HUATULCO TRAVEL GUIDE

Don't miss... the coffee plantation tour!
It’s great to spend a day away from coastal heat and humidity in the lovely foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur. The all-day tour stops at several points along the Copalito River for swimming. These river beaches are lovely, surrounded by boulders and big trees; there are waterfalls, deep pools, and places where the water rushes over rocks. A big family-style lunch is included in the van tour; afterwards, tour the plantation to see how the coffee beans are processed. Tours run US$45--$50. There’s also ....

Golf: Designed by Mario Schetjnan, 18-hole Tangolunda Golf Course (next to Hotel Barceló, tel. 958/581-0059) offers an air-conditioned clubhouse with bar, restaurant, and pro shop, lighted tennis courts, and a swimming pool. Green fees are $70.

Spa: Xquenda Spa (Bahía Chahué, tel. 958/583-4448) offers facials, massage, and body treatments as well as a few tennis courts, a lap pool, gym, and indigenous steam lodge. Day passes are available.

Bay cruises: All travel agencies and tour operators sell bay cruises for about US$25 per person; smaller vessels are available at somewhat higher prices. There’s beach time and lunch at a restaurant on the sand (snorkel gear and meal costs extra); soft drinks, beer, and national brands of liquor on board are included.

Diving: Hurricane Divers ( Santa Cruz Bay ; tel. 958/587-1107) offers reliable dive tours and instruction.

Sportfishing: Sociedad Cooperativa de Tangolunda (Bahía Santa Cruz; tel. 958/587-0081) operates full- and half-day fishing boats. Anglers can hook tuna, snapper, marlin, and dorado.

Shopping Museo de Artesanías Oaxaqueñas (Calle Flamboyan 216, La Crucecita; tel. 958/587-1513) has about the best assortment of regional crafts from the interior, including black pottery, mezcal, and rugs from Teotitlán del Valle.

Nightlife La Crema (Calle Carrizal 503, La Crucecita; tel. 958/587-0702) offers lots of great tunes and a friendly, rather dark ambiance. Good pizza and other eats available, too.

Mina (Calle Mixie near the Best Western, Chahué; tel. 958/587-2731) is the most popular disco in town.

Papay (Boulevard Benito Juárez, Chahué’ tel. 958/583-4911) is a two-story bar with dance floor (varied music both Latino and electronic) and an aquatic theme.

Key   $ = less than $8; $$ =$8--$15; $$$ = more than $15 Price code refers to a typical meal for one person without beverage, tax, or tip.

Dining L’Echalote ($$--$$$; Calle Zapoteco s/n, Bahía Chahué; tel. 958/587-2480) serves excellent French, Asian, and Mexican dishes. Full bar; live music some evenings. Open after 2pm Tuesday through Sunday.

Sabor de Oaxaca ($$; Avenida Guamuchil 206, La Crucecita; tel. 958/587-0060) is the place to sample authentic regional cuisine plus ponche, an alcoholic drink of mezcal with pineapple and citrus juices. Daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Hotel Recommendations Luxury: Hotel Quinta Real (Bahía Tangolunda, tel. 800/728-9098 in Canada, U.S.; 01800/508-7923 in Mexico; www.quinta-real.com) is a boutique hotel with beach club, gourmet dining, and two beautiful swimming pools.

Budget: Misión de los Arcos (Calle Gardenia 902, La Crucecita; tel. 958/587-0165; www.misiondelosarcos.com) offers comfortable rooms, Wi-Fi, internet cafe and restaurant, and a popular gym.

Annual Event: Ironman Half-marathon, in November