Huatulco is located a two hour drive south of Puerto Escondido on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. It is one of Mexico's most relaxed destinations. The centerpiece of Huatulco's appeal is a series of nine bays, encompassing 36 beaches and numerous inlets and coves, each with its own unique setting and ecology. All are noted for their lovely beaches of golden sand and crystal clear water, but remain pleasantly primitive, sometimes accessible only by boat.

Tangolunda Bay is the most important of Huatulco's nine bays and has seven modern resorts along with an 18-hole golf course, a full assortment of water sports, two shopping areas, several restaurants, and five lovely beaches. The second most developed area is the Bay of Santa Cruz and the village of Santa Cruz Huatulco. The bay is home to a marina (from which cruises of the area's nine bays depart) and one of the area's main settlements. Facing the marina is Santa Cruz, an attractive village that sprang to life in the late 1980's. The village's shady main square is surrounded by shops, including a good outdoor artisans market, restaurants and bars. Several popular 4-star hotels are here. A short distance away is popular Playa Santa Cruz, home to Huatulco's cruise dock (visited by 50-60 cruises per year), and La Entrega and Yerbabuena are nearby beaches accessible by boat or by car.

Chahue, the bay between Tangolunda and Santa Cruz, is the area's largest with three long stretches of sandy beach. There are currently three hotels open on this bay. About a mile inland is the charming city of La Crucecita (population 4,000). This is predominantly a "workers city," though it has several tourist-class restaurants, bars, shops selling Oaxacan crafts, a good municipal market, a half dozen charming hotels, and one of Mexico's prettiest main squares. The new church features the world's largest image of the Virgin of Guadalupe on its dome.

Huatulco is rich with ancient Indian history. It was first inhabited in pre-Hispanic times by the coastal Tututepec tribe. Zapotec, Mixtec and Aztec merchants established an important trade route through the region, and the village of Santa Maria Huatulco developed. Following the Conquest, the coastal village of Santa Cruz Huatulco served as a harbor and shipyard for the Spaniards trading along the Pacific coast.

Huatulco offers some of the clearest water on Mexico's Pacific coast, and there are some great snorkeling spots. The area touts that hard-to-find combination of deluxe facilities and an unspoiled natural setting. All this, plus the allure of the nearby City of Oaxaca, makes Huatulco an enticing destination for both novice and experienced Mexico travelers.