There are several places in the Americas named Santa Cruz but what is the history behind the name Santa Cruz and which one was the original? Santa Cruz, California may be the largest, richest and best known, but it is not the first location to bear its name. The original Santa Cruz was on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico and is steeped in myth and pirate lore. Many Bay area residents may be surprised to learn that although the name Santa Cruz translates to "Saint of the Cross" it does not refer to the one who died on the cross.
According to legend, centuries before Columbus arrived in the New World, a white man with a flowing beard floated into a bay on a cross onto a beach. The natives believed this was Quetzalcoatl, the god-king, who had departed promising to eventually return. The same beach is now named Santa Cruz (Saint of the Cross) after this mysterious white man, whom it is said spent much time talking to the people before he disappeared. There is some speculation that it may have been St. Thomas even though the same apostle is apparently buried in a cathedral in Madras, India.
No one knows who it actually was or what happened to the man; however he planted the cross in the sand and it was believed to have mystical powers. This area became known as Huatulco, which in the local dialect means "the place where wood is worshiped". Ancient people ventured here from as far away as Peru seeking favors.
Later, when the Spaniards found the locals worshiping a symbol similar to the Christian cross this made it easier for them to convert the natives to Christianity.
Located at the narrowest part of Mexico it made a perfect natural port and the area became an important Spanish commercial center. In the late 1500's commercial shipping activity was synonymous with pirating activity. Raids were common occurrences with the natives helping the Spanish rulers defend their territory and pirates looting and pillaging. One pirate is said to have burned the entire village of Huatulco and only the cross remained after the fire. In another raid they tried unsuccessfully to pull down the cross, they even tried to hack it down. These failed attempts at destroying it only enhanced the mystical properties of Huatulco's revered cross. Some readers may recall the names of the fearsome pirates involved in these skirmishes, Sir Francis Drake and Thomas Cavendish.
Fast forward to the end of the twentieth century and the Mexican authorities have prepared for another invasion; one of an entirely different nature. Huatulco has been groomed to become Mexico's premier eco-tourism resort. The same qualities that made Santa Cruz bay perfect for commercial trading in the late 1500's makes it an ideal location for welcoming tourists and sun worshipers with soft sand and clear tranquil waters. The locals however, are much more welcoming and this beach is now dotted with palapa (palm thatch) restaurants and colorful beach umbrellas.
Santa Cruz beach is not the only treasure you will find along the 20 mile stretch called The Bays of Huatulco. With nine beautiful bays and 36 pristine beaches, it is still possible to find a secluded white sand beach to have all to yourself. In these warm, crystal clear waters it is not uncommon to encounter a school of fish forming a wall of shimmering gold and silver that stretches over 40 feet.
Unfortunately, you will not find the cross which the name Santa Cruz referrs to . As its fame grew, ancient tourist began chipping away splinters and souvenir takers were threatening the stability of the cross. Achieving what pirates could not, a priest dismantled the cross and made smaller ones from the wood. One resides in the church in Santa Maria Huatulco, one is in Santa Domingo church in Oaxaca City and the largest cross is somewhere in the Vatican.
Cross or no cross, Huatulco offers an incredible investment opportunity in Mexico, largely because it has yet to be discovered. With billions of dollars of investment that the government has already made in infrastructure here the secret is certain to get out and property values will soar when this happens. Growth here has been slow but steady since its inception in the 1980' when the area was transformed from a small fishing village to a first class eco-resort with world class infrastructure. If you are ready to find your place in the sun, Blackstone Real Estate is here to help you find the property that is right for you whether you want a small condo, a nine bedroom ocean view Villa or something in between.
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