Best of Oaxaca’s Pacific Coast Tour

•  Catamaran / Snorkel Tour in Huatulco
•   Explore the town of Huatulco
•   Wildlife Ocean Boat Tour to Spot Dolphins & Sea Turtles 
•   Night swim among millions of bio-luminescence phytoplankton 
•   Chacahua National Park Tour by Boat
•   Turtle Sanctuary
•   Participate in a Baby Turtle Release into the sea
•   Watch Surfers from Zicatela Beach take on huge waves in Puerto Escondido
•  Wildlife Boat Tour to Spot Iguanas & Crocodiles
•   Visit the Small Coastal Towns of Zipolite, Mazunte & La Ventanilla

*2023 Tour Dates

Oct 11-Oct 18     (We-We)
Nov 10-Nov 17   (Fr-Fr)
Dec 9-Dec 16      (Sa-Sa)

**2023 Prices

$2295 per person - double
Single: +$495

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*2024 Tour Dates

Feb 17-Feb 24         (Sa-Sa)
Apr 16-Apr 23         (Tu-Tu)
May 16-May 23      (Th-Th)
Sep 11-Sep 18       (We-We)
Oct 11-Oct 18         (Fr-Fr)
Nov 10-Nov 17      (Su-Su)

**2024 Prices

$2495 per person - double
Single: +$520

* Includes day of arrival & departure.
**Prices in USD. Air not included in tour price.

Day 1: Welcome to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca México

After arriving at the airport in Puerto Escondido, catch a taxi to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to relax or go exploring on your own. We will sleep in Puerto Escondido for the next 4 nights.

Day 2:  Orientation / Puerto Escondido Tour / Afternoon Free to Relax or Go Exploring  (B,L)

This morning we will meet our host guide in the hotel restaurant. Over breakfast, he will give us an overview of the coming days and answer any questions about the tour. 
Then we'll hang out with our local guide as he leads us on a tour to become familiar with our home for the next few days. We will check out some of the beaches, see where the restaurants and stores are, learn a little history of the area, and take a stroll through the local market. 

After our lunch at a typical local restaurant, we will have a free  
afternoon and evening to relax at our hotel pool, stroll on the beach, read a book, take a siesta under a shady beach palapa, watch the surfers, shop, or . . . .

Sleep in Puerto Escondido.

Day 3:  Turtle Release / Chacahua National Park   (B,L)

After breakfast we are off to be "official" conservationists. This morning (if some baby turtles have hatched the night before), we’ll have the opportunity to help release them into the ocean. With our assistance, these cute fragile creatures will be less likely to be snatched up by seabirds as they wiggle their way down the beach and into water. 

Continuing on, we’ll travel to México’s Chacahua Lagoon National Park. This protected park is 53 square miles in size and actually consists of 5 lagoons connected by channels with mangrove trees on either side. Wildlife thrives in this park. We’ll travel by small motorized boat to explore this watery wonderland all the way to the sea. Along the way, our host guide will inform us about the different species of mangroves, the tropical birds, and learn about how the people who live in this environment have survived over the years. 

Back in Puerto Escondido, we can enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening on our own.

Sleep in Puerto Escondido.

Day 4: Boat Ride - View Dolphins & Sea Turtles / Free Afternoon / Night Swim & Glow   (B)

Rise and Shine! This will be the earliest wakeup call during our coastal exploration tour. This early morning we’ll embark on a cruise into the blue Pacific. Our exploratory mission today will be to look for schools of dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles. If we’re lucky, we may see dozens of playful dolphins racing our boat. The manta rays are a little harder to find but they are out there. We’ll also have the opportunity to hop in the water to see up-close, the slow-moving sea turtles we encounter. A waterproof camera can capture images of these adorable sea creatures. Also, from this vantage point out at sea, we’ll be able to view the different bays of Puerto Escondido.

Upon our return to the hotel, it will be time for a hearty breakfast. Then the rest of the morning and afternoon are free to do as we please. 

In the evening, get ready for an experience to write home about! 

We have done our research and found that on this night there will be no moon (New Moon). There is a phenomenon of nature here on the Oaxaca coast which can only be seen clearly when it is a moonless night. This evening, we’ll go out in a boat into a nearby lagoon where there should be millions of tiny plankton in the water.

Read a TripAdvisor review from someone who has already witnessed this natural phenomenon:

“Really cool experience. We went during a time when the bio-luminescent phytoplankton was trapped in a lagoon. At night, the water glowed when disturbed. The wake from the boat was glowing and when we stopped, we got to jump into the warm water. It was amazing seeing the bright blue/green glow of the water as others and myself jumped into the warm water. REALLY COOL!”   - Mathew C.

In other words, when you move your arms and hands around, you will GLOW! If you want all the scientific jargon on why this happens, just Google “Bioluminescence.”

And if it is a cloudless evening on this moonless night, you should also be able to see millions of stars and quite possibly, our Milky Way Galaxy. 

As Mathew C. stated, it’s “REALLY COOL!”

Return to our hotel in Puerto Escondido.

Day 5:  3 Seaside Villages / Wildlife Boat Tour / National Turtle Center / Huatulco   (B,L)

After breakfast, it will be time to say Adios to Puerto Escondido. But the fun is not over yet. Today we’ll visit several smaller seaside villages with some excellent views and pristine beaches.

Your first stop will be … yep … another boat ride. Get your cameras out as we’ll search for great photo-opts to “shoot” iguanas and crocodiles in the wild. Don’t worry, you’re in the boat and the crocs are in the water. This all happens in Laguna Ventanilla.

Next on the itinerary is a stop to visit the laid-back town of Mazunte. Here you will visit the National Mexican Turtle Center to learn even more about the research going on regarding the different species of turtles. There are 7 different kinds of turtles and you can find 4 of them here on the Oaxaca coast.

Also in Mazunte, there is a co-op of a group of local families who produce cosmetics using only plants and natural oils. You will get to meet them and learn how they make these items with all natural ingredients. Of course, if you would like to purchase some, they would be most happy to let you take home a few of their products.

Ready for a cold drink? Hungry? Then it’s time to do some Hangin on the Beach. There are rustic beachside restaurants where no one is in a hurry to go anywhere. On most days when the ocean is more calm, you can swim in the waters from their beach.

Later, we’ll continue to travel to another picturesque beach in the nearby village of Zipolite. Beware, the long stretch of beach here is “swimsuit optional.”  ; )

Finally, we’ll arrive to the port of Huatulco and check in at seaside resort. We will sleep in Huatulco for 3 nights.

Day 6: Huatulco City Tour / Free Time   (B,L)

Today, the theme is Laidback Tropical Vibes. 

We have all morning to enjoy a leisurely breakfast at our resort. Afterwards, there is time to take a refreshing dip in the pool or ocean or even a late morning siesta.

In the afternoon, our host guide will meet us for lunch and afterwards, give us an orientation tour around Huatulco. He will also take us to view some of Huatulco’s scenic overlooks in the higher hills around the city to take in the views of the beautiful bays in the distance. 

Afterwards, we can wander around town on our own to visit some of the shops, maybe have a few cold drinks at one of the restaurants, or head back to our hotel. 

How’s that for a day of Laidback Tropical Viibes?

Sleep in Huatulco.

Day 7:  Catamaran Tour / Snorkeling / Farewell Dinner   (B,L,D)

The deep water port of Huatulco has a plethora of golden beaches; 36 in all. They are located around 9 picture postcard tropical bays. In Spanish, they are called Bahías. The deep blue Pacific ocean glistens in the background under the tropical southern sun.

This morning we’ll head out to sea in a catamaran for a day of exploring the many bahías, look for marine life, and marvel at the sandy and sometimes rocky coastline. We’ll also have an opportunity to jump in the warm clear water to snorkel around a bit over the nearby coral reefs. Lunch will be at a local restaurant where we can sample and savor the many mouth watering seafood selections as well as other delicious fares.

In the evening, we will meet once again with our host guide for a nice Farewell Dinner. It will be a time to reminisce about our trip experiences and also to say good-bye to our host guide as our Oaxaca Pacific Coast Exploration Tour comes to a close.

Sleep in Huatulco.

Day 8: After Breakfast, Our Tour Ends  (B)

Today is our travel day back home or to our next fun travel adventure. 

FYI:  Why not stay a few days longer in Huatulco and soak up more of its Laidback Tropical Vibes. We can help make your hotel arrangements for a longer stay. 

Another suggestion for a longer stay is to make plans to travel north up to Oaxaca City to explore this most excellent Spanish colonial town. We can set that up for you too.

¡Buen Viaje!

Itinerary schedule is subject to change.

Tour Price Includes:
•  8 days / 7 night guided tour
    (includes day of arrival & departure)
•  Small group tour size of up to 12 travelers
•  Oaxaca host guide plus local experts
•  All ground transportation during tour days
•  All activities as listed in the itinerary
•  All entrance fees
•  7 nights of hotel lodgings in centrally located hotels
•  7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner
•  All tips for all your guides & driver

Excluded:
Airfare
Airport Transfers
Additional activities & meals not listed above
Alcoholic drinks
Optional activities listed on day 4
Trip interruption insurance

Group activities listed are subject to change.

Activity Level: Easy - Moderate
Maximum Group Size: 12
Suggested Minimum Age: 12 years
Arrival & Departure Cities: Puerto Escondido (PXM) / Huatulco (HUX)
Deposit: $350 USD per person

A Reminder -
There is no need to fret over how much to tip and of having the right amount of Mexican Pesos at the end of your tour.
Tips are already included for all specialty guides as well as your main host guide and driver.

Tour Terms & Conditions

If you would like to stay a few more days in this region either before or after your tour with us and would like some assistance in making those plans, contact us.
We can design an independent travel experience based on what you would like to see and do. We can help you to arrange local transportation, accommodations, and set you up with a local guide.