The nice folks at My Huatulco Vacation invited me to write a guest blog post for them, An Insider's Guide to a Week in Huatulco. Problem is, you really need at least TWO WEEKS to see and do everything! Enjoy!
So you’ve arrived Paradise, aka Huatulco, and let’s face it, it is like no other place you have ever visited!
Whether your stay is in a condo, hotel or villa, the first thing to do is just stop for a moment and breathe in the wonderful tropical atmosphere. Lush palms, gardens cascading with bright flowers, flocks of parrots, the warm salty breeze, the rhythm of the ocean on the shore … this will be the magical backdrop for everything you do while you are in Huatulco.
Here is an insider’s guide to a week in Paradise. Many vacations run Saturday to Saturday, so that is when we begin. Here is the most important advice that I can offer: WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Saturday Evening: Sunset cocktails are a ritual in paradises all over the world, and Huatulco is no exception. The lofty elegant SkyBar at the Quinta Real on Tangolunda Bay or Xitric on the breakwater in Santa Cruz are definitely recommended. Saturday night is a fun night to visit La Crucecita where the zocalo, or central park, with its soaring huayacan trees, is the centre of all the action. Courting couples, strolling musicians, art displays, craft sellers and indigenous artisans provide lots of local color. Want to try some Oaxacan cuisine? Sabor de Oaxaca is just a block off the zocalo, a bit upscale and well known for its traditional black mole and Oaxacan specialties.
Sunday is a great time to hit the beach, and this is when the choice gets tough. If you like to snorkel, I recommend Maguey or Entrega; if surfing is your thing, then La Bocana is your best and closest choice, and is also the home of Bocana Surf School where you can rent a board and take a few lessons. Sunday afternoon, however, should be reserved for Finca de Vaqueros in La Bocana. Mexico’s great ranch expanses have spawned a whole caballero or “cowboy” culture and Los Vaqueros is a cowboy bar/restaurant of the finest order. Our standard fare is charros (delicious beans in a tomato sauce), and a “mixta” platter that includes arrachera (marinated steak), chorizo, ribs, and quail. All of these savory treats are accompanied by tender tortillas and an array of delicious salsas. A chunky onion condiment is my favourite. This is a great place try your first shot of legendary mescal. The beer is cold and the singing is smooth. Oh, didn’t I mention the singing? The owners have great crooning voices and are wonderful crowd pleasers. Wind up the evening with a beach stroll or amble around the zocalo in Crucecita.
