Home Retiring in Mexico Why is Huatulco One of the Best Places to Retire in the World?

Why is Huatulco One of the Best Places to Retire in the World?

by Brent May

Mexico continuously rates highly on the International Living Index of the World’s Best Places to Retire. Of their most recommended places to retire, Mexico ranks third for 2024. This index, with 30+ years of experience and methodology and consultants across 5 continents, considers a range of factors including financial factors (buying and investing, renting, cost of living), health factors (healthcare, healthy lifestyle, climate), lifestyle factors (visa and residence, fitting in), and governance factors such as development.

Elements for Mexico’s top ranking include the fact that Mexico has something for everyone from small colonial cities to oceanfront living, low cost of living, availability of quality healthcare, climate and vibrant Mexican life and culture to name a few. These advantages become even more evident when correlated to Huatulco.

Appealing Cost of Living.

The low cost of living continues to appeal to retirees who are generally able to make their income go considerably further and specifically further in Huatulco. Their income buys more quality also. From quality food products, to restaurant dining, to real estate investment, Huatulco offers more quality buying power. Additionally, the lower peso, favors Canadians and Americans with strong dollars granting them even more buying power.

Huatulco is a quality tourism market. By focusing on quality, more than quantity, tourism remains steady but without becoming such a tourism hot spot that it out prices its residents. On the contrary, perhaps the single biggest charm of Huatulco is the affordable lifestyle that can be created here. There are cheaper destinations than Mexico, but Mexico and Huatulco are easy to get to and are a great value.

As the peso oscillates between 17 and 18 pesos to the U.S. dollar, everyday purchases are still a bargain. It is  affordable to eat out, pay medical expenses out of pocket, have a housekeeper a couple times a week and a handyman, and travel within Mexico or to shorter distance destinations such as Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador or the Caribbean. Lifestyles and requirements differ but generally, a retired couple can spend about $2500 per month all expenses included… without counting pennies . 

 

Quality, Affordable Healthcare.

Many other benefits abound including coverage by a national health care plan, the IMSS, once Mexican residency is established. (See our article about getting the visa that is right for you.) Many people opt to pay for healthcare out of pocket. Others find insurance plans through national and international insurance providers and even through some banks. To know more about healthcare in Huatulco, see our article: What You Need To Know About Healthcare in Huatulco.

Not Just Good Weather, Great Weather.

Huatulco’s climate has 340 days of sun per year with no rain during the winter. At just 15 degrees’ latitude above the equator, Huatulco has the most consistently hot temperature in Mexico. Most days, the town receives light breezes by day from the ocean and cooler breezes coming down from the mountains at night.

Huatulco’s Perfect Weather 340 Days of the Year

Small-town vibe.

Newcomers to Huatulco enjoy the small-town vibe making it easy to fit in and make new friends. Local events, vibrant social and cultural opportunities and a laid-back lifestyle make Huatulco a real paradise. The friendly expat community ensures that you have an English-speaking population. Many locals and service providers like doctors, lawyers, and dentists speak English also.

Safe Community and Region.

Oaxaca is consistently and continuously one of the safest Mexican destinations. Crime rates here are lower than in U.S. states with comparable populations. The presence of a naval base on this area of the coast also promotes security and has thwarted organized activities suffered in other areas.

Plenty of Activities.

Huatulco has a long, long list of things to do. Getting bored is not an option. Water activities, volunteer opportunities, gyms, walking routes, nature parks and beach clubs as well as general exploring adventure of the beaches and coastline guarantee that there is something for everyone.

Stunning Landscape.

Huatulco has a magical landscape, settled in between the mountains and the ocean.  With a backdrop of the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains, Huatulco looks out to the Pacific Ocean. Huatulco is a community stretched out along several bays, some with easily accessible beaches, some with picturesque rocky outcroppings. The entire shore here is quite dramatic.

Eco-friendly Attitude.

Even as all of these factors contribute to an excellent quality of life, Huatulco itself radiates general positivity being a master-planned community. Huatulco uses renewable, clean energy, has a state of the art water and sewage treatment plant, has received many national and global ecological achievement awards, and 70% of the designated development space is dedicated to green space.

If you are looking to retire in a place with a low cost of living, warm weather, easy access for trips back home and a friendly expat community, Huatulco is an excellent option. 

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6 comments

Del Schemenauer May 21, 2019 - 9:55 am

After spending a week at Las Brisas in Hautulco some years back the idea of spending more time there does have some appeal especially as we tire more and more of our Canadian winters. However I cannot imagine and would never consider buying any property in any area without first living there for at least some months for a year or two or more. What options are there for renting for 1,2,3 months or more during Jan, Feb, March and is arranging that one of the services your group provides?

Reply
Erin May May 27, 2019 - 12:43 pm

Hello Del,

We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your last vacation in the beautiful bays of Huatulco. It would be out pleassure to host your next vacation in paradise. Our sister company Bayside Vacations Huatulco has a wide variety of rental propierties through out Huatulco. Please click the following link. http://baysidevacationshuatulco.com/vacation-rentals/

We look forward to hearing from you!

Reply
Mccloskey November 12, 2020 - 2:26 pm

We will be arriving on friday first my name is carol my husband is mike we flew from scotland in aug to costa rica for 2.5 months to get our mexican visa we flew into oaxaca to get our years residency which we now have.
So we will arrive in peurto angel. We want to rent on the beach long term.
Any help would be appreciated my whats app is +4420836773
Carol

Reply
Erin May November 24, 2020 - 6:39 pm

Hi Carol, I am happy we were able to find you an accommodation. Regards, Erin May

Reply
Tim Leffel November 27, 2020 - 11:14 am

Thanks for including a quote from me. Could you please link to the source where you got it? Thanks.

Reply
Jeff Grissom October 8, 2021 - 8:43 am

Who in Huatulco. Can I contact about renting an apartment?

Reply

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