Bahías de Huatulco
Nine bays on Oaxaca's Pacific coast, most with calm water, several reached only by boat, and much of the shore inside a national park.
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Bahías de Huatulco is a planned resort area on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca State in southern Mexico. It has nine bays, most with calm water, and several beaches are reached only by boat. Much of the coastline lies within Huatulco National Park, which keeps large stretches between the bays undeveloped. The water suits swimming, snorkeling and diving, and boat trips visit several bays in one day.
Huatulco suits couples and families who want beaches and boat days more than nightlife. Two common bases are La Crucecita, the town set back from the bays, and Tangolunda, the resort area with hotels on the sand. Taxis and local colectivos link the towns and beaches, so plan transfers before you pick a base. Allow three or four days to see several bays without rushing. The drier months from November to April are the usual choice, while the rainy season from roughly June to October brings heavier rain and storm risk.
Bahías de Huatulco in five
- Take a boat to the baysSeveral of the best beaches, such as Playa Órgano and San Agustín, are easiest by boat or on guided trips from the Santa Cruz marina. Compare a shared boat with a private one before you pay.
- Base in La Crucecita for valueThe town square has restaurants, shops and cheaper rooms, a short taxi from the bays. Tangolunda has the big resorts; Santa Cruz has the marina and beach clubs.
- Fly in, or plan a long road from OaxacaHuatulco has its own airport. By road from Oaxaca City the mountain highway takes roughly 6 to 7 hours, so many travelers combine the two by flight.Oaxaca City
- Go from November to April for dry weatherThe rainy season runs roughly June to October with heavy afternoon storms; the sea is warm then, but boat days get canceled.
- Add the coast east and westBarra de la Cruz for surf, Mazunte and Zipolite for hippie beaches, Puerto Ángel for a quiet fishing town. All are reachable by road in an hour or so.Barra de la Cruz
Things to do in Bahías de Huatulco
See all attractions in Bahías de Huatulco
Need to know
- Airport
- Bahías de Huatulco (HUX), about 15 min from Tangolunda
- Getting there
- Flights from Mexico City; Oaxaca City by road about 6–7 hours
- Getting around
- Taxis; colectivos and boats to the bays
- Best base
- La Crucecita for value; Tangolunda for resorts
- Time needed
- 3–4 days for the bays; longer with the coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Dry, warmJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Dry, warmFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Dry, hotMarchClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Hot, humidAprilClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Rains startMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 394 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain23 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low23°Rainy seasonJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 186 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy season
- AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low23°Rainy seasonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 292 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy season
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Rain, storm riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 437 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, storm risk
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Storm riskOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 287 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Dry, warmNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Dry, holidaysDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Huatulco, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Bahías de Huatulco
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
32
- Feels like
- 37°
- Humidity
- 57%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 6%
Bahías de Huatulco
02:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°24°6%Monday: Fog. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Tue32°25°31%Tuesday: Clear. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Wed31°24°75%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
- Thu31°24°78%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri31°24°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat31°25°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun32°24°51%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 51%.
Updated 12:23 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Bahías de Huatulco
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Rules for Bahías de Huatulco, checked
- Visa rules depend on your passport. Mexican immigration issues a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival, so check your entry requirements at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
- Declare cash and monetary instruments above the legal limit on the customs form. Check the current amount with the tax authority SAT before you travel.Source
- Call 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
- Tipping waiters and taxi drivers is customary. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.
Plan around Bahías de Huatulco
Surf break east of Huatulco
Read the guideMazunteTurtle center and a laid-back beach town
Read the guidePuerto ÁngelA small fishing port between Huatulco and Zipolite
Read the guideOaxaca CoastHuatulco, Puerto Escondido and the beaches between
Read the guideOaxaca CityPair the beach with the highlands
Read the guideAll of MexicoCities, ruins, beaches and entry basics
Read the guideBahías de Huatulco FAQ
Is Huatulco worth visiting?
Yes, if you want calm bays, snorkeling and a quiet resort feel. It is less lively than Puerto Escondido and less polished than the Riviera Maya, which suits families and couples.
How many days do you need in Huatulco?
Three or four days covers a boat trip to the bays, a beach day and a visit to La Crucecita. Add days if you are exploring Mazunte, Zipolite or Barra de la Cruz.
Where should I stay in Huatulco?
La Crucecita for value and the plaza, Santa Cruz for the marina and boats, Tangolunda or Chahué for resorts. See the area notes on this page for the trade-offs.
Can you get from Oaxaca City to Huatulco by road?
Yes, but the mountain highway is slow, about 6 to 7 hours, with long curves. Many visitors fly or pay for a shared flight-and-shuttle instead.
When is the best time to visit Huatulco?
November to April for dry weather. The sea is warm all year, but June to October brings heavy rain and some cancelled boat trips.