Charming Towns

Santa Cruz Huatulco
Seaside village facing the marina and surrounding an attractive main square. Visit the main square’s bandstand for a cup of locally grown coffee! An open-air market lies to one side of the plaza, along with several restaurants, shops and bars. A short walk away is the popular beach of Santa Cruz with its seaside restaurants, complete water sports rentals, and boat trips to Yerbabuena and La Entrega beaches.

La Crucecita :
This village of 7,000 residents is one of Huatulco’s most pleasant surprises. Sculptures, shade trees, walkways, benches, green lawns and a central bandstand invite locals and visitors to mingle. Surrounding the square are modern colonial-style buildings housing shops, outdoor cafes, and fine restaurants. La Crucecita is especially appealing during the evening, when the town's friendly residents fill the city's cafes and parks.

Santa Maria Huatulco :
This city is located only 10 km from the airport, near towering jungle covered mountains. Santa Maria traces its roots to pre-Hispanic times when it served as a trade center for the coastal Oaxacan region. A visit here usually includes a stop at the city's main square (Zocalo), home to a red and white cathedral that dates back to the late 18th century. A native market is of interest, as are the coffee plantations that surround the city.

Coffee Plantation Tours :
This is one of Huatulco’s most interesting trips. Head into the mountains of Oaxaca surrounding Santa Maria Huatulco to a 19th century coffee plantation founded by German immigrants. You’ll learn about harvest and processing of the area’s delicious –pluma” coffee. Spend time with the family owners and enjoy a typical meal. The tours include visits to exotic tropical forests with waterfalls, caves, and suspension bridges. Contact local tour operators for details. Punta Celeste One of the most interesting archaeological finds in recent years is being studied and excavated at at site just south of Tangolunda Bay.

Punta Celeste :
The site has been under investigation since 1997 by Mexico’s National Institute for Archaeology and History. Similar to the ruins at Tulum on Mexico’s Caribbean coast Punta Celeste overlooks the ocean. It consists of burial sites, ball courts, small pyramids, and a Cliffside sacrificial stone. The site dates to 500 B.C. and was developed by the mysterious Mixteco culture. Since funds to excavate are limited, access is restricted at present. Donations are being sought to further this important project, with the goal of opening the site to visitors in coming years.