Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Huatulco, Mexico Vacation
January 2009 and June 2008
There aren’t many single runway, open air, jungle style international airports in the world but when you find one, it’s normally a good idea to plan a trip there. Ko Samui Thailand, in the Bay of Bengal also comes to mind but in this instance we’re talking southern pacific Mexico, almost to Guatemala.
You know you have arrived when you exit the plane and are greeted with a warm flower scented embrace of tropical air.
It’s a short hop into the bustling modern but colorful and quaint town of La Crucecita
The first thing you notice different about this place is how clean and well maintained it is, unlike so much of Mexico.
Palm trees grace the median strip islands of tree lined boulevards reminiscent of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo but without the hordes of tourists. These boulevards stretch for miles along a dramatic coastline which harbors numerous American, Canadian and European all-inclusive resorts and breathtakingly beautiful boutique hotels, villas and upscale residential developments. It has the quiet sophistication and grace of Manzanillo without all the commercial/industrial clamor and chaos.
You drive through a gorgeous seaside/jungle golf course that has a Pebble Beach feel and presence and is meticulously maintained.
Here is a coastline like no other…..Nine bays for which the area is most famous and derives it’s name, Bahias de Huatulco, are: Conejos, Tangolunda, Chahue, Santa Cruz, Organo y Maguey, Cacaluta, Chachacual, Riscalillo, San Agustin. Many of the bays have several gorgeous beaches that beckon you with serenity, solitude, and an odd sense that you are the first person to lay eyes on them.
One of the bays, Santa Cruz, has a cruise ship pier and a bustling little town of the same name. A remarkable thing happens sometimes when you meet an expat from Europe, Canada, or the U.S. and they all say the same thing. “We got off the cruise ship and fell in love with Huatulco. We were struck by its cleanliness and charm and the warmth of the people….We found a condo or villa and made an offer all in the same day! We knew we had found our tropical paradise.”
Huatulco’s international/cosmopolitan appeal is exhibited in it’s splendid array of restaurants and gathering places, French, German, Irish, Swiss, Canadian, U.S. and, of course the renowned cuisine of Oaxaca. There’s always something unique about a place that draws such diverse international interest.
The more adventurous travelers will rent a car and tour the coastline either west a 30 minute drive to the picturesque fishing village of Puerto Angel or an hour and a half to Puerto Escondido a world class surfing destination and a vibe all its own, colorful, festive, and exciting, especially if you’re young and love big surf. Heading east, my first hand knowledge ends at Playa Bocana, a mere ten miles or so down the coast. I look forward to more exploration this direction, all the way to Guatemala!
Here is a short list of things we have yet to do in Huatulco:
A journey to Oaxaca
Inland adventures and sea turtles
Top notch scuba and snorkeling companies and guides like Hurricane Divers.
Coffee Plantations
Bay tour is a must
Approaching uninhabited coves and bays by sea gives the sense of discovery and the excitement of exploration that must have been experienced by the great explorers. This is an experience everyone should make time for. The guides are experienced, the cooler holds your lunch and beverage choices and the day is all yours to snorkel, explore, and enjoy the boatside company of dolphins and whales.
Deep sea sport fishing charters abound.
The isthmus of Tehuantepec, creates seasonal winds that create what is called upswell, the warmer surface water moving out to sea and the colder deep water rising to the surface bringing rich nutrients and food to the surface and creating a “feeding frenzy” of sport fish. It’s the time for unforgettable sport fishing.
A very nice marina for the serious yachtsman or cruiser. It is well maintained and managed. Many world travelers pass through here.
Most people try to cram too much action into their vacation….Sometimes doing nothing at all is the best therapy for rejuvenation.
Many vacationers have been to Huatulco before, sometimes many times before.
Bahia de Luna is a Swiss owned retreat that occupies its own private bay.
Genteel yet rustic and natural, As with all memorable experiences, it is what is unveiled slowly and subtly that most captures our hearts, minds, and imaginations.
First class condominium projects abound for the person who wants the security and certainty of their own sanctuary without all the difficulties of maintenance and upkeep associated with individual properties.
Vacation home exchange opportunities abound for swapping with others around the globe so ownership here is not about isolation and lack of travel and exploration opportunities. When you own, you can trade all over the globe.
The architecture is mostly Mediterranean, dazzling white stucco with domes, turrets and graceful arches with much gorgeous stone, wrought iron and rich sumptuous woods. One property in particular embodies all of the above, Sueno del Mar in Chahue Bay near the new marina and next door to not only a very well appointed beach club and entertainment facility but also a European spa and health club and situated at the edge of a very beautiful city park..
Its spanking new and mostly sold out. I can easily see it swapping well for a ski vacation in Chamonix, a stay on the Cote d’Azur, Tuscany, Rome, Paris, or any of the world’s great destinations.
A very good naval hospital and medical services as well as home to a naval installation which adds an overall sense of protection and security missing from so much of Mexico or anywhere else for that matter.
Mexico’s tourism department, Fonatur is committed to growing the area into a world class destination which will surpass many of the older, more well know tourist hot spots.
I think we’ve, “found our tropical paradise”.
Jim and Mary Spicka
January 2009 and June 2008
There aren’t many single runway, open air, jungle style international airports in the world but when you find one, it’s normally a good idea to plan a trip there. Ko Samui Thailand, in the Bay of Bengal also comes to mind but in this instance we’re talking southern pacific Mexico, almost to Guatemala.
You know you have arrived when you exit the plane and are greeted with a warm flower scented embrace of tropical air.
It’s a short hop into the bustling modern but colorful and quaint town of La Crucecita
The first thing you notice different about this place is how clean and well maintained it is, unlike so much of Mexico.
Palm trees grace the median strip islands of tree lined boulevards reminiscent of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo but without the hordes of tourists. These boulevards stretch for miles along a dramatic coastline which harbors numerous American, Canadian and European all-inclusive resorts and breathtakingly beautiful boutique hotels, villas and upscale residential developments. It has the quiet sophistication and grace of Manzanillo without all the commercial/industrial clamor and chaos.
You drive through a gorgeous seaside/jungle golf course that has a Pebble Beach feel and presence and is meticulously maintained.
Here is a coastline like no other…..Nine bays for which the area is most famous and derives it’s name, Bahias de Huatulco, are: Conejos, Tangolunda, Chahue, Santa Cruz, Organo y Maguey, Cacaluta, Chachacual, Riscalillo, San Agustin. Many of the bays have several gorgeous beaches that beckon you with serenity, solitude, and an odd sense that you are the first person to lay eyes on them.
One of the bays, Santa Cruz, has a cruise ship pier and a bustling little town of the same name. A remarkable thing happens sometimes when you meet an expat from Europe, Canada, or the U.S. and they all say the same thing. “We got off the cruise ship and fell in love with Huatulco. We were struck by its cleanliness and charm and the warmth of the people….We found a condo or villa and made an offer all in the same day! We knew we had found our tropical paradise.”
Huatulco’s international/cosmopolitan appeal is exhibited in it’s splendid array of restaurants and gathering places, French, German, Irish, Swiss, Canadian, U.S. and, of course the renowned cuisine of Oaxaca. There’s always something unique about a place that draws such diverse international interest.
The more adventurous travelers will rent a car and tour the coastline either west a 30 minute drive to the picturesque fishing village of Puerto Angel or an hour and a half to Puerto Escondido a world class surfing destination and a vibe all its own, colorful, festive, and exciting, especially if you’re young and love big surf. Heading east, my first hand knowledge ends at Playa Bocana, a mere ten miles or so down the coast. I look forward to more exploration this direction, all the way to Guatemala!
Here is a short list of things we have yet to do in Huatulco:
A journey to Oaxaca
Inland adventures and sea turtles
Top notch scuba and snorkeling companies and guides like Hurricane Divers.
Coffee Plantations
Bay tour is a must
Approaching uninhabited coves and bays by sea gives the sense of discovery and the excitement of exploration that must have been experienced by the great explorers. This is an experience everyone should make time for. The guides are experienced, the cooler holds your lunch and beverage choices and the day is all yours to snorkel, explore, and enjoy the boatside company of dolphins and whales.
Deep sea sport fishing charters abound.
The isthmus of Tehuantepec, creates seasonal winds that create what is called upswell, the warmer surface water moving out to sea and the colder deep water rising to the surface bringing rich nutrients and food to the surface and creating a “feeding frenzy” of sport fish. It’s the time for unforgettable sport fishing.
A very nice marina for the serious yachtsman or cruiser. It is well maintained and managed. Many world travelers pass through here.
Most people try to cram too much action into their vacation….Sometimes doing nothing at all is the best therapy for rejuvenation.
Many vacationers have been to Huatulco before, sometimes many times before.
Bahia de Luna is a Swiss owned retreat that occupies its own private bay.
Genteel yet rustic and natural, As with all memorable experiences, it is what is unveiled slowly and subtly that most captures our hearts, minds, and imaginations.
First class condominium projects abound for the person who wants the security and certainty of their own sanctuary without all the difficulties of maintenance and upkeep associated with individual properties.
Vacation home exchange opportunities abound for swapping with others around the globe so ownership here is not about isolation and lack of travel and exploration opportunities. When you own, you can trade all over the globe.
The architecture is mostly Mediterranean, dazzling white stucco with domes, turrets and graceful arches with much gorgeous stone, wrought iron and rich sumptuous woods. One property in particular embodies all of the above, Sueno del Mar in Chahue Bay near the new marina and next door to not only a very well appointed beach club and entertainment facility but also a European spa and health club and situated at the edge of a very beautiful city park..
Its spanking new and mostly sold out. I can easily see it swapping well for a ski vacation in Chamonix, a stay on the Cote d’Azur, Tuscany, Rome, Paris, or any of the world’s great destinations.
A very good naval hospital and medical services as well as home to a naval installation which adds an overall sense of protection and security missing from so much of Mexico or anywhere else for that matter.
Mexico’s tourism department, Fonatur is committed to growing the area into a world class destination which will surpass many of the older, more well know tourist hot spots.
I think we’ve, “found our tropical paradise”.
Jim and Mary Spicka
For the love of a simpler life
Two and one half years in the making and finally our "sanctum sanctorum by the sea" is ready to welcome us with open arms and a warm flower scented embrace. Our shipment of household goods arrived safely ending a 4,600 mile journey to the southernmost reaches of Mexico in the state of Oaxaca on the pacific coast in the Isthmus of Teohuantepec called Las Bahias de Huatulco.
I can't tell you how much enjoyment my wife Mary and I and our two children have had dreaming, calculating, planning, and researching our adventure into a foreign land steeped in history and unfathomable mystery.
A three legged flight, Boise to Las Vegas to Mexico City to Huatulco can be accomplished in 12 hours and this trip coincided perfectly with the arrival of our shipment. Our experience with US Airways coming and going is a subject for another post and I won't soil this one with any further mention of it.
One of the more interesting parts of our planning and provisioning process involved a Christmas holiday expedition to Guadalajara with the family for the purpose of purchasing furniture for our new place.
As this blog unfolds, details and points of interest will be elaborated upon.
Deciding upon a location to make such a substantial financial commitment is a story in and of itself but the general process took several years and several trips to Playa del Carmen, Puerta Vallarta and a 3 week road trip through southern Mexico along the pacific coast and inland. A road trip with the family of more than 2,500 miles. The route took us from Puerta Vallarta to Manzanillo, Troncones, Zihuataneho/Ixtapa, Morelia, Patzcuaro, San Miguel de Allende, Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara, Tequila and back to Puerto Vallarta.
Our travels did not make the decision any easier but we fell in love with Mexico along the way.
What is truly amazing is the amount of unsolicited advice and dire warnings you can collect from people who have never been to mexico, except for maybe a college spring break weekend in Tijuana back in 1965. For them Mexico will always be just how they remember it and modern American journalism only confirms their opinion of the country. Thank goodness for us...and Mexico....they haven't the foggiest idea of what Mexico is all about. Others offer warnings based on their news exposure alone having never ventured beyond our borders. As a wise world traveler once said, "If you haven't been there, then you don't know shit". She is very right.
Planning to spend extended periods of time in Mexico and maybe even retirement requires a special Visa known as FM3 and details of this process will be discussed in the coming days as well as the finer points of arranging for shipment of household goods versus making all your purchases in country.
I think we have seen every blog and website devoted to the process of retirement in Mexico and with a little luck, this blog will clear up some of the murkier areas.
Stay tuned.
Jim
I can't tell you how much enjoyment my wife Mary and I and our two children have had dreaming, calculating, planning, and researching our adventure into a foreign land steeped in history and unfathomable mystery.
A three legged flight, Boise to Las Vegas to Mexico City to Huatulco can be accomplished in 12 hours and this trip coincided perfectly with the arrival of our shipment. Our experience with US Airways coming and going is a subject for another post and I won't soil this one with any further mention of it.
One of the more interesting parts of our planning and provisioning process involved a Christmas holiday expedition to Guadalajara with the family for the purpose of purchasing furniture for our new place.
As this blog unfolds, details and points of interest will be elaborated upon.
Deciding upon a location to make such a substantial financial commitment is a story in and of itself but the general process took several years and several trips to Playa del Carmen, Puerta Vallarta and a 3 week road trip through southern Mexico along the pacific coast and inland. A road trip with the family of more than 2,500 miles. The route took us from Puerta Vallarta to Manzanillo, Troncones, Zihuataneho/Ixtapa, Morelia, Patzcuaro, San Miguel de Allende, Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara, Tequila and back to Puerto Vallarta.
Our travels did not make the decision any easier but we fell in love with Mexico along the way.
What is truly amazing is the amount of unsolicited advice and dire warnings you can collect from people who have never been to mexico, except for maybe a college spring break weekend in Tijuana back in 1965. For them Mexico will always be just how they remember it and modern American journalism only confirms their opinion of the country. Thank goodness for us...and Mexico....they haven't the foggiest idea of what Mexico is all about. Others offer warnings based on their news exposure alone having never ventured beyond our borders. As a wise world traveler once said, "If you haven't been there, then you don't know shit". She is very right.
Planning to spend extended periods of time in Mexico and maybe even retirement requires a special Visa known as FM3 and details of this process will be discussed in the coming days as well as the finer points of arranging for shipment of household goods versus making all your purchases in country.
I think we have seen every blog and website devoted to the process of retirement in Mexico and with a little luck, this blog will clear up some of the murkier areas.
Stay tuned.
Jim
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
