Cozy Huatulco Pet-friendly Hotels and Holiday Rentals

Pets are family, and when you are thinking about heading south for the winter it is just not possible to imagine living without them for weeks or months! Many visitors and residents alike choose to bring their furry friends to Huatulco with them, especially those pets that are airplane sized.

Unfortunately, finding pet-friendly hotels in Huatulco is harder than you might think. While it might seem like pets are common when walking about in the streets, it is difficult to find hotels or short-term accommodations that accept pets. Additionally, since dogs are not allowed on any of the beaches in Huatulco, it is extra important to be sure you have a cozy, air-conditioned place for your fur babies to enjoy while you are hitting up the beaches!

Here are my recommendations for the best Huatulco pet-friendly hotels!

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🔍 🏨How to find pet-friendly hotels in Huatulco

I find the best booking software for finding hotels in Mexico in general, but definitely in Huatulco is Booking.com. This platform is a combination between a hotel booking platform and Airbnb. Both hotels and individual owners with units for rent can advertise on Booking.com, so you can look for any type of accommodation in one place!

While it is possible to find apartment rentals on Booking.com, I found I had better luck finding apartments and other pet-friendly short-term stays on Vacation Rentals By Owner (VRBO).

Another difference is that most of the pet-friendly hotels in Huatulco are 2 🌟 and 3 🌟, if you are looking for a more luxurious option, I suggest looking at the apartments and vacation rentals section of this post.

On Booking.com, you can find pet-friendly accommodations by using the filter feature under Amenities, or by looking for the 🐾Pet-Friendly symbol on any hotel or apartment listing.

Tip from a local: On Booking.com, the Bahias de Huatulco area is called Santa Cruz Huatulco. If you search Santa Maria Huatulco you will see results for the city of Santa Maria Huatulco, not the region. For more information on how the area is laid out, read Where to Stay in Huatulco – Your Guide to the Bays.

Booking.com

Hotels.com

If you can’t find something suitable on Booking.com, you can also check out Hotels.com. These two sites share most of the same listings and Booking.com usually has more selection, but some hotels only list on Hotels.com so it is often worth a look.

On Hotels.com, you will find most listings by searching for Crucecita, Santa Maria Huatulco, Oaxaca.

🏆The Best Pet-friendly Hotels in Huatulco

Most pet-friendly hotels in Huatulco are 3-star accommodations. If you are looking for a more luxurious stay, check out these pet-friendly villa rentals.

In my experience here in Huatulco, there are two hotels tied for the absolute best hotel in Huatulco for stay with your pets, the Holiday Inn Huatulco in Santa Cruz, and the Best Western Posada Chahue in town.

The Holiday Inn is closer to the beach, while the Best Western is closer to amenities and has a fully pet-positive vibe. More on those two hotels below!

The Holiday Inn Huatulco – Huatulco’s Best Pet-friendly hotel near the beach

🌟Rating: 9/10 |📍 Sector/Area: Santa Cruz | 🏨 View on Booking.com
🐾 Pets: Allowed upon request, fees may apply

Staff was wonderful. Could not be better. Bed was very comfortable. Location was close to the beach and oodles of restaurants. Breakfast was yummy. Internet fairly good. Parking was excellent. Looking forward to my next visit.

audrey – (More Reviews)

😻 The Best Western Posada Chahue – Huatulco’s Best Pet-friendly hotel

🌟Rating: 4.5/5 |📍 Sector/Area: Chahue, near Chedraui | 🏨 View on Booking.com
🐾 Pets: Dogs and Cats, $299 pesos per night for dogs, cats stay free in 2023

Another familiar name to many, the Best Western is a comfortable 3🌟 pet-friendly hotel with fabulous service.

What I love about Posada Chahue is that not only are pets accepted, they are welcomed and celebrated like any other guest. Pets can go almost anywhere in the hotel (on a leash of course), there is a special pet patio, a section in the restaurants for pets, and soon there will also be a little pool for your pups to cool off in!

The manager, Hector, is an absolute delight and heavily invested in the Huatulco community. Guests of the Best Western Posada Chahue come back time and time again just because of the amazing service they provide!

Even though I live in Huatulco, I spend quite a bit of time at the BW because they have the best remote working space in town. They invested in incredible internet a few years ago, and have by far the best internet in Huatulco. So if pets and good wifi are important to you, I highly recommend the Best Western!

The staff is very friendly! The hotel is beautiful, we had a great room at the pool side. Food in the restaurant was fine and the cocktails were delicious! I would definitely recommend this hotel!!

Miriam – (More Reviews)

Best Western Posada Chahue uses a traffic light colour-coding system for your pet. When you check-in, the reception will ask how approachable your pet is, green for very and red for not. This helps other guests and the staff know how to behave around your pet.

🐶👩‍👩‍👧‍👧Hotel Hills Huatulco

This quaint hotel is known for being very welcoming to both families and pets. Thanks to its tranquil location between Chahue bay and Arrocito beach, there is a little more freedom of expression for everyone, while still being close to the beaches.

It is good to note that the hotel has its own furry friends too, many people enjoy playing with the kittens that call Hotel Hills Huatulco home, but keep that in mind if that might cause additional stress to your pets.

The room was spacious. It was clean, comfortable, and the staff was nice! It has parking. They accept families & pets! My son enjoyed the pool!

Grace – (More Reviews)

🐕 Delphinus Inn Huatulco

🌟Rating: 8.9/ 10 |📍 Sector/Area: Chahue | 🏨 View on Booking.com
🐾Pets: Pets allowed, fees may apply

The Delphinus Inn is a popular, simple accommodation conveniently located near Chahue bay in Huatulco. Guests love the friendly and accommodating staff, convenient location, and walkable amenities.

🏨Casa Shaguibá

Besides maybe the Holiday Inn, Casa Shaguibá has my favourite location of all the pet-friendly hotels in Huatulco. Located kiddy-corner from the central park (or zocalo as some call it), Casa Shaguibá is a great hotel option if you want to be in the centre of what La Crucecita has to offer.

Casa Shaguibá is across from the bakery, shops, and all kinds of restaurants, and near a few of Huatulco’s best bars and nightclubs. This Huatulco pet-friendly hotel is known for its large rooms, comfortable beds, and great staff.

Location, Housekeeping very attentive and clean, front desk very attentive to guests needs. Very friendly, prompt to give suggestions to get around

Adriana – (More Reviews)

🔍🏠How to find pet-friendly vacation rentals in Huatulco

The tool I find best for finding apartments, houses, and other short-term rentals in Huatulco is Vacation Rentals By Owner, or VRBO. This website allows owners to rent their homes when they are not occupying them.

To find pet-friendly rentals on this platform, head to VRBO.com. This website refers to Bahias de Huatulco as “Crucecita”, so be sure that’s what you enter into the search bar, or use this link to head there directly.

Next, click on “Filters” and scroll down to “House Rules”. There you can select the pet-friendly option. You can also use this section to filter by other things you might need like the number of rooms, price, access to a pool, etc.

Airbnb also has a presence in Huatulco, but I don’t personally like to use Airbnb. I have not met many people with good experiences through that platform lately (anywhere, not just Huatulco), and I think we can all agree that the fees and charges have gotten totally out of control!

I like VRBO over Airbnb in Huatulco because I find the fees more reasonable and the search and booking process is much smoother and easier to use. But again, that’s just my personal preference, you should definitely use all the tools available to you to find a dog-friendly rental in Huatulco!

🐕 The Best Huatulco Pet-friendly Vacation Rentals

Looking for a short-term rental in Huatulco can be tricky enough, let alone when you have a pet! Huatulco is still young in terms of a tourist destination, so you will find that it can be tricky to find things online. Here I have done the searching for you and laid out some of the best vacation rentals in Huatulco where you and your pets will be welcome!

Here are some of the best Huatulco pet-friendly stays for you and your pets!

🐬 Dolphin Cove Villa

🌟Rating: 5 / 5 |📍 Sector/Area: La Violin | 🏨 View on VRBO.com
🐾Pets: One small pet allowed, no extra fees

This place looks like it was taken straight from a travel magazine. Enjoy an absolutely stunning 4 bed, 5 bath rental house with views of La Violin beach and Maguey bay. I highly recommend renting Dolphin Cove Villa for any get-together of friends or family!

Stayed with a group of friends and loved having a great space to hang out together and the ability to go to our own suites and have lots of space and every comfort available. (Including A/C) The views cannot be beat and the ability to walk to two beaches from the property within 10 minutes is amazing. Fruit welcome basket was a wonderful touch… We are already trying to figure out when we will be back!

Evellina – (More Reviews)

🩴 Relaxing in Huatulco (3-bedroom House)

🌟Rating: 4.7 / 5 |📍 Sector/Area: Sector O | 🏨 View on VRBO.com
🐾Pets: One small pet allowed, no extra fees

Quick to respond to needs. Home in great condition. Property management explained all in detail. Excellent customer service. We had a great time. The home is close to major store for groceries, beaches, and Mercado. Thank you for your hospitality.

Miyuki- (More Reviews)

🌴5-Bedroom Holiday House

🌟Rating: 5 / 5 |📍 Sector/Area: Sector O | 🏨 View on VRBO.com
🐾Pets: Pets welcome, no extra fees

This home in Sector O is ideal for larger family getaways. Whether you are in Huatulco for the holidays, a wedding, or just some family fun this stay has the perfect balance of family areas and private spaces to make your vacation memorable!

We rented this home for 5 weeks . During that 5 week period , we had some family and grandchildren stay for a couple of weeks. The house was spotless, the area very quiet and the pool was outstanding. Elisa was very accommodating, supplying a crib and a Mexican barbecue for our stay… The grand babies loved the paddling pool…
We look forward to another trip to this lovely home and location.

wendy – (More Reviews)

🪸 Villas Coral Huatulco

🌟Rating: 8.9/10 |📍 Sector/Area: Arrocito | 🏨 View on Booking.com
🐾Pets: Welcomed upon request, may have additional fees

Villas Coral Huatulco is a gorgeous property overlooking Chahue Bay, near Arrocito beach. They have rooms with or without a kitchenette, and you can choose to addon an American breakfast to your stay.

Very clean and comfortable, beautiful views and wonderful infinity pool.

Dean – (More Reviews)

🏖️ Apartment near Santa Cruz

🌟Rating: 8.8/10 |📍 Sector/Area: Santa Cruz | 🏨 View on Booking.com
🐾 Pets: Welcome, no extra fees

This apartment rental is the closest to the town centre of this grouping, so if you are looking for something more walkable with your pets this is the option for you!

Santa Cruz is home to some great restaurants, cafes, and the beach of course! Although please note dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Huatulco Resorts that Accept Pets

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of all-inclusive resorts in Huatulco that accept pets at this point, but thankfully the one that does is largely considered one of the best resorts in Huatulco!

Dreams Huatulco

🌟Rating: 8.2/10 |📍 Sector/Area: Tangolunda | 🏨 View on Booking.com
🐾 Pets: 1 small dog per room, $65/night additional fee

Dreams Huatulco is perhaps Huatulco’s most popular family-friendly all-inclusive resort. And as an added bonus, they allow small dogs to join you on your holiday! Dogs under 10kg/22lbs and welcome for a nightly fee of $65 per night. You can read more about Dreams Huatulco’s pet policies here.

❓ FAQ – Life with pets in Huatulco, Mexico

There’s a lot to consider when bringing your pet to Huatulco that I can’t possibly sum up for you here, but here are some common questions!

Can I take my dog to the beach in Huatulco?

Unfortunately no, there are no beaches in Huatulco that allow dogs. This is a regional by-law, so it applies to all beaches in Huatulco, however, some are more closely monitored than others.

The locals take this rule quite seriously, in the high season most beaches have police patrolling them regularly, and they will ask you to leave. If you catch someone on a bad day you can also expect a fine, so it’s important to respect this policy.

If you leave the district of Huatulco, you will find more empty and unpatrolled beaches where you can take your dogs. I particularly like Boca Vieja.

Are restaurants accepting of pets in Huatulco?

Generally, yes! Especially in restaurants that have an outdoor space, it’s quite common to see pets laying on the cool restaurant tiles while their owners enjoy their meal. However most businesses that are enclosed do not allow pets.

Is it too hot for my dog in Huatulco?

The weather is honestly the most difficult part of having a pet in Huatulco. It is so hot. After 10 am and until about 5 or 6 in the evening, it is too hot for most animals to be out and about. You will most often see them getting their exercise in the early mornings or after the sun goes down later in the afternoon.

You can read more about Huatulco weather patterns here.

Where to stay in Huatulco with my dog or cat?

I don’t think there is any one neighbourhood or sector that is better than others when looking at accommodations. However, here are some things to consider:

• Transportation: not all taxi drivers allow animals, so if you are not renting a car in Huatulco, you might want to stay somewhere more central where you can easily walk about.
• Other animals: a lot of Huatulco’s residential areas will be home to local pets and some street dogs. If you are concerned about how your animals might interact with the locals, you might want to avoid these areas.

Shev’s Summary – Huatulco Pet-Friendly Hotels

I hope you found this guide to staying in Huatulco with your pets helpful! From simple Mexican posadas to luxury ocean-view villas, there are a variety of options to enjoy a tropical holiday with your furry loved ones!

However, it is important you consider whether it is prudent to bring your pet to Huatulco. The weather, limited activities and outdoor spaces, and difficulty finding accommodations that welcome pets can add unnecessary stress. It might be worthwhile to find a highly-rated border in your hometown, or try a program like Trusted House Sitters!

🌎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.

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!