Santa María HuatulcoMexico

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.