Santa María Huatulco

Huatulco has a borderline tropical wet and dry climate/semi-arid climate, featuring stable, hot temperatures all year round, with two marked seasons, a dry season from November through May, and a wet season from June through October.

UV radiation levels are high all year round, ranging from 8 in December, to 11+ between March and September.

Heat and humidity are very high all year round.

The meaning of Huatulco, or Guatulco Coatulco is, “where they worship the tree”, referring to an ancient legend.

Hernán Cortés conquered the town of Huatulco on 8 January 1539.

The town lies about 7 miles north of Huatulco International Airport, the road to Santa María Huatulco intersects the coastal highway.

This is the town from which the resort Huatulco got its name, that it is a separate town located miles away from Huatulco the resort. It is a small, pretty, and very clean town surrounded by the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur.

Santa María Huatulco is the home of residents displaced by the development of the Huatulco resort.

Fragment of the Holy Cross of Huatulco

In the central plaza is a church which contains a piece of an old cross which has an interesting legend.
The following information comes from the plaque in the church. This plaque has since been moved to the church in Santa Cruz.

Two thousand years ago in the time of the apostles of Jesus, the native Indians of this area saw coming from the sea, as if he came from Peru, an old white man with long hair and a beard, and a large cape with an overcoat.

This man, according to folklore, is recognized as the Saint Thomas apostle, and according to the history of Mexico, is Quetzalcoatl. He arrived carrying a very beautiful timber, like a cross.

This event was unusual and amazing, and many people came to the beach to meet him.

The white man saluted them benevolently in their own language. And he remained for a few days teaching them many things.

And every day he was on his knees praying. When he departed, he told the people that the holy timber should remain on the beach, and despite the large size and weight, he erected it on the beach by himself.

Due to these events, large pilgrimages of native Indians from many places would come to the beach to admire the holy timber.

From this comes the name, Quauhtlelco, a Nahuatl word that means: Cuauhtli – timber; Telosa – to bow; and Co – place. The whole word means Huatulco – the place where the timber is adored.

In the year 1587, the English pirate Thomas Cavendish (refer to History of the Region) arrived at the famous Huatulco port.

After coming in to rob the town, he tried to demolish the holy cross with axes and saws but could not. Then he tied the cross with ropes to his ship which sailed into the open sea and still could not move it. He also tried to burn it but it remained standing.

On this altar is a small cross which is an authentic fragment of the Holy Cross from the same holy timber which the people keep with veneration.

In 1612, Bishop Juan de Cervantes brought part of the cross to the cathedral in Oaxaca. From this piece, he fashioned a copy of the original, which remains there today. Other fragments of the Holy Cross are in a cathedral in Puebla, and in the Vatican in Rome.

The anniversary of the Holy Cross is celebrated annually in late February.

Hagia Sofia ecological park

Hagia Sofia is a 130-hectare agro-ecological project located in the mountains of southern Mexico at altitudes between 260-390m above sea level.

Visitors can learn about organic/sustainable farming as applied to exotic fruits and flowers from Southeast Asia and Mexico as well as the cultivation of rare timber trees native to Mexico.

This unique location is also home to a wide diversity of flora and fauna.

Hagia Sofia, a few miles inland from Huatulco bays, is a unique destination to be enjoyed with family and friends. Our aim is to apply earth-friendly practices to local agriculture while sharing nature’s wisdom through agro-tourism.

Hagia Sofia is committed to sustainability and the interdisciplinary team works to train future generations.

This includes the basics of organic growing: minimal consumption of natural resources, making composts, development, and use of alternative energies, and use of biodegradable products.

By bus from Oaxaca City: $7-$19 (3:20 hours)
By plane from Oaxaca City: $95-$300 (1 hour)

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700