Huatulco Fitness Centres & Groups

Welcome to the internet’s most comprehensive list of active groups in Huatulco! Not everyone wants to lay around on the beach on their Huatulco holiday – if that’s you you’re in the right place!

Joining a fitness class or athletic group is a great way to meet people in the Huatulco community. These are places for both foreigners and local Mexicans to find common ground and communicate.

You don’t need to be able to speak Spanish or English to follow a Zumba class or play pickleball!

I do my best to keep on top of updates from Huatulco fitness centres, but keep in mind that life works differently here. Cancellations and rescheduling are a regular part of life.

Where possible, I included the contact information for each group, so you can find the most up-to-date information on their respective pages.

Now let’s get active and see what fitness classes and groups we have in Huatulco!

The Huatulco Fitness Centres

These locations are local groups that offer a variety of different classes and activities in Huatulco!

🚌The Skool Huatulco

The Skool is a new initiative by a local group of fitness practitioners looking to bring fun and accessible activities to Huatulco.

They offer a wide variety of classes for everyone, from kids – seniors. Bollywood dancing, yoga, pilates, and Latin dance are just some classes they offer. Check their Facebook page for the weekly schedule!

🤽‍♂️Best Western Posada Chahue

The Best Western in Huatulco is expertly managed and a pillar of the Huatulco community. In addition to being the best pet-friendly hotel in Huatulco and the best co-working space, BW offers awesome fitness classes!

Exercise classes at Best Western Huatulco include:

• Yoga
• Chi Kung
• Dance Therapy
• Aquafitness

🧘‍♂️Sea Soul Chahue

Sea Soul is one of Huatulco’s best beach clubs, partially because of the variety of services they offer! Sea Soul has:

• a fully equipped gym/fitness centre
• Yoga classes
• Spin classes
• Pilates
• Aguafitness
• Tae Kwon Do
• and more!

Gyms In Huatulco

💪NEW – Oxygen Santa Cruz

Huatulco’s newest gym/fitness centre has arrived!

Right in the town of Santa Cruz, Oxygen Fitness Factory is open and welcoming members or those just looking for a day pass to keep their bodies moving while on holiday.

Oxygen has top-of-the-line equipment, air conditioning, and a pool!

🏋️‍♂️Other Huatulco Gyms

These Huatulco gyms are all highly rated by users and are located around La Crucecita. Many Huatulco hotels are also equipped with fitness facilities, so be sure to check with your accommodations!

King’s Gym (Sector J)
Huatulco Fitness (Near Chedraui)
Gym David’s (Sector U)

Dance Classes

The dance community in Huatulco is ever-growing! Here are some dance groups in Huatulco, though you will find many more hidden around downtown.

🤸Santuario Huatulco

Santuario Huatulco is a cultural centre in Huatulco offering various art and movement classes for families.

Types of Classes at Santuario Huatulco:

• Latin Rythm
• Artistic Stimulation
• Parkour

👯‍♂️Barra Vertical Huatulco

💲Cost(pesos): $250 per week, $850 per month | ☎️Contact: +52 958 109-8866 

Barra Vertical is Huatulco’s only pole-dance fitness studio! Run by my friend Elizabeth, classes are structured with a weekly flow.

Eli has space for 4 students at a time and offers several morning or afternoon classes. The idea is you pick a time slot, and that’s your space for the week or month.

Each day has a theme, so that’s why she doesn’t sell individual classes. You come every day working on different techniques, then put it all together!

I took her classes for a week and loved it, as soon as my schedule allows I will be back!

💃 Zumba in the Park

💲Cost(pesos): $40 per class | Location: Park Rofino Tomayo
🗓️Schedule: 7am, Mon/Wed/Fri 

This Huatulco fitness class is a favourite in Huatulco! Classes are at 7am to beat the Huatulco heat and be ready for the beach by breakfast time!

Zumba classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the entrance to Park Rofino Tomayo, just behind the big Pemex on Blvd. Chahue.

Athletic Groups

Joining one of Huatulco’s fitness groups is a great way to meet people in the area while maintaining your fitness routines. Here are some of the athletic groups in Huatulco!

🏃‍♂️Huatulco 777

☎️Contact: Facebook |📍 Sector/Area: Santa Cruz |🗓️ Time: Saturdays, 7:15 am

This is Huatulco’s trail running group!

Huatulco 777 meets outside the Binniguenda Hotel on Saturday mornings and runs into the national park. They typically run 8 km and the trails are considered beginner friendly.

No registration is required, just be there on time and ready to run!

🥒 Pickleball

Pickleball is possibly Huatulco’s most popular sport! There are a lot of avid pickleball players in Huatulco with both residents and visitors loving to join the games.

Huatulco has two main pickleball groups. They play in different locations and attract different types of players.

Snowbird Pickleball

☎️Contact: Colleen: cgbike33@gmail.com |📍 Sector/Area: Sector J |
💲Fee: $50 pesos/person/day | Style: Reserve ahead
🗓️ Time: Mon/Wed/Fri Competitive 8-9am, Open Play 9-11am

Huatulco’s best beginner-friendly pickleball group is the Snowbird Pickleball which meets at the elementary school. They welcome all players, but beginners will feel especially comfortable here!

Deportiva Huatulco

☎️Contact: Facebook |📍 Sector/Area: La Crucecita |💲Fee: $50 pesos/person/day
Style: Drop-in |🗓️ Time: Mon/Wed/Fri Competitive 8-9am, Open Play 9-11am

If you just want to pop in and play some pickleball, this group is for you! They play Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8am – 11am when possible.

The Deportiva is a community sports facility in Huatulco, so sometimes the courts are needed for another community event.

Marina Park Pickleball

☎️Contact: Unavailable|📍 Sector/Area: Chahue|🗓️ Time: Unavailable

The Marina Park group is the competitive pickleball league in Huatulco. At this time they do not have an official Facebook page or a way to contact the group, but that’s because its pretty full. It’s mostly residents that play here in the winter.

Las Brisas Pickleball Club

☎️Contact: Omar: concierge.hux@brisas.com.mx|📍 Sector/Area: Tangolunda

In the high season, there is an active pickleball group that plays in the Las Brisas sports centre. This might be a place to consider if you are also interested in playing tennis!

🎾Tennis

Huatulco does not have many tennis courts or any sort of a fun league yet. But if you are itching to get a game in you have a few options!

Las Brisas resort is the most popular among locals. They offer a monthly membership for court use and equipment.

Camion Real Huatulco also has tennis courts that you can rent for $100 pesos per hour.

Xquenda Spa in Chahue has one tennis court, but it is mostly used for private lessons. Still, if you can find an available time the court can be rented for $300 pesos per hour.

🏐Beach Volleyball

📍 Sector/Area: Chahue Beach |Style: Drop-in |🗓️ Time: Tuesdays at 5pm

Join a game of beach volleyball with the Volleyball Chahue club! This is an informal league, anyone is welcome to come by and play!

The group meets weekly at the lifeguard tower at 5 pm.

🚵‍♂️Mountain Biking

☎️Contact: Facebook Style: Advanced Riders only |🗓️ Time: Friday Evenings
Also: RSB Huatulco | ☎️ +52 958 124-4158

You can bet that with all this incredible National Park and jungle around there is a vibrant mountain biking club in Huatulco.

The group is a great mix of women, men, and people of all ages! The only thing they require is some skill and experience.

To join them on their fun rides, you need to be comfortable with riding 18-20 km/hr for an hour or more.

If you’re not at that level yet, that’s ok! Check out RSB Bikes Huatulco. Oscar runs mountain biking tours around Huatulco, as well as private sessions.

Contact Oscar at RSB Huatulco to arrange for some practice riding, and he will let you know if you’re ready to join the group!

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 – Huatulco Fitness Centres & Groups

The Huatulco community is full of opportunities for staying fit and active. Once you get used to the heat in Huatulco, you begin to appreciate what a beautiful part of the world this is. Getting active is just one way to enjoy it!

I hope to see you at an athletic club in Huatulco soon!

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!