Hualtuco or Zihua: which was your favorite beach town?

Thanks for the great post.
We love Oaxaca...We plan to go back to the city
We are interested in a long term rental in either Zihuatanejo or Hualtuco. For the life, the people, the food and the culture as much or more than the beach.

Did you enjoy Hualtuco or Zihuatanejo more for a long term stay?

I would appreciate your answers.

Thank you!
Be well.
Deborah

There was a thread about the differences between Zihuatanejo and Huatulco but I can't seem to find it. Here is my US$0.02:

Both are magical. In my humble opinion, Huatulco and the nearby beaches in Oaxaca such as San Augustin, Puerto Escondido, and Zipolite are prettier than Zihuatenjo's beaches but not by much. Huatulco certainly has many more beaches than Zihuatanejo but how many beaches does one need? The Parque Nacional in Huatulco is simply breathtaking.

Zihuatanejo has much better public transit and is a much more walkable community. In Huatulco, you are really going to need to rent some transportation. If you don't want to drive in Mexico, you are going to be at the mercy of the taxistas and they ain't cheap. It's not their fault, mind you, as the distances are lengthy. The restaurants in both areas are great with lots of options from frugal to extravagant. I find it much easier to strike up conversations with the locals in Zihuatanejo than I do in Huatulco simply because you aren't walking that much in Huatulco.

I had the fortunate opportunity to speak with a noted local architect based in Huatulco. He said that they were doing their best to avoid any kind of "Cancun-ization" of Huatulco. He was diplomatic but nevertheless did not have any kind words for Fonatur, the Mexican agency that is tasked with promoting tourism in Mexico.

If I ever did have to make a decision about which area to relocate to and live in, I would most likely choose Zihuatanejo but it would be a hard choice. Luckily, I get to visit both often. If you are beach lover, a long-term stay in either should be very rewarding.