Huatulco Cruise Port
Huatulco, Mexico · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Huatulco Cruise Ship Terminal Pier, Huatulco.
Easy DIY port — walk into Santa Cruz village or take a $3 taxi to La Crucecita. Uber is not available, so use official taxis.
Alongside cruise pier in Santa Cruz Bay with a beach and craft market right on the doorstep.
At a glance
Port summary
Huatulco docks alongside in Santa Cruz Bay — not a tender port. The pier is steps from Mercado de Artesanías and Playa Santa Cruz; La Crucecita town is 4 km away (5-10 min by taxi). Yellow Huatulco taxis line up at the pier on cruise days; Uber does not operate reliably here, so use the official taxi rank.
Cruise dock
🚢 Huatulco Cruise Ship Terminal Pier
Single alongside cruise pier in Santa Cruz Bay — the only cruise berth in Huatulco. The pier sits next to the Mercado de Artesanías and Playa Santa Cruz, with the bay-tour catamaran kiosks at the head of the pier.
📍 Latitude: 15.752979, Longitude: -96.12929
See dock on port map →Getting to Huatulco
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Santa Cruz village is right at the pier — La Crucecita is a 20 minute hot walk and not recommended on a cruise day.
📍 Walk straight off the pier into the Mercado de Artesanías and Playa Santa Cruz.
Fixed-zone fares are posted at the pier — La Crucecita $3, Tangolunda $5, Maguey $6, La Entrega $5. Cash only; agree before riding.
📍 Yellow Huatulco taxis line up just outside the terminal exit.
Most lines run paid shuttles to La Crucecita or Tangolunda — useful if you don't want to negotiate a taxi.
📍 Cruise-line shuttle desks set up inside the terminal on busy call days.
Local urvans run Santa Cruz - La Crucecita - Tangolunda for a few pesos. Pay the driver in cash; routes are posted on the windshield.
📍 Colectivo urvans (white minivans) on the road outside the terminal entrance.
Rental cars are rarely needed for a cruise day; taxis to Tangolunda or the bays cost less than parking fees.
📍 No rental desks at the terminal — book ahead and pick up at Bahías de Huatulco airport (HUX).
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Bring small peso notes for taxis and the market — USD is accepted at many tourist spots but at a poor rate.
Things to do
Plaza Principal La Crucecita (Zócalo)
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Shaded zócalo of La Crucecita with bandstand — restaurants and ice-cream stalls all around.
🕐 Late afternoon when the square fills with families.
Bahía Maguey
🏖️ Beach
Sheltered horseshoe bay with calm clear water — best snorkel beach reachable by taxi from the pier.
🕐 Morning before midday wind and crowds.
Playa La Entrega
🏖️ Beach
Closest snorkel beach to the cruise pier — clear shallow water and palapas with seafood lunch.
🕐 Morning for clearer water and fewer boats.
Bahía Conejos
🏖️ Beach
Quieter beach further east — fewer cruise passengers and good calm-water swimming when surf is low.
🕐 Mornings — afternoons can be windy.
Playa Santa Cruz
Short stop🏖️ Beach
Small crescent of sand with calm water and beach restaurants — 10 minutes' walk from the pier.
🕐 Mid-morning before the heat peaks; can get crowded on call days.
Bahía Tangolunda
🏖️ Beach
Wide hotel-zone beach with calm water and day-pass access at the all-inclusives.
🕐 Morning before midday heat — afternoon swells can be choppy.
Mercado de Artesanías Santa Cruz
Short stop🛒 Market
Covered market at the pier exit selling Oaxacan textiles, wood masks, mezcal and silver.
🕐 Mid-morning before the cruise crowds peak.
Mercado 3 de Mayo
Short stop🛒 Market
Working food market — cheap mole tlayudas, tropical fruit and Oaxacan chocolate stalls.
🕐 Mid-morning when the lunch counters fire up.
Bahías de Huatulco 7-Bay Boat Tour
🎯 Activity
Catamaran or panga circuit of seven protected bays — snorkel stops in Maguey or La Entrega included.
🕐 Departures roughly 9am-10am and 2pm — book early so you're back before all-aboard.
Iglesia de Guadalupe La Crucecita
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
Town church on the zócalo — a 20-metre fresco of the Virgin of Guadalupe covers the whole ceiling.
🕐 Mid-morning or late afternoon when natural light hits the fresco.
Cascadas Mágicas de Copalitilla
🌿 Nature
Jade-green waterfalls and natural pools in the Sierra north of Huatulco — short jungle hike in.
🕐 Open early; cooler hiking before midday and less crowded.
Hagia Sofia Coffee & Botanical Gardens
🌿 Nature
Coffee farm and tropical-flower garden in the Sierra — guided walks with chocolate tastings.
🕐 Open mornings only; allow 5-6 hours including transfer.
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Plan my day →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Huatulco?
- Your ship docks directly at the Huatulco cruise terminal in Mexico.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Huatulco?
- Yes. Huatulco is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Huatulco centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Shuttle bus, Local bus, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Huatulco?
- Plan for at least 4 hours ashore to see Huatulco independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Huatulco and are cards accepted?
- Huatulco uses the Mexican Peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Huatulco cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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