EDGEOnTheNet
by Jody Kurash AP "You're going to like it here in Zipolite," Daniel Weiner, the owner of Brisa Marina hotel said with a wry smile as he handed me the keys ...
Brilliant Sunsets
Visitors expecting a party-all-night Cancun-like atmosphere with fishbowl-sized margaritas and waitresses in bikinis passing out shots of tequila will be disappointed. There is a night life here, but it’s nothing like that. Instead, folks gather on the beach in an end-of-day ritual to watch the brilliant sunsets. Many restaurants and bars offer live music and entertainment. And the only paved road in town turns into a carnival-like scene at night, with artists and jewelry makers selling their wares, while musicians, jugglers and fire dancers perform for tips in the street.
"Zipolite after six is awesome," Bolli said, "with all the dreadlocked kids hoping to sell their creations along with a great choice of different restaurants. It’s not overcrowded but you can find a crowd if you want."
Some of the most interesting diversions can found at Posada Mexico, an oceanfront restaurant. One night I watched a Cirque du Soleil-like acrobatic performance and another night I rocked out to Cainn Cruz, an amazing child guitar prodigy who brought the house down with his covers of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.
Adding to the groovy ambience is Shambhala, a spiritual retreat perched high on a hill in a bucolic setting. Tourists are welcome to hike up the resort*s stair pathway where a meditation point sits atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific. Shambhala advertises the "Loma de Meditacion" as a sacred location where visitors may experience a higher consciousness and oneness with nature. The center rents rustic cabins and hosts visiting artists and healers.
The name Zipolite is said to derive from indigenous languages. Some sources say it means "bumpy place," a reference to the local hills, and other sources translate it as "beach of the dead," a reference to strong ocean currents. The beach has volunteer lifeguards and areas with dangerous currents are marked with red flags.
Weiner, who has a deep tan, a working uniform of board shorts and flip-flops, and a crusty, carefree sense of humor, splits his time between California and Zipolite. He’s owned his hotel since 1997 and estimates that about 50 percent of his guests are repeat customers.
"This gets us through swine flu times, protests, drug war scares, etc.," he said. "People come back knowing we are OK, and they tell their friends too."
And sometimes they have a hard time leaving. As Weiner predicted, after a few days in Zipolite, I called the airline to change my flight. I had to stay another week.
"Zipolite after six is awesome," Bolli said, "with all the dreadlocked kids hoping to sell their creations along with a great choice of different restaurants. It’s not overcrowded but you can find a crowd if you want."
Some of the most interesting diversions can found at Posada Mexico, an oceanfront restaurant. One night I watched a Cirque du Soleil-like acrobatic performance and another night I rocked out to Cainn Cruz, an amazing child guitar prodigy who brought the house down with his covers of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.
Adding to the groovy ambience is Shambhala, a spiritual retreat perched high on a hill in a bucolic setting. Tourists are welcome to hike up the resort*s stair pathway where a meditation point sits atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific. Shambhala advertises the "Loma de Meditacion" as a sacred location where visitors may experience a higher consciousness and oneness with nature. The center rents rustic cabins and hosts visiting artists and healers.
The name Zipolite is said to derive from indigenous languages. Some sources say it means "bumpy place," a reference to the local hills, and other sources translate it as "beach of the dead," a reference to strong ocean currents. The beach has volunteer lifeguards and areas with dangerous currents are marked with red flags.
Weiner, who has a deep tan, a working uniform of board shorts and flip-flops, and a crusty, carefree sense of humor, splits his time between California and Zipolite. He’s owned his hotel since 1997 and estimates that about 50 percent of his guests are repeat customers.
"This gets us through swine flu times, protests, drug war scares, etc.," he said. "People come back knowing we are OK, and they tell their friends too."
And sometimes they have a hard time leaving. As Weiner predicted, after a few days in Zipolite, I called the airline to change my flight. I had to stay another week.
