Huatulco

Commonly referred to as the Bahías de Huatulco (Bays of Hautulco), Huatulco is based around nine bays and 35 kilometers of beaches. After the tremendous success of Cancún, the Mexican government looked for an equivalent site to start a new tourist destination on the Pacific Coast, and started building this resort in the 1980s. Located 130 kilometers south of Puerto Escondido, Huatulco is slowly building a name for itself as Mexico’s authentic tourism haven. It has an 18-hole golf course and luxury resort hotels, and it also offers a growing array of ecotourism adventures that include bay tours, diving, jungle hiking tours, river rafting, and rappelling. Both dining and nightlife are limited here, but it is a beautiful and relaxing setting, and the nine bays include 36 beaches and countless inlets and coves for exploring. The clear, blue water and golden beaches are enough of an attraction for many visitors. Its most important quality is the fact that it still isn’t plagued by mass tourism, thus ensuring that your stay will be truly pleasant. (It is not easy to get to Huatulco—there are not many direct flights and it relies heavily on charter service from the United States and Canada.)