Wildlife Eco Tour on the coast of Oaxaca.

This full-day trip runs along the coast of Oaxaca, pairing wildlife-watching in the Ventanilla lagoon with a visit to the Magic Town of Mazunte and its craft and food traditions, before continuing to the beaches of Zipolite and the fishing village of Puerto Ángel. The idea is to give equal weight to nature and to local life — mangroves and crocodiles on one side, mezcal, coffee, chocolate and handwoven textiles on the other.

The day starts with about an hour and twenty minutes on the road from Bahías de Huatulco to Ventanilla, a protected natural reserve. From there it's a roughly 15-minute walk to the boat landing, where you board a rowboat — used specifically so as not to disturb the wildlife — for a tour through mangroves unique to the region. Along the way you can spot woodpeckers, kingfishers, diving ducks, herons, crocodiles and iguanas. Crocodile-watching is considered a safe activity, since the animals are calm during the day.

Next comes Mazunte, a designated "Pueblo Mágico." Here you have time to explore streets shaped by generations of coastal Oaxacan tradition and to try regional products such as mezcal, coffee and chocolate; it's also a good place to pick up gifts, including hand-embroidered traditional dresses in bright colors.

From Mazunte the tour continues to Zipolite, one of the region's well-known beaches, for a short stop to rest and take in its atmosphere, and then on to Puerto Ángel, a former coffee-export port. There's an optional visit to a beachfront restaurant on Estacahuite beach for fresh seafood and a wide range of dishes, along with time to swim before heading back to Huatulco.

This is a good fit for travelers who want a broad first taste of the coast in a single day — nature, a traditional town and a couple of beaches — rather than an in-depth stop at any one place. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, though not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; specialized infant seats are available on request.

On the drives between Huatulco, Ventanilla and Puerto Ángel, the guide points out the rural side of the coast along the road — traditional farms growing pineapple, coconut, corn, sesame and mango, seven varieties of banana, and zebu cattle with their characteristic hump — along with some local history. The transfer back to Huatulco takes about an hour and twenty minutes and drops you at your hotel lobby; the source notes the schedule and itinerary are flexible.

In-vehicle air conditioning and a certified guide are included; brunch and entrance fees are not. Your guide wears a uniform with a light blue shirt bearing the company logo, and the vehicle also displays the company logo.