Huatulco's master plan calls for preserving nature's many other voices in the surrounding jungle. About 70% of the area will be left undisturbed when development is complete along the 20-mile-long strip of coast.

Even on the 20-minute ride from the airport to the hotels, it is not unusual to see flocks of native parrots and some of the hundreds of species of butterflies that congregate in the area.

There are several great birding spots within 15 minutes of the hotel area, offering year-round birding. These include the National Park of Huatulco, about 14 miles NE of downtown La Crucecita.

Another excellent birding opportunity is in a place called Botazoo in the recently discovered archeological site, Punta Celeste, 10 miles southwest of Tangolunda bay. The best time to see a great variety of species is from sunrise until 10:00 am. In the afternoon, the best time is from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.