Below you will find specific and common information on how travel to Huatulco, types of accommodations, getting around town, currency and communications. Please make sure you are familiar with what you need to enter Mexico from the Mexican Customs Office.
By Air
Huatulco does not have an international airport. Flights arrive at Huatulco International Airport (HUX) in daily.
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The airport is
12 miles (19 kms.) north of the Santa Cruz Huatulco. AeroMexico (Tel: (800) 237 6639) is the only airline flying year-round to Huatulco, but other airlines fly charters during busier times of the year. There are no "direct" flights from the U.S. or Canada. All flights have a stopover in Mexico City. You can also fly in from Oaxaca City.
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The airport is modern, but unique with four open-air "palapa" buildings emphasizing the tropical environmental surroundings. It has several shops, restaurants, bar, and rental car agencies.
From the airport, taxis ($20 range) are available to surrounding bays and La Crucecita. Colectivos (collective vans) are also available at a cheaper fare, but you will make stops for the other passengers. Most major rental car companies have airport counters.
By Land
Huatulco can be reached by driving from Acapulco (11 hours) on Hwy. 200, or from Oaxaca City (hours) on Hwy. 180, transfering to Hwy. 185 at Tehuantepec, then to Hwy. 200 at Salina Cruz. The Oaxaca government is building a highway direct from Oaxaca City to Huatulco which will amke it much easier to get here.
If you do drive your vehicle to Huatulco, you must have Mexican auto
insurance, it's the law. Please look under the Travel &
Lodging directory for a list of companies.
The first and second class bus terminal can be found 3 Km. west of "El Centro" which also happens to be the name of the bus that will take you downtown. To return to the bus station, take the bus marked "Central de Autobuses" from Plaza de la Paz. Bus fare is minimal. You can also take a taxi either way. Price is in the 20 peso range.
Currency
The Peso presently values between 9-9.5 Pesos to 1 US dollar. Banks
generally have the best exchange rates & open at 9am (M-F), make
sure you check what hours they do money exchanges. Lines may be
longer at banks, but rates are probably a little better than exchange houses.
Money exchange houses or Casa de Cambios are found in Huatulco and will exchange money throughout the day and into the early evening. Check with your hotel also as they may exchange money. Both are probably more convenient than the bank.
Some of the larger establishments will readily accept US currency. The issue in that case will be the exchange rate that they offer; it is advisable to ask first in order to avoid any disappointments. Many businesses will not be able to make change for anything higher than a $20 U.S. dollars so it is a good idea to carry small bills with you, or pesos. Most businesses outside of Merida will not accept foreign currency.
Credit Cards are accepted by most of the hotels, with
some or no surcharge, but not all of them. ATM's are found throughout town and can be used to secure funds, although it will be in Pesos. This is one of the easier ways to travel, although there will be a small fee attached to your withdrawal. While you are planning your trip, make sure that you carry - or have access to, enough cash or traveler's checks.
Time & Pace
Huatulco is in the Central Time Zone and does observe daylight savings
time. Businesses are open throughout the day. Since Huatulco doesn't really have slow season (except in the hottest months of July-August), the traditional siesta isn't usually observed except in some of the small towns outside the capital. Siesta or the mid-day break is a
tradition that reflects not only the necessity of avoiding heat-related
fatigue, but is also a traditional time to spend with family, eat the meal of the day and recharge the batteries so to speak.
Communications
You can call (direct dialing) and fax to anywhere in the world from
Guanajuato, using the facilities at your hotel or at Larga Distancia office. You can purchase prepaid phone cards throughout town. Internet access is available throughout Guanajuato's center in "cyber cafes", some hotels may offer the service.
Huatulco Hotel Association
Information Hotel Accommodations & Rates
Special Packages * General Information on Huatulco
Blvd. Santa Cruz # 303, Local 5
Hotel Castillo Arcade
Bah�as de Huatulco, Oaxaca, 70989
Tel: (958) 587-0680 * Fax: (958) 587-0848
E-mail: huatulcohotel@prodigy.net.mx
Web: hotels.baysofhuatulco.com.mx