Vivid blue Pacific waters wash the bays and beaches of Huatulco, a coastal town in southern Mexico that merges modern with timeless seaside sunsets. A handful of developed resorts, golf courses and basic shopping provide visitors with necessary comforts. Nature enthusiasts can escape the business of civilized life for some time in the crumbling rocks and tangled foliage that sprawl off over the horizon around Huatulco.

Appointed by the government as an ecological tourist destination, the Huatulco region encompasses nine bays that rim this slice of Pacific coast. Cruise ships stop in to port periodically, while local excursions ferry visitors around to some of the more isolated stretches of sand.

Kit up with a snorkel and mask to enjoy some of the best visibility this part of the Pacific, or strap on an air tank for a reef dive before sailing off into the breeze for a day of sport fishing. Enjoy a languid afternoon of beachcombing as a break from daytrips to local ecologically-oriented activities like river rafting and mountain biking.

A 40 minute flight from this region's charming capitol, Oaxaca City, Huatulco is the perfect destination for visitors who want to divide their time between sunny shores and city.

Huatulco is about 300 miles south of Acapulco and a six hour drive from Oaxaca City.