrega Beach in Oaxaca is absolutely enchanting, to say the least. It is inarguably one of the most popular beaches in Huatulco and has been referred to as the region’s natural aquarium for its breathtaking underwater ecosystems. Guests to La Entrega are more than welcome to take a peek under the waters and catch a glimpse of the colorful marine life that lay beneath the waves.
While snorkeling is a great way to explore the waters, diving at La Entrega is like floating into a whole new world altogether. Apart from exploring nature, La Entrega is home to friendly beachside vendors, fantastic swimming, and a welcoming and lively local Santa Cruz community.
La Entrega Beach, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
Playa Organo and Maguey
Tranquil, crystal-clear blue waters await all visitors of Playa Organo and its close neighbor, Playa Maguey. Popular with locals and tourists alike, both beaches are characterized by stretches of fine and soft white sand. At Playa Organo, the stretch of beach is much smaller, at just 250 meters, but rock formations at both ends of the beach are bound to take your breath away.
Both beaches are a great spot to take in and appreciate the thriving natural beauty of Huatulco, while natural mangroves provide relaxing shade. Enjoy diving or snorkeling to explore the equally beautiful world beneath the waters, find a local vendor to enjoy a refreshing beverage, or even rent gear like jet skis. As the beaches are located within the Huatulco National Park, visitors should take careful note of the rules that govern the beach such as avoiding coral, wearing reef-friendly sunscreen, and refraining from bringing seashells home.
Playa Organo and Maguey, Huatulco National Park, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
Conejos Bay
For visitors to Huatulco who want to see it at its most untouched ought to pay a visit to Conejos Bay. This medium-sized bay beckons visitors to its welcoming and warm waters through four separate and untouched beaches, all of which offer fantastic snorkeling, scuba diving, and even fishing and horseback riding. Tejoncito Beach, or the Little Badger, is the smallest of the beaches but also the most secluded, while Arena Beach, which is half a kilometer long and home to marine turtles during egg-laying season. Conejos Beach is known for its eye-catching white sand and shallow blue waters, while the largest beach in the bay is Punto Arena Beach.
Conejos Bay , Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
Barra de la Cruz
Situated in a relaxing village just a stone’s throw to the East of Huatulco is Barre de la Cruz, one of the best places in the region to head for surfers and surfing enthusiasts. After all, Barra de la Cruz is known for its fast and long breaks which are ideal for surfers looking to catch an epic ride down to the beach. While the beach generally has great surfing conditions from March to early October, the waves are usually at their best from June to July. Meanwhile, November to February is the best time for newbie surfers to come and visit as the waves are smaller and much calmer. This is also when surfing schools welcome most of their visitors with surfboards for rent as well.
Barra de la Cruz, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico
More About Mexico Beaches
Of all the touristic and resort regions in Mexico, Huatulco certainly ranks as one of the prettiest. Previously known as Bahias de Huatulco, this region is built around the popular resort town of La Crucecita near the country's southern coast, in the state of Oaxaca. Filled with hotels, resorts, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, nightlife, and more, Huatulco is an incredible place to spend a vacation in Mexico, offering all the amenities and activities you could hope to enjoy. This region has grown and developed with tourists in mind, featuring a huge range of accommodation and attractions, and if you’re planning a trip to Huatulco, you’ll want to spend a whole lot of time down on the region’s beaches.
Mexico has long been considered one of the world’s premier vacation destinations, and the North American nation has seen a real spike in tourist numbers in recent years in particular, with many of Mexico’s resort towns and regions undergoing major renovation to offer even more fun and excitement for visitors of all ages. Whether you're exploring the country's stunning landscapes, visiting an ancient Mayan temple, listening to a mariachi band in a town square, enjoying some delicious local cuisine, or basking on a beautiful beach, Mexico has a lot to offer, with the country’s coastal regions, in particular, attracting huge numbers of travelers.
