Barra de la Cruz is a small fishing village on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca State, in southern Mexico, near the resort town of Huatulco. Surfers come for its long right-hand point break. The wave suits intermediate and advanced surfers, so beginners should book elsewhere on the coast.
Compared with Puerto Escondido, the break is quieter, which is the main reason surfers choose it. The trade-off is mostly logistics: how much time you want at the break and how close you want to be to a larger town. Staying in the village keeps you close to the water. Day-tripping from Huatulco gives you a larger town with more lodging and restaurants, but you make the drive each way. Forecasts drive the timing, so check swell before you pick dates and plan several days rather than one, because a session depends on the conditions on the day you arrive.
Barra de la Cruz in five
- Match the break to your levelThe wave is a long right that works best with a clean swell, and it can be powerful when big. Beginners do better at gentler beaches near Huatulco or Puerto Escondido's smaller breaks.
- Check the swell season before you bookSouth swells arrive on this coast roughly from spring through autumn, though conditions vary by week. Look at a surf forecast for your dates, not just the calendar.
- Bring cash and what you needThe village has a few cabañas and simple restaurants, with limited shops. Withdraw cash in Huatulco and pack sunscreen, wax and a spare leash.
- Base here only if you surfMost visitors day-trip from Huatulco for a session and sleep where the restaurants are. Staying in the village trades services for sunrise surf and quiet.Bahías de Huatulco
- Respect the local lineup and the villageLocal surfers have priority, and the beach front is a community space. Ask before you park, camp or fly a drone, and keep noise down at night.
Need to know
- Airport
- Bahías de Huatulco (HUX), about 30–45 min by car
- Getting there
- Taxi or rental car east from Huatulco, or a colectivo
- Getting around
- Walking in the village; taxi for anything further
- Best base
- A cabaña in the village for sunrise sessions
- Time needed
- A day for a session; 2–3 days to settle in
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, small swell
- FebruaryDry, small swell
- MarchDry, hot
- AprilSwell builds
- MaySwell, humid
- JuneSwell, rain
- JulySwell, rain
- AugustSwell, rain
- SeptemberBig swell, rain
- OctoberStorm risk
- NovemberDry, small swell
- DecemberDry, holidays
Right now in Barra de la Cruz
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
32
- Feels like
- 38°
- Humidity
- 58%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Barra de la Cruz
02:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°23°2%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue32°24°49%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Wed32°25°84%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Thu31°24°80%Thursday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Fri32°24°67%Friday: Clear. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Sat31°25°78%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Sun32°23°75%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 75%.
Updated 11:23 AM 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 Barra de la Cruz
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Rules for Barra de la Cruz, checked
- Many nationalities need no visa for Mexico. Immigration issues a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival. Check entry rules at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with Mexican customs (SAT) before you travel.
- Dial 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 Barra de la Cruz
Bays, boat trips and the nearest airport
Read the guidePuerto EscondidoMexico's best-known surf town, farther west
Read the guideOaxaca CoastBeaches from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido
Read the guideZipoliteA free-spirited beach town on the same coast
Read the guideMazunteTurtle center and a quiet bay
Read the guideAll of MexicoCities, ruins, beaches and entry basics
Read the guideBarra de la Cruz FAQ
Is Barra de la Cruz good for beginners?
Not usually. The wave is long and can be powerful, so beginners do better at smaller beach breaks near Huatulco. Take a lesson first and watch the lineup before you paddle out.
How far is Barra de la Cruz from Huatulco?
Roughly 30 to 45 minutes by car east of Huatulco. Taxis and colectivos run, but a rental car or a shared ride gives more flexibility.
When is the best time to surf Barra de la Cruz?
South swells run roughly spring to autumn, with the biggest waves in the rainy months. Check a surf forecast for your week, since swell and wind change fast.
Can you stay in Barra de la Cruz?
Yes, in a handful of simple cabañas and small hotels near the beach. Choose Huatulco if you want more restaurants and services.
Do I need to bring a board?
Rentals are limited in the village, so bring your own if you can, or rent in Huatulco before you go. Pack a spare leash and wax.

