Things to do in Santa María Huatulco

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Chahue Beach featuring a beach and tropical scenes
La Entrega Beach featuring jet skiing, a coastal town and a beach
Zaachila Beach featuring tropical scenes, a hotel and a beach
Santa María Huatulco showing landscape views and general coastal views
Chahue Beach showing a garden

Santa María Huatulco Attractions

With coral reefs, golden beaches, palm trees, and grass-roofed pueblos, Huatulco is the perfect setting for a vacation on Mexico's southern coast. Legend has it the feathered serpent Quetzalcoatl came from these lands at the base of the Sierra Madre del Sur, and the area still holds a rich collection of secrets for history buffs, restless naturalists, and laid-back vacationers alike. From broad waterfalls and cool plunge pools to ancient Zapotec cities and rolling waves along the coast, you can find plenty of things to do in Huatulco.


Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.

Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.

One Key members save 10% or more on select activities, hotels, cars and vacation rentals.


Most popular activities in Santa María Huatulco

Tours & day trips

See all 124 activities

History & culture

See all 43 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 29 activities

Wildlife & nature

See all 14 activities

Classes & workshops

See all 11 activities

What to do in Santa María Huatulco

Free Things to Do in Santa María Huatulco

Taking a break in Santa María Huatulco on a budget? The following can be seen for nix.

Marina Chahue - This vibrant location is a popular hangout for both locals and tourists.

La Montosa Island - Simply being close to the water is certain to leave you feeling rejuvenated and calm.

Chahue Beach - Breathe in the fresh, salty air and watch the waves lapping against the shore at this stunning coastal spot.

Areas & Neighborhoods in Santa María Huatulco

La Crucecita

A great starting point for any visitor, La Crucecita features a lively collection of restaurants, shops, fresh food markets, and a superstore, with plenty of villas and condos just a quick walk away. A forested hill stands in the middle of town, and the shops around the zocalo are packed with touristy gifts and authentic souvenirs alike.

Tangolunda Bay

Most of Huatulco's luxury resorts can be found in this pocket of the coast, which not coincidentally offers a terrific combination of sheltered waters and long, curving beaches. A public-access route runs between the private beachfronts to let you enjoy access to the water at Tangolunda Bay.

La Bocana

The place to be for surfers or lovers of open ocean, the coastal retreat of La Bocana offers villas fronted by photogenic beaches under high, rocky cliffs. The nearby river mouth offers a place to go for a freshwater splash if you want a break from the waves, and the Zapotec Mud Baths offer up another way to relax with some fine earth taken right from the river.

What to See in Huatulco

It's not hard to notice that Huatulco has a lot of beaches. What you can really appreciate, though, is the selection, from the rows of yachts and fishing boats at Marina Chahué to the snorkeling and rich marine life of La Entrega and the jet skis and beach soccer games along Chahue Beach. If you're more in the mood to head inland, the archaeological site of Bocana del Río Copalita includes a ball court and a temple to Quetzalcoatl that dates back 2,500 years.

Sightseeing in Santa María Huatulco

Lovers of the outdoors have all kinds of options for passing the time around Huatulco. You can dive in the water for a snorkeling tour, get a surfing lesson, or admire the beaches on a sightseeing cruise. If you want to give the easy rapids along the Rio Copalita a try, then you can take out a raft and get paddling. Or if you want to charter a boat for some deep-sea fishing, there's plenty of giant sailfish waiting for you.

If you're in the mood to see what the actual countryside looks like, you can join a tour into the jungle and see the waterfalls that pour down out of the mountains or get an exclusive look at the plantation where some of the region's finest coffee is grown and processed. Take an ATV ride to visit remote trails and an iguana farm, or just relax with a few holes at one of the region's best golf courses. If you've got a couple days free, there's nothing like an overnight journey to see the ancient city of Monte Alban and the landmarks and lively streets in Oaxaca de Juarez.

Things to Do in Santa María Huatulco with Kids

Santa María Huatulco is a fabulous place for a family getaway. Take the youngsters along and have a go at these family friendly experiences together:


 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Santa María Huatulco? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 


 


Discover the most popular places to visit in Santa María Huatulco

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Santa María Huatulco

Default Image

Sector L

While there might not be top attractions in Sector L, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Chahue Beach and Playa Santa Cruz.

Sector L
Bahia Chahue showing general coastal views, a sandy beach and a sunset

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 El Zócalo.

Crucecita
Default Image

Santa Cruz

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

Santa Cruz
Chahue Beach showing a garden

Chahue

4.5/5(53 area reviews)

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

Chahue
Sunrise in beautiful Huatulco Mexico

Arrocito

While visiting Arrocito, you might make a stop by sights like Tangolunda Bay and Playa Arrocito.

Arrocito
Zaachila Beach which includes general coastal views

Tangolunda

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

Tangolunda

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Popular day trips from Santa María Huatulco

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa María Huatulco worth visiting?
Famous for its history and culture, discovering cool things to do in Santa María Huatulco is a cinch. Be sure to add Parque Eco-Arqueológico Copalita to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Santa María Huatulco?
Once you've visited popular attractions like Hagia Sofia Botanical Garden and Parque Eco-Arqueológico Copalita, spend some time discovering Santa María Huatulco's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa María Huatulco?
Parque Eco-Arqueológico Copalita is one of the top tourist attractions in Santa María Huatulco and should be high on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa María Huatulco?
Book a break in Santa María Huatulco for three days and you'll have plenty of time to discover its leading sights and experience the local way of life. For the chance to see highlights in the surrounding areas and get off the tourist trail, consider sticking around for seven to ten days.
Is Santa María Huatulco a walkable city?
With leading attractions like Parque Eco-Arqueológico Copalita in the area, Santa María Huatulco is very much a destination to enjoy on foot. Like to visit some vibrant neighborhoods a walkable distance from the city center? Las Palmas is around 0.1 miles away.
What are some activities to do in Santa María Huatulco with kids?
What to do in Santa María Huatulco for adults?
Adults of all ages will find plenty of things to do in Santa María Huatulco. Whether you're into the arts, nature or just enjoy visiting new places, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Santa María Huatulco?
You don't need to spend big to enjoy an amazing vacation here. There are lots of fun things to do in Santa María Huatulco for travelers wanting to make the most of their money. Unwind in the parks, soak up the vibes at free events and festivals or ask for ideas from a local tour guide.