Yoo’Nashi Ecotourism Reserve in Huatulco: Nature, Culture and Community Tourism in Oaxaca

Looking for authentic ecotourism in Huatulco? You’re in the right place!

Vanessa, a Canadian from Quebec, settled with her partner on the coast of Oaxaca to bring to life a unique project: the creation of the Yoo’Nashi reserve in Huatulco.

This eco-project offers immersive stays in Huatulco that combine hiking in tropical forests, hands-on community workshops, and a deep respect for the environment.

In this interview, Vanessa shares how the project was born, the ecotourism activities in Huatulco available at Yoo’Nashi, and the close collaboration with members of the Arroyo Xúchitl community.

How did the idea of creating the Yoo’Nashi Ecological Reserve in Huatulco come about?

I’ve always been passionate about travel and about Mexico (even before meeting my partner), while Mariano has always had a deep love for the outdoors and nature.

Bringing together these passions, the idea of creating our own ecotourism project in Huatulco was born — a way to share our lifestyle and connection with nature with others.

Back when I was working in tourism in Quebec, I met a fellow Quebecer who had developed a similar project in Costa Rica. I remember thinking: “Wow, what a meaningful life!” That encounter planted the seed for Yoo’Nashi.

What does “Yoo’Nashi” mean, and why did you choose this name?

“Yoo’Nashi” means dulce hogar — or “sweet home” — in Zapotec. For us, it perfectly reflects the spirit of the project.

It’s about embracing a slower way of life, living in harmony with nature, discovering the daily rhythms of Oaxaca’s rural communities, and opening the doors of our home so travelers can experience it too.

What ecotourism activities can travelers experience at Yoo’Nashi in Huatulco?

Beyond offering ecological accommodation, the Yoo’Nashi Reserve invites visitors to enjoy authentic ecotourism activities in Huatulco, designed to connect with both nature and the local culture. Our experiences fall into two main categories:

Hiking in Huatulco: several routes are available, adapted to different interests and fitness levels. It’s a chance to discover the tropical forest of Oaxaca and its biodiversity at your own pace.

Community experiences in Oaxaca: workshops with local families to discover their daily life and traditions. Travelers can learn about the cultural importance of corn and subsistence farming, take part in making 100% artisanal natural ice cream, or even prepare chocolate directly from cocoa beans. A true immersion in community tourism in Huatulco!

What does an ecotourism stay at Yoo’Nashi in Huatulco look like from morning to night?

A typical ecotourism stay in Huatulco at Yoo’Nashi lasts 2 to 3 nights. Most travelers arrive and choose to relax in the comfort of our eco-lodge cabins on their first evening, either ordering food from the nearby village or preparing a simple meal themselves in the kitchen facilities.

The following day usually begins with a hike in the tropical forest of Oaxaca, either self-guided or with one of our guides. Mornings are full of life here — birdsong, butterflies, and the sounds of nature make it the best time to explore the trails. Later, guests can head to the waterfalls to swim, cool off, and enjoy the tranquility of the reserve.

In the evenings, many visitors enjoy gathering around the campfires — each cabin has its own space dedicated to this. Nights in the reserve are magical: the sounds of crickets, owls, and frogs (during the rainy season), the glow of fireflies, and thousands of stars lighting up the sky in the dry season.

We also organize community workshops in Huatulco, such as a gourmet ice cream workshop (perfect during the day to enjoy a refreshing tasting) and an artisanal chocolate workshop (ideal in the morning or evening). These activities connect travelers with the traditions and flavors of Oaxaca.

Guests especially enjoy spending time with Gaby and her family, who warmly share their know-how, daily life, and local culture with visitors, making each ecotourism stay in Huatulco a unique human experience.

What accommodation options are available at Yoo’Nashi?

We offer 5 ecological cabins in Huatulco, each with a unique design to welcome couples, groups of friends, or families. Staying here allows you to experience an authentic ecolodge in Oaxaca surrounded by nature.

All cabins are equipped with full kitchens, private bathrooms with hot water, and satellite internet. Each unit is isolated from the others, ensuring privacy and total immersion in the tropical forest.

For the more adventurous, Yoo’Nashi also offers the option of camping or glamping in Huatulco, with or without equipment rental.

How do you collaborate with the community of Arroyo Xúchitl?

From the very beginning, the community of Arroyo Xúchitl has warmly welcomed and “adopted” us, becoming an essential part of the Yoo’Nashi project.

Local residents have contributed to every stage, from construction and trail clearing to the design of our ecotourism activities in Huatulco. This close collaboration allows us to offer visitors authentic community tourism experiences.

The idea is to showcase their daily life, culture, and traditions. For example, women rise at dawn to hand-make tortillas from corn harvested in their own fields — a practice passed down for generations in rural Oaxaca.

Guests are often amazed by these seemingly simple routines, which highlight the richness and resilience of local traditions.

What concrete actions are you taking to protect local biodiversity?

From the outset, the idea has been to minimize the negative impact on the environment.

The cottages were built with local materials, using ecological techniques such as solar energy and biodigesters.

We participate in environmental protection initiatives such as reforestation, wildlife monitoring and birdwatching in Huatulco using surveillance cameras, in collaboration with local associations.

The idea is also to raise awareness among our visitors and community partners of the need to take concrete action on a daily basis to preserve biodiversity.

What makes the Huatulco rainforest unique compared to other parts of Mexico?

Definitely the contrast between the dry and rainy seasons. This makes each month or “season” unique.

We’re fortunate to have many species endemic to the Oaxaca coast (birds, plants, insects).

Yoo’Nashi is in a transition zone between two types of tropical forest (the coast and the mountains), which makes the place even more interesting and the temperature ideal!

What types of travelers visit Yoo’Nashi most often?

Our ecotourism reserve in Huatulco welcomes a wide variety of travelers.

We often host solo travelers looking to disconnect or find inspiration — writers, photographers, and nature lovers. Many couples come to enjoy the tranquility of the cabins, while families with young children appreciate the workshops and the chance to experience life outdoors. We also receive groups of hikers eager to explore the trails.

In January, for example, we’ll be hosting our very first yoga retreat in Oaxaca with a group of women from Quebec.

This diversity makes Yoo’Nashi a meeting place for travelers from around the world who share an interest in sustainable tourism and authentic cultural experiences.

What practical advice would you give to travelers before coming to Huatulco and staying at Yoo’Nashi?

As with any eco-travel experience in Oaxaca, the best advice is to arrive open-minded, ready to try new things, and willing to step outside your comfort zone.

Huatulco’s tropical climate is sunny and warm most of the year, so be prepared for the heat. Since Yoo’Nashi Reserve is located higher in the mountains, evenings and nights can be cooler, especially in the winter months or during the rainy season—packing a light sweater is recommended.

For the hiking trails around Huatulco, bring lightweight long pants and comfortable walking shoes. A reusable water bottle is essential, as our well water is double-filtered and safe to drink. We also encourage visitors to use biodegradable sunscreen and mosquito repellent to help protect the environment.

Finally, don’t forget to bring cash. Many small businesses and workshops near the reserve do not accept credit cards, and cash ensures you can fully enjoy the local experiences.

When is the best time to visit Yoo’Nashi Ecological Reserve in Huatulco?

Each season offers its own charm for travelers interested in ecotourism in Huatulco.

November to March are my favorite months: the rainy season has ended, but the landscapes stay lush until late January. Nights are clear, and the dry season skies filled with stars are breathtaking.

For birdwatching in Oaxaca, the dry months are ideal, as visibility is higher and we welcome migratory species from the north.

The rainy season also has its beauty: dramatic showers usually arrive in the late afternoon or evening, while mornings and midday remain perfect for exploring nature.

Can you tell us about an outstanding moment or a wonderful encounter you had thanks to the project?

Conversations with the grandparents in the village always leave a lasting impression on us.

Their vision of the world is unique. These are people who live in harmony with nature, who get around on foot, who don’t know how old they are or exactly when we are, but who have an impressive awareness of their environment and an iron constitution!

They have incredible knowledge, even if most of them can’t read or write. Their lives are “simple”, but they are happy and grateful every day for the little they have.

If you only saw their homes or their way of life, you’d think, “How lucky we are in Quebec!

But I often wonder if that’s really the case… We sometimes disconnect from the essential to cling to the superficial.

What are your goals or plans for Yoo’Nashi in the coming years?

Our goal is to position ourselves as a reference in community tourism in Oaxaca and, in the long term, throughout Mexico. We want to make more and more travelers aware of this style of sustainable tourism.

We’d like to develop more community experiences: an embroidery workshop, an experience around the Day of the Dead and its traditions (preparation of tamales, rituals, etc.). The idea is for more local families to benefit directly from the project.

We also want to get more involved in environmental education projects and continually innovate to be more active in protecting the environment, in collaboration with local NGOs and government institutions.

Contact Yoo’Nashi

• Website: www.yoonashi.com
• Email: info@yoonashi.com
• Phone (WhatsApp): +52 958 589 4365
• Instagram: yoo.nashi
• Facebook: Yoo Nashi Huatulco

Where is Yoo’Nashi?

Yoo’Nashi is located 35 minutes from downtown Huatulco and 25 minutes from Huatulco airport, in the mountains. We are a 4h30/5h drive from Oaxaca de Juárez, the state capital.

How to get to Yoo’Nashi?

Given that Huatulco offers many places to discover and explore (pristine beaches, waterfalls, etc.), it’s definitely easier to have your own vehicle.

The road to Yoo’Nashi is now 100% paved and very safe.

For the more adventurous, it’s also possible to travel by public transport: you can find pasajeras (pick-up trucks transformed into small buses) that run from the center of Huatulco to Yoo’Nashi, passing every hour on the hour.

Renting a Car to Explore Oaxaca

Renting a car is for sure the best way to explore Oaxaca and make the most of your stay!

To rent a car, personally, I always use Booking.com Cars, for a few reasons:

• You can easily compare the rental cars prices between all the agencies: for sure the easiest way to find the best rate!
• Cancellation is often offered free of charge: no need to worry if you change your mind
• Booking Cars offers full insurance coverage at a lower price than the rental companies, so it’s an instant saving with no effort

Simply click on the green button to find your rental car at the best price:

How to Find a Cheap Flight to Huatulco or Oaxaca?

The closest airport is the Bahías de Huatulco International Airport (HUX).

It offers flights to Mexico City and other major cities in Mexico (Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Querétaro, Tijuana), as well as seasonal routes to Canada (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal…) and the United States (Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis). Airlines serving this airport include Volaris, VivaAerobus, Aeroméxico, American Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet.

You can also fly into the Oaxaca International Airport (Xoxocotlán), which has both domestic and international connections. From Oaxaca, it takes about 6 to 7 hours by car or bus to reach Huatulco.