Ecotourism at its Best in Huatulco National Park in Oaxaca, Mexico
Also known as Bahias de Huatulco National Park this national treasure was initially declared a protected area and decreed as a National Park by the Mexican government on July 24, 1998. The Park is located in Santa María Huatulco, and it extends to an area larger than 29,000 acres. There are more than 9,000 species of plants, and more than 260 species of fauna have been identified here including white-tailed deer and armadillos. Bird species have now been counted at over 700, including hawks, hummingbirds, and pelicans. Reptile species are also in abundance as of last inventory more than 470 were counted including salamanders, iguanas, geckos, and snakes. Dolphins, whales, and turtles are just a few of the more than 100 identified and sighted sea species just off the coastline.
For these reasons and so many more, a visit to Huatulco National Park is an incredible and extremely memorable excursion. There are many different ways to explore the park including ATV trips, hiking, bicycling, van trips, and boat trips. The options for booking an adventure into Huatulco National Park are almost endless as you can imagine. Many visitors choose to start their journey by experiencing some of the cultural and gastronomic heritage of the are by visiting smaller villages in the Mexican outback. Hiring a guide is recommended as they can help you choose local communities that will help you learn about ancient traditions like the medicinal and healing properties of plants and herbs. Usually, these car or truck tours include lunch and will have you back at your resort by mid-afternoon.
The other inland tours that are very popular are focused on bird watching. Depending on your comfort level, there are multiple trails to either hike or bike and quickly surround yourself in awe-inspiring nature. Again, a guide is recommended to have the best experience and make sure you do not get lost in the immensity of the park. Many visitors who are bird enthusiasts have reported seeing Red-breasted Chat, Crane Hawks, Grey Hawks, Doubleday’s Hummingbirds, and many other species on a regular basis.
Of course, the other main draw to this park is the fantastic snorkeling and SCUBA diving. There are a multitude of tour boats to choose from again depending on your experience level and the length of time you want to spend. There are seven beautiful bays to be visited and plenty more small sandy coves that are perfect for seclusion. Several of the bays have restaurants and bars where you can relax and enjoy incredibly fresh seafood, but depending on the time of day and the season you are visiting these beaches can be busier than most others in the area.
Another choice is to skip the tour boats and hire a smaller boat that is called a panga directly out of the Santa Cruz marina, and you can be in charge of your itinerary. Most captains will know where you can stop and rent snorkel gear if you want to try and find secluded beaches. The earlier you go, the better the chance you will have of having the beach and the reef all to yourself because they will generally have other visitors showing up from organized tours by 11 AM. These types of trips may also cost a little more, and you will have to pack in food and drinks for yourself, but having these fantastic beaches and reefs to yourselves for just a few hours can make for lifetime memories.
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