Huatulco National Park: Nine Bays, One Ticket

Huatulco National Park protects 11,890 hectares of coastline where the Sierra Madre del Sur meets the Pacific, and every visitor over 12 pays 125 MXN (about $7) for a day of access to its waters and trails. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and that single wristband covers snorkeling at La Entrega, the sand at Cacaluta, and the boat ride through Chachacual.

Most travelers base themselves in La Crucecita, a grid of streets two kilometers inland, and reach the park's bays by rented car, taxi, or the lanchas that leave from Santa Cruz marina. Four bays — Santa Cruz, Chahué, Tangolunda, and Maguey — connect by paved road. The other five, including Organo, Cacaluta, and San Agustín, are boat-only, which keeps their sand free of vendors and their reefs intact.

Getting There and Around

By Air

Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX) sits 15 kilometers northwest of Santa Cruz and handles daily nonstops from Mexico City on Aeroméxico, VivaAerobus, and Volaris; flight times run 75 to 85 minutes. In high season (November through April) the schedule expands with seasonal service from Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Dallas, and Chicago. A prepaid taxi from the airport to La Crucecita costs 300 to 400 MXN, and to Tangolunda 350 to 450 MXN. Shared colectivos are cheaper and slightly slower.

By Land

Driving from Oaxaca City covers 275 kilometers over the Sierra Sur, a winding 5.5- to 6-hour haul on Highway 175 that rewards with cloud-forest views but punishes anyone prone to carsickness. ADO buses make the same run from Oaxaca's central terminal several times a day. From Puerto Escondido, Huatulco is 90 kilometers east on Highway 200, roughly two hours by car.

Local Transport

There is no Uber in Huatulco. Metered taxis and fixed-zone rates fill the gap: La Crucecita to Santa Cruz runs 50 to 80 MXN, and a 24-hour motorbike rental hovers around 650 MXN. Renting a car makes sense if you plan to hit the road-accessible bays on your own schedule — the roads inside the tourism zone are excellent, though Mexican auto insurance is mandatory.

What the Park Protects

The park was decreed in 1998 and expanded with Huatulco II in 2024, and its 11,890 hectares include 11,017 marine hectares. That mix of lowland deciduous forest, mangrove, and coral reef is why the water stays clear enough to see the bottom at four meters in Santa Cruz Bay. UNESCO lists the wider region as a biosphere reserve, and the bays themselves are off-limits to high-density development — no high-rise strips, no spring-break towers.

The Nine Bays

Santa Cruz is the historic hub, with the marina, the 18th-century chapel of the Santa Cruz, and the market where boat tours depart. Tangolunda holds the large resorts. Chahué has a Blue Flag beach and calmer water for families. Maguey and Organo are sheltered and good for snorkeling. Cacaluta, Chachacual, Riscalillo, San Agustín, and La India are wilder, boat-access beaches where the only facilities are what the tour operator brings.

Snorkeling and Diving

La Entrega is the most reliable shore-entry snorkel site in the park — the reef starts a few meters off the sand, and gear rental is available on the beach. San Agustín, reachable only by boat, has the densest coral and fish life; it's the stop most shared tours prioritize. Humpback whale watching runs December through March, and dolphins and sea turtles show up year-round on open-water crossings.

Hiking and Archaeology

The park's dry-forest trails suit early-morning walks before the heat builds. The marked track south to Bahía Cacaluta takes about two hours on foot and requires the CONANP wristband at the trailhead. Cyclists use the same network; mountain biking is permitted inside the park boundaries. The Bocana del Río Copalita archaeological site, just outside the park, opens Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission for national and foreign visitors — one of only two archaeological sites in Mexico set directly by the water.

When to Go and What It Costs

Huatulco sees more than 330 sunny days a year. The dry season from November to April brings daytime highs of 28 to 32°C and almost no rain, which is why December through February books out first. The rainy season runs June to November, mostly as nighttime downpours, and the landscape turns green at the cost of higher humidity and afternoon showers.

Park entry is 125 MXN per person per day, with exemptions for seniors, pensioners, disabled visitors, and children under 12. Students and teachers with valid credentials get a 50% discount. Fees are subject to change — check the official CONANP site for current rates. Some tour operators quote discounted park fees of 60 to 70 MXN, which typically reflects group rates or included admission; confirm what your tour covers before paying twice.

Boat Tours and Prices

Shared lancha tours from Santa Cruz marina run 1,200 to 2,200 MXN per person for a half or full day, with stops at Chachacual for snorkeling and Maguey for lunch. Private charters run 2,500 to 4,500 MXN for up to eight people, and larger yachts for groups of twenty start around $1,945 per group for an eight-hour bays-and-snorkeling trip. Group tours are the better value if you're solo or a couple; private boats win if you want to set your own snorkel schedule.

Beyond the Bays

The Sierra Madre del Sur rises immediately behind the coast. Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla, about 90 minutes inland, charges roughly 50 to 100 MXN per person for access to a chain of waterfalls and swimming holes. Pluma Hidalgo, a coffee town at 1,500 meters, hosts family-run plantations where tours of five to six hours run $70 to $90 per person, including pickup from Huatulco hotels. Both make solid half-day escapes when you've had enough salt water.

Practical Rules

The park prohibits removing coral, shells, or any natural material; flash photography of wildlife; campfires; and conventional sunscreen, which damages reef systems. Bring reef-safe mineral sunscreen. There are no ATMs inside the park or at most boat-access beaches, and beach restaurants at Maguey and Santa Cruz take cash. Because the park closes at 7 p.m. sharp, plan your last boat return before 6 p.m. to avoid a rushed exit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Huatulco National Park?

Entry is 125 MXN per person per day for foreign visitors, with 50% off for students and teachers and free entry for children under 12, seniors, and disabled visitors. Many boat tours include the fee — ask before you pay at the dock.

Can you visit the bays without a boat tour?

Four bays — Santa Cruz, Chahué, Tangolunda, and Maguey — have paved road access. Cacaluta, Chachacual, Riscalillo, San Agustín, and La India are boat-only, so a lancha from Santa Cruz marina (1,200–2,200 MXN per person) is the practical way to see them.

Is Huatulco National Park the same as the town of Huatulco?

No. The park is the protected coastal area around the nine bays; the main town is La Crucecita, about two kilometers inland from Santa Cruz Bay. Santa María Huatulco is a separate, older inland municipality. When locals say "Huatulco," they usually mean the bays and La Crucecita together.

What should I bring for a day in the park?

Reef-safe sunscreen, cash for park fees and beach lunches, and more water than you think you need. There are no ATMs at the boat-access beaches, and the park bans conventional sunscreen, so pick up mineral formulas in La Crucecita before you head out.

When is the best time to see whales in Huatulco?

Humpback season runs December through March. Book a boat tour that emphasizes open-water time rather than a bay-hopping itinerary if whale sightings are a priority — the crossings between bays give you the best chance.