Tag Archives: huatulco

Huatulco

FOUR ACES: By carving shadows, stars are recovered.

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By José Palacios y Román—

Facing a blank sheet of paper, a canvas, metal, or stone to paint or sculpt is always a challenge. For millennia, humankind has expressed its experiences through diverse materials—some ephemeral, others that still endure in museums. It is about leaving traces and memories of the passage of time.

Before the Renaissance, various human groups chose to destroy their precious objects in order to renew them. This was the case prior to the European invasion of Mesoamerica, where every 52 years a new count of time began and life was renewed.
With this in mind, Copalli Art Gallery, in its commitment to supporting and promoting new local talent, presents an exhibition featuring four promising artists. Three of them belong to the millennial generation and share the distinction of being natives of the Oaxacan coast. We are excited to present them and wish them a long and fruitful career in the arts.

They are:
Abisai GUMAG (Pochutla, 2002)
Life is a constant search that he unravels on the canvas. Every path Abisai has taken leads him back to painting: working as a sign painter, decorating mezcal bottles, photographing the sea, creating custom graphic design, and cooking—all to earn a living and be able to paint. He never begins with a preconceived idea. Instead, he observes the canvas, allowing stored emotions to emerge. From one stroke to the next, there is no turning back. He moves to the rhythm of life, absent from ordinary existence in order to create.

Javi VASHER (Bahías de Huatulco, 1999)
He has found his language in water, color, and emotion. Having grown up, lived, and loved Huatulco his entire life, he holds a degree in International Trade and Customs. Through art, he discovered form and expression by portraying both the delicacy and strength of the feminine. His work combines geometry and detail, balance and fluidity, reflecting a deep connection with nature. In each stroke, the flow of water on paper becomes a metaphor for life: unpredictable, luminous, and constantly transforming. He is devoted to watercolor.

Heriberto HERGON (Santa María, Huatulco, 1990)
His connection to nature gives meaning to his art. His life has unfolded entirely in the region. From early childhood, he became an artisan, creating unique and beautiful pieces from seeds, gourds, and wood. This practice bordered on painting and led him to develop skills through drawing and painting workshops. Detail-oriented and meticulous, with a steady hand and enormous patience, he has forged his own path without grand ambitions, simply reflecting his tranquil and transparent spirit through his canvases.

Alex TAPIA (Mexico City)
His art serves as a bridge between tradition and spiritual exploration. He settled in Pinotepa Nacional and has lived in Huatulco for thirty years. A master of martial arts, discipline flows through him as deeply as painting. Guided by mentors, he has developed his own visual language to express his worldview. His oil paintings capture serenity and beauty in the simple and the everyday.

Welcome.
This group exhibition reflects Copalli Art Gallery’s commitment to offering this magnificent space to emerging artists from the coastal region of Oaxaca.

The opening will take place on February 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Tangolunda, Huatulco. Wine, snacks, and live music will be served. Admission is free.
Follow us on social media: http://www.instagram.com/copalliartgallery

Huatulco

The ALMA experience, chapter 3: Elevated Living

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An interview with the creators of ALMA,
Frédéric Baron and Noémie Bourdin-Habert—

We continue our sit-down with the founders of ALMA to talk about architecture, landscape, and the experience of living in a place designed with care and intention.

I’m curious, who are your clients ?

Frédéric: You know, that’s funny, but we don’t really have “a type” of client at ALMA. We have seven nationalities, ages ranging from 28 to 78, and all kinds of professions from doctors or bankers to retirees. What they all share is the desire to own and enjoy a place of timeless elegance, hidden in nature, and yet close to everyday comforts. That’s when you can tell a design is truly timeless: when it resonates with people of different ages, cultures, and backgrounds.

What is the motivation to purchase in ALMA ?

Noémie: First and foremost, they purchase in ALMA because they genuinely love the architecture. We have even welcomed into the community people who had never heard of Huatulco before discovering ALMA. They seek comfort, privacy, a deep integration into the landscape and a place that is climate-resilient, yet adapted to the way we live in the 21st century.

Of course, they are also buying an address. In real estate, we often say the three most important factors are location, location, and location. So naturally, oceanfront properties remain a strong and reassuring investment, and something that owners, their families, and their guests will always enjoy. With pristine ocean views and an existing fisherman’s trail leading to the beach, the setting speaks for itself.

There is also a great sense of peace of mind in investing in a safe city, in a neighborhood that cannot become over-densified, thanks to the 2023 extension of the National Park

that completely surrounded the property, and the presence of unspoiled beaches. It reassures buyers who seek both emotional value and long-term appreciation.

It finally comes down to rarity. This type of architecture, this level of quality in this landscape, with this low density and at this price point, is extremely uncommon in Oaxaca and in all of Mexico.

What is it exactly that you call “the ALMA experience” ?

Frédéric: The ALMA experience starts very early. We like to think it begins with the discovery of the project. For example during a site visit, we always introduce potential buyers to a number of new birds and tree species, show them the whales or observe the milky way when coming back at night. When new to Huatulco, we take the time to show them the town, its neighborhoods, and some of its hidden gems. We love taking them to your village-to-table dinner in Zimatán, for example, because it reflects the passion behind some of the most inspiring local initiatives.

Now of course, the most meaningful experience will begin once their property is delivered. Noemie and I are both deeply inspired by unique hotel experiences, and ALMA was designed as a private, residential interpretation of that spirit.

Our clients are never numbers; they are people we get to know personally. Our relationship often goes beyond an investment, and that is the beauty of building a small community. In short, the ALMA experience is a journey we designed from discovery to delivery, and the care we put into every detail to make it both simple and beautiful.

Alright, so tell me, what will it feel like, once you live in ALMA?

Noémie: That’s an excellent question, and not always easy to describe because it is mostly sensorial.

Entering ALMA feels like entering a refined, low-density resort. The access gate is spacious and surrounded by trees and gardens. You hear insects and birds, you are in the shade, and everything feels calm. Unhurried. And instantly, you feel welcomed, not controlled. From that point on, all that you see, hear, and smell has been carefully considered.

You reach your home with your own car, driving sometimes at trunk height, sometimes at foliage height. You park under or next to your property, always in the shade. No golf carts, no valet, no waiting, and no long walks necessary. You simply drive home, easily and privately.

Entering your home, you step into a sophisticated place that combines high-end materials and a strong architectural signature. Steel structures bring a modern touch, while wooden ceilings add warmth and a tropical character. The natural scent of the wood immediately creates a feeling of comfort and belonging. And whether it is a two-bedroom apartment or a four-bedroom Villa, the only difference is in the size. The exact same attention to detail and the same materials are used throughout.

The properties open widely to nature, with green buffers on each side and ocean views framed by native trees, which gives the feeling of living in a nest among branches and birds. Protected, yet open. And you feel like it, just close it all and turn on the A/C to watch a movie.

When using the amenities you choose how social you want to be. You can meet people by one of the large lap pools, or enjoy complete privacy at the spa, which is privatized upon reservation and dedicated only to you and your guests.

When night comes, the lighting is kept to a minimum to respect the fauna and flora. So, you hear cicadas, see fireflies, and you can admire the stars. It is a rare privilege today, and one that quietly reminds you where you are.

To design this experience, we drew inspiration from the most refined hotel environments we know. For example, a concierge is available to arrange anything from a private chef to transportation or cultural experiences, so owners feel supported without ever losing their independence and privacy.

And finally, it is also about knowing us personally and trusting the level of care and standards we bring to every detail. We safeguard each moment of the experience and never rush it. Because just like good food never comes from a microwave, a truly meaningful place can only be created with time, care, and intention.

It is a philosophy that has naturally been recognized, with ALMA being nominated and awarded six times in 2025, including in the Residential Luxury category, alongside some of the most prestigious branded residences and resort properties in the world.

For more information: http://www.alma-huatulco.com

 

 

Huatulco

The Convention Centre – Huatulco’s Unfinished Promise

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By Randy Jackson—

In December 2025, formal notices of seizure were posted across the skeletal structure of the Huatulco Convention Center overlooking the Chahué Marina. Issued by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of Oaxaca, the notices designate the unfinished building as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, legally immobilizing the site. With that act, a project once promoted as a cornerstone of Huatulco’s future tourism economy entered a new phase, no longer merely incomplete, but formally frozen.

Projects like this are often referred to in Mexico as elefantes blancos: costly public works that never fully deliver on their promise. They are not unique to Oaxaca, nor to Mexico. What makes the Huatulco Convention Center distinctive is how its fate now sits at the intersection of ambitious planning, technical complexity, and a political transition that has left the structure and the community caught in prolonged limbo.

A PROMISE OF DEVELOPMENT

On October 5, 2019, the Oaxacan legislature authorized 3.5 billion pesos in financing for a broad portfolio of infrastructure projects across the state, intended to stimulate employment and reduce poverty. Among them was a proposed convention center for Huatulco. At the time, then-governor Alejandro Murat pledged that a special committee would closely monitor the use of public funds, and that all projects would be completed before the end of his term in 2022.

According to early project documentation, the Huatulco Convention Center was initially budgeted at 70 million pesos (US $3.7 million). Even in retrospect, that figure now appears unrealistically low, reflecting a preliminary concept rather than a fully defined architectural or engineering plan.

Shortly thereafter, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted public works across Mexico. During that pause, however, the project was not merely postponed; it was substantially reimagined. State officials reframed it as a “strategic trigger” capable of elevating Huatulco into the international convention market alongside destinations such as Cancún or Los Cabos.

A VISION TAKES SHAPE

In December 2020, Governor Murat announced a dramatically upgraded project: an iconic waterfront convention center designed to attract international MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. To realize that vision, he appointed architect Enrique Norten, founder of TEN Arquitectos, a Mexican firm internationally recognized for contemporary civic and cultural projects characterized by glass, steel, and bold structural expression.

The proposed design called for an approximately 11,000-square-meter facility integrated into the Chahué Marina, including a 1,285-seat auditorium with advanced acoustics capable of hosting concerts, theatrical productions, and academic conferences. Public plazas and green spaces were incorporated to ensure the building functioned as a community asset rather than a sealed, single-purpose venue.

WHEN REALITY COLLIDES WITH VISION

As the project moved from concept to engineered design, costs escalated rapidly. Building a large-scale performance venue on reclaimed waterfront land introduced significant technical challenges. According to statements from state infrastructure officials at the time, the site required extensive geotechnical reinforcement, including deep foundation work and large-scale soil stabilization, to create a stable foundation before vertical construction could even begin.

As planning advanced and architectural designs were finalized, cost estimates were revised upward. By the time construction formally began in 2022, official figures placed the project at over 320 million pesos. While that amount represented a dramatic increase over early estimates, it more closely reflected the market realities of constructing a specialized, architecturally complex facility in a marine environment. What had begun as a modest line item had evolved into a technically sophisticated public landmark.

A PROJECT IN POLITICAL LIMBO

On November 29, 2022, just forty-eight hours before his term ended, Governor Murat formally inaugurated the Huatulco Convention Center in its unfinished state. Without lighting, equipment, or connection to the electrical grid, the structure nonetheless stood complete enough for a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

For the incoming state administration, the building quickly became a focal point, symbolizing unfinished business and, potentially, deeper irregularities. Rather than advancing construction, authorities shifted their attention to investigation.

Transitions between political administrations in Mexico often involve heightened scrutiny of major public works, particularly those left incomplete. Supporters see this as accountability; critics argue that prolonged investigations can indefinitely freeze projects, regardless of their potential public benefit. In Huatulco, the result has been paralysis: a completed shell, neither advanced nor dismantled, sitting idle on one of the town’s most prominent waterfront sites.

JUSTICE OR POLITICAL THEATER?

The seizure notices posted on the convention center walls are tied to a broader investigation into the 2019 infrastructure program. In late 2023, the Oaxacan Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office arrested Javier Lazcano Vargas, charging him with illicit enrichment and misuse of public funds related to those projects.

Meanwhile, former governor Alejandro Murat has followed a surprisingly different political trajectory. After leaving office, he joined the ruling MORENA party and secured a seat in the Senate, thereby obtaining fuero, the constitutional immunity afforded to high-ranking legislators. The contrast has not gone unnoticed locally. For many in Huatulco, the stalled convention center has become less a symbol of justice pursued than of accountability deferred.

None of this is to suggest that investigations should be abandoned or that financial irregularities, if proven, should go unpunished. But when a criminal process indefinitely halts a project with clear public value, questions arise about balance: between enforcing accountability and fulfilling the state’s obligation to serve the community.

THE COST OF STANDSTILL

For local tourism operators, business owners, and residents, the convention center represents more than a political controversy. It was envisioned as an economic catalyst, one capable of extending the tourist season, supporting local employment, and anchoring complementary cultural and commercial activity around the marina. Its continued dormancy carries opportunity costs that compound with each passing year.

Justice and development need not be mutually exclusive. Yet as long as the Huatulco Convention Center remains sealed off as an immobilized site, it stands as a reminder that infrastructure can become collateral damage in political struggles. The unfinished structure on the Chahué waterfront is no longer just an unrealized building; it is a test of whether governance in Oaxaca can reconcile accountability with the practical needs of the communities it serves.

Randy Jackson blends local reporting from the perspective of a seasonal Huatulco resident with explorations of life and change in Huatulco, Oaxaca and Mexico. Email, box95jackson@gmail.com

Huatulco, San Miguel de Allende

Editor’s Letter

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By Jane Bauer—

“I’m going to Graceland, Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going to Graceland
Poor boys and pilgrims with families
And we are going to Graceland
My traveling companion is nine years old
He is the child of my first marriage
But I’ve reason to believe we both will be received in Graceland”
Paul Simon, singer and songwriter

If you are reading this, you have probably already undertaken a lot of journeys to get here. A pilgrimage is often associated with religion, but there are many other roads than the one to God that lead to salvation. Maybe salvation is too powerful a word for some journeys- communion, perhaps.

It would make sense for this topic to tell of my own journey to my Mexican life almost 30 years ago, but when I think of pilgrimage, I think of a road trip I took with my daughter.

Even though I had already been living in Mexico for close to 15 years, I had several items in Canada that I didn’t want to part with: art my father left me when he died, a few pieces of furniture. We all have things we don’t want to part with just yet. I purchased an old Canada Post truck, filled it up, and my nine-year-old daughter and I took a road trip from Montreal to Huatulco.

It was hot, like driving in a sardine can. The radio didn’t work, but we had an iPod that played music through a speaker. In college, I was briefly obsessed with a book called Reflections on the Birth of the Elvis Faith, which likened the Elvis following to a religious phenomenon. So when my daughter and I found ourselves rumbling along the highway near Memphis, Tennessee, the words to Paul Simon’s Graceland came back to me: “My traveling companion is nine years old.” Without hesitation, we veered towards Graceland.

What back in the 1970s what was considered a mansion now just looked like a large suburban house. I asked people on the shuttle if it was their first time, and for most, it wasn’t. For many, it was an annual pilgrimage; for some, like us, a curiosity. Were we part of the pilgrimage or observers?

We toured the house, and when we reached the Jungle Room, my daughter said, “Like the song.” She meant Walking in Memphis – we had listened to it on some stretch of highway through Ohio.

Saw the ghost of Elvis
On Union Avenue
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Then I watched him walk right through
Now security they did not see him
They just hovered ’round his tomb
But there’s a pretty little thing
Waiting for the King
Down in the Jungle Room

As people, journeying, searching, and having faith in something other than our own immediate existence is perhaps the most unifying human experience. Does it really matter if we call this feeling and belief by different names?

See you next month,

Jane

Huatulco

Pulse of Life in Polychromy: Abdías García

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By José Palacios y Román—

In every corner of Oaxaca State, we find characters who, in their fullness, weave their stories onto canvases imbued with sweet colors and ancestral references. The earthly force of ancestral roots, and connections with influences from other cultures, African, Eastern, and European, that impact our culture give us a unique cosmogonic vision that is manifested in art.

Creators express this wealth of emotions and feelings through the art of painting to remember our primordial origin: that of the tlacuilos who translated philosophy, thoughts, and history into aesthetic language in pre-Hispanic codices.

Painter Abdías García Gabriel was born on a ranch called El Paraíso, near Santa María Huatulco. The exuberant tropical aroma overcomes the daily limitations of coexistence and austerity, a lesson for life. Since childhood, he has drawn on paper and also with his imagination. This is where his dedication to painting begins, with effort, dedication, and determination.

First a path, then a trail, and finally the path to academic training at a university in the fine arts. Abdías studied drawing, various techniques, and painting. Discipline and determination have earned him recognition as an artist.

His other source of inspiration has been teaching: teaching in order to learn. He has been teaching classes since 2005 to children, youth, and adults. This activity relieves his students, who release frustrations by expressing their emotions.

Abdías is consistent with his journey in pictorial art, having found his own language and style, one that goes beyond joy, pleasure, and aesthetic enjoyment: these are creations that have filtered through his veins, sensitivity, and good taste.In front of his canvases, he provokes, recreates, nourishes, and encourages the spaces where his work is found.

I invite you to collect works by this artist who inspires taste and enjoyment with art as a creation and expression of the tropics in the Mexican Pacific the Oaxaca coast.

The opening of the exhibition will be on January 23, 2026 at 06.00 pm. Abdias will be presenting his most recent artwork “Nocturnal Dreams”, with music and wine. Entrance is free.

Huatulco

Oaxaca Avanza: How Art, Youth, and Community are Transforming Huatulco

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By Bianca Corona—

In Huatulco, a place known for its natural beauty and strong sense of community, a group of young locals is quietly, but now very visibly, reshaping what collective action and true sense of community can look like in a small town like this. Oaxaca Avanza is a civil association formed by young people from Huatulco with a shared goal: to build alliances, create access to tools and strategies, and actively contribute to making their municipality and Oaxaca state as a whole, a better place for everyone to live in, enjoy, and prosper.

Their official public launch came to life through a project that blended art, urban renewal, and community involvement: the Corredor Mural, a once neglected pedestrian walkway located near a school close to La Crucecita, now reborn as a vibrant, colorful, and meaningful public space.

From a Forgotten Space to a Living Corridor
The inauguration of Oaxaca Avanza and the Corredor Mural was a celebration filled with energy, creativity, and gratitude. Behind that moment, however, were months of planning and a full week of intense community work. Artists, neighbors, musicians, vendors, and volunteers came together to transform a space that had long been associated with neglect, insecurity, and disuse.

What was once a grey, deteriorated corridor is now a place filled with color, intention, and life. It’s now transformed into a space where people feel invited to walk, gather, and connect directly to Huatulco’s culture, through art.

The decision to start with this corridor was deeply intentional. Oaxaca Avanza’s newly opened office is located at one end of the space, and for the team, the daily reality of seeing the area’s challenges became a call to action. The corridor borders a kindergarten, children’s play areas, and residential homes, yet had become a site for trash accumulation, vandalism, and unsafe activity.

Rather than approaching the problem through exclusion or enforcement, the group chose a different path and use artistic expression as a tool for transformation.

Art as a Collective Act
The Corredor Mural was conceived as an inclusive, collaborative project. Led artistically by renowned Oaxacan muralist Irving Cano, the initiative brought together mostly Huatulco-based artists, along with a small number from other parts of Oaxaca. Each artist worked within a shared theme, Huatulco and the Coast, while maintaining complete creative freedom within their assigned space.

The murals collectively tell a story: from marine life and coastal landscapes to human presence and local identity. Each piece reflects a personal vision of Huatulco, shaped by the artist’s own experience of growing up, living, or creating in the region.

Importantly, no artist was paid. Every participant joined voluntarily, contributing their time and talent from the heart. In return, artists were given visibility, a public platform for their work, and the opportunity to exhibit and sell their art during the week-long activation of the corridor.

Seven Days of Community in Motion
For seven consecutive days, the corridor became a living cultural space. Visitors were invited not only to see the finished murals, but to witness the creative process itself. Watching blank walls evolve day by day into powerful and colorful works of art. To encourage participation, Oaxaca Avanza organized daily pop-up markets, live music, and small community gatherings down the walkway. Local musicians performed voluntarily, artisans set up booths without fees, and food vendors rotated throughout the week, creating a dynamic and ever-changing atmosphere. Each day felt different. Some days drew families and children, others brought students, artists, or athletes. What remained constant was the sense of shared ownership and collective pride. That’s what I’d call, “Orgullo Huatulqueño.”

No Logos, No Branding, Just Purpose
One of the most striking aspects of the project is what isn’t visible on the walls… logos. The entire project was funded through personal resources and outsourced support, deliberately avoiding corporate branding or sponsorship recognition on the murals themselves. For Oaxaca Avanza, this decision was essential. The murals belong to the community, not to any brand, institution, or organization…including their own.

Beyond Art: A Broader Vision for Huatulco
While the Corredor Mural is Oaxaca Avanza’s first official public project, it is far from their first community effort. The group has been active for several years, supporting vulnerable individuals, local initiatives, sports teams, and animal protection efforts. Often executing these outreaches informally and without public visibility.

The formalization of the association and the opening of a physical office mark a new chapter. The long-term goal is to become an authorized donation recipient, allowing individuals, businesses, and institutions to support future projects transparently and at a larger scale.

Looking ahead, Oaxaca Avanza envisions initiatives in culture, sports, animal welfare, public space rehabilitation, and community development, always guided by collaboration rather than politics, and inclusion rather than division.

A Space That Invites Participation
The Corredor Mural is not meant to be a static art installation. It is envisioned as a living space in which one can host markets, performances, bicycle tours, community gatherings, and cultural events. By bringing the corridor back to life, the project adds not only beauty, but also a new point of interest for residents and visitors alike.

It also serves as a reminder that improving quality of life is not limited to infrastructure or policy. Beauty, creativity, and shared spaces play a powerful role in how people experience safety, belonging, and pride in where they live.

An Open Door Forward
At its core, Oaxaca Avanza is an invitation. An invitation to participate, to propose ideas, to collaborate, and to contribute. Whether through time, creativity, resources, or simply presence. As Huatulco continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like this demonstrate what is possible when young people take ownership of their community and choose cooperation over division. The Corredor Mural is just the beginning.

Artist Recognition:
1.- Joel Montes
2.- Alejandra Elizabeth Aguilar Aguiar
3.- Lianne Aranza León Sánchez
4.- Edgar Ares Moscosa Bazar
5.- Marina Valdepeña
6.- Judith Martínez Caballero
7.- Janette Santiago Antonio
8.- María Eugenia Valle
9.- Alma Drew
10.- Diego Uriel González
11.- Odette Carolina Cabrera1
12.- Fernanda Butista
13.- José García López
14.- Yuri Enríquez
15.- Grisel Adriana
16.- Alina Sofía Reboredo Damasco
17.- Ariel Núñez Zabaleta
18.- Corina Lucio Olvera
19.- Alma Montero
20.- Fefo Loya Gartol
21.- Betina
22.- Carlo Sérbulo Alducin
23.- Michelle López García
24.- Roberto Hernández
25.- Julio César García Rodríguez
26.- Fernando
27.- Ángel Ernesto Rivera López
28.- Edwin Fierros
29.- Luis Antonio Ortiz Enríquez
30.- Roberto Domínguez
31.- José Martínez Adolfo
32.- Valois Prieto Alvarado
33.- Carlos Mendoza Salina

Huatulco

The Dream Festival: Celebrating, Sharing, and Transforming

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By Britt Jarnryd—

Each year, on a Saturday in January, Huatulco comes alive with music, color, and hope during the Dream Festival—a fundraising event that celebrates a shared commitment to education and the development of Oaxaca’s most vulnerable rural communities. Organized by Sueño Zapoteco A.C. / Bacaanda Foundation, the festival highlights the foundation’s projects, shares its achievements, and raises funds to continue its mission: reducing poverty through dignified, high-quality education.

The Dream Festival is more than a cultural celebration; it is the result of months of collaborative, volunteer-driven work. Beginning in July, a dedicated group of international volunteers plans every detail with enthusiasm and deep respect for the communities the foundation serves. Their commitment creates a space where solidarity knows no borders. Each year, local businesses, hotels, and members of the Huatulco community contribute by donating food, beverages, raffle prizes, and auction items, turning the festival into a true example of community collaboration. Every contribution—large or small—becomes a real opportunity for children and young people in rural areas.

At the heart of the Dream Festival are the rural schools it supports, which take center stage in the celebration. Weeks in advance, students prepare traditional dances from different regions of Oaxaca, accompanied by live bands and the iconic monos de calenda, filling the atmosphere with joy, identity, and cultural pride. Through their performances, students thank attendees for their support and invite them to continue being part of the transformation of rural education.

The Dream Festival is a celebration of achievement, culture, and hope—but above all, it is an invitation to be part of meaningful change.

Every ticket purchased and every donation made translates into dignified classrooms, educational materials, technological tools, academic support, and stronger opportunities for the future.

Come experience this extraordinary festival and be part of transforming lives.

Saturday, January 24, 2026
Starting at 5:00 p.m.
Parque Guelaguetza, Huatulco
Tickets available at the Bacaanda Foundation office

Live the magic, celebrate culture, and help transform lives.

Huatulco

Huatulco Snowbird Survey

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By Randy Jackson—

In another time, long ago, I owned a travel bookstore. This was before the internet, back when the world was still big and filled with foreign places. Mostly, my bookstore attracted adventurers bound for faraway lands, and I shared their excitement from behind the counter. But one pattern was persistent: Long-term travellers often returned early, cutting their trips short and citing a need for belonging, for Home.

As a long-time seasonal resident of Huatulco, I remain interested in the paradox of the impulse to explore versus the need for belonging: Have Huatulco snowbirds solved this conundrum, or are they simply seeking tropical warmth and companionship over margaritas? This question led me to conduct the Huatulco Snowbird Survey. Presented here are some of the key findings from that effort; the full results can be found on the website http://www.seasonedhuatulco.com.

I’ve tabulated anonymous results from 106 seasonal and long-term visitors of Canadian and American origin. While the actual size of the snowbird population is unknown (likely between 2,000 and 5,000), these responses offer an intriguing snapshot of the attributes and lifestyle choices of Huatulco’s seasonal residents. It’s not a scientific survey, given the small sample size, but it still provides a unique window into this community.

Longevity and Loyalty

Snowbirds have been consistently returning to Huatulco for several years. The bar graph shows two main humps. Almost 20% of respondents fall into the 4–6 year range, while the larger cluster, of nearly 30%, is in the 12 to 16 year range. When applying the results to a standard distribution curve (for any statistical nerds), it tells us the overall average number of years snowbirds have been returning to Huatulco is thirteen.

Where Winter Ends

Predictably, the geographical origin of Huatulco’s seasonal residents tells the story of escaping the deepest winter cold. The survey data were insufficient to provide a breakdown of the home states of the US snowbirds, but for Canada, the top three home provinces are Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia. The complete breakdown by province is in the full survey results on http://www.seasonedhuatulco.com.

Staying and Mobility – The Mechanics of Huatulco Snowbird Life

The survey reveals a near-perfect split between accommodation choices: 55% of respondents rent their properties, many of whom are consistent year-over-year renters, while 45% have chosen to purchase their own homes, indicating a long-term investment in a second home.

While the vast majority, 97% of respondents (survey says), choose the convenience of flying to and from Huatulco each season rather than drive, once here, their local transportation options are varied. 24% of those surveyed have purchased a car, and another 10% own a motorcycle or scooter, illustrating a desire for greater independence beyond taxis and local buses.

More than Margaritas: Activities and Engagement

It seems like a truism that trading cold weather for the tropics encourages a more active lifestyle, and our survey results for Huatulco snowbirds support this assumption. Forty-three percent (43%) of respondents report being more physically active in Huatulco than at home, compared to only 10% who are less active.

The survey responses show a commitment to activity, often driven by Huatulco’s best asset: the warm Pacific Ocean. When asked about regular activities, water-based activities dominate the list. While Huatulco also attracts dedicated participants in Pickleball, Yoga and other activities, where the primary driver of physical activity is the surrounding natural environment.

The survey asked; What activities do you regularly participate in while in Huatulco? (Select all that apply to you)

Beyond physical activity, many Huatulco snowbirds demonstrate an evident dedication to cultural engagement, particularly through language acquisition. The majority of survey respondents are actively attempting to improve their Spanish communication skills.

The motivation to learn Spanish is rooted in both personal enrichment and respect for the local culture. However, proficiency levels indicate the journey is ongoing for most.

Beyond Activities: Why Snowbirds Return To Huatulco

Back in our northern homes, our personal history shapes who we know and what we do. Here, strangers become companions without any of those usual ties. The survey results show that
Snowbirds return to Huatulco for more than the activities they enjoy here; they return for how this place makes them feel, and how that unexpected community of strangers forms each winter.

For an explanation of how these results were tabulated, and for results on suggested improvements in Huatulco, why snowbirds would stop coming, and the travel experience of Huatulco snowbirds, check out the full results at seasonedhuatulco.com.

Have Snowbirds Solved The Travellers’ Paradox?

Has the snowbird lifestyle solved the paradox of the impulse to explore versus the need for belonging?

In those conversations with my bookstore customers who cut their travels short, I always assumed their impulse to explore wasn’t exhausted; it just needed a rest. Travel has long been linked with personal growth; as a quote often attributed to Saint Augustine puts it, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” The survey offers us facts about who we are as a snowbird community in Huatulco, but it also echoes an observation I once read in a study: snowbirds seem to be looking for something. And that “something” may well be reflected in the top categories used to group the responses to the question: What does the snowbird experience mean in your life? These include Growth, Freedom, Friendship, Community, Identity, and Belonging. In the end, these may be the real coordinates of the Huatulco snowbird experience.

Randy Jackson blends local reporting from the perspective of a seasonal Huatulco resident with explorations of life and change in Huatulco, Oaxaca and Mexico. Email, box95jackson@gmail.com

Huatulco

Un Nuevo Amanecer: A Community Lifting Children Toward Their Full Potential

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By Dan Thompson—

Starting their 31st year, Un Nuevo Amanecer (UNA) has been one of Huatulco’s most essential community organizations, dedicated to providing therapy, education, and support to children and adolescents with disabilities. What began as a modest local initiative has grown into a respected center offering physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychological support, early stimulation, and inclusive education programs.

In 2024, UNA delivered more than 1,700 individual therapy sessions, and its 2026 plan includes increasing its reach by at least 15%, serving more families who depend on specialized services not available elsewhere in the region.

A Growing Network of Support

For many years, the annual Blues on the Beach concerts provided nearly 60% of UNA’s annual funding, establishing a strong foundation for the organization’s growth. As awareness has increased, UNA’s support base has broadened significantly.

Donors include local residents as well as members of Huatulco’s international community, demonstrating the shared commitment behind UNA’s mission. Additional support now comes from local businesses, community events such as Vamos Huatulco, and long-time private donors from Mexico, Canada, and the United States. This diversification has strengthened UNA’s financial stability and expanded its ability to meet increasing demand.

Support From Across Borders

Canadian donors may contribute to UNA through Amistad Canada, a registered Canadian charity that partners with vetted nonprofit organizations in Mexico. This partnership ensures transparency and allows Canadians to make tax-deductible donations, further supporting UNA’s long-term sustainability.

Impact With Measurable Results

Each year, more children learn to walk, speak, develop independence, and gain confidence through UNA’s programs. Families receive guidance, emotional support, and the tools needed to help their children reach their full potential. Behind every therapy session is a story of progress—sometimes small, sometimes life-changing, always meaningful.

Looking Ahead

UNA’s goals for the coming years focus on expanding therapy services, strengthening professional staff development, improving equipment and facilities, and ensuring that every family seeking help can receive it. Continued community support—local, national, and international—is essential to achieving these goals.

Un Nuevo Amanecer stands as a testament to what a dedicated community can accomplish. Through ongoing generosity, the children and families of Huatulco can continue to look forward to a future filled with dignity, opportunity, and hope.

Friday, January 16, 2026
Casa Bocana, Huatulco

Artists Lineup:
Emiliano Juárez with Dai Gallo and the WestCoasters

Special Guest: Cat Wells — powerhouse Canadian rhythm, soul, and blues vocalist

Donation: 5,000 pesos per person (goes directly to UNA)

Via Paypal:
http://www.paypal.com/paypalme/unnuevoamanecerhux

or for Canadian donors, receive a CRS receipt via AMISTAD Canada http://www.AmistadCanada.org/donate Select Un Nuevo Amanecer as beneficiary

Your support funds therapy and education for children with disabilities in our community.

Can’t Attend? You Can Still Help:
Sponsor a child: 15,000 pesos provides one full year of therapy and educational support.

Learn more: http://www.facebook.com/huatulcobluesonthebeach