Local tour operators guide hiking and bird-watching tours to archaeological zones, coffee farms, pilgrimage and sacred sites, springs, and waterfalls in the jungly foothill hinterland north of Huatulco.

One of the most experienced and environmentally sensitive operators is Aventuras Huatulco in Crucecita (Blv. Guelaguetza Local 12, C-9, Sector J, tel. 958/587-1695, local cell tel. 044-958/589-3907, erastorojas [at] hotmail [dot] com). They offer a range of options, from one-day walks along the Río Copalita (ruins, bird-watching by canoe, mud bath) and jungle jeep safaris and lunch at a coffee farm to jungle overnights (waterfalls, rock hieroglyphic paintings) and complete five-day excursions from Oaxaca City including much of the above.

Or try other agents, such as reliable Servicios Turísticos del Sur (at the Hotel Castillo, tel./fax 958/587-1211, huatulco [at] prodigy [dot] net [dot] mx), for similar services. You might also contact your hotel tour desk for more options.

A sprinkling of jungle coffee farms (fincas cafeleteras) invite visitors. One of the best prepared is foothill Finca El Pacifico (in Spanish, local cell tel. 044-958/584-6094, cafeplumahua [at] huatulco [dot] net [dot] mx), which offers cozy country lodging and hearty food, jungle nature walks, bathing in cool natural springs, and viewing their coffee processing operation. You can access them directly or through a guide or tour operator.

José Aussenac, owner-operator of Copalita River Tours, (at his Hotel Posada Michelle, tel. 958/587-0535) organizes and guides outdoor adventure tours in the east-side Río Copalita wildlife sanctuary. Options include bird- and animal-watching walks along riverine forest trails, kayaking river rapids, and mud baths at a riverside ranch. Contact him for more information and reservations.

Another good choice is to go with Cascadas Magicas (Chacah 310, a block south of the Crucecita plaza, tel. 958/587-1470, cascadasmagicas [at] hotmail [dot] com) to the luscious tropical foothill forest headwaters of the Río Copalita and hike forest trails for a refreshing swim and picnic (about $30 per person) in the waterfalls of Copallilla creek.

Alternatively, you might plan a trip with Aventuras Piraguas (www.piraguas.com), a rafting outfitter that guides groups, mostly during October and November. They have no office in Huatulco. They operate out of Veracruz and meet their clientele in Huatulco by appointment.

Local travel agents offer other tour options: several hours of sunning, swimming, picnicking, and snorkeling at a couple of Bahías de Huatulco beaches cost around $20 per person. Tours to Puerto Ángel, Puerto Escondido, and wildlife-rich Laguna Manialtepec or Parque Nacional Lagunas de Chacahua go for $30–50 per person. For reservations, call Paraíso Huatulco (tel. 958/587-0181) or Prometur (tel. 958/587-0413).

Savvy local folks recommend the services of ecologically sensitive guide Mario Cobos (tel. 958/587-1833, info [at] mariocobos [dot] com, www.mariocobos.com). Although Mario’s first love is bird-watching, he also offers fishing excursions and backcountry eco-tours. His fee begins at $50 per day, for one or two persons, with your wheels. Jeep rental (figure a minimum of about $50) is extra.