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Whether you’re picturing golden beaches, the gentle rhythm of the Pacific waves, or sipping a mezcal margarita as the sun sets, Huatulco, Mexico is an ideal getaway.
This eco-conscious sun destination in the state of Oaxaca is safe, has loads of culture and outdoor adventure and isn’t over-the-top expensive compared to Los Cabos or Cancun Riviera Maya.
Here’s how much a trip to Huatulco, Mexico can typically cost, whether you’re here for a week or a month.
Introduction
If you’ve taken a look at our travel guides to the top things to do in Huatulco and are curious about what a trip would cost, then it’s time to start planning your Huatulco travel budget.
I’m going to walk you through what a trip here really costs.
I’ve been visiting Huatulco for 20 years (both solo and as a couple), and we’re here again in 2025. Over time, I’ve figured out what’s worth spending on and where you can save without sacrificing experience.
In this guide, I’ll break down costs for flights, accommodations, food, activities, and transportation—giving you a clear idea of what to expect and how to budget wisely. Whether you’re here for a week or a month, this approach will help you make the most of your trip without overspending.
Before I get into the nitty gritty of the numbers, here is the bottom line. A one-month mid-range trip for two people in the winter (peak season) costs $5,000 – 6,000 USD including airfare, upscale accommodation, food, dining out, entertainment and activities.
Keep reading to get the details!
Getting to Huatulco
Airfare Costs
There are several airlines offering direct flights to Huatulco (HUX). If you’re flying from Canada, both WestJet and Air Canada fly seasonally from major cities such as Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary and Winnipeg. From the United States, there are direct flights to Huatulco from Chicago and Dallas-Forth Worth.
Another option includes flying to Mexico City and then taking a domestic airline such as VivaAerobus, Volaris, Aeromexico, TAR and AeroTucan.
To be honest, flight routings, availability and pricing fluctuates so much, I count on Skyscanner to find me the best routing. If your dates are flexible, you can search by month to find the cheapest dates.
A quick look on Skyscanner today showed a round trip flight in March 2025 from Toronto to Huatulco (stopover in Mexico City) for $486 CAD (a rare deal as the cost is typically closer to $900 CAD) and round trip from Chicago via Volaris at $437 USD (stopover in Mexico City).
Adding baggage, carry-ons and selecting seats boosts the price. But booking in advance and being flexible can save you a lot of money.
Total Airfare Cost: $1200 USD ($600 x 2 people)
Airport Transfers
An official private taxi from the kiosk at the Huatulco International Airport to Santa Cruz, Tangolunda, Chahue or La Crucecita costs MXN$630 pesos ($31 USD).
The price drops by 50% if you walk 5 minutes to outside the airport and take a taxi from Highway 200. If you take a shared taxi known as a colectivo it’s even less.
🌟 Insider Tip: If you subscribe to the A Taste for Travel newsletter and book your accommodation with Bayside Vacations, subscribers can use the atastefortravel code to get a complimentary airport shuttle directly to their condo!
Huatulco Accommodation Costs
If you’re staying for more than a few days or traveling as a group, renting a vacation apartment or villa can be a smart move. The massive all-inclusive resorts are best if you plan to stay on-site the entire time or are staying for one or two weeka.
🌟 Pro Tip: Black Friday is a prime time to book a stay at all-inclusive Barcelo Huatulco. Rates have historically been 40% off during their Black Friday deals and we’ve scored deals of $225 a night for 2 people, all-inclusive food and drink, ocean-view.
Most villas come with kitchens and pools, offering more space and flexibility for about $100-$300 USD per night.
Save on Monthly Rates
If you’re staying for a month or longer, you can expect to save 10-20% on the monthly rate. Prices are also often quoted in pesos.
Monthly rates range from MXN$ 30,000 ($1,500 USD) to MXN$ 90,000 pesos ($5,500 USD). At the higher end of the range, you’ll get a 2 bedroom, 1 or 2 bathroom, modern condo with shared swimming pool.
It will be in a centrally located neighbourhood such as Santa Cruz or Chahue.
Check out our guide to the beaches of Huatulco to determine where you’d like to stay. The further away from the main beaches you are, the lower the price you’ll pay.
Last year we splurged on a 4 bedroom villa in Puerto Escondido (family get-together) followed by a one bedroom condo in the Ziba Condominiums of Santa Cruz, Huatulco.
Other neighbourhoods (known as sectors in Huatulco) are definitely cheaper.
But we like to stay near Bahia Santa Cruz as we can walk most places including the beach, banks, restaurants, nightlife and weekly organic food market.
Electricity is often an extra cost. The property management company will take a meter reading upon arrival and at check-out. Last year we paid $85 USD for the month.
Accommodation Cost for 30 days in Santa Cruz, Huatulco: $2,000 – 3,500 USD (a one-bedroom or studio, one bath, modern condo with shared swimming pool)
Car Rental and Getting Around
We rent our cars on Discovercars.com. It’s an online car rental booking site that compares rates from several companies to find the best deal.
In Huatulco, we usually rent a car every second or third week. The rest of the time, we walk, take taxis, colectivos (such as Transportes RapĂdos de Pochutla) or buses such as ADO or SUR.
Another good option are the taxis. They operate on fixed rates. In 2025, taxi rates increased but are still reasonable.
For example, a taxi one way from Santa Cruz to Maguey Beach is MXN$80 or $4 USD. To the zocolo in La Crucecita is MXN$40 or under $2 USD.
In January 2025, we paid $283 USD on Discover Cars to rent a Mitsubishi Mirage for one week, including mandatory insurance. Read more about the pros and cons of renting a car in Oaxaca.
Gas costs MXN$25 pesos a litre for premium.
Total monthly cost for local transportation: $500 USD (if you do a lot of exploring as we do).
Check for the best car rental rates at Discovercars.com
If you have a kitchen, shopping at Chedraui supermarket and one of the local markets (such as Pochutla or La Crucecita) for fresh produce and Oaxacan cheese is smart.
It can save you money while letting you enjoy quality, unprocessed food.
To give you an idea of the cost of certain items, here are some typical prices from a shopping trip (supermarket and street market) in January 2025:
| Item | Quantity | Price (MXN) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avocados | 1 kg | $20.00 | $0.99 |
| Dried Black Beans | 0.5 kg | $20.00 | $0.99 |
| Mandarin Oranges | 1 kg | $70.00 | $3.45 |
| Pineapple | 1 unit | $50.00 | $2.46 |
| Eggs | 18 units | $61.00 | $3.00 |
| Oaxacan Coffee | 340 g | $111.00 | $5.47 |
| Loaf of Bread | 1 loaf | $41.50 | $2.04 |
| Fresh Chicken | 1 kg | $61.00 | $3.00 |
| Toilet Paper | 4 rolls | $34.90 | $1.72 |
| Cheese | .5 kg | $71.00 | $3.50 |
| Whole Milk | 1 liter | $32.90 | $1.62 |
| White Wine | 1 750 ml bottle | $235.00 | $11.57 |
Note: Prices in USD are approximate and rounded to the nearest cent.
🌟 Pro Tip: Watch for sales on wine and alcohol! Chedraui regularly has 30% off!
Total Grocery Costs: MXN$7,000 pesos or $350 USD for two people.
Eating Out – Restaurants and Street Food
Huatulco’s food scene is diverse, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to eat well. Traditional breakfasts cost MXN$100 or $5-7 USD.
Street tacos or tlayudas can be had for under MXN$100 or $5 USD.
A sit down dinner of traditional Oaxacan food at Terra Cotta or El Sabor de Oaxaca will set you back MXN$200 – 300 pesos or $10-$15 USD per person for a main dish while appetizers cost MXN$100 or $5 USD.
Humble beachside palapas will serve grilled filets of fish for MXN$ 150 or $7 USD while fancier places such as Ve El Mar serve fresh seafood for around MXN$ 350 or $15.
Upscale restaurants such as Rocoto or Mercader serving international cuisine such as short ribs or grilled Rib Eye with baked potato and sides, Mahi Mahi in a Thai curry sauce cost between MXN$300-400 pesos or $15-20 USD per person.
For drinks, a Margarita, Aperol Spritz, Mezcalita cocktail or a glass of house wine are MXN$100-125 or $5-$7 USD while a Corona is MXN$40-45 or $2.50 USD. Non-alcoholic drinks such as hibiscus iced-tea, soft drinks and coffee run 30 MXN or $1.50 USD.
Plan on MXN$400 or $20 USD per person for dinner with a drink including 10-15% tip.
We usually eat dinner out twice a week and breakfast out once every two weeks.
Total Monthly Cost for Eating Out in Huatulco: MXN$8,000 or $400 USD for two people.
Activities and Experiences
Huatulco offers plenty of things to do and experiences for travellers seeking a mix of relaxation, eco-adventure and cultural experiences.
All beaches in Mexico are free so you’ll really only need to budget for experiences such as boat tours, excursions to waterfalls or day trips to remote beaches such as Estacahuite, San Agustin or the pueblo magĂco of Mazunte.
To save money on boat tours, book online or directly with local operators at Santa Cruz Marina rather than through resorts. A shared boat tour of Huatulco’s Bays costs around $30 USD per person, stopping at multiple bays with opportunities to snorkel.
If you prefer a nature-focused excursion, one of the highly-rated tours to the Magical Falls (Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla) makes for a memorable day trip for around $55 USD.
For independent travellers, driving to the falls and paying the small entrance fee (MXN$100 or $5 USD) as we did can cut costs significantly.
Cost of Tours and Experiences: $150 USD
Money-Saving Tips and Practical Advice
- Use ATMs in a bank: You’ll save money (and avoid fraud) by using an ATM in a bank rather than supermarkets, convenience stores or on the street.
- Make Smart ATM Choices: Check the fees being charged by ATM. In Santa Cruz, Citibank charges MXN$30.74 or $1.50 USD while BBVA charges MXN$175 or $8.60 USD per withdrawal. Those costs can add up.
- Don’t Pay a DCC Fee: A dynamic currency conversion (DCC) fee offered at an ATM or merchant is OPTIONAL. It includes a commission and is almost always worse than market exchange rate. To avoid paying the DCC fee, decline the exchange rate being offered. At merchants, opt to pay in local currency and get the exchange rate at the going rate on the transaction date.Â
- Avoid Foreign Transaction Fees: Consider getting a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.  We use the Scotiabank Passport Visa. It doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, includes travel and car insurance and offers 6 complimentary lounge passes.
Conclusion
I hope this post has given you a pretty good idea of the cost of what a traveler can expect to spend on accommodations, food, and activities on a moderate to upscale trip to Huatulco, Mexico.
Of course, you can reduce the costs considerably by choosing a lower cost place to stay and by eating out less often.
But I think it’s a solid estimate of what to expect.
Have you been to Huatulco? Share your own budgeting tips and experiences aof the cost of a trip to Huatulco in the comments!
See you on the beach!