On my recent travels to Mexico, I had the chance to visit, in the Pacific region of Mexico, the state of Oaxaca. If you love waking up to the sound of waves crashing against the shore and sand between your toes, this is a must.

I stayed not far from La Crucecita, the center hub of the region, at Barcelo Huatulco in Bahias de Huatulco. The property hugs an intimate bay which you have to yourself to enjoy morning and evening walks. I was there at the end of March, which saw high temperatures, so I did not go for a walk barefoot in the middle of the day.

Home while at Huatulco, Barcelo Huatulco

Sunrise-watching from my room

I did a little exploring upon arrival and had to have a mole tasting plate at El Sabor de Oaxaca. It came with four types of mole, each just as delicious as the last. It came with a plate of queso Oaxaca which, as they say, if you know, you know.

El Sabo de Oaxaca’s mole tasting plate

If you’re a nature lover like me, this is the perfect hub for exploring some of Mexico’s most beautiful gems. We explored the region with XPert Travel Huatulco, the preferred tour operator with the property. They also provided roundtrip transport to the airport, no more than 25 minutes away.

My adventures in Huatulco included

Tour Eco Liberacion: Baby turtle release and crocodile sightings at La Bahía de Ventanilla (one hour from Huatulco); we visited an animal rescue center sheltering a spider monkey, a crocodile repopulation program and a white-tail deer sanctuary
Bahias: Featured a boat ride with visits from playful dolphins, sting ray sightings and geological curiosities, like el Bufadero (giant blowhole off the side of a hill); the midday activity was snorkeling and exploring the beautiful aquatic wildlife and fauna

Unique regional art

Spider monkey welcoming visitors

Lots of up-close yet safe encounters with wildlife

White-tailed deer lounging in their sanctuary

Sea turtle conservation leader at Ventanillas

• This is also a region where, if the conditions are right, you can see the ethereal phytoplankton phenomenon. We arrived too late in the season, so we did not have a chance to see this; but if you’re there at the right time, definitely take advantage.

Going to Huatulco soon? Connect with XPert Travel Huatulco on Instragram or Facebook.

P.S.: Keep an eye out for an upcoming eTested review of Barcelo Huatulco coming to eFlyer in May!

— Maria Angeles, account executive