After a few days in the capital of the State of Oaxaca (Oaxaca City) eating the most incredible food made by “traditional cooks,” our adventures continued on the road, as we drove south towards the coast. Our tour guides, the knowledgeable folks at Chimalli Travel, treated us by taking our adventure travel group to an alebrije workshop (think Disney’s Coco), a textile shop and a taste testing of ancestral mezcal. Well, it must have been our lucky day, because not only were the tours an amazing experience, but we also came upon a beautiful cempasuchil field, aka marigolds and the red velvety cockscomb flower, both used on the day of the dead alters. In unison, we asked the driver to please stop, to which he granted our request. After getting down to take some photos we were happily back on track.

As we got closer to Huatulco, I could feel the humidity of the tropics. I’d forgotten how beautiful the crystal-clear waters of its 9 beautiful bays were, how the mountains of Sierra Madre Sur almost touch the Pacific Ocean, and how it’s practically summer year-round in this magical coastal town. I hadn’t visited for over 15 years and was pleasantly surprised by how the town had grown, yet it was free from over-tourism and had retained its laid-back vibe.

The other thing I noticed was that it is a very family friendly resort (not a lot of bars or crazy discos), and hardly any vehicle traffic. I was lucky to meet the ladies who run Bahias Plus, a tour operator that takes care of transportation, tours, and all types of activities (paddle boarding, beginners surfing lessons, including motorized surfing boards, etc.). I was there in October and witnessed a mamma sea turtle go in search of a secluded part of the beach to lay her eggs. I was later informed that there are conservation centers that allow you to release baby turtles anytime between June and November.

When I heard that there were waterfalls and a coffee plantation nearby, I signed up for Bahia Plus’ tour. Through gorgeous flora we drove one hour and a half in a safari-type vehicle, as we ventured north towards the mountains of the Sierra Sur. When we arrived, we were welcomed with delicious Oaxacan tamales and a strong cup of coffee brewed by the descendants of a German family that have been growing coffee in Llano Grande since they settled there.

After a walk doable by all ages, we reached the waterfalls. With our bathing suits in place, we waded into the river to feel the energy of the waterfalls trickle down our bodies. The river, a continuation of spring waters that come down from the mountains above was so refreshing none of us wanted to get out. Like children, we anxiously awaited the next waterfall and could not wait to get back in. One of them even had a cave behind it! Lucky for us, our guides from Bahias Plus, knew exactly where it was. The cherry on top was a mud mask our guides applied to our faces. I don’t believe I’ll ever find a better exfoliant.

And since I plan on returning with my family sometime soon, I learned that there are direct flights from DFW to Huatulco several times a week and that you can find accommodations ranging from luxurious all-inclusive hotels like the Dreams Resort to a budget friendly Holiday Inn. I can’t wait to return and take a sunset boat ride through the bays and watch from afar where the mountains meet the waves.

In the meantime, happy travels my fellow Lake Highlanders!