A little about Playa Zipolite, The Beach of the Dead . . .

Playa Zipolite, Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. A little bit about my favorite little get-away on this small world of ours.

Zipolite, a sweaty 30-minute walk west from Puerto Angel, brings you to Playa Zipolite and another world. The feeling here is 1970's - Led Zep, Marley, and scruffy gringos.

A long, long time ago, Zipolite beach was usually visited by the Zapotecans...who made it a magical place. They came to visit Zipolite to meditate, or just to rest.

Recently, this beach has begun to receive day-trippers from Puerto Angel and Puerto Escondido, giving it a more TOURISTY feel than before.

Most people come here for the novelty of the nude beach, yoga, turtles, seafood, surf, meditation, vegetarians, discos, party, to get burnt by the sun, or to see how long they can stretch their skinny budget.

I post WWW Oaxaca, Mexico, Zipolite and areas nearby information. Also general budget, backpacker, surfer, off the beaten path, Mexico and beyond, information.

REMEMBER: Everyone is welcome at Zipolite.

ivan

Friday, October 4, 2013

Surfing With Whales | Ride Of The Week Ep 2 and Playlist

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Thursday, October 3, 2013

Playa Zipolite. Welcome To The Beach Of The Dead!: Discovering Music on the Road SEP 29 Posted by TC

Playa Zipolite. Welcome To The Beach Of The Dead!: Discovering Music on the Road SEP 29 Posted by TC: ← Excelente video sobre como evitar acidentes de ciclismo Discovering Music on the Road SEP 29 Posted by TC I met the sa...

Discovering Music on the Road

SEP 29

Posted by TC

I met the same dying man twice once summer in two different places in Mexico – once in Merida on the Yucatan peninsula (near Cancun) and a week later in San Cristobal de las Casas in the deep Mexican south.

He was a tall, white-haired old man with strong dark eyes and a gaunt, bony face. I can’t remember his name. I thought I had written it down in my notebook, but now I’m not so sure. Maybe I figured I would never forget it.

He was European – from Belgium, I believe – and spoke good English and basic Spanish. He dressed how a hippy traveler in his twenties might: baggy pants, loose shirts, small knitted hats and imitation Birkenstocks. Lots of well-worn layers in earth tones. But he was old and looked it. He was much too thin. He had cancer.

Flights to Huatulco – How to Get Here You are here: Home > Flights to Huatulco – How to Get Here

Flights to Huatulco – How to Get Here

Flights to Huatulco

Sunwing Airlines have direct flights to Huatulco that fly weekly from Vancouver (YVR), Edmonton (YEG), Calgary (YYC), Saskatoon (YXE), Regina (YQR), Winnipeg (YWG), Montreal (YUL) and Toronto (YYZ) during the tourist season from the end of October to the end of April/May.

Sunwing has flights to Huatulco for the 2013/2014 season begin on the following dates & cities:

Vancouver – direct flights starting November 5, 2013
Calgary – direct flights starting October 29, 2013
Edmonton – direct flights starting October 29, 2013
Saskatoon – direct flights starting November 18, 2013
Regina – direct flights starting November 18, 2013
Winnipeg – direct flights starting November 19, 2013
Toronto – direct flights starting November 19, 2013
Montreal – direct flights starting December 17, 2013

Air Canada has direct flights to Huatulco from Toronto beginning next season on December 21, 2013. They also offer 2 daily nonstop departures from Toronto to Mexico City, plus the only nonstop flights from the West coast to Mexico City, with four nonstop flights per week from Vancouver (through to October 31, 2013); Check their flight schedule for details.
Air Transat offers weekly flights to Huatulco starting November 25, 2013 from Edmonton and Calgary. They also now have flights to Huatulco from Vancouver due to increased demand. These start November 25, 2013 as well. Contact AMA to book your flight through Air Transat or visit www.airtransat.ca (High Season Only).
Aeromexico flies from Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Mexico City (MEX). They also fly from Mexico City (MEX) to Huatulco (HUX). 2 stops are still necessary, but one does not have to change airlines, which makes it nice (High & Low Season).
Air Continental/United:Apple Vacations has weekly charters direct to Huatulco (HUX) from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) (Terminal 5) on Saturdays.
SunCountry Airlines flies direct from Minneapolis to Huatulco on Saturdays during high season (2013/2014 dates to be announced).
- Flies from Canada to Huatulco non-direct year round.
- Flies from Houston (HOU) to Huatulco (HUX) direct 5 days a week.
Aero-Mar has flights to Huatulco or Puerto Escondido from Mexico City (MEX) (December only).
AeroTucan has flights to Huatulco from Oaxaca City (High & Low Season).

Directions from Huatulco International Airport

Viewpoint is approximately 35km by car to the Huatulco International Airport. Car rentals are available at the airport, and taxis are plentiful in the Huatulco region.1) When leaving the Huatulco International Airport take a right turn (West) onto hwy 200. 2) Travel 27 kms to the Pochutla intersection and turn left (South) onto Hwy 175. Travel 8 kms to Puerto Angel. 3) Once in Puerto Angel you will make a left turn at the white ‘Capitania Puerto Angel’ sign and start to travel up the mountainous trail. 4) Hang a right at the first corner and follow around the stone wall. 5) Turn left at the fork in the road and continue up the hill. 6) Take your next right at the next fork in the road. The road will become gravel at this point. 7) Finally a left at the next fork. Follow this around the house on the right and then the sharp cliff on the right until you reach the Viewpoint gate. The security guard will be there to let you in. There is also a bell you can ring should security be away doing their rounds. Sounds simple enough! Please follow the signs and the google map below.

Here is a video showing how to get here from Huatulco by vehicle.

Getting Around

The taxi has to be the easiest and most cost effective way to get around. There are so many taxis that you don’t have to worry about going to a taxi stand. Simply standing at the side of the road where you are and waiving for a taxi should be sufficient…and you won’t have to wait long. All taxi rates are set in advance based on distance and most local trips should cost you anywhere between $20-$50 pesos. Once you start to stray outside the immediate town expect to barter with your driver on the cost to take you to a destination.

Rental Car Locations

Oaxaca Car Rental – their prices tend to be a little less expensive and they are willing to work long term rentals deals if you are down for a longer period of time. Their cars have always been clean, run well, and they have never been late for an appointment or blown a rental deal. For reservations please contact Patricio Hernandez at 958 581 0293 or email him at: reservaciones@oaxacacarrental.com.mx. You can also visit www.oaxacacarrental.com.mx. Their address is: Blvd. Benito Juarez s/n, Local 5, Bahia de Tangolunda

Hertz – certainly a well know rental company, they have friendly English speaking staff. Their rates are less expensive however I would like to see the company pay a little more attention to detail and the condition of their vehicles. It is certainly an option but I would consider it a second option. Please contact Angeles Monterrubio at: 958 103 5396 or email: amonterrubio@avasa.com.mx Blvd. The address is: Benito Juarez Num.8, Local 1 Int.

Europcar – located at the Crown Pacific Bahia de Tangolunda, this is another option. While I have never personally used them I do hear mixed reviews on their vehicles and service. Please, let me know what you think…www.europcar.com.mx

Suburban

Expect to pay a little more for this service in exchange for total flexibility of your schedule. If you wanted to make a day of going from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido you could expect to pay somewhere around $150 USD for this service. I have drivers that I have used in the past so best to contact me for arrangements.

Bus

There are really multiple levels of buses along the entire coastline but the one that most people will be interested in are the trans-regional buses. The Ado station in Huatulco is the launching point for your journeys to the east or west of Huatulco. These buses are usually very clean with comfortable seats and are consistent with what we would have in Canada or the United States. The fees are very reasonable, and if you don’t mind a couple of extra stops before you reach your ultimate destination, then this is a great way to do it on the cheap. A bus from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido will set you back about $80 pesos.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

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Monday, September 30, 2013

Formation of New Low-Pressure System Threatens Coast of Oaxaca, Will Affect Guerrero - Mexican National Meteorological Service

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By Jorge Calvillo | First Posted: Sep 26, 2013 08:24 AM EDT

Tags Mexico Storms, world

The formation of a new low-pressure system with a chance of becoming a cyclone that threatens the coasts of Oaxaca, Mexico, set Mexican authorities on alert. (Photo : CONAGUA)

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The formation of a new low-pressure system with a chance of becoming a cyclone that threatens the coasts of Oaxaca, Mexico, set Mexican authorities on alert after the National Meteorological Service (SMN) of Mexico warned that it would cause moderate to severe storms in Oaxaca and Guerrero.

In a press release quoted by Sin Embargo, the SMN warned that it is possible that storms produced by the low-pressure system could become "torrential." The SMN detailed that strong rains are expected in the Mexican states of Chiapas, Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco.

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The information transmitted by the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) dependency once more alerted authorities and the population of the states previously affected by hurricanes Manuel and Ingrid. The hurricanes left at least 123 people dead in 26 states of the Mexican Republic, particularly in Guerrero, one of the states most affected by the storms.

"Starting at midnight it will move towards the coast, which will cause adverse conditions. Dams are at 100% capacity, the Balsas River where all the water is going is overflowing; the populations of San Francisco, Petacalco and El Naranjito in the municipality of Unión, Guerrero, have been evacuated," the subsecretary of Civil Protection of Guerrero, Constantino González, told Mexican newspaper Milenio.

In the interview, the official pointed out that three communities in the state were evacuated and recommended that people living in mountainous regions or close to cliffs to also evacuate the area due to threats of landslides caused by the strong storms.

The SMN pointed out on their website that the low-pressure system is currently located 130 km south of Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, and is moving west-northwest at 16 km/h.

The institution alos stated that the system has a 30 percent chance of becoming a cyclone in the next five days.

Puerto Escondido (Playa Zicatela) Oct 2011

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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Discovering Music on the Road SEP 29 Posted by TC

Discovering Music on the Road

SEP 29

Posted by TC

I first met him in Hostal Zocalo, a friendly and spacious hostel in a historic building right on the center square in Merida. He stayed up all night in the common room, huddled down on the couch under the glow of his tiny laptop. He never ate the hostel’s generous breakfast of fruit and eggs any style that was included in the price. He rarely looked up from the laptop.

He slept all day. We shared one of the rooms full of bunk beds, and when I took a nap in the afternoon one day, I heard him coughing. I asked if he had a cold, and he laughed. I didn’t know the truth yet.

A few nights later I came back well after midnight. There he was on the couch, laptop on lap. I finally introduced myself. He shut the laptop. His cheeks were so thin and caved-in that you could almost see the outlines of his teeth.

He talked about travels all around the world, especially his many years in India. He talked about Latin America and the good people he’d met. He was writing a book about his travels. Could I see it? No, it wasn’t ready yet.

There was sadness in his eyes. A great weariness. But also a calm resignation. He never mentioned a family. He never mentioned his cancer. I never asked. I found out because everyone in the hostel who spent more than a few days there knew, though few spoke to him.

I eventually left and made my way to San Cristobal. He was already there in Tata Inti, the friendly little hostel full of musicians where I always stay.

We shook hands. “What a surprise,” I said. “Yes. How are you?” he asked. He always spoke very deliberately with unbroken eye contact. I may have forgotten his name, but I’ll never forget those exhausted black eyes.

He was getting worse. He still stayed up all night, coughing and vomiting more now. But he also spent more time awake in the daytime, chatting with everyone and bumming cigarettes.

The days when he slept in the afternoon and we were noisy (guitars, drums, singers, and even my friend Angel with his noisy accordion), he never complained but staggered out to the veranda to listen. He smiled while listening to the music. When a song started up that he recognized, he said, “It’s good.” He never ate but drank lots of tea and bummed lots of cigarettes.

He spent less time on the laptop too. I asked him about the book. It still wasn’t ready. “Would you email it to me when it’s done?”

“Sure,” he said. I gave him my email address. I haven’t heard from him.

I bring a cheap guitar on all my travels. I bought it for the equivalent of five dollars at a guitar market in La Paz, Bolivia seven years ago. Now it’s full of stickers, scratches and sand.

The guitar is a great way to make friends on the road. Other than the general friendliness of the place, the reason I always stay in at Tata Inti in San Cristobal is because Victor (the owner), several of his local friends who hang out there and many guests are musicians. Jam sessions are frequent and often spill out into the street.

Playing music with someone from another culture is a great learning experience. But playing isn’t enough. I need to find new music, at least music that’s new to me. I need more and more.

Before the ease of downloading I went to markets, where pirated CDs with photocopied liner notes in plastic sleeves hang from big white racks. Whenever I heard music I liked, I’d ask the person who it was, what kind of music it was, and which other groups I should listen to. I walked away with stacks of bootleg CDs.

But what’s even better is to have a musician or a music fan write me a list of their favorite bands. Then after a long trip I sit down with my lists and listen to the suggestions on YouTube.

So during one of our chats about music in San Cristobal, I asked my sick friend for his list. Here’s what he gave me:

Many posts on this modest blog are my suggestions for music from Latin America. Many fine artists are practically unknown north of the Mexican/U.S. border, the great cultural divide in North America. This is my list to you, from one friend and curious traveler to another:

Music in Mexico – currently my five favorite Mexican groups/artists:

http://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/music-in-mexico/

Some great songs, chosen to give a newbie a nice intro to the diversity of Spanish rock:

http://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/think-you-dont-like-rock-in-spanish-listen-to-these/

Rap and Hip Hop in Spanish:

http://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/rap-and-hip-hop-in-spanish/

Los Tigres del Norte, described as “The Rolling Stones of Mexico” by Israel, one of Tata Inti’s best musicians:

http://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/spanish-protest-songs-los-tigres-del-norte/

Vive Latino 2012, the biggest rock festival in Mexico:

http://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/vive-latino-2012/

Vive Latino 2013, a great Sunday lineup of some of my favorite Latin bands:

http://nohaybronca.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/vive-latino-2013/

Thanks, and please comment with more suggestions or comments about any of these bands or songs that you like or don’t like. Or send me your own list.