Santa María Huatulco

Travel Guide

A rocky coastline with a lighthouse on top.
A beach with clear turquoise water, thatched-roof huts, and dense green forest in the background.
A white building with a stone wall, palm trees, and a beach.
A beach with large rocks in the foreground, a sandy shore, and a calm sea.
A beach with a thatched-roof structure, palm trees, and a clear sky.

Scuba dive above coral reefs, sunbathe on one of the many beaches and peruse small Mexican pueblos in the traveler’s paradise of Huatulco.

Huatulco is a major travel destination on Mexico’s southern coast. It comprises dozens of picturesque beaches of different types and sizes along the Pacific Coast. The region is ideal for a holiday, whether you intend to scuba dive among coral reefs and colorful fish or enjoy local delicacies in charming oceanfront pueblos.

Drive or take a boat from Santa Cruz to La Entrega (The Surrender), one of the more isolated beaches in the Santa Cruz area of Huatulco. Sunbathe on soft sand while the kids play with buckets and shovels. Take a swim in the Pacific Ocean’s calm waters. Bring scuba equipment or rent snorkeling gear right at the beach to swim with fish around the colorful reef.

Break for lunch or dinner in one of the charming restaurants along the bay. Fresh oysters are a specialty remember to barter to get the best price. After the crowds thin in the late afternoon, stay for the sunset in quiet seclusion.

Make a visit to nearby Playa Chahué, which is surrounded by mossy cliffs and hills. Lie on the often deserted beach listening to waves crashing against the rocks. After your day of sunbathing, take an evening walk through the town of La Crucecita (The Small Cross). This charming area has a plaza, shops and traditional restaurants where you can buy homemade ice cream. Listen to typical Mexican music, such as folk and mariachi, as you sip a tropical drink of coconut water or mescal.

Spend a beach afternoon at the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) long Playa San Agustín in the western Santa Cruz region. Dine along the beach at one of the small restaurants serving fresh seafood. Scuba dive in the calm waters or snorkel over the shallow reef.

Reach Huatulco from Mexico City by plane, bus or boat. Many visitors pair a trip to Huatulco with one to Oaxaca, 230 miles (370 kilometers) to the north. After a few days exploring the cobbled streets of the inland colonial city, take a welcome sunbathing break on Huatulco’s beaches.

Where to stay in Santa María Huatulco

Find the best Santa María Huatulco areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most.

Crucecita

You'll enjoy the beaches and restaurants in Crucecita. You might want to make time for a stop at Mercado Tres de Mayo or Bocana del Rio Copalita Archaeological Zone.

Tangolunda

If you're spending some time in Tangolunda, Tangolunda Beach and Tangolunda Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Chahue

While visiting Chahue, you might make a stop by sights like Chahue Beach and Santa Cruz Bay.

Sector R

When in Sector R, you can plan a visit to Chahue Beach and Playa Santa Cruz, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Santa Cruz

While visiting Santa Cruz, you might make a stop by sights like Playa Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Bay.

Las Brisas Huatulco – All Inclusive

Las Brisas Huatulco – All Inclusive

4.5 out of 5
Bahia de Tanglounda Lote 1 Santa María Huatulco OAX
The price is P21,018 per night from Nov 16 to Nov 17
P21,018
P25,011 total
Nov 16 - Nov 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury resort in Santa María Huatulco. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,809 reviews)
"Clean well maintained Staff were kind, but food was no memorable at all."

Reviewed on Nov 11, 2026

Las Brisas Huatulco – All Inclusive
Barceló Huatulco - All Inclusive

Barceló Huatulco - All Inclusive

4.5 out of 5
Paseo Benito Juarez S/N Santa María Huatulco OAX
The price is P17,948 per night from Nov 29 to Nov 30
P17,948
P21,358 total
Nov 29 - Nov 30
includes taxes & fees
Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Tangolunda Beach ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
"The buffet was excellent. Really fresh and good variety. Also enjoyed the Mexican restaurant. The concerts every night were amazing. We also enjoyed the location. Our room was ground floor a few steps from the beach, it was a wonderful experience and would highly recommend it"

Reviewed on Nov 10, 2026

Barceló Huatulco - All Inclusive
Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco

Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco

4 out of 5
Blvd. Benito Juárez No. 5 Santa María Huatulco OAX
The price is P10,953 per night from Nov 16 to Nov 17
P10,953
P13,034 total
Nov 16 - Nov 17
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Santa María Huatulco. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,246 reviews)
"The food was excellent. The rest of the stay was a joke. The food was genuinely excellent, and it was the only redeeming part of our stay at Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco. When I go on vacation, I want the whole experience to be good. A bathroom I feel comfortable using, towels when I arrive, and ..."

Reviewed on Nov 10, 2026

Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Rooms M

Rooms M

3 out of 5
Vialidad 6 Santa María Huatulco Oax.
Stay at this apartment in Santa María Huatulco. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies or patios, and climate control. Popular attractions Chahue Beach and La Entrega Beach ...
Rooms M
Rooms Huatulco

Rooms Huatulco

3 out of 5
Monte Alban Este Santa María Huatulco OAX
Stay at this apartment in Santa María Huatulco. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and housekeeping. Popular attractions Chahue Beach and La Entrega Beach are located ...
Rooms Huatulco
Villas & Resort Luz de Luna

Villas & Resort Luz de Luna

3 out of 5
Mza. 2 Lt 14. Resid. Arrocito Santa María Huatulco OAX
Stay at this aparthotel in Santa María Huatulco. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Tangolunda Beach and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (64 reviews)
"The room was very large and spacious. I love how clean it was and the front desk was very accommodating. No hidden charges or fees and they also provided water bottles and towels. View was amazing."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2026

Villas & Resort Luz de Luna
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Santa María Huatulco attractions

Things to do