ZIPOLITE – AN OASIS OF CALM ON THE COAST
DEC 26, 2015 – Just before Christmas, I took a van from Oaxaca to Zipolite, a beach resort on the Pacific Coast and still within the state of Oaxaca. Zipolite is a very relaxed place, with a long beach full of budget accommodations, simple bars, restaurants and only a handful of fancier hotels. Most of the people staying there were either hippies of any age, or young backpackers, with a particular concentration of French speakers. There seems to be a solid community of expats, particularly Europeans, who live in Zipolite year-round. Even though I was there in the high season, the place didn’t feel crowded – no mazes of beach chairs and umbrellas, hardly any families with kids, just people relaxing under the palm leaf shades and occasionally taking a bath or going surfing. Compared to the rest of Mexico, even the rules are relaxed – Marijuana consumption is widespread and tolerated, and clothing is optional on the beach.
I spent the first night in a bungalow that I had booked online for an exorbitant price, fearing it might be the only place available. Then I camped on the beach for four more nights and paid about $3 per night to use toilets, showers and WiFi. One of the highlights of my stay was a dolphin watching and snorkeling tour on three nearby beaches. After Christmas, I stayed an extra day because I didn’t manage to buy a bus ticket online, and the night bus was always sold out in advance. In the end I just took a day bus to Tehuantepec instead of traveling directly to Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
I spent the first night in a bungalow that I had booked online for an exorbitant price, fearing it might be the only place available. Then I camped on the beach for four more nights and paid about $3 per night to use toilets, showers and WiFi. One of the highlights of my stay was a dolphin watching and snorkeling tour on three nearby beaches. After Christmas, I stayed an extra day because I didn’t manage to buy a bus ticket online, and the night bus was always sold out in advance. In the end I just took a day bus to Tehuantepec instead of traveling directly to Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
