RSB Bike Tours Huatulco – A review

I recently had the opportunity to join RSB Bike Tours for a mountain biking adventure into the Huatulco National Park.

This was one of the most fun activities I’ve done in Huatulco! A bike tour is absolutely the best way to see Huatulco National Park from land, and we enjoyed every moment with RSB Bike Tours. So here I am to tell you all about it!

About RSB Bike Tours Huatulco

RSB Tours was started by Oscar in early 2023. Oscar started mountain biking as a response to a wake-up call regarding his physical health.

Since he first started cycling in 2020 Oscar has become a well-decorated competitive mountain biker and passionate community member in Huatulco.

Oscar started RSB bikes as a way to inspire both visitors and community members to be more active and enjoy the incredible landscape we have here on the Oaxaca coast.

Who can go on an RSB Bike Tour?

Anyone visiting Huatulco and interested in riding through the national park can take a RSB mountain bike tour.

In 2023, the age restriction is a minimum of 15 years old, only because RSB does not have kids’ bikes yet. Soon they hope to welcome younger riders!

Otherwise, anyone comfortable on a bike is welcome. So far, clients range from 15-68!

How Many People can go on a Tour?

The rider minimum to book an RSB tour is 2 clients, and a maximum of 20.

Types of Tours

RSB offers a few scheduled options for group rides and is always open for fun rides with anyone interested. Oscar only requires 2 customers to make a tour, so often the tour groups are small.

Here are the three main tours RSB offers in Huatulco:

1. Cacaluta Bay Half-day Adventure

💲Cost: 🇲🇽 $800 per person |📏Distance: 25km / 15.5mi |⏱️Time: 4.5 hours  
🚲Includes: All Gear, Snack Bars, Gatorade, Water |📈Skill Level: Beginner

This is the tour I got to be a part of! It only takes about 4 1/2 hours and the ride is considered beginner friendly.

The tour leaves from the RSB shop in La Crucecita. You will bike to the town of Santa Cruz Huatulco, through Sector E, and then into the National Park!

The trails in the National Park are considered beginner-friendly, but there are some tricky sections and hills. The trail has some sandy parts, and sections of downhill with rocks and roots.

What I appreciated about the Cacaluta Bay bike tour is that Oscar takes time to stop at a few landmarks so you get a little Huatulco history, but also a chance to catch your breath and drink some water!

Once you arrive at calculator Bay call me you can go cool down with a quick swim in the ocean if you like, or maybe wander over to the lagoon and take in some of the biodiversity.

The ride back is much shorter because you won’t stop as often, and before you know it you’ll be back in La Crucecita for lunch!

I highly recommend making the Cacaluta bike tour a part of your Huatulco activities!

2. Santa Maria Huatulco All-Day Ride

💲Cost: 🇲🇽 $1500 per person |📏Distance: 60km / 37.3mi |⏱️Time: 6 hours  
🚲Includes: All Gear, Lunch, Gatorade, Water |📈Skill Level: Intermediate – Advanced

This tour is very intriguing to me and I hope I get a chance to try it.

Again leaving from La Crucecita, you will bike into the national park and ride through the jungle all the way to Santa Maria Huatulco.

After the 30km ride, you will enjoy a tour of a family-run farm and be treated to a homemade lunch! There will also be Oaxacan staples like hot chocolate for you to try.

After you have rested and refreshed, you will ride back through the park to La Crucecita.

3. Custom Bike Rides

Oscar is extremely knowledgeable about riding in the Huatulco area. If you are interested in a certain type of ride, just send him a message! RSB will be able to design a custom experience for you and your friends to explore Huatulco by bike.

Whether you want to explore more of the national park or make your way to Tangolunda or even La Bocana, Oscar will design a bike tour perfect for you!

Gear

RSB offers high-end mountain bikes and all the gear you need. But there are also some items you might want to bring to be more comfortable.

Here is everything you need for a Huatulco mountain bike tour!

Included Equipment

Bikes

Oscar has 20 mountain bikes available. They are all well-maintained and adjusted to your height before leaving.

Helmets

I’m not generally a helmet wearer, but when riding in the jungle they are a must!

Reflective vests

All rides have to wear a reflective safety vest unless you bring your own. I wore my running bag that has integrated reflectors.

Lights

If you are going on a night or early morning ride, RSB will provide you with high-powered riding lights for both the back and front.

Additional Equipment

Here are some items that are not included in an RSB bike tour, but you might want to bring them along!

Comfortable Clothes

The weather in Huatulco is always pretty hot, but I found that the forest kept use quite cool during the ride.

Most people wear comfortable shorts and a t-shirt, but I actually recommend long pants, or at least high socks!

Parts of the trails are single track, so you will touch a lot of the plants and sticks growing out of the forest. I have sensitive skin, so I had some red marks on my legs for a few days after just from getting slapped by the short plants.

Gloves

I brought my cycling gloves for added comfort, especially for the longer rides!

Swimsuit & Towel

I highly recommend bringing swimwear, especially for the Cacaluta bike tour!

Water bottle

The bikes are all equipped with a water bottle holder, so be sure to bring a reusable bottle!

Huatulco FAQ

🌎Where is Huatulco, Mexico located?

Huatulco or the Bays of Huatulco is a sustainable touristic development on the coast of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. Huatulco is known for its pristine beaches and coastline that is home to 9 distinct bays. Huatulco is also home to one of Mexico’s largest national parks, Parque Nacional de Huatulco!

Here is a map I put together of the many beaches and bays in Huatulco!

🗺️How to Get to Huatulco?

Huatulco has its own international airport (HUX) that offers direct flights from several major cities in North America. It is also common to fly into Huatulco when visiting other parts of the Oaxacan coast like Mazunte or Puerto Escondido.

You can also go by land between popular destinations like Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, Mazunte and Zipolite, and more using one of Mexico’s ground transportation options.

✈️ How to get to Huatulco from the airport

The Huatulco airport is about 20 minutes from the coast by car, and over an hour from Mazunte and Puerto Escondido. It is possible to take a taxi or transport on arrival, but you will save money and stress by booking an airport transfer in advance.

You can also rent a car in Huatulco, which can be great if you are travelling with a group or want to see more of the area!

🚖How to Get around in Huatulco

There is no Uber in Huatulco, the best way to get around in Huatulco is by taxi. The local taxi drivers are professional, knowledgeable, and very cheap as dictated by the union.

The only time you can negotiate with a taxi driver is if you are looking for a driver for the day or to a specific location outside of Huatulco.

Taxi laws in Oaxaca are actually quite interesting, I explain more about them in this post about transport in Huatulco.

🚙Renting a car in Huatulco

If you are looking to do more exploring in the surrounding areas like Pluma Hidalgo, you may want to rent a car.

Renting a car in Huatulco is very easy, and a great way to make sure you can visit as many of the beaches as possible!

I recommend comparing prices and booking through a trusted partner like Discover Cars. They compare known brands like Hertz with local vendors, so you know you are getting the best rate!

🏨 Where should I stay in Huatulco, Mexico?

Huatulco is a diverse area offering options from luxury villas to family-friendly stays, or rooms downtown. The best place to book your hotel or short-term apartment rental is through Booking.com here.

You can check out my full list of the best hotels in Huatulco, but here are a few faves:

🏨 Huatulco Hotels on the Beach

• For family-friendly fun – Dreams Huatulco
• Adults-only relaxation – Secrets Huatulco Resort and Spa
• Luxury Villas with a kitchen – Fasol Villas Tangolunda
• Closer to town but on the beach – Quinta Bella Resort

Huatulco Hotels in the Downtown

• Santa Cruz – Marina Resort Hotel
• Santa Cruz All-Inclusive (with beach club!) – Binniguenda Huatulco
• Chahue Bay – Hotel & Spa Xquenda

Huatulco Pet-friendly Hotels

• Santa Cruz – Holiday Inn Huatulco
• Chahue – Best Western Posada Chahue
• Downtown – Casa Shaguibá

🗓️When to Visit Huatulco?

I believe there is almost no bad time to visit Huatulco! You can read my month-to-month analysis of life in Huatulco for more details, but here is the short version:

• Huatulco High Season: December to March
• Huatulco Shoulder Season: October/November and April/May
• Huatulco Hurricane Season: There isn’t one! We don’t typically get hurricanes
• Months to avoid: May is the hottest month, and September is the rainiest

🌡️ Huatulco Weather Averages

People love to visit Huatulco in the winter to escape the northern cold, and the temperatures in Huatulco are more moderate. The days are still hot, but the humidity is less in December and February and the evenings get cooler.

Winter is the most expensive time to visit Huatulco. I recommend November, or July and August if you’re on a budget. These months are low season, but the weather is less volatile. The mid-seasons like spring and fall bring a lot of turbulence, especially in the water.

🐬What is the best time to see megafauna in Huatulco?

The Pacific shores off the coast of Huatulco are teaming with life, including some of the big stuff like Humpback whales, giant mantas, pods of dolphins, and sometimes false orcas!

• Late November to Early March: The best time to see Humpback whales in Huatulco
• April and May: The best time to see Giant Manta Rays in Huatulco
• All year round: The best time to see dolphins in Huatulco

Is Huatulco worth visiting?

Absolutely! Huatulco has something for everyone. Its rich landscape, vibrant ocean life, dedication to craft food and activities, and even the growing nightlife offer so much to travellers willing to explore a new and hidden gem.

Compared to big tourist centres like Cancun or Puerto Escondido, Huatulco might seem small. Don’t worry, there are still so many beach resorts, tours, and countless activities to experience.

🔐 Is Huatulco safe?

Huatulco is not only as one of the safest places in Mexico to visit but also to live in. The people here are very friendly and welcoming of newcomers, and it is easy to get around the area safely.

Always use common sense, and make sure you are carrying both travel insurance and travel health insurance for your visit.

💧Can you drink the water in Huatulco?

Technically yes, and many people do. Huatulco has great water treatment facilities. However, I don’t recommend drinking water directly from the tap in Huatulco just to be safe!

Most people and all the restaurants and street vendors use filtered water sold in “garafons”, the big blue 18L bottles. You can feel confident drinking the fruit waters sold by local vendors as they all use this reverse osmosis water!

For personal use, I take my Waatr bottle with me everywhere. That way if I do need to drink from the tap, I can purify it first with the UVC light installed in the cap!

If you need distilled water for devices such as a CPAP machine, you can purchase it in bottles at local pharmacies. It is usually sold as “agua infantil” or “baby water” in English as it is more commonly used for sinus flushes and medical care for children.

Shev’s Summary – RSB Bike Tours Huatulco

I can recommend RSB Bike Tours as one of the best bike tour companies in Huatulco. Oscar’s high-end gear, attention to safety, and commitment to customer service will guarantee you have a great time!

The Cacaluta tour is a great morning activity and leaves you with plenty of time to enjoy other Huatulco tours and adventures!

Looking to do more mountain biking in Huatulco? You can catch Oscar and other advanced riders on their Friday night fun rides, one of Huatulco’s fitness and activity groups!

Huatulco Travel Planning Guide

🚑Do I need Travel Insurance to visit Huatulco?
Absolutely, yes, 1000x yes! If there is anything we have learned from the last few years it’s that life is unpredictable and plans can always change.

At just a few dollars per day, it’s worth getting travel insurance just for the peace of mind. I have my travel health insurance through Safety Wing and my travel insurance through Travel Insurance Master.

💦 Can I drink the water in Huatulco?
Yes, the water in Huatulco is safe to drink, but I don’t feel it’s worth the risk. Buy a garafon to reduce plastic waste, or use a Waatr bottle like I do to have clean water anywhere you travel!

🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in Huatulco?
Yes! It’s totally safe to rent a car in Huatulco, but the availability books up fast. I recommend comparing prices and booking in advance with Discover Cars.

🗣️Do I need to speak Spanish in Huatulco?
Yes – some.
Many Huatulco tours are offered in both English and Spanish, and most serving staff and store owners in Huatulco speak a little English. Learning the basics like how to order or read a menu will really help you out!

I used Pimsleur to learn Spanish and it was extremely effective! I highly recommend the app to anyone who wants to become comfortable navigating Mexico. You can also use Google translate very effectively in Huatulco.

📲 Will my phone work in Huatulco?
Yes, your phone will most likely work, but it will be expensive. It’s best to order a Telcel SIM Card to your home so you are connected and ready to go when you reach Huatulco!

Check out my post with more details on technology in Huatulco here.

🏨How do I book a place to stay in Huatulco?
For Huatulco, and Mexico in general, the best site to book accommodations is Booking.com. They have access to hotels, vacation rentals, and even short-term apartment rentals there and is usually cheaper than Airbnb.

For travellers on a budget, I like to book hostels through HostelWorld

✈️ Where is the best site to buy flights to Huatulco?
Read here for all of Huatulco’s direct flights throughout the year, but I like to book tickets through Skyscanner to find the best prices.

🛂Do I need a visa for Huatulco?
Probably not, most tourists are granted a 180-day tourist visa upon arrival at the airport. This is now done with a stamp in your passport, as of fall 2022 Mexico is phasing out the paper forms – yay!