Naked in Zipolite, the hippie beach
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| Z Photo: Armando Gutierrez |
ZIPOLITE, Oaxaca. (Proceso.com.mx) .- This quiet village in the Oaxaca coast is famous for its nude beach, where foreign and domestic visitors discover that not only clothes and leave her modesty aside but also bare their senses to soak in an exotic paradise.
Zipolite is definitely far from the traditional tourist packed beach destination and luxury hotels; It is rather a place to have intimate contact with nature, to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the simple.
Although this town is predominantly rustic and has no large tourist infrastructure, its residents say its visitors are captivated by its charm and stay longer than planned.
Proof of this is that in recent years -europeos people of different nationalities, Canadians, Americans, Argentines, among others, took root here and even established businesses such as bars, shops, hotels and restaurants.Many others have simply opted for the "love and peace" and forget the daily responsibilities to settle in hippie mode of life.
During the decades of 60 and 70 to this town, located 230 kilometers from the city of Oaxaca, they came hundreds of hippies because it was the only nudist beach in Mexico, the ideal place for them due to minimal police surveillance and the easy access to drugs.
Currently you can still see young and old hippies nostalgic walking the streets and even backpacking adventurers from Europe and elsewhere. Make this your "base of operations" permanent or seasonal stay.
Foreigners and locals are in Zipolite a point of identification that allows them to live together in tolerance and willingly share Oaxacan traditions.
With only 2.5 kilometers long beaches of Zipolite, adorned with palapas, let forget inhibitions and tan naked in the sand, without fear that someone call attention to bathers or scandalized.
For that reason, in high season hundreds of tourists flock to the "Love Beach" where nudity is allowed, although this is a common practice throughout the zipolitense beach, as discussed residents.
The nudity is however still under curiosity and not a few blush between Mexicans. And the location of the "Love Beach" does little to counter this argument, because it is behind a rocky hill, somewhat secluded, which gives some clandestine air.
Zipolite should exercise caution during the rainy season (July to September) because ocean currents are extremely strong and make it almost impossible to swim. Usually a red flag on the beach warns against entering the water. Yellow means caution; green instead means that you can swim without problem.
This season is well used by surfers who have the ability to ride the huge and furious waves. Still very experienced swimmers have drowned, according to accounts from residents.
But the raging sea is not an impediment to enjoy the beaches in the area, for about 10 minutes is Zipolite Puerto Angel, where considerably gentler waters allow the whole family a dip. You can get there by taxi or bus.
A good option is to stay in a hotel in Zipolite and explore nearby places like Mazunte, Ventanilla, Bermejita or San Agustinillo. Worth sleep near the sea in a cabin and delight sleep with the sea breeze or the murmur of the waves.Mazunte is a particularly attractive spot for children, because there is the Mexican Turtle Center. Furthermore, the ecological community of Ventanilla there is a mangrove crocodile and turtle beach.
Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, with family or backpacking, Zipolite offers many accommodation options to suit all budgets: hotels, cabins, cottages and even hammocks to sleep on the beach for only 20 pesos a night.
Among the most recommended hotels are Brisa Marina, The Alchemist, Posada Dos Estrellas, Nude Zipolite, Heven, Castillo Oasis, Villa Escondida, the cosmic and Zipolite Plaza.
Of course, you should go forewarned because Zipolite is exempt from ATMs and banks. A good bottle of repellent is also necessary, if you are involved in a massive attack of mosquitoes.
The commercial and nightlife in this town is concentrated on a cobbled street, a few meters, where there are bars, hotels and restaurants offering seafood and Oaxaca. Artists, musicians and dancers make waste of his talents in that area where jewelry and ornaments are also sold.
Zipolite nights are bohemian, conducive to sit at the beach and breathe the sea while having a beer or coconut ice cream in the middle of a talk to some batucada or in a bar drinking.
If what is sought is to use the holiday to "find himself" spiritually speaking, some hotels offer yoga and meditation at affordable costs.
In the village there are some agencies that sell group tours to explore around in boats. Although they are recommended and relatively cheap (about 200 pesos per person), you should not believe everything they promise. You will not see dolphins or whales during the trip. Nor can snorkel. What I see are beautiful landscapes, unspoiled, and perceive the essence of blue marine world.
If the "travel" it is, do not be alarmed if to walk the beaches or streets offer some type of drug as marijuana, cocaine or hallucinogens. If you reject the offer, nothing happens; if you accept it, that's his business.
Late at night some families leave "armed" with lamps, and a mysterious expedition to collect crabs and then prepare "yellow", a typical stew: In some areas of Zipolite a strange start event occurs surprise the visitor this Oaxacan region.
Zipolite is another wonder that at night something as simple as watching the sky becomes a show, as it is revealed in the eyes a blanket of stars delightfully airy, especially on the beach or in areas with little artificial light.
With absolute certainty the visitor never forget Zipolite or his kind, noble and warm people.
Love and peace.
To reach
By car, from Oaxaca , take highway 175 towards Ejutla-Ocotlan-Miahuatlán. Follow direction Pochutla Puerto Angel and until the junction with the federal Coastal Highway 200. It takes about six hours, although the road is winding, curvy and is in very poor condition. Try to travel by day. By public transport, there are two options: one is the kind Van service trucks, for 160 pesos. The units arrive at the town of Pochutla and then you can take a bus or taxi to Zipolite (located about 25 minutes). If you are looking to travel convenience, there are departures to Pochutla from the bus station in Oaxaca, although the cost is 330 pesos and the journey time is increased to eight to nine hours.
From Huatulco , on leaving the airport, on the road, there are taxis and buses to Pochutla second class. The people of Zipolite, Puerto Angel, San Agustinillo, Mazunte and other small towns are transported in taxis, in which several passengers traveling, unlike the regular taxi, and their rates are much cheaper.
From Mexico City, Puebla, San Cristobal de las Casas and Tapachula, Chiapas there are also runs buses to Pochutla.
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