Here are the 25 Best Things to Do in Huatulco Mexico on Your Trip

Wondering about the best Huatulco things to do?

You’re in the right place because I live in Mexico, and have spent quite a bit of time in Bahías de Huatulco (usually just called Huatulco).

This article will highlight the 25 best things to do in Huatulco so you have an epic trip!

Huatulco Mexico is a beautiful coastal town in Oaxaca state, known for gorgeous beaches with turquoise water, snorkeling and diving, whale watching in winter, delicious food, all-inclusive resorts, and friendly locals.

Though Huatulco is one of the best beach towns in Oaxaca, there are things to do in Huatulco off-beach.

These include exploring the waterfalls and rivers, taking cooking classes, seeing the ancient ruins in Huatulco, and more.

Ready to discover everything you need to add to your Huatulco itinerary?

Let’s get to it — but don’t miss the Huatulco Travel FAQ at the end of the article that covers everything you need to know about traveling to Huatulco.

25 Best Things to Do in Huatulco Mexico

1. Boat Tour to the Huatulco Bays

The best way to experience Huatulco is from the water.

🤿 Note: I took this tour myself, and recommend it as a great way to see a lot of the Huatulco coast in a day, and do some snorkeling.

It has a rugged coastline and miles of beach — many of those beaches are best accessed (or only accessed) by boat.

There are a number of full-day boat tours from Huatulco, like this group tour which I took, and this private Huatulco boat tour for just your group.

No matter if you do group or private, know that this is the most popular of all Huatulco tours.

They all depart from the Huatulco Pier near Playa Santa Cruz, the main beach in the center of town.

You’ll spend the day swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and eating at various beaches, like Playa Chachacual and Playa Maguey.

You can rent snorkel gear for about $200 pesos ($10 USD), but it’s better to bring your own snorkel gear so you get an up-close look at the tropical fish and coral reefs in Huatulco.

You’ll also enjoy snacks and drinks on board the boat.

2. Swim in the Cascadas Magicas Waterfalls

One of the can’t miss things to see in Huatulco is this tour to the Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla (Copalitilla Waterfalls Park).

💦 Note: I took this tour myself and highly recommend it for anyone who wants to explore Huatulco beyond the beaches.

The waterfalls were beautiful, and it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular tours offered in town.

There are about 30 waterfalls throughout the park, the highest of which is 65-feet-tall (20 m), and there’s also natural waterfall pools that you can swim in.

The park is about one hour from Huatulco, in the small pueblo of San Miguel del Puerto, Oaxaca, located way up in the mountains.

This far from the Huatulco city limits, you’ll feel like you’re in a tropical paradise, surrounded by lush vegetation, wild nature and freshwater jungle pools.

There are also hot springs in Huatulco not too far away!

3. Release Baby Turtles Into the Ocean

Oaxaca state is one of the best places to see turtles in Mexico — though you will need to book a tour like this one to release the babies.

There are a few species that live in the waters off the coast, like the Hawksbill turtle, Green turtle, Leatherback turtle and Olive Ridley turtle.

💡 Huatulco Travel Tips: The best time to see turtles in Oaxaca is from July to January.

In decades past, sea turtle numbers dwindled to the point of nearing extinction. However, conservation efforts are helping to change things 🫶

When you participate in this Huatulco turtle release tour, parts of the proceeds go to helping save the turtles.

With the Huatulco sea turtle release experiences, you get to hold a baby turtle and then place it in the sand and see it take its first steps into the Pacific Ocean.

The babies are adorable, and you will never forget your interaction with these amazing animals.

4. Go Snorkeling in Huatulco

Huatulco has some of the best diving and best snorkeling in Mexico — which is why I recommend booking this tour to see the most pristine spots.

Many of the beaches are part of Huatulco National Park, which is a protected area, and because of this, there are numerous healthy coral reefs just offshore.

You can go snorkeling on your own at some of the best beaches in Huatulco, like Playa San Agustin and Playa la Entrega — but I recommend going with a local to the hidden spots.

For the best experience, you’ll want to book this tour, which is one of the highest-rates and best Huatulco snorkel tours of them all.

5. Laze on the Best Beaches in Huatulco

Huatulco has 36 beaches and nine bays to choose from. To quickly explain, the bays are large coves.

Each of the bays in Huatulco has several beaches within it — so you could spend weeks there, and never run out of beaches to explore.

Below, you’ll find a list of the most popular beaches.

If you want to explore some of the hidden beaches and off the beaten path Huatulco beaches, check out these 27 Best Beaches in Huatulco, Mexico.

🏝️ Playa Santa Cruz (Main Beach)

👙 Good for swimming? Yes | 🤿 Good for snorkeling? No | 🌮 Are there restaurants? Yes

Playa Santa Cruz Beach is located in Bahía Santa Cruz Bay, near where the cruise ships dock.

It’s sometimes called Playa Principal, which means main beach. This lively beach is popular, day and night, and has everything you’d need.

🏝️ Playa la Entrega

👙 Good for swimming? Yes | 🤿 Good for snorkeling? Yes | 🌮 Are there restaurants? Yes

Playa la Entrega is one of the most popular and most accessible snorkeling beaches in Huatulco.

In fact, some go as far as to say it’s the best snorkeling beach in Huatulco and one of the best swimming beaches in Huatulco too!

As one of the best beaches in Huatulco for snorkeling, it can get very crowded by midday.

The best time to visit Playa la Entrega Beach for snorkeling is before 11am because the crowds stir up the sand on the bottom and affect visibility.

🏝️ Playa Tangolunda Beach

👙 Good for swimming? Yes | 🤿 Good for snorkeling? Yes | 🌮 Are there restaurants? No

Tangolunda Beach is one of the most beautiful and best beaches in Huatulco Oaxaca — especially for those who love long walks on the beach.

It’s about 2,625-feet-long (700 m) and there’s soft sand. For those wondering, Can you swim in Huatulco Mexico? You can at some beaches.

However, Tangolunda Beach is not great for swimming because there’s often a strong undercurrent; to swim, opt for Playa la Entrega Huatulco.

🏝️ Playa la Bocana

👙 Good for swimming? No | 🤿 Good for snorkeling? No | 🌮 Are there restaurants? Yes

If you can only visit a few beaches on your trip to Huatulco, Playa la Bocana should be one of them.

It’s great for a long walk, swimming, relaxing, and sipping cocktails at sunset.

By day, it’s one of the best Huatulco surfing beaches, but has many other activities to offer — like the mud massages on Playa la Bocana.

It’s also a nice place to watch the sunrise, and to walk along the beach to the Copalita River.

🏝️ Bahía de Cacaluta

Fans of the 2001 Mexican film, Y Tu Mamá También, will love seeing Bahía de Cacaluta in person.

Several scenes from the film were shot in this bay, and even if you haven’t seen the film, you’ll love beautiful Cacaluta Bay.

The best way to see this beach is on this Exotic Paradise Water Adventure Tour from Huatulco, which takes you to some of the best Huatulco beaches that are only accessible by boat.

I did this tour, and it was a lot of fun.

🏝️ Need a few more Huatulco beaches suggestions?

There’s popular beaches like Playa Chahue and Playa Maguey, and the off the beaten path Huatulco beaches like Playa Arrocito and Playa Tejon.

Some of the best bays in Huatulco include Bahía Maguey, Bahía Conejos and Bahía San Agustín (sometimes called Playa San Agustin) — my personal favorite beach in Huatulco!

For a longer list, check out these 27 Best Beaches in Huatulco, Mexico.

6. Huatulco Coffee Tour in Pluma Hidalgo

Oaxaca is known as a Mexico foodie destination, but it also produces some of the country’s best coffee.

Pluma Hidalgo rivals even the most famous coffee in North America, like Havana Cuba coffee and Colombian coffee.

Head to the fincas (coffee farms) near Huatulco for a tour of the fields, and to sample their delicious product.

Many of the best fincas near Huatulco, like La Gloria and El Pacifico, don’t allow walk-ins, so you must book a tour like this one.

Most tours from Huatulco combine the finca with a stop at some of the other places mentioned on this list, so you get two tours in one.

7. Visit Bahias de Huatulco National Park

At 29,000-acres (116 km²), Huatulco National Park is massive. Unlike many parks, this is a land and water park.

It was declared a national park in 1998, it’s also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a RAMSAR site with protected wetlands.

At Huatulco National Park, three ecosystems converge: tropical forest, dry forest, and of course, marine.

There’s a lot to enjoy on dry land, like Huatulco bird watching, hiking, biking and horseback riding — but take this best Huatulco snorkeling tour to see the healthy reefs just offshore.

The waters off Huatulco National Park are teeming with fish, turtles, coral and more. One of the more famous types of marine life here are the whales.

In fact, the Mexican government declared this area a national whale watching zone in 2019.

In the winter months, you can see several species of whales in Huatulco, though the most common is the Pacific gray whale.

You can sometimes see the whales breaching the water from the shore, but you’ll want to book this best boat tour in Huatulco so you get to see the whales up close.

It’s a true bucket list experience 🐳

8. Huatulco Cooking Classes

Not sure what a tlayuda is? Never heard of a memela?

No worries, because the best way to learn about Oaxacan food is to cook it — and then eat it, of course!

There are numerous Huatulco cooking classes available in town, and in the nearby pueblo (small town) of La Crucecita.

This is considered Downtown Huatulco, though it’s not technically a part of Huatulco.

In these classes, you can expect a fun and educational environment, as you learn to prepare things like mole, tlayudas and empanadas, and Mexican drinks like tejate — a prehispanic chocolate and corn drink.

9. Ride ATVs in Huatulco Through the Jungle

Zip through rugged trails that lead you through the beautiful lush tropical jungle, on this small-group Huatulco ATV Tour with Jungle Visit & Copalita River.

The tour starts with a hotel pick-up, where you’ll be taken to the Tangolunda Ranch. Here, you’ll learn how to handle an ATV before heading out.

One of the best Huatulco adventure tours starts when you turn the key.

Ivan, our guide, was awesome and gave us lots of history of the ranch. It was a nice, relaxing ride. Definitely recommend for a fun outing.

—gretchen (read more reviews)

Then it’s off to explore the jungle. At one point you’ll reach the Copalita River in Huatulco, where you will have the chance to go swimming.

Note: Make sure to pack a swimsuit and a towel.

Once the swim is over, you’ll head back to the ranch on your ATVs. Back at the farm, you’ll also have the opportunity to have lunch (extra cost). 

Food and drinks are not provided on this tour, so bring a backpack filled with essentials.

10. Visit Downtown Huatulco (La Crucecita)

When it’s time to escape the crowds in Huatulco, or if you want to do some shopping, head to La Crucecita, Oaxaca.

It’s named for a crucecita, or “little cross” that sits high atop one of the hills overlooking town.

La Crucecita is a small pueblo where many locals live. Huatulco is a Mexico resort town, so La Crucecita is the place to experience the area’s cultural side.

It has the best authentic Mexican street food in Huatulco, and great shopping at colorful local mercados (markets), perfect for buying with artisan handicrafts and local souvenirs.

Wondering what to do in Huatulco at night?

All the best things to do in Huatulco at night are happening in La Crucecita, where you’ll find all the hippest restaurants and best bars in Huatulco.

11. Ancient Copalita Ruins in Huatulco

Located in Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park, visit the only ancient ruins in Huatulco Mexico.

Bocana del Río Copalita Archaeological Zone is a smaller site, but has two prehispanic temples and ancient ball courts to see.

Copalita excavations have confirmed that both the Zapotec and Mazatec peoples used the site as a ceremonial center.

During digs, archaeologists uncovered two tombs at Copalita, which they say are the final resting places of elite members of the ruling class.

12. Go Kayaking in Huatulco Oaxaca

The best way to enjoy Huatulco Oaxaca Mexico is on the water.

While these Huatulco boat tours can be a lot of fun — for a more relaxed experience, you’ll want to book this Huatulco kayaking tour with Roldan.

Going with a Huatulco local like Roldan means you get to venture away from the crowds and check out the virgin beaches in Huatulco, like Playa Pauliana Beach, where you can swim with the turtles.

Roldan really went out of his way to make sure we had a beautiful experience and a good view of turtles and fish benches… Generally highly recommended!

—Karen (read more reviews)

Roldan is used to working with kayakers of all skill levels, and will stick to the areas with calm waves.

On the tour, you’ll visit two beaches and two snorkeling spots that you may just have all to yourself.

Kayak, paddles, snorkeling gear and bottle water are all included. Also, Roldan will be taking videos and photos with his GoPro Camera, which are available for purchase afterwards.

13. Mud Bath at Playa La Bocana Beach

Looking to get a massage in Huatulco? Don’t miss Playa la Bocana Beach in Huatulco, where you can get a mud bath massage right on the beach.

The mud on this beach is said to be good for the skin, with natural exfoliants in it.

I got one last time I was visiting Huatulco, and my skin did instantly look and feel much better.

The locals at Playa la Bocana offer massages for about $200 MXN pesos ($10 USD), which is a bargain for a beachfront massage.

14. Eat at the Best Restaurants in Huatulco

Many don’t know this, but Mexico isn’t all tacos and burritos.

In fact, the state’s capital of Oaxaca City is known as the Foodie Capital of Mexico, because this cuisine is so beloved — and so incredibly delicious.

Mexican cuisine is very regional, and Oaxaca state has its own unique foods you don’t always find outside of the state.

While traveling to Huatulco, try some traditional Oaxacan food favorites, like mole, tlayudas and memelas and tamales oaxaqueños.

One of the best places to try these foods is El Sabor de Oaxaca in La Crucecita.

If you want to eat where the locals do, head to La Casa De Las Tlayudas Huatulco, Tlayudas Arely and Tlayudas Del-i-ciosas.

15. Whitewater Rafting on the Copalita River (Seasonal)

The Copalita River is one of the largest rivers in Oaxaca state.

There are some parts near Huatulco with Class I and Class II rapids, which are on the smaller side, but still make for one of the most fun day trips from Huatulco.

The river dries up considerably in the Huatulco dry season from about November to April, so the tours are seasonal.

Rafting trips run in the rainy season, so ask a local operator when you visit.

16. Mezcal Tour in Huatulco

Learn about the entire Oaxaca mezcal process — from agave plant to distilled drink — when you book this Complete Huatulco Mezcal Experience.

She will take you to mezcal plantations and agave fields near Huatulco to taste small-production, house-made mezcals that you won’t find anywhere else.

You’ll learn how to drink mezcal in Mexico so you savor each sip to the fullest.

You’ll also visit the surrounding Huatulco jungle to learn about the local flora. Here, you get to taste Oaxacan chocolate, and sample another Oaxaca drink that has deep meaning within Oaxacan culture.

If that wasn’t enough, you’ll enjoy a farewell meal at the end of the tour with traditional Oaxacan foods, like mole, tlayudas, tamales and memelas.

Everything is included, even transportation from your Huatulco hotel.

17. Go Shopping in Huatulco at the Artisan Market

Huatulco isn’t too far from all the coolest art towns in Oaxaca Mexico, so if you want to do some shopping in Huatulco, you have plenty of options.

One of the best places to buy Huatulco souvenirs is in La Crucecita, which is known as Downtown Huatulco.

Head to the Museo de Artesanías Oaxaqueñas to buy textiles, pottery, clothing and more made by local artisans.

18. La Ventanilla Lagoon EcoTour

Laguna Ventanilla is a lagoon that 20 families have taken up conservation efforts to protect.

They are known as the Ventanilla Ecotourism Cooperative, and if you want to take an eco-friendly Huatulco tour, this is it!

As Ventanilla Lagoon is accessible only by boat, you must go with a tour. The best tour from Huatulco is this 4 in 1 Tour to La Ventanilla, Mazunte, a Cacao Factory, and Turtle Spawn — so you get to see a lot in one day.

Laguna Ventanilla offers a chance to get out into nature and see another side of Mazunte, away from the beaches.

While boating through the mangroves, be on the lookout for iguanas, spider monkeys, deer and crocodiles.

19. Huatulco to Mazunte Day Trip

There’s no shortage of beaches in Huatulco, but you can also check Mazunte.

This is Huatulco’s neighboring beach towns on the Riviera Oaxaqueña (Oaxacan Riviera), located about one hour away by rental car.

Mazunte makes for one of the best day trips from Huatulco.

It’s a quaint, laid back town, popular with bohemian types, backpackers, artists and yogis. (In fact, I even did a 10 day silent meditation retreat in Mazunte 🧘‍♀️).

🏝️ Mazunte, Oaxaca Pueblo Magico

Mazunte is one of the 175 or so Mexico pueblos mágicos (magic towns).

It is the only Oaxaca pueblo magico on the coast — and some say the most “magical” things about Mazunte is beautiful Mermejita Beach.

🏝️ Playa Mermejita Beach in Mazunte

Playa Mermejita in Mazunte is said to be the best beach in Oaxaca, and one of the best beaches in Mexico.

If you’re staying in Mazunte all day, hike up to Punta Cometa, which overlooks this beach for epic sunset views.

🐢 National Mexican Turtle Center

The Mexican National Turtle Center is a museum, aquarium, research institute and sanctuary dedicated to sea turtles preservation.

They house the four sea turtle species found in Mexico, two land species, and 16 freshwater species.

The Mexican National Turtle Center is located here, and open Wednesday through Sunday, from morning until early afternoon.

Admission is just $40 MXN pesos ($2 USD), and proceeds go to a good cause.

🌅 Punta Cometa: Best Place to Watch the Sunset

Punta Cometa (AKA Cerro Sagrada, or Sacred Hill) was used in pre-Hispanic times as a ceremonial center.

Today, it is a gathering place by Mazunte visitors and locals alike, and the best spot in town to see the epic Mazunte sunsets.

Punta Cometa is just a short, mostly easy hike up from Playa Rinconcito.

You can access the path up from the southern end of Playa Rinconcito, where you’ll see the trail to take up the side of the hill.

20. Go Surfing in Puerto Escondido

Want to go surfing in Huatulco?

While there are a few spots with decent waves, you’ll have to head to Puerto Escondido Mexico for the best surf on the Oaxaca Coast — and some of the best Mexico surf waves, for that matter.

Hop in your rental car and head two hours west of Huatulco, and you’ll be in Puerto Escondido.

Once you arrive, you can enjoy a surf lesson with Arisandi, or head to the shops on the beach to rent gear and go on your own.

🏄‍♀️ For a complete guide, check out these 7 Best Puerto Escondido Surf Lessons and Surf Schools.

21. Visit the Zipolite Nude Beach

Zipolite is famous, or maybe infamous, as the only nude beach in Mexico.

There are other beaches which allow or tolerate nudity, but Zipolite is the only legal nude beach in Mexico.

While nudity is legal everywhere, it is mostly confined to the area near the aptly-named Naked Hotel Zipolite and Playa del Amor Beach — so don’t feel like you have to be naked in Zipolite.

In fact, Zipolite attracts everyone from families to bohemians to LGBTQ+ travelers. The best way to visit is by renting a car in Huatulco and driving.

The Huatulco to Zipolite drive is about one hour and 15 minutes.

22. Rent a Car and Visit the Best Beaches Near Huatulco

Looking for things to do near Huatulco Mexico? The best way to cover a lot of ground will be taking a fun Huatulco road trip where you control the itinerary.

Renting a car in Huatulco is an easy process, and allows you the freedom to visit the nearby beaches and sites on your own schedule.

I recommend and always use Discover Cars when I rent a car in Huatulco.

In this article, you already learned about a few of the beaches close to Huatulco, like Puerto Escondido, Mazunte and Zipolite, but here are a few more beaches you can check out on the Oaxaca Coast:

🏝️ San Agustinillo, Oaxaca

San Agustinillo has some of the best beaches in Oaxaca.

The San Agustinillo beaches are famed for their large, unique rock formations, and long stretches ideal for walking.

It’s a laid back town, popular with travelers seeking posh accommodations and quiet beaches.

🏝️ Puerto Angel, Oaxaca

Visiting Puerto Angel is like going back in time.

It’s a charming, old school fishing village that also has gorgeous beaches and bays, like Playa la Boquilla and Bahía Estacahuite.

You can also enjoy amazing, cheap and fresh seafood at one of the beachfront restaurants.

A personal favorite is Restaurant July, located just steps from beautiful Playa Estacahuite Beach.

🏝️ Playa Boca Vieja (Secret Beach)

Playa Boca Vieja Beach is somewhere I shouldn’t be telling you about, because it’s a secret! Well, kind of, anyway.

Situated east of Río Coyula, and southwest of Estero la Salina, this virgin beach paradise is only about 45 minutes from Huatulco by rental car.

Playa Boca Vieja Beach is known for its unique setting, where the river is right next to the Pacific Ocean — but also for its seafood.

Enjoy the freshest seafood you’ve ever had at a palapa right on the beach as you enjoy the sea-breeze in this Oaxaca pueblo (small town).

23. Visit La Escobilla Turtle Sanctuary

Oaxaca is home to several major turtle nesting beaches, including La Escobilla, a waterfront sanctuary for sea turtles.

It is also among the world’s most significant nesting grounds for the Olive Ridley turtle.

One of the most extraordinary things about this endangered turtle species is its nesting habits.

During the nesting season, large groups of turtles gather together offshore and then come ashore together in vast numbers.

🐢 La Arribada (The Arrival)

This event is known as La Arribada, which means “the arrival” in Spanish. Sometimes, you’ll see it called Gran Arribada, or “great arrival,” as they come in such vast numbers.

The nesting season at La Escobilla Sanctuary runs July to January, peaking during September and October.

During this time, up to 90,000 turtles come ashore over a 3-5 day period. Each will lay about 85-150 eggs.

La Escobilla beach is protected by military guards, and you can only visit with a tour.

The guards here are volunteers who know how to keep the turtles’ safety a priority — like making sure people don’t use flash photography.

24. Go Scuba Diving in Huatulco

In addition to having some of the best beaches in Oaxaca, Huatulco also has some of the best diving in Oaxaca!

Diving in Huatulco is great because the waters are protected, full of marine life, and offer plenty of places to explore.

Because Huatulco faces south, it is protected from a lot of the strong winds and currents other parts of the Pacific Coast of Mexico are exposed to.

As the Huatulco bays face in many different directions, there’s always a great place to dive.

For the best dive shops in Huatulco, you’ll want to check Hurricane Divers, Buceo Huatulco, Scuba Diving Anfibios, and Huatulco Dive Centre — which all have excellent reviews and great safety records.

25. Zip Lining at Hagia Sophia Eco Park

Hagia Sofia Park, located near Huatulco, offers visitors the best of both worlds — nature and adventure.

On their famed Exotic Flower Trail you can see more than 100,000 plants, including 60 species of rare and exotic flowers.

In the spring, they host seasonal fruit tastings in the gardens.

The park has more than 80 varieties of tropical and exotic fruit trees they sample from, including rambutan and mangosteen trees.

With such a large collection, the trees attract butterflies and birds all year.

For Huatulco adventure travelers, the Hagia Sofia zipline takes you on a 1.25-mile journey (2 km) over the gardens below.

You get a bird’s eye view of the park’s biodiversity, as you soar 325-feet (99 m) above the ground.

🌳 Best Hagia Sofia Tours from Huatulco

Here’s a list of the Top 3 best Huatulco tours to Hagia Sofia that you won’t want to miss when you’re visiting Huatulco on your vacation:

1. Hagia Sofia Tour: EcoPark & Zipline (Best Rated)
2. Hagia Sofia Botanical Park Tour with Meals Included
3. Hagia Sofia Park & Waterfall Tour

My Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Huatulco Mexico

Huatulco is a very special place, and provides a very unique experience, as far as Mexico beach towns go.

Its nature is very well preserved, yet there are beautiful accommodations; it’s a beach town, yet still maintains an authentic, cultural feel.

Huatulco also has an international Green Globe Certification, meaning it meets standards for Sustainable Tourism.

With more protected space than most other Mexico travel destinations and Mexico resort towns, you’ll have an amazing trip but also feel good about traveling to Huatulco Mexico.

More Huatulco Travel Blogs

If you’re looking for more info on traveling to Huatulco Mexico, check out these additional Huatulco travel guides:

• 7 Best Huatulco All Inclusive Resorts
• Best Huatulco Tours You Won’t Want to Miss
• Renting a Car in Huatulco: What You Need to Know
• 11 Best Boat Tours in Huatulco Oaxaca Mexico
• 6 Best Huatulco Snorkeling Tours
• 27 Best Beaches in Huatulco
• Is Huatulco Worth Visiting?
• Oaxaca to Huatulco: 4 Best Transport Options
• Oaxaca to Huatulco Flight: What You Need to Know