Huatulco

Huatulco (wha-tool-ko) is located at approximately 15∘north in the state of Oaxaca (Wha-ha-ka) and lies within one of the most stable weather belts anywhere in the world.  In Mixtec language, Huatulco literally translates to "the place where the wood is adored."  Legend has it that the great civilizing god Quetzalcóatl arrived on this part of the Pacific coast some 2000 years ago and left the inhabitants of the Bay of Santa Cruz a wooden cross on what is now Playa Santa Cruz.  The seat of the refined Zapotec culture, the region witnessed the movement of Spanish boats and violent pirate raids. Hernán Cortés used it to distribute the produce of his farms along the coast, which turned Huatulco into an extremely active port. This attracted pirates during the second half of the 16th century, including Drake himself and the famous Thomas Cavendish, causing the local inhabitants to flee. Thereafter the place was a fishing village, until the Mexican government began developing it as a planned tourist complex in 1983. This sunny destination along the southern Pacific coast of Mexico has direct charter flights from major Canadian and U.S. cities during the winter months from October through April.  Only a 45 minute flight from Mexico City, Huatulco is still an undiscovered paradise that beckons to be explored.

Huatulco is nestled at the foot of the Sierra Madre del Sur, this mountain range provides a stunning backdrop to the lush beach areas of Huatulco.  Of the 30 highest summits in Mexico, four are located in the state of Oaxaca.  At 3,750m is Cerro Nube,  which ranks #11 in the tallest summits of Mexico.  This dramatic range of mountains flows down into the waters of the Pacific Ocean and creates a rocky and dramatic coastline.  Huatulco hosts 9 stunning bays with 36 beaches where you will find great snorkeling spots, full service restaurant destinations, surfing hot spots, secluded romantic coves, and just about anything else you can think of.

Boasting some 340+ days of sunshine a year, planning a vacation to Huatulco is easy.  And while some of you may be thinking how is this possible, there really is truth to this statement.  Generally, there are two seasons in Huatulco, the dry season and the green season.  The dry season begins in October and typically marks the end of the rains and lasts well into May.  The average temperature during this period is about 32∘C with humidity in the 50% range.  As the green season rolls around there is a rise in humidity in May which often builds releasing the first rains in June which are intermittent throughout the summer months.  Very typical is a build in cloud cover over the Sierra Madres into the afternoon followed by some showers later in the day.  It is a beautiful time of year as everything turns lush and green again.

As spectacular as the scenery is, Huatulco's flora and fauna is equally spectacular.  There are 9000 plants species, some 50% of the nationwide total.  Huatulco has  264 species and sub-species of mammals, equating to 40% of the the countries total, 701 species of birds which equals 63% of of the nationwide total, 470 reptile species for 26% of Mexico's total reptile population and 100 amphibian species.

And finally, of note, is the prestigous Green Globe Award first bestowed upon Huatulco on January 27, 2005.  The award which is administered by the United Nations for the highest level of sustainable development, saw Huatulco as the first destination in the America's to receive this honor.  Huatulco has invested considerable time and resources benchmarking its energy and water consumption, waste production and disposal as well as implementing an integrated environmental and social policy. In particular it has achieved Best Practice results in Potable Water Consumption, Solid Waste Production, Resource Conservation (Paper consumed), Resource Conservation (Biodegradable pesticides) and Biodiversity. These measures will deliver ongoing reduction of non-renewable resources, extensive cost savings and secure a sustainable commercial and ecological future for the destination.  For more information go to www.greenglobe.com