Beaches

The State of Oaxaca has a 342-mile (548 kilometer) coastline, along the Mexican Pacific, divided between the Jamiltepec, Pochutla, and Juchitan districts.

The Oaxacan coastline offers an array of natural beauty beyond compare, with its panoramic scenic views and the extraordinarily peaceful waters of its bays. It offers a delightful, tropical climate with an annual temperature of 82°F (28°C), and beautiful sunny days. Oaxacan beaches have fine, white sand. Its topography favors privacy and tranquillity, enhanced by its beautiful aquamarine waters and breathtaking sunsets. Tradition, folklore, and regional cuisine can be enjoyed in small Oaxacan towns that have learned to maintain their ancient customs intact.

Because of all this, Oaxaca's beaches have become extremely inviting to tourists. Some of the most attractive are: Zicatela, which is famous for surfing; Escobilla, a natural reproduction centre for turtles; Mazunte and San Agustinillo, with a live species museum that has become the "Campesino" (peasant's) natural reserve; Zipolite, a nude beach, like very few in the world, and Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, two bays with truly Oaxacan environment.

Huatulco, and its nine incomparable, unadulterated, and beautiful bays, has a tradition of history and legend, since it is believed that Quetzalcóatl honoured the inhabitants of Santa Cruz, by passing down his legacy, a Holy Cross made of wood.

The Huatulco Bays were settled around 900 AD by the Zapotecos. It has also taken part in countless episodes from the times of battle and conquest involving Mexico's first settlers. It also became an important seaport for the Spanish during their occupation of Mexican territory, and the victim of savage pirate raids during many years. During the sixteenth century, it was the main seaport for the Spanish Viceroy. In 1831, a former President, and Mexican hero, Vicente Guerrero, fell victim to treacherous betrayal on a beach fittingly known as "La Entrega" (Deliverance). In 1849, Benito Juárez, another great Mexican hero, and former President as well, visited the place and founded a villa known as Villa de Crespo.

Huatulco currently hosts one of the most important tourist developments on the Pacific coastline, a modern and luxurious complex with outstanding hotel infrastructure, and a wide variety of leisure destinies that range anywhere from golf and tennis courses, to any thinkable type of water sport activities.