General
Information
Una de las tantas maravillas naturales con las
que cuenta nuestro país se localiza en la costa de Oaxaca, enclavadas
en las estribaciones finales de la Sierra Madre del Sur, las Bahías
de Huatulco abarcan 35 Kilómetros de suave arena dorada y aguas cristalinas.
Rodeadas de un paisaje montañoso de valles y laderas, siendo irrigadas
por los ríos Coyula, San Agustín y Copalita, lo que da un especial
matiz al entorno tan majestuoso en el que se encuentran las nueve
hermosas bahías.
Localization of Huatulco
Huatulco Bays are located along the coast of Oaxaca, at the end
of the Southern Sierra Madre mountains, stretching over 35 kilometers
along the Mexican Pacific Ocean's seashore, between the Coyula
and Copalita River mouths.
Because of its geographic location, the Huatulco Bays' topography
is formed by mountains, valleys and slopes and is quite rough and
uneven. The land formations are irrigated by the Coyula, San Agustín
and Copalita Rivers, giving a very special touch to the magnificent
landscape where the nine beautiful bays are located.
Huatulco is recognized by the 36 beaches that make up the nine bays.
Each one is distinguished by its own characteristics and natural
beauty. Some have soft and fine sun with water of beautiful colors,
others attractive’s lies in its vegetation. The common denominator
among the beaches: Its tropical foliage and marvelous and refreshing
sea breeze.
Weather
One of the many advantages of the Huatulco
Bays is the climate: warm, semi-humid, with a year-round average
temperature of 82 degrees F. Winter's temperature is never below
57 degrees F., whereas late Spring's and Summer's maximum temperatures
increase to 100 degrees F. Thus, this insures the visitorsí desire
to spend their vacation period at rest, enjoying the sunshine and
warm weather.
Wild Life
Huatulco Bays' vegetation is considered exuberant, because the main
tree species can be found there, such as tepguaje, cazarate, poppy,
figus mecianos, colorín, as well as low thorny jungle, thorny bushes,
gallery woods and mango mangrove swamps by the seashore.
Animal life is typical of neotropical zones;
that is to say, no large-sized mammals or deprecators are found.
On the other hand, country rats, mice, tlacoaches, armadillos, rabbits,
squirrels and white-tail deer are abundant.
There is a great variety of reptiles, including the iguana, a very
popular animal within the region, because it constitutes the main
ingredient of the place's traditional food; snakes and boas, as well
as countless variety of birds, among which the most important are:
hawks, sparrow hawks, doves, pelicans, seagulls, sparrows and hummingbirds.
Huatulco is rich in sea life. Among the outstanding
species to be found are: oyster, lobster, turtle, guachinango, clams
and snails.
Santa María Hautulco
The Bays of Huatulco are located in the municipality of Santa María
Huatulco, the area contains six municipal agencies: Santa Cruz, Bajos
de Coyula, Bajos el Arenal, Arrollo Xuchil, San José Alemania and
Guanjinicuil. Santa Cruz is the most impotant municipality because
of its tourism located at the town named ìLa Crucecitaî.
The main city, Santa María Huatulco, is situated
1,006 feet above sea level, 19 miles from Santa Cruz Huatulco.
The town of Santa María Huatulco is located
in the center of Huatulco, along the outskirts of the Santa María
Huatulco river.
The municipality contains several attractive
sites worth mentioning, such as its magnificently constructed church
built in 1908. It contains artifacts dating back to the 18th Century
including the Señor de las Misericordias ( Lord of Misery), an interesting
figure of Christ which was worshipped here; the small, original wooden
cross of Santa Cruz.
The town has also preserved the ancient market
place, reminiscent of times when the market was held on a weekly
basis.
If one is feeling adventurous, a visit to
the famous ìPiedta de Morosî (Rock of the Moors). The town also contains
several coffee plantations which are worth visiting.
It is for sure a excellent place to visit,
to know the traditions and all the magic of a milenary people.
History of Huatulco
Huatulco's history is captivating, starting with its name's origin,
which comes from a legend that says... Long before the Spaniards
arrived, a bearded white man, wrapped in a white gown, disembarked
at the place known today as Huatulco. Shortly after, the Indians
identified the white man as Quetzalcóatl. The Indians were converted
to Christianism when the white bearded man nailed a wooden cross
on the beach to be worshipped.
When the Aztecs invaded the region, they
named the place "Cuauhtolco", meaning "the site where
the wood is worshipped", name which derived to the current one
of Huatulco.
During the Colonial period, Huatulco was
considered to be the best port in the Pacific Ocean, in view of the
declining importance of Tehuantepec and because it is more accessible
than Acapulco. In addition, it provides greater safety, on account
of its shape and surrounding mountains.
During the Independence period, on January
30, 1831, the "Colombo" ship arrived to the Huatulco coasts.
This is the ship where General Vicente Guerrero, Mexican President
and Statesman traveled as a prisoner. He disembarked at the Santa
Cruz Bay, at a beach site from then moment called "the Delivery".
From there Vicente Guerrero was transferred to Oaxaca, where he was
sentenced to death and executed on February 14 of that year.
Huatulco National Park
With the purpose of preserving the natural
and cultural resources of Huatulco, in 1998 the Mexican government
decreed the Huatulco National Park and made it a protected natural
area protecting more than 9,000 plant species, 264 species and
sub-species of mammals, 701 species of birds, approximately 470
species of reptiles and around 100 species of amphibians. These
are represented in the broad variety of microclimates plants and
animals that form a part of the regional national and world heritage
and allows for wide variety of research, educational, recreational
and cultural activities.
The fauna of both the sea and landscapes has many species that do
not exist anywhere else in the world. This includes mammals such
as deer, raccoons, pumas, anteaters and armadillos, visiting and
resident birds like eagles, falcons, parrots, woodpeckers and owls.
There are reptiles such as iguanas, lizards and snakes; amphibians
like toads, frogs and others. And, a wide variety of butterflies
that represent about 21% of the national diversity and so are one
of the greatest attractions of the park.
As for marine fauna there are puffer fish,
angel fish, mackerel, red snapper, porgy and tuna; in crustaceans
there are crab and lobster; mollusks like oysters, clams, and purple
snails, the last being used by the coastal indigenous people to dye
threads. There are reptiles like sea turtles, and mammals such as
dolphin, orcas, and occasionally whales
and sea lions. There are also 14 different
types of coral that form reefs of great ecological importance because
of the diversity of species to which they give shelter in the bays
of San Agustin, Chachacual and Cacaluta and form a wide variety of
environmental options for the prolific living organisms at just the
right depth.
