The village of Zipolite located some 3 km (1.9 miles) to the west of Puerto Angel, stretches out parallel to a 2.5 km (1.6 miles) sandy beach, (map) and can be reached by taxi, colectivo, pasajera or for the more lively character, on foot! (See transport connections)
Restaurants catering for every taste and lodgings for every man's pocket are available all along the beachfront, although they mostly comprise of simple "cabanas" in the form of palm shacks.
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Zipolite in the language of the Zapotec is known as the beach of the dead as it lies on the open sea and is renowned for its strong undertow and constant changing currents.
Any native could report on the many visitors that have left their lives here over the years, which also include athletic type swimmers. It is therefore recommended only to go to those areas that are guarded and marked with flags by voluntary lifeguards. The green flag signifies swimming no problem, yellow, attention, for swimmers only and red, swimming forbidden.
Additional warning signs indicate the dangerous areas.
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Since the 70's the hammock and hippie colony is fabled for its nude bathing, the only one of its kind in whole Mexico, and the liberal contact to the drug scene.
From the loudspeakers in the restaurants the sound of the Doors, Bob Marley, Santana, Led Zeppelin and many more still blast out at full volume, as if competing in a vigorous-like struggle against the thunderous rolling of the waves.
At nightfall the two discos huts, Zipolipas and La Puesta vibrate in full swing, while outside on the sand the beating of drums penetrate the air above the light of cheerful crackling wood, as joints generously circulate well into the early hours of the next day. The atmosphere is somewhat calmer in the off season, where a little action can be found on the weekends only.
In Zipolite the abuse of hard drugs is sadly on the increase and to such an extent that one is even liable to be offered cocaine in the toilets of certain establishments. Consequentially criminality escalates due to the permanent rising amount of local youths becoming addicted.
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In the last few years a new residential quarter has been developed in Zipolite bearing the same name as the rocky island Roca Blanca just off the village's coast. The white colour of the rock is due to Guano, the excrements from the seabirds that nest there.
In Roca Blanca an absolute building boom has broken out. Ironically no restrictions are imposed on how one should go about doing the job, and as a result everybody ends up creating their own masterpiece!! The beachfront is therefore somewhat grotesque! (See photo above and below)
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Piña Palmera
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The Rehabilitation center Piña Palmera was founded and set up in 1984 by the American Frank Douglas. He cleared a huge piece of land in order to finance the construction of Bamboo huts equipped with plank-beds and sanitation facilities.
By so doing he took effectual steps in establishing a Home for children with a wide group of disabilities; this includes not only children who are spastic, autistic or lacking certain forms of stimulation necessary for a healthy development, but also children who have been left abandoned.
After his death in 1986, the Center was taken over and further nurtured by Anna Johansson, a native of Sweden. With the support of her husband, Dr. Balbino Cano Perez she continued her struggle against affliction and achieved in obtaining financial support from Mexico City and the state of Oaxaca.
The continued existence of the Institution Piña Palmera is thanks to the dedication of voluntary workers from all over the world who work, not for money, but for food and lodgings only.
You can find more information about Piña Palmera and its projects on theirHomepage in English, Swedish, and French or at the website Auricula Bern in German with the relevant contact addresses.
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