Translate

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, August 31, 2012

Puerto Escondido Posted on August 25, 2012 by Dixie


Puerto Escondido

House sit? On a private beach? At a yoga retreat that hasn’t opened yet? There are 
calm rock pools to swim in out of the crashing surf? The work part is to walk the 
dogs on the beach and feed them and the cats? OH, YEAH! So after concluding 
our house sit in Chapala, we made our way across the large landscape that is Mexico.
 Our visas were to expire before the house sit concluded, so we needed to get to
 Guatemala for three days so that we would have another 180 days in Mexico. 
On the way, we stopped in to visit the current house sitter and see our future
 new digs.
After the destruction that was Hurricane Carlotta left most of the poor village of
 Puerticito with only shells of homes, La Joya Yoga Retreat didn’t look too bad. 
It was mostly cleaned up, though many repairs still needed to be done and the
 sand road was barely passable in several areas. We spent an hour or two out 
there with Fiona looking at and experiencing the place we planned to live for 
the month of August. I won’t go into great detail, but the place was a bit more 
rustic than we were prepared for, though our pictures make it look perfectly
 beautiful. The website got me prepared for upscale rustic, but the hurricane 
took the upscale out of the picture. But the real kicker, the thing that made
 us back out of the deal, was the oppressive, wet heat. We’re from Texas and
 experience many 100+ F days every summer, but it was nothing compared
 to the soppy, wet heat on the southern Mexico coast in summer. The retreat
 had no fans except over the bed, and that would be mostly blocked by the
 mosquito netting. Daytime, with surprisingly little breeze coming off the water, 
there would be no escaping the heat, not to mention the salt and sand that would 
be sticking to you in the muggy air combined with copious amounts of sweat. 
Still, we gave it a couple days before even mentioning to each other that we 
were waffling. It’s the beach! Surely we’d warm to the idea and all would be 
fine; we’d already committed to the assignment.
Dinner at PE LJ lower terrace
La Joya shower LJ neighbor
So we went back the half hour into the “big city” of Puerto Escondido to stay
 a few days and enjoy the surfer vibe and beach life. We had stayed the first 
night in Hotel Rubi. We couldn’t resist, since it was a nice inexpensive place 
sporting the name of our former charge in Chapala – if you’ll remember, 
the lovely Rubi.
Hotel Rubi exterior http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7852353582_ca11d5d6ea_n.jpg
Alas, the Hotel Rubi was a bit far from the beach action, so we moved to the
 last hotel on the surfer beach, La Playa Zicatela, to the Papaya Surf Beach
 Hotel. It was cheap, about $30 a night, and right across the road from the 
big crashing waves. Most definitely not a swimming beach but great for 
surfing, many waves creating the tube surfers love to catch – but it comes 
with an undertow.
Papaya Surf Hotel Papaya Surf courtyard
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7839579366_e86c77bba6_n.jpg Surfer
The early mornings on an open beach were very nice. The waves usually 
didn’t start getting high till the sun was well up, and the beach was never 
crowded. Lovely. But HOT.
Roxi plays in the sand by the surf http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7253/7852320052_3fd8342999_n.jpg
After about 11:00, the heat would get oppressive and we mostly stayed in
 our room since it had an air-conditioner. Once we tried taking our 
computers to this beautiful bar on the beach under a thick palapa. We 
enjoyed the sound of the waves and the atmosphere, but the heat got to 
us by about 12:30 and we had to retreat to our room, hot and grumpy. 
That was when we were convinced we could not take the house sit and 
had to back out. There just weren’t enough pluses at the retreat to be 
able to survive the heat. We proved we just aren’t beach bum material.
 Luckily, it’s a place where it was easy to find someone quickly to fill
 our spot, so it worked out for everyone.
We loved our stay in Puerto Escondido, mornings going to breakfast 
and evenings going to dinner. The food was good and inexpensive, 
and the energy of the surfer beach was invigorating. We shopped a
 little for beach clothing and explored the area. One morning as I sat
 alone on the beach, one of the many local starving stray dogs came 
over and parked himself a couple feet away. He was so pitifully skinny. 
He would watch as people went by with their plump, happy dogs taking
 a morning jaunt, but nobody loved and cared for him. Glenn joined us
 for a minute, and then we walked to breakfast. My doggie companion 
must have known we’d be good for a snack, because he followed 
us to the restaurant and stayed nearby. We put some leftover refried beans
 and eggs in the two extra tortillas, and Glenn gave them to him 
across the street. Stray dogs don’t have a good life in Mexico.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7839590628_df6d2746e7_n.jpghttp://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7839591178_208d20e436_n.jpg
There is a wonderful cement walkway that winds its way around the
 coastline to the different beaches. We decided to walk it one evening,
 and it took almost an hour. Beautiful! The sign at the end says “A 
Possible Dream.”
Interesting pathway Mermaid on a turtle with boats
The swiming surf beach Rocks and waves by the path
Around and up the stairs A Possible Dream
Here are the rest of the pics (click on the little ” i ” in the upper left corner for captions):
14 / 20

Profile - Houzz Residential and Commercial Construction Areas Served: Huatulco and surrounding areas, Oaxaca State. Contact: Scott Barkhouse; Type: General Contractors ... www.houzz.com/pro/igbs-scott-barkhouse

Profile - Houzz
Residential and Commercial Construction Areas Served: Huatulco and surrounding areas, Oaxaca State. Contact: Scott Barkhouse; Type: General Contractors ...
www.houzz.com/pro/igbs-scott-barkhouse


New Exciting Destination - Huatulco, Mexico


Thursday, August 30, 2012

New Exciting Destination - Huatulco, Mexico

We just returned from a fantastic travel agent trip to Huatulco, Mexico. It is located on the southern side of Mexico. The views are unbelievable as the small town is located between the Sierra Madre mountains and Pacific ocean. Most resorts are built into the mountains so you have views of both. There are several bays that include beaches surrounded by cliffs and rocks. I found the backdrop to be very picturesque and wonderful for weddings. The sand is not the white Caribbean sand but still offers snorkeling and sea turtle hatchings during specific seasons. This small town is considered sub-tropical because it is wet and green during the summer months. In contrast, the winters are dry and less humid. If you want to see a new and unique destination, this may be the place for you. Biodiversity and being "green" is extremely important to this area of the country. They value safety and security to the highest level. Apple Vacations will be offering non-stop charter service for next year. Call for more information and pricing. Soon we will be posting pictures on Facebook, please visit our page at Classic Travel and Cruises.

The Ocean with a Coffee Aroma


The Ocean with a Coffee Aroma

At Peace with the Sea Turtle


At Peace with the Sea Turtle

The Naked Beauty of Puerto Angel


The Naked Beauty of Puerto Angel

The Naked Beauty of Puerto Angel


The Naked Beauty of Puerto Angel

Gastronomy on the Coast


Gastronomy on the Coast

What to do in Huatulco August 30, 2012


osted on: August 30, 2012

What to do in Huatulco

There’s plenty to do in Huatulco, the idyllic beach getaway on Mexico’s Pacific Coast


Huatulco’s nine bays  are a main attraction. // © 2012 CPTM: Photo / Ricardo Espinosa-reo
Huatulco’s nine bays  are a main attraction. // © 2012 CPTM: Photo / Ricardo Espinosa-reo

The Details

Mexico Tourism Board
www.visitmexico.com
After just two days in Huatulco, my children had learned to count in Spanish — well, sort of. Our family was staying in a small Mexican hotel where very few of the staff can speak or understand English. Whenever we exited the hotel, we were asked to leave our keys at the front desk. Upon return, we would give the front desk staff our room number in order to retrieve them. Out of necessity, we had all learned to say our room numbers in Spanish.
Although some travelers find language barriers frustrating, it’s one of the things I like best about Huatulco (pronounced wha-tool-koh). Unlike many Mexico beach destinations where English-speaking Americans and Canadians outnumber locals, Huatulco is a relatively undiscovered gem that is more popular with Mexican vacationers than it is with other North Americans. Indeed, there’s no mistaking which country you are in when you visit this destination.
Part of the reason this idyllic spot on the far south of Mexico’s Pacific Coast remains relatively unknown is the fact that it has only existed as a resort destination for a little more than 20 years. The pristine area surrounding Huatulco’s nine bays and 22 miles of golden-sand beaches is being developed as an eco-friendly resort destination. Estimates prior to the recession put completion of the development at around 2020. For the time being, Huatulco remains less developed than the other popular beach destinations in Mexico.
If your clients enjoy a quieter resort locale with beautiful beaches, snorkeling, diving, fishing, boat cruises and small-town shopping, Huatulco might be the right destination for them. Below are some activities and sights to recommend to clients visiting the region.
The Nine Bays
Huatulco’s bays and beaches are the biggest attraction in this area of Mexico, and only a few of them are actually developed. Tangolunda, Chahue and Santa Cruz bays are home to the five-star resort hotels, championship golf course, restaurants and key shopping areas. Visitors to the area can ferry over to La Entrega Beach in Santa Cruz Bay or Chahue Bay where clients will find beachfront restaurants and beach clubs with oceanfront palapas and beach chairs. Alternatively, they can rent a car or catch a ferry or water taxi to get to some of the undeveloped bays and play Robinson Crusoe for a morning or afternoon. For a more secluded dining experience, visitors can follow the steps down the mountainside to a small beachfront restaurant located on Conejos Bay.
Small Town Mexican Life
The Mexican town of La Crucecita was created to provide services to the resort area, but it is also a nice little town to explore. The restaurants and shops are built around a typical Mexican zocalo — a park in the center of the town. Just off the park is a church called the Iglesia de Guadalupe, which has a large mural of Mexico’s patron saint gracing the entire ceiling. The mural sets the Virgin against a starry blue night sky. At the Crucieta Market, visitors will find typical Mexican handicrafts and tourist collectibles. Good souvenirs include regional specialty items such as Oaxacan-embroidered blouses, pottery made from the dark clay found exclusively in this region and Oaxacan chocolate.
Snorkeling and Fishing
The best way to really appreciate the beauty of this area is to see it from the water. Boats can be hired for fishing or private day tours at the boat owners’ cooperative near the entrance to the marina area. Prices are posted and vary depending upon the activity or destination. Good snorkeling can be found at La Entrega and San Augustin, and there are restaurants and other facilities at these beaches. Some other beaches are completely undeveloped, so it is necessary to carry provisions and arrange a pickup time. It will cost $25 for a trip to La Entrega, $50 to Mauey or Orango Bay and $100 to San Augustin, the farthest bay from the marina.

Anyone hauling stuff to Huatulco?

Anyone hauling stuff to Huatulco?

Posted by joseywales 

Anyone hauling stuff to Huatulco? 
August 28, 2012 05:28PM
Just thought I would try this out. I'm looking for someone to haul a satellite dish and bracket down to Huatulco. It's a 70cm dish for Shaw so it's slightly bigger than the normal sized ones. It's just to big to haul on the plane. Where ever you are I'll get the dish to you and I'm willing to pay to have you take it for me. Please send me a PM if interested.
Thanks
Re: Anyone hauling stuff to Huatulco? 
August 30, 2012 08:49AM
We subscribe to Dish TV here in La Crucecita at present but I am Interested to understand how this Shaw thing works in Huatulco. Is it as simple as moving the dish and just using the existing subscription? Do you think that would work with a Bell dish? I've only heard of folks doing that here with Shaw.
Re: Anyone hauling stuff to Huatulco? 
August 30, 2012 02:35PM
Bell and Shaw are the only 2 satelitte companies in Canada and they're both crap. Not sure why anyone would want either one when you have Dish network. You can't get a Bell signal in Huatulco but you can get Shaw. I don't believe that you can use a Bell or Dish Network dish to recieve Shaw signal. Shaw uses an eliptical dish wher the others are round. Most people subscribe to Shaw then just take an extra reciever down with them and leave it there. Problem is getting the dish down.
Re: Anyone hauling stuff to Huatulco? 
August 31, 2012 07:27AM
Ok, thanks for that. In Canada we use Cogeco Cable wich is pretty good. The Dish network in Huatulco is also pretty good. In the summer storms play a little havok. The one thing we found out is that if not used for a "while" the dish system goes to "sleep". We thought there was something wrong. The installer lives in the next complex and gave hime a call. Just needed to be reactivated on line. No big deal.

Sorry I can'y help with the transport. Try posting on TZ Puerto Escondido and Trip Advisor Huatulco. There is a couple from Denver that just may drive down.

Again, thanks for the info and good luck. Not sure how you fly but United wanted 200$ for an oversized box, and slightly oversized at that and under 50 lbs. Last year was 25$ with Continental.

Textile-Loom-in-Huatulco-Oaxaca-Mexico.AVI

50,000 Total views TODAY!

Thank you, Zipolite fans!

ivan

My Time in Huatulco: Part 1 August 30, 2012 by Dreams Resorts & Spas


My Time in Huatulco: Part 1

I recently spent 4 action-packed days and nights in the Mexican Pacific destination of Huatulco, home to the newest resort situated on the Conejos Bay, Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa.
It’s extremely rare that I get to experience a destination in Mexico that I have never visited so I was thrilled for the brand new experiences and to learn about the area’s resorts, food, people, culture and activities.
Base of a Pyramid at the Site
Walking through Copalita Eco Archaeological Park
Because I don’t want to spill all of the details of my time in Huatulco in one post, I’ll be giving it you in a few parts. Here’s part 1…
The first full day of my trip was unfortunately spent getting wet…it was pouring! Perhaps it was the aftermath of Hurricane Ernesto or just sheer bad luck, but no one was raining on my parade.
First, I visited the Copalita Eco-Archaeological Park. The park and museum just opened in 2010 and are in pristine condition. The museum showcases the evidence of human occupation that dates back 2000 years and was important to the development of the settlements on the Mexican Pacific. The actual grounds of the park are neatly organized and easy to walk, featuring pyramid bases and a ball court. During my visit a new tomb was just discovered by the archaeologists whom never stop excavating the area.
 
Interior of Church
Church of La Crucecita
Following was an impromptu trip to the town of La Crucecita, located only 15 minutes from Secrets Huatulco. First was a stop at the church of La Crucecita, a beautiful church honoring the Virgen of Guadalupe, the patron virgin of Mexico. The largest painting of her in the world, by Jose del Signo, adorns the ceiling in this small church.
Sabor de Oaxaca Restaurant
 
Next stop, the town’s square. La Crucecita is full of local restaurants and shops that makes this town and Huatulco such a cultural hot spot. The mission was the find the best tamales in Oaxaca… and they were found at The Taste of Oaxaca, or El Sabor de Oaxaca.
Mmmmm Tamales and Mole
Chapulines
The restaurant, located right in the heart of town, served true Mexican tamales accompanied by the most authentically delicious mole sauce that I have ever had the pleasure of eating…cold beers and Agua Fresca were a must as well.
Lots of Mescal
Then a sampling of the region’s claim to fame, chapulines, known to most as… grasshoppers! This local favorite food is served a variety of ways. I dined on them with chips, mole and Oaxaca cheese. Then washed the dish down with mescal, an alcoholic drink obtained from the distillation of the agave plant, which basically tastes like tequila with a smokey flavor.
The tastes of the town were fantastic ways to conclude my first day in Huatulco. More from Huatulco to come, stay tuned!
And for more on Huatulco and our other luxury resort destinations, follow me on Twitter @TravelistaKelli