Most tourists in Mexico have simple needs for their vacation time: sandy beaches, warm weather, and a party atmosphere. Some tourists seek a more authentic cultural experience or opportunities to connect with nature, which Mexico offers in abundance.
Connecting with nature is not usually a priority in the big tourist centers. The natural environment primarily serves as a backdrop for tourist activities: it represents the postcard fantasy that attracts visitors who often give little or no thought to clean air, water, and soil (or sand). Foreigners or Mexicans do not pay much attention to the local environment, so it is not surprising that environmental pollution is a big problem, but largely ignored.
The dumping of raw sewage and garbage into rivers and coastal waters is one of Mexico’s worst sins against the environment. In general, I have seen the worst environmental practices in beach towns and tourist areas, which makes the Huatulco tourist zone an even more impressive achievement. Clear water on all beaches, drinkable tap water, recycling programs, and no litter on well-kept streets and boulevards: Huatulco is a different reality in a country known for loose regulation and management of many things that they are taken for granted. in more developed nations.
Huatulco is a relatively small and unknown tourist area located near the town of La Crucecita in the state of Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ca), on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico. Developed years after Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and other popular destinations, Huatulco was designed to be a clean and green destination. The results of such planning and management are clear, especially in the area’s nine bays and 36 beaches. All the beaches I visited had crystal clear waters, which made it easy to enjoy the schools of fish swimming around me. The visibility for snorkeling is usually up to ten meters deep.
Modern water treatment plants keep the water and beaches clean in the Huatulco Bay area. Several local beaches have been certified as ‘Blue Flag’ and ‘Clean Beach’, which are global standards. Huatulco was also the first North American resort community to be certified by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certification group for the tourism industry.
International recognition is due to Huatulco’s policies and efforts in energy and water consumption, recycling, waste and sewage treatment, and low carbon emissions. Habitat conservation is also part of the commitment. The government limits commercial and residential development to just 28 percent of the coastal area; the rest is designated as a nature reserve that will never be developed. It is amazing and utterly inspiring to see that most of the area’s coastline is completely undeveloped, including several bays that are only accessible by boat. UNESCO designated the Municipality of Santa María Huatulco and the Huatulco National Park as a biosphere reserve.
The people of Huatulco know that the area is special and that there is a real pride behind the tourism promotion and hospitality. The hotel association and tourist office were very responsive to my visit and I experienced a variety of hotels and attractions in the area:
Hotel Binneguenda: A beautiful colonial-style property that was the first hotel built in Huatulco. Popular with young families, it is centrally located and employs some of the most cheerful staff I have seen anywhere.
Villas Fa-Sol – A small and unique beachfront getaway in a beautiful garden with Mediterranean-style suites. It is a family property that represents the unique qualities of Huatulco: calm, green, authentic and warm hospitality.
Dreams Huatulco: A great all-inclusive resort hotel on one of the best swimming beaches in the area. The crystal clear water directly in front of large resorts like Dreams demonstrates the true difference between Huatulco and any other resort on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Villa Azomalli: a large villa with sea and mountain views. Very suitable for small groups, weddings. A wonderful Mexican chef prepared our meals, a key feature of the private villa experience.
Marina Park Plaza – A newer condominium hotel, popular with Canadians and Americans. Spacious condominium apartments with kitchens attract guests for longer stays of 2 weeks to 2 months or more. His staff was bilingual and very professional.
Castillo Huatulco: A smaller all-inclusive hotel with a beach club on Playa Chahué. Castillo is a very friendly place where guests get to know each other quickly. It’s an older property that clearly has a loyal following.
Prehispanic Temazcal: a wonderful place where we enjoy Temazcal ‘sauna’ sessions, aromatherapy, music therapy, mud applications for the skin and massages. A unique and very affordable experience, much like Huatulco in general.
Copalita Ecological Park: The oldest remains of this pre-Hispanic archaeological site date back 2,500 years. Old buildings, a museum with beautiful artifacts, and walking trails that overlook the Copalita river and beach.
“We want Huatulco to stand out from other destinations, to be recognized as a sustainable green tourist destination,” says Esthepania Hernández Sánchez, from the Huatulco tourism office. “Huatulco tourists want to visit a quiet place, ideal to rest and enjoy nature,” she adds. “For us it is important to offer clean beaches and green areas not only because it gives a better quality of life to the local community but also a better experience for tourists.”
Tourists in Huatulco certainly benefit from those quality-of-life advantages, whether or not they appreciate that the water they swim and shower in is clean. Or that the shellfish they eat comes from clean waters.
Huatulco is a hidden gem, a bright green dot in Mexico’s environmental grayness and overdeveloped tourist hub. Fortunately, it is not for everyone. Huatulco attracts people who care about its unique qualities; people who do not look for another place with heat and cheap beer. The best ambassadors of Huatulco will continue to spread the message to those who want clean, green and authentic tourism.
