A visit to Huatulco, Mexico – part 1
I recently spent a couple of days visiting the Cosmo Residences in Huatulco, Mexico – what a beautiful place. Quiet, serene with the most outstanding beach and ocean views and the town was beautifully clean and welcoming of the ex-pat community.
Getting there … I was travelling ‘off season’ so there was no direct flight (that is about to change in the next couple of months which is great news) I flew to Mexico City & then caught the Interjet flight to Huatulco.
When I was making my reservations through Carlson Wagonlit, my consultant Annette advised that I should allow around 2 hours between flights, I thought was a little odd especially as I was only going with carry-on luggage, etc. However – thank heavens I listened!
Mexico City airport, whilst easy to navigate it is HUGE! Everything went smoothly through the very efficient & friendly Mexican customs and immigration process (I didn’t have to wait for luggage so you would need to allow time for that). I then had to get from the International to the Domestic terminal which was quite a hike and then check in for the flight with Interjet. Being on the late afternoon flight was far less stressful – I knew that I had plenty of time to do everything without breaking my neck. I had time to relax and enjoy a late lunch before catching my next flight. So a word of caution when you plan your trip if you have to make a connection – don’t even think of ‘cutting it fine’!!
Interjet was a great airline – I had not travelled with them before – I was able to book on-line, friendly staff at check-in and onboard, spacious cabin & seats, generous luggage allowance, plenty of leg room plus complimentary beverages (including alcohol) and snacks. I would highly recommend using them if you aren’t able to get a direct flight into Huatulco.
The 1hr 10 minute flight had me arriving in Huatulco just before 6pm. Huatulco was a very efficient airport. It is undergoing expansion – new terminal being built and the runway has been lengthened to accommodate larger direct flights from Europe & Canada scheduled to begin later this year.
The drive took approximately 30 minutes from the airport to my hotel. The drive will be shortened with the opening of the new 4 lane highway that is under construction and scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
Barbara droppe
d me off at the hotel shortly before 6.45 pm – letting me know that Shaun (the owner/developer) would be picking me up at 8 for dinner!
My room at the hotel (Camino Real) was upgraded! The bell boy loaded me & my ca bag onto the golf cart and we went careening off into the sunset on a golf cart, winding around and down towards the beach. In a couple of minutes I found myself being escorted into my room and the drapes being pulled back to show me a fabulous beach front view complete with my own private splash pool! WOW – however, no time to enjoy the view or the pool – I needed to shower and get myself presentable for dinner!
Right on schedule, Shaun picked me up and we went to dinner at the Viena Restaurante & Bar, owned by a couple of ex-pats (Austrian I believe). It was wonderful to sit on the raised patio, enjoying the much needed breeze as we enjoyed an excellent meal – it wasn’t Mexican but wonderful none-the-less! Judging by the number of ex-pats at the restaurant it is obviously very popular with the ex-pat community. Throughout the evening members of the ex-pat community would come over and say hello – Shaun is obviously known in the community – everyone enjoys living in Huatulco; it was fun to listen to each of them tell their stories; some were retired, some in the process of establishing businesses, some with young families, some living part time others living there full time – all obviously enjoying the lifestyle that living in Huatulco affords as well as the year-round almost perfect temperature.
Huatulco enjoys 6 months with no rain; in May the humidity starts to build as it signals the approach of the rainy season – which lasts a couple of months. It is not a constant downpour – a good storm once a day for a couple of hours – good time for a siesta. Nobody seems to be bothered by the approaching rainy season – they look forward to the ‘greening’ of everything – most of the surrounding area was certainly showing signs of needing rain – except of course for the golf course (5 minutes from Cosmo) which was a lovely shade of green where ever you looked!
Stay tuned for more of my adventure in Huatulco…
