Zipolite, Mexico – “You’ll love it here in Zipolite”Daniel Weiner, owner of Brisa Marina hotel grinning as he handed me the keys to his Registerapartment. “You do not want to leave in five days.”
A few days later, lazy, I began to understand why so many guests rent their rooms for a month. Whether it’s a laid-back atmosphere and peaceful environment, Zipolite is a way to get people to stay longer than expected.
Sleepy town with one main street and no ATMs, Zipolite (pronounced ZEE-PoE-Li-Tai) is one of many small coastal pueblos that dot the Pacific Ocean in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. Stretching from Puerto Escondido, Huatulco, Oaxaca region sometimes called theRiviera.
Zipolite crowd of hippies discovered in 1960 and since then it has gradually evolved into an unusual tourist destination with a certain type of visitor. Its pristine beach stretches 1.2 km between two high cliffs on both sides, and the audience is fairly evenly distributed between the middle-class Mexicans and return liberals from around the world. Old hippies, young adventurers and locals mingle with flowers baby kind of harmony.
It feels light years away from the tourist areas of Mexico that are now avoided because of drug violence. Not only is the U.S. Department of State of Oaxaca relieved of their travel warnings about Mexico, but Zipolite particular, seems lost in time, a place where visitors do not hesitate to leave your belongings unattended on the beach and tourists sleeping in hammocks.
Zipolite also has several claims to fame. The highlight of the scene on the beach in the Mexican blockbuster “Y Tu mama tambien” was filmed here. He gained fame as one of the few nudist beaches in Mexico, although the majority of customers keeps clothes. (Further east, near Bay outcrop known as “Playa de Amor,” where nudity is more openly practiced.)
Mike Ball, a retiree from Vancouver, Canada, said he was visiting the area for the past 10 years without any “accidents, issue or injury.”
“I’ve only ever seen the nicest and friendliest eclectic mix of locals and visitors – a return to the 60s,” said Bolli. “So that’s all well and safe from my point of view.”
Zipolite no high-rise hotels. Many of the structures with thatched beach Palapas, umbrella huts without walls.
Visitors expect a party-all-night Cancun-like atmosphere with Margaritas aquarium size and waitresses in bikinis handing out tequila will be disappointed. There is nightlife here, but it’s nothing like that. Instead, people gather on the beach at the end of the day ritual of watching the brilliant sunsets. Many restaurants and bars that offer live music and entertainment. I just asphalt in the city was transformed into a carnival scene at night, with artists and jewelers sell their products, while musicians, dancers, jugglers and fire tips on the street.
“Zipolite after six awesome,” Bolli said, “with all the dreadlocks children hoping to sell their creations with a wide choice of restaurants.’s Not too much, but you can find many, if you will.”
Some of the most interesting tidbits can be found at Posada Mexico, oceanfront restaurant. One night I watched Cirque du Soleil as an acrobatic performance, the other evening I was rocked to Cainn Cruz, an incredibly gifted child who brought the house down guitar with his cover of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and AC / DC.
Adding to the atmosphere is Groovy Shambhala retreat perched high on a hill in a pastoral setting. Tourists are welcome to pull up the ladder path area, where is the point of meditation is sitting on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Name Zipolite, is said to have come from indigenous languages.
Some say it means “thorny place”, which refers to the local hills, and other sources translate it as “beach Dead”, a reference to the strong currents. The beach has lifeguards and volunteers in areas with dangerous currents are marked with red flags.
Weiner, who has a deep suntan, a working form of government, shorts and flip-flops, and a solid, light-hearted humor, divides his time between California and Zipolite. It belonged to his hotel since 1997, it is estimated that about 50 percent of its guests regulars.
“To us pass the time of swine flu, protests, scary war on drugs, etc.,” said Weiner. “People come back knowing that we are right and they tell their friends too.”
And sometimes you have a hard time leaving. Weiner as expected, after a few days in Zipolite, I called the airline to change my flight. I had to stay another week.
How to get there: The nearest airports are in Puerto Escondido, an hour’s drive west or Guadalajara, an hour’s drive south. You can take a bus or taxi from the airport either. The nearest bus stop is in Pochutla, 20 minutes by taxi or shuttle.
Where to stay: Brisa Ocean Marina offers rooms with balconies and hammocks, as well as cheaper options yard. Guests can also relax on the large beach Ramadi (shaded open space). Nightly rates range from $ 16-51 U.S. dollars, depending on the season (www.brisamarina.org) retreat, Shambhala, offers accommodation on a hill at the western end of the beach (shambhalavision.tripod.com)
