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Cruises to Huatulco

218 Reviews
3 Awards
Huatulco (Photo:Galina Savina/Shutterstock)

About Huatulco

Founded some 40 years ago by FONATUR, Mexico's tourism development agency, Huatulco (located in the state of Oaxaca) encompasses a stretch of 18 miles of Pacific coastline, located at the foot of the Sierra del Sur Mountains. Here you'll find dozens of pristine sand beaches, spread across nine bays -- four of which have been designated as ecological preserves where no development is permitted.

The area is also dotted with small villages where many of the locals preserve native traditions including basket weaving, cactus horticulture and cooking. Most cruise lines offer at least one excursion that visits these villages. (Look for one that includes the nopale -- prickly pear cactus -- farm; the fruit is delicious.)

Designed to attract mass tourism, cruisers visiting Huatulco will also encounter numerous souvenir and jewelry shops, and yet crass commercialism seems to have taken a back seat here, unlike other purposely designed tourist cities like Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Acapulco. Buildings in Huatulco may not be higher than four stories, so there are no tall structures to clutter the area, beaches are everywhere and the government is taking pains to preserve the indigenous flora and fauna.

Huatulco is composed of three smaller regions, as well as several outlying villages. Santa Cruz is the port area where cruise ships dock. La Crucecita is the main downtown area and Tangolunda is the hotel and resort zone.

Huatulco most commonly appears on Panama Canal itineraries, though it might also be included in Pacific coast partial Panama Canal transits and some Mexican Riviera sailings.

  • More about Huatulco

  • Why go to Huatulco?

  • Huatulco Cruise Port Facilities?

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Zaandam
Zaandam Cabins

14 Night
Panama CanalDetails

537 Reviews
Leaving:San Diego
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Apr 4, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite
Celebrity Eclipse
E C  Aerial Miami433 R

16 Night
South America Repo CruiseDetails

1,886 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Celebrity Cruises
Dec 7, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Sun

20 Night
Repo - Panama CanalDetails

2,107 Reviews
Leaving:Miami
Cruise Line:Norwegian Cruise Line
Apr 21, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)

19 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Aug 21, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Virgin Voyages

Cruise Critic Favorite

20 Night
Panama CanalDetails

916 Reviews
Leaving:Vancouver
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Oct 1, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,190 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
May 9, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,190 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
May 11, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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14 Night
Panama CanalDetails

537 Reviews
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Mar 16, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Apr 1, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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20 Night
Panama CanalDetails

1,154 Reviews
Leaving:Vancouver
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Oct 8, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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14 Night
Panama Canal CruiseDetails

1,650 Reviews
Leaving:Miami
Cruise Line:Royal Caribbean International
Nov 7, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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20 Night
Panama CanalDetails

1,154 Reviews
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Apr 9, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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14 Night
Panama CanalDetails

1,154 Reviews
Cruise Line:Holland America Line
Apr 13, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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15 Night
Transcanal CruiseDetails

1,813 Reviews
Leaving:Los Angeles
Cruise Line:Princess Cruises
Apr 5, 2024
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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More about Huatulco

Why go to Huatulco?

Pros:

Explore millennia-old ruins and unspoiled beaches

Cons:

Travelers seeking a fully developed resort town alive with clubs and restaurants will be disappointed

Bottom Line:

Huatulco offers a more peaceful experience than most Mexican Pacific Coast destinations

Huatulco Cruise Port Facilities?

There's a fair amount to do within a short walk of the cruise pier, from the sandy Santa Cruz beach, to a slew of restaurants, bars and shops. The marina next door also offers Jet Ski rentals, plus a variety of boat tours.

Good to Know?

Huatulco is a safe port with less crime than many of the larger tourist cities but as with many ports around the world, leave your expensive jewelry on the cruise ship when you visit and keep an eye on your wallet.

Getting Around?

Getting around Huatulco is easy.

On Foot: For cruise passengers with difficulty walking, electric carts are available to take people back and forth from the ship to the entrance of Santa Cruz's shopping district. (Drivers work for tips.) The beach, restaurants and shops are all within a 15-minute walk.

By Taxi: For those who wish to go beyond Santa Cruz, taxis (both land and water), as well as numerous tour companies hawking their programs, are all available.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The official currency in Mexico is the peso. Visit www.xe.com for current rates.The nearest ATMs are at banks in downtown La Crucecita, which is about a 25-peso taxi drive away from the port.

Language?

The official language of Mexico is Spanish but because Huatulco is a tourist town, most shopkeepers, restaurant workers and taxi drivers speak English.

Where You're Docked?

Cruise ships dock at a pier in Santa Cruz Bay, right next to a beach and a small marina. As your ship pulls in you'll be able to see the beach to the left-hand side.


Huatulco Cruise Reviews
While the view was beautiful as we approached the bay the Best of Huatulco tour was the worst I have ever been on. Basically the bus drove around and showed us the gates to hotels , an agave plant yep one plant oRead More
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Kfromvalencia
It might not be for everyone, but we really liked this port. Very pretty setting with the ship in the tiny harbor. A nice walk over the (gentle) hill from the low-key seaside resort area to the cute town, and good Read More
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curmudgeon98
What a surprise - lovely and quiet - will visit againRead More
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ThelmLou
This is a lovely surprise. Went on a boat and bus tour which I enjoyed. Much larger resort area than I would have suspected.Read More
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smooth.sailing

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