Huatulco National Park

About this place

Huatulco National Park, also known as Bahías de Huatulco National Park, lies on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, west of the town of Cruz Huatulco and about 7 km in a straight line west of La Crucecita, the area's main town. It was declared a national park on 24 July 1998 and covers about 11,890 hectares of land and sea. Low tropical dry forest covers about 80 per cent of the park, with unusually tall trees reaching 15 m, alongside mangroves on the coastal strip. Armadillos, white-tailed deer and black iguanas live here, along with hundreds of bird species including hummingbirds and pelicans, and dolphins, whales and turtles are seen off the coast. A string of small sheltered bays lines the coast, with golden sand and clear turquoise water framed by forested hills and dark rocks. Among the best known are Maguey Bay and Cacaluta Bay, and tour boats carry visitors between the bays and to beaches that no road reaches. A small fee may apply at some beaches, and boat tours are paid. The water is calm in most of the bays, the sun is strong, and the dry season from November to April is the best time to visit.