23 Pros and Cons of Living in Huatulco

Are you considering moving to Huatulco? You’re not alone!

I made the move to Huatulco in 2021 and it was the scariest and most amazing thing I’ve ever done. I think it’s one of the best places to live, especially if you want to be in a beach town!

Many people visit Huatulco and are drawn in by its natural beauty and the warmth of both the weather and the residents. If you talk to local residents, you’ll find that many have been visiting for decades.

I love Huatulco, but its not perfect! At first glance it feels like paradise, but nowhere is truly perfect. After a few years of living on the coast of Oaxaca, I’ve put together this list of the pros and cons of living in Huatulco.

Is moving to Huatulco right for you? Let’s find out!

23 Pros and Cons of Living in Huatulco

1. Pro: Natural Beauty

The Bays of Huatulco is one of the most beautiful regions of Mexico. Home to the Huatulco National Park, more than 40 pristine beaches, and surrounded by jungle and the Sierra Madre Sur mountains, its no wonder visitors are constantly awed by the beauty of Huatulco.

While the beaches are what make Huatulco famous, there is plenty more to this coastal region than soaking up the sun. The region is home to more than 115 species of birds, the ocean is full of fish and pelagic marine animals, and best preserved tropical dry rainforest in Mexico.

2. Con: Poor waste Management programs

Huatulco is behind on waste management, even in comparison to other parts of Mexico. There is very little recycling, and no composting programs.

There are several water waste management systems that produce high-quality, potable water for the region. However they are failing to meet the growing demand tourism places on the water systems.

3. Pro: Beaches and Forest are well protected

Huatulco is also well known for its strong sustainability and laws preserving the natural landscape. They aren’t perfect, but they are strong compared to the rest of Mexico and other parts of the world.

Many of Huatulco’s beaches are important nesting grounds for the species of sea turtles that inhabit the area.

Locals are also very active in protecting the natural haven of Huatulco. You’ll find groups doing volunteer beach cleanups, working in turtle conservation, and practicing sustainable fishing.

4. Con: Pets are not welcome

Visitors and locals are often surprised that Huatulco is not very welcoming to pets, specifically dogs. Its frustrating and can be limiting for dog owners as it is difficult to find pet-friendly accommodations in Huatulco, and you can not bring your dog to the beach in Huatulco.

Dogs are not allowed on any of the beaches in the district of Bahias de Huatulco. This is confusing for some as not all beaches are clearly marked, but its a district by-law, and here’s why:

Huatulco is a protected region of Mexico, particularly when it comes to marine animals like sea turtles. Dogs are not native to Huatulco, and their scent scares away the native animals.

Sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach, the same beach that they hatched on. If they smell dogs, they will not come and lay their eggs, or lay them in a more exposed area, reducing the survival rate of the eggs.

Even the best trained dogs lose fur and have to pee at some point, marking the territory and changing the scent of the landscape.

At the end of the day, dogs are predators and change the ecosystem they visit. In addition to cleanliness and safety reasons, the biggest concern of having dogs on the beaches in Huatulco is that they endanger the local wildlife.

All of Huatulco’s beaches are patrolled 24/7 by security, and I have seen dog owners be removed from the beaches and even receive a fine. So please respect this local by-law when visiting Huatulco’s beaches!

5. Huatulco is Safe

Huatulco is one of the safest places in Mexico! The small-town mentality, even in the high season, keeps the region welcoming and safe all-year round.

Petty theft is very low, and violent crime is almost non-existent in Huatulco. As always, keep your belongings close, but with normal precautions you’ll have no issues in Huatulco!

I moved to Huatulco as a solo female in my late 20s, and have never once felt unsafe walking around, even after dark. I find people to be welcoming and helpful more than anything.

6. Limited Night Life

Huatulco is still a small town, so options for partying and nightlife are limited.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many great things to do at night in Huatulco! But it’s not like Puerto Escondido or Cancun where you can party all night long. The best clubs can be found in the area of Chahue, the town of Santa Cruz Huatulco, or in the hotels in the Tangolunda Bay hotel zone.

My favourite places to go are Sugar Huatulco for the shows (great drag show!) and dancing at La Papaya, Huatulco’s biggest night club. They often host themed nights and dress-up events, as well as a nightly mermaid show!

7. Pro: So Many Things to Do

Thanks to the raw natural beauty of Huatulco, there are SO many wonderful things to do in the area.

Huatulco itself has some of the best beaches in Oaxaca. You can swim, snorkel, surf, and scuba dive just within the Bays of Huatulco.

If you venture out of town a bit, the options increase tenfold! Here are some of my favourite things to do around Huatulco:

• go scuba diving!
• paddle next to crocodiles in a lagoon
• swim under a waterfall
• visit a coffee plantation
• release turtles on the beach
• swim with bioluminescent plankton
• and so much more!

8. Con: prices are increasing

Huatulco was once a hidden gem among Oaxaca’s beach towns, but word is spreading about this cozy coatsal town and the prices are beginning to reflect it.

Housing in particular has skyrocketed in the last couple of years. Most people try to capitalize on the tourism market so long-term housing is very difficult to find, especially affordable options.

Most locals that work in Huatulco live in the town of Santa Maria Huatulco and travel to Huatulco by bus every day for work. Because its away from the coast, housing is more affordable there.

9. Pro: Large Expat Community

Foreigners love Huatulco! In 2006, WestJet started direct flights to Huatulco International Airports and the Canadians became familiar with this previously hidden gem.

Since then, many Canadians, US Americans, Europeans, and other foreigners have made Huatulco their permanent or semi-permanent home.

While Huatulco gets a huge influx of “snowbirds” every fall, there is a large local community that lives here year-round!

If you are nervous about the language barrier, don’t worry! You will find a huge and welcoming English-speaking community in Huatulco.

10. Con: Large Expat Community

Many foreigners are comforted by the large number of expats living in Huatulco, but I feel it has a negative side as well.

In my experience, many foreigners move to Huatulco and try to make it a cheaper version of the town they came from. Most expats I’ve met have been here for a decade or two, yet don’t speak Spanish or have any local friends.

Its very easy to live in the English-speaking circles here in Huatulco and never stray outside of them. And I think that’s too bad! I find the Mexican people and culture in Huatulco to be rich and welcoming, so if you don’t invest in the local community you are really missing out.

11. Pro: Great for Families

Thanks to its safety and small-town warmth, Huatulco is becoming an increasingly popular destination for families. Especially homeschool and world school families.

Huatulco is a popular place for families because of the safety, quiet residential areas, and ease of remote work. The internet isn’t amazing in Huatulco, but its good enough for most remote work.

There is Facebook group for families to connect and socialize. They plan educational trips for homeschoolers, or just regular play dates and socializing for kids and parents to meet!

12. Con: Few Schools

The education system in Huatulco is pretty good considering the small size of the town, but options are limited. The public schools are underfunded and understaffed, and there are 3 private schools.

Huatulco does have a well-known university – Universidad del Mar which has some great programs. Many people working in Huatulco studied tourism or communication at the Huatulco campus. There are also campuses in Puerto Angel and Puerto Enscondido, each with a different focus.

Sending your child to school in Huatulco is a great experience will help them make friends and learn Spanish!

13. Pro: Water is safe to drink

A unique feature of Huatulco, Mexico is that our tap water is safe to drink! The water treatment facilities are excellent and ensure the water distributed is potable.

Many people (even foreigners!) drink water from the tap in Huatulco. I don’t personally, but largely because I have lived in older buildings and don’t trust the pipes as much as I do the water.

Its so easy to get purified water in “garafons” (big, 18L blue jugs) and I always keep 4 full bottles at home. But for cooking, brushing your teeth, and anything else you can feel safe using the tap water in Huatulco!

14. Con: Not enough Water

The water in Huatulco may be clean and safe, but its not always readily available. Since I moved to Huatulco in 2021 there have been on-going issues with water supply, and it gets worse every year.

Huatulco is growing in popularity and the influx of people, especially in the high season, is putting a lot of strain on the systems.

Water supply is turned off at times in the area due to construction or lack of supply. Most houses, hotels, and apartments have a reservoir on the roof that will supply water to you in the event of a shut-off. With careful use you might not experience a lack of water in Huatulco!

15. Pro: Low Cost of Living

This is a huge consideration for people moving from other countries to Mexico. The cost of living in Huatulco is significantly lower than many other parts of the world.

I find food in Huatulco particularly cheap. I avoid the big box stores like Chedraui and do all my shopping at the local markets. I can buy a week of groceries for my 3-adult household for about $50 CAD.

Now, we live simply and eat A LOT of street food, but still! I buy fresh free-run eggs, plenty of fresh fruit, and more tortillas than I’ll ever admit.

We probably cook at home about 3-4 nights a week, there are just too many great restaurants and street food in Huatulco!

16. Con Limited Job Opportunities

I think we are all aware of the issues associated with gentrification, and Huatulco is no exception. In the last 2 decades, thousands of foreigners have made Huatulco their home, bringing their stronger currencies with them.

For locals and immigrants, finding work in Huatulco is difficult. Thanks to the increases in cost of living and atrocious Mexican labour laws, most jobs in Huatulco don’t pay enough to live there.

For perspective, the manager of the wine section at Chedraui is paid 8,000 pesos a month and works about 50 hours a week (my nephew did this job, he lasted a month until he couldn’t walk, his feet were so blistered and bleeding).

This is why you might notice most locals living in sectors U, U2, H3, or out of the bays like in Santa Maria Huatulco, where it is less touristy.

17. Pro: Affordable Healthcare

Cost of living increases around the world have affected everything, including healthcare. Medical tourism is increasing popular, even in little Huatulco!

Many people who come to Huatulco for a holiday or a season will get some form of medical treatment. Teeth cleaning and dental work, blood work, and phsyical therapy are some of the most popular treatments.

Huatulco also has great extended healthcare providers like physio therapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, and massage therapists.

18. Con: Limited Healthcare Practitioners

Huatulco is still a small town, and healthcare practitioners are limited.

The lack of emergency services and hospitals are of particular concern for those moving to Huatulco. Things that we take advantage of in our home countries that just don’t exist here.

Here are some things to consider when it comes to healthcare in Huatulco:

• Dental surgeon travels to Huatulco once per month
• No Optometrist
• If you are admitted to the hospital, you must have someone in your room 24/7. The hospital does not provide regular meals, assistance going to the bathroom, etc. that a care aide might back home.
• Minimal blood available for transfusions. If you need blood, your friends and family will ask people to donate for you.

If you have any ongoing medical issues, the healthcare facilities in Huatulco will likely not be sufficient.

19. Pro: Plenty of Watersports

This is why I moved to Huatulco – diving! The ocean activities in Huatulco are endless and so easy to participate in .

Snorkelling – Huatulco is home to some of the best snorkelling in Mexico. Thanks to the protections of the national park, the reefs are healthy and full of fish!

Swimming – The protected waters are great for swimming. Huatulco has an open water swim club that meets in Santa Cruz Huatulco in the mornings.

Scuba diving – Huatulco has more than 50 dive sites and 5 great dive shops! Its a great place to learn to scuba or take advanced courses as well.

Surfing – Yes, you can surf in Huatulco! La Bocana Beach Huatulco is a great surfing beach, and the surf shops organize trips to nearby places like Mojón.

Paddleboarding & Kayaking- the calm waters of Huatulco are great for paddleboarding and kayaking, especially early in the morning.

There is no shortage of water activities in Huatulco!

20. Con: Rough Shoulder seasons

The Pacific Ocean around Huatulco is great most of the year, but can really suck in the transitional seasons. The currents change in the spring and fall and bring cloudy waters, winds, and waves with them.

May and October are the worst times to plan ocean activities in Huatulco. The port is often closed if the conditions get to bad.

The summer can be difficult too, but it depends on the year. If there are a lot of tropical storms the port will be closed. Even though Huatulco itself doesn’t get a lot of storms, its affected by the hurricanes in the Caribbean and other zones.

21. Pro: Few Hurricanes!

Hurricanes in Huatulco are extremely rare, about 1 every 16 years.

Huatulco is unique in that it faces southwest on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. That combined with the protections of the Pacific Shelf results in most large storms blowing around the protected bays of Huatulco.

The area is not immune though, in 2022 Hurricane Agatha hit the coast of Oaxaca and did a lot of damage to the surrounding communities, particularly in the mountains around Pluma Hidalgo, and near Copalita on the coast.

22. Con: Earthquakes

Did you know the state of Oaxaca, Mexico sits on a cross section of 3 fault lines?

Huatulco and the other beach towns of Oaxaca experience multiple earthquakes per day! Most go unnoticed, but anything above a 5 on the Richter scale you will notice.

To me, the earthquakes feel like a large truck rolling by. You will hear the growl and feel a slight rumbling of the ground.

The last big earthquake was in June 2020, it did some damage to buildings but thankfully there were no injuries. Buildings are built to withstand the daily tremors.

If you do feel an earthquake, head outside! Quickly and calmly leave your house and join your neighbours in the street until it passes.

January and September are the most active months for earthquakes in Huatulco.

23. Pro: You’ll Fall in Love

Many people who have come to Huatulco end up staying, and that could be you! I have talked to dozens of transplants who first visited Huatulco in the early 2000s, and have been coming back every year ever since.

The weather, the people, the food, the culture, the landscape, the ocean, everything about Huatulco draws people in and never lets them go.

If you do decide to make the move to Huatulco, look me up! I love to connect with people in my favourite place on earth.

FAQ – Pros and Cons of Living in Huatulco

Shev’s Summary – 23 Pros and Cons of Living in Huatulco

There are many pros and cons of living in Huatulco, but I think you’ll find the pros far outweigh the cons!

Huatulco boasts breathtaking natural beauty with its pristine beaches and lush landscapes, along with a more affordable cost of living compared to larger cities. The community in Huatulco is known for being welcoming, and residents have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant local culture.

But there are limited amenities, access to healthcare, and few jobs in Huatulco. The weather is also very hot, which isn’t for everytone!

If you’re still undecided about moving to Huatulco, send me a note! I am happy to set up a call to answer all your questions about life on Oaxaca’s Pacific coast.

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!