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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

Sunday, April 30, 2017

JOHN AND SUSY PINT WELCOME YOU TO RANCHO PINT ! the meXiCo Page

JOHN   AND   SUSY   PINT   WELCOME   YOU   TO  RANCHO   PINT !
the meXiCo Page
J

Jalisco Vertical
Contact John and Susy:  see the bottom of this page.


A Guide to West Mexico's Guachimontones by John PintA GUIDE TO WEST MEXICO'S GUACHIMONTONES AND SURROUNDING AREA: THE LOST CIVILIZATION OF TEUCHITLAN

GUÍA A LOS GUACHIMONTONES:
LA CIVILIZACIÓN PERDIDA DE TEUCHITLÁN
Outdoors in Western Mexico Volume 2OUTDOORS IN WESTERN MEXICO 2 25 great new sites for hiking, camping or picnicking
Spanish and English in one volume!
AL AIRE LIBRE EN LAS CERCANIAS DE GUADALAJARA 2
25 nuevos sitios para caminar o acampar
Un sólo volumen en español e inglés


Tequilizinta Ghost Town and LookoutTHE GEYSERS OF RIO LOS PATITOS
Soak your troubles away in Don Roberto's Sculpture Garden
Tequilizinta Ghost Town and LookoutGUADALAJARA CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF GREAT MUSIC

Conciertos Guadalajara presents a collectors item:
"Una Pasión Compartida" by Oscar Trejo
Tequilizinta Ghost Town and LookoutTEQUILIZINTA MESA AND GHOST TOWN
See the Santiago River from the curious Ghost Town. Then, after your hike, enjoy a delicious swim in the pools of Las Pilas.
La Cueva del Chapuzon - Cold Dunk CaveTHE BOILING WATERS OF LOS HERVORES
The two geysers may be gone, but this is still a great place to soak in a soothing hot pool, gaze at the stars, hike and camp.
La Cueva del Chapuzon - Cold Dunk CaveLA MANZANILLA CROCODILE SANCTUARYEl Cocodrilario de La Manzanilla: Mexico's biggest crocodile sanctuary is a labor of love and also a great place for bird watching
La Cueva del Chapuzon - Cold Dunk CaveLA CUEVA DEL CHAPUZON - COLD DUNK CAVE

The closest cave to Guadalajara, with an underground river, 623 meters of passages and many thousands of endangered bats
World's Longest Cave is Coming to Mexico! - Photo by David DusekETHNOARCHAEOLOGIST  EDUARDO WILLIAMS
Using the present to interpret the past. His 20-year study of fishers living on the shores of Lakes Cuizeo and Patzcuaro in Michoacán. Review of his book "Water Folk"
World's Longest Cave is Coming to Mexico! - Photo by David DusekWORLD'S LONGEST CAVE IS COMING TO MEXICO! 
Chris Lloyd on the exploration of beautiful Pool Tunich Cave, "The Belly Button" in Quintana Roo
Plus: With 335 kms of passages, Sistema Sac Actún is now the second-longest cave on earth
LA CUEVA MÁS LARGA DEL MUNDO ESTÁ POR LLEGAR A MÉXICO
Victor Cocula and basalt molcajeteTHE BASALT SCULPTORS OF SAN LUCASHard work, hard rock and mind the flying chips!  Colima artisans from Aprecio por México come to learn new techniques.
Visit to Amparo Mine Ghost TownA VISIT TO THE GHOST TOWN OF AMPAROAmparo was home to some of Mexico's richest gold and silver mines, but it had its dark side...
Adela Breton's Sketches of the GuachimontonesADELA BRETON'S
SKETCHES OF THE GUACHIMONTONES

British archaeological artist visited Teuchitlán in 1896
What was an unmarried Victorian gentlewoman doing in Mexico before the turn of the century, 5500 miles from home?
Santa Clara del CobreTHE CHARMS OF 
SANTA CLARA DEL COBRE
 Copper kettles, footballs on fire, plus: The Mapping of Killer Cave
Scouting Tequila VolcanoSCOUTING TEQUILA VOLCANO
Mexico's Canal 22 to launch TV series on Guadalajara's "Magic Circle"
First Geologic Study of Jalisco ObsidianROCOCO
Cuando mi esposo, John Pint, y yo, vivíamos en Dhahrán, Arabia Saudita, viví una experiencia  mágica...
First Geologic Study of Jalisco ObsidianFIRST GEOLOGIC STUDY OF JALISCO'S OBSIDIAN DEPOSITS

Chris Lloyd finds 300 obsidian mines in Ahuisculco's Selva Negra Reserve
Subterraneo Newsletter PDF downloadsMEXICO'S SISTEMA HUAUTLA

"WORLD'S GREATEST CAVE"
Explorer's Club member Bill Steele on the latest expedition to a cave system now 75.5 kilometers long
Subterraneo Newsletter PDF downloadsSUBTERRÁNEO NEWSLETTER DOWNLOADS

Caves of western Mexico: Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit and Michoacán
PDF files of past explorations and cave maps
Al Jazeera in Mexico: Best World News?AL JAZEERA IN MEXICO
Expats in Mexico answer the question: what is the best world news service?
El Salto de JuanacatlánANDADOR DE LA AMISTAD
INTERPRETIVE TRAIL
Learn the names of plants and trees while taking this short hike in Pinar de la Venta
El Salto de JuanacatlánEL SALTO DE JUANACATLÁN
Is Mexico's most infamous waterfall finally clean? These falls used to churn up billows of toxic foam which could strip the paint off a car. See the results of a recent visit to the cascades once known as "Mexico's Niagara."
Petroglyphs of Presa de la LuzTHE SABIUS PROJECTA new app invented by Mexican students connects savvy seniors to young people thirsting for knowledge
Petroglyphs of Presa de la LuzTHE REMARKABLE PETROGLYPHS OF PRESA DE LA LUZSo far over 600 petroglyphs have been found, including 11 Pecked Crosses
The Best Doctor in the WorldHACIENDA LABOR DE RIVERA
A 400-year-old Mexican Treasure Restored to its Former Glory
The Best Doctor in the WorldTHE BEST DOCTOR IN THE WORLD
Harvard investigates the Placebo Effect--and the Self-Healing System which produces it.
Los Chorros de Tala RevisitedLos Chorros de Tala Revisited
Picturesque falls, Magic Rocks and cozy cabins in the woods
Fight to save a Mexican Forest
Bosque Alto
The fight to save a Mexican forest
Project 14 by Guadalajara kidsProject 14: SeedbombsAmazing Guadalajara children work to make the world a better place
Mexican Geoparks announcedMexico announces candidates for Unesco Geopark status
Guadalara's Primavera Forest is in the running!
Camping at Guava BeachCamping at Guava Beach on the Salty River
Natural hot and cold running water all year round.
Salva Rodriguez crosses America by bicyclePhilosopher-on-a-Bicycle Salva Rodríguez
Crosses America
An Excerpt from his new book
Isla Grande, Jalisco, MexicoISLA GRANDE
A unique place to make friends with animals
Río de la Pasión, México
Aztec “superfood” Tecuitlatl
makes comeback as Spirulina



“Something green and slimy is growing in that vat!”
Río de la Pasión, México
SECRETS OF PASSION RIVER

Río de la Pasión has it all: Mammoth bones, Montezuma Cypresses, Petroglyphs, Spanish moss and an exciting new ecotourism project.
Paleontology Museum, GuadalajaraTHE PALEONTOLOGY MUSEUM OF GUADALAJARA

Hobnob with giant sloths, capybaras and mastodons
Dr. Caleb Gattegno on death
Looking forward to the next stage in life

This essay by Gattegno suggests death is not the end of life, but the initiator of a new stage in life...
D.H. Lawrence in ChapalaD.H. LAWRENCE IN CHAPALA



In the footsteps of Lawrence and mysterious "La Rusa," in Ajijic and Chapala
NatGeo Photographer Ben Horton on Sharks and English Teaching
NATGEO PHOTOGRAPHER BEN HORTON

How “Wow!” photos can save sharks and teach English
Jorge Monroy's Hospital MuralSTUNNING NEW MURAL
ADORNS GUADALAJARA'S FIRST HOSPITAL

Mexican artist Jorge Monroy tells the story
Canine Detectives in Lacandona Wilderness“Canine detectives”  scout for jaguar in Lacandona Wilderness
You can help Jen Day and Scooby in their new project.
La Piedra Gorda - Fat Rock of TapalpaThe Fat Rock of Tapalpa

A short hike from the picturesque "Pueblo Mágico" of Tapalpa brings you to La Piedra Gorda and a magnificent view from 2400 meters above sea level.
Common Scams in Western MexicoSCAMS IN WESTERN MEXICO
Do you know "the old mustard-on-your-clothes" scam? Check out this list to keep the bad guys from getting your cash and credit cards
ENGAÑOS EN JALISCO
Engaños, trucos y estafas que se deben reconocer
Salva Rodriguez cycling around the worldAROUNDTHE WORLD ON A BICYCLE

The reflections of Salva Rodríguez
Igloo KokoloIGLOO KOKOLO

Superadobe, Dry Toilets, Bici-Máquinas and more.
Chavo Montaño's quest for a better world on Lake Chapala's south shore
World's Weirdest DeodorantsWORLD'S WEIRDEST DEODORANTS
Stainless Steel Soap and Crystal Rock: how do they compare to ordinary deodorants?
Las sopladoras son peligrosasHACIENDA DE TAOS
Learn to ride with Horse Whisperer Celina Reynolds
Las sopladoras son peligrosasDAÑOS CAUSADOS POR SOPLADORAS
Resultan peligrosas para personas, animales y plantas
Paul Salopek's 7-year walkPaul Salopek's Out of Eden Walk
Twice Pulitzer-Prize winner, Paul Salopek is a foster child of Zapopan. He is retracing Humanity's Greatest Voyage from Africa to Argentina...on foot.
New Decibel Noise Limits in MexicoCIVS: WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER
Found a python in your back yard? Guadalajara's Wildlife Rescue Center will give it a good home.
New Decibel Noise Limits in MexicoNOISE IN MEXICO:New Government Norms Set Decibel Limits. How to deal with noisy neighbors.
Trivolcanon: Hike to Three Mexican VolcanoesMexico's Triple Volcano Trek:Long-distance hiker Cam Honan will walk to Guadalajara's Big Three Volcanoes
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL
Introduction to Wikiloc for finding trails
An Introduction to Wikiloc
How to find hiking and biking trails near you
by KireMex
Interview with "Swami" Cam HonanThe Ahuisculco Forest

Protected by Selva Negra, a project of rock group Maná
Interview with "Swami" Cam HonanThe Melanin Battery: a new source of energy?
Interview with Dr. Arturo Solís, inventor of the Bat-Gen and Qiapi.
Interview with "Swami" Cam HonanAn Interview with Cam Honan, one of the world’s greatest long-distance hikers

This Intrepid Australian has walked over 80,467 kilometers in 55 countries
Archaelogist Carlos Lopez dead in Jalisco, MexicoCarlos López Cruz Murdered

One of Jalisco's best archaeologists, "a pioneer," dead at 47
Environmentally friendly way to stop a Bee AttackBee-attack update: Mexico & the USA

The city of Guadalajara Mexico has 300 bee attacks every month;
How to stop a bee attack the environmentally friendly way
Estacion Bicicleta Jalisco MexicoBike Station Primavera - Estación Bicicleta

A welcome oasis for cyclists and a model for Mexico’s parks
Alfredo Leal, Hermit in Jalisco, MexicoHunt for the Highland Hermit

Mystic philosophy, salubrious thistles and a beauteous belvedere
Geology of the Primavera by Barbara DyeAGUA BLANCA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

A paradise for hikers, campers and bird watchers, conveniently located next to El Saucillo archaeological site where you'll find a beautifully preserved circular pyramid (Guachimonton)
Geology of the Primavera by Barbara Dye
Geologist Barbara Dye tells the exciting story  of one of  the world's greatest explosions and the caldera it created right next to what is today Guadalajara, Mexico. Now available in PDF format.
How to Stay Hale and HealthyHOW TO STAY HALE AND HEALTHY EVEN IN OLD AGE

At last, John Pint shares his secrets. Here's how to do it!
Was Tequila Invented in Colima?
WHERE IS THE TRUE BIRTHPLACE OF TEQUILA?

Was mezcal, the forerunner of tequila, born in Colima? What role did Filipinos play?
A fascinating new documentary tells the story: in English, Spanish and French
Universal Multicultural Dialogue GuadalajaraA UNESCO GEOPARK IN WESTERN MEXICO

Coming soon? Will the second Geopark in North America be in Jalisco?

VERSION EN ESPAÑOL: Proyecto para un Geoparque UNESCO en México
Universal Multicultural Dialogue GuadalajaraLA CUEVA DE LOS MONOS
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAVE IN JALISCO MEXICO
Cat's claw, prickly rock, thousands of  burrs...but the cave was worth it all!
Universal Multicultural Dialogue GuadalajaraTHE UN IVERSAL, MULTICULTURAL DIALOGUE
In  2012, hundreds of people of different faiths met in Guadalajara, Mexico in an effort to understand one another. If vying religions can get together, maybe there's a chance for world peace after all...
Puerto Vallarta Botanical GardensVALLARTA BOTANICAL GARDENS

"The Best I've Seen Anywhere in the World"
UNDERGROUND IN ARABIA by John PintUNDERGROUND IN ARABIA by John Pint
A book review by Tim Barger
Rancho Pint takes us to the far-off deserts of Arabia. What lies beneath the dunes?
This new book is about caves, lava tubes, camaraderie, Bedouins, bats, jinns, ancient bones and rollicking adventure beneath the sand dunes of Arabia. Available now as a paperback or an ebook.
THE CASCADES OF COMALA

Aquetzalli Canyon on the Jalpa River is "straight out of Indiana Jones" and a delight to canyoneers...
as well as to normal human beings! The area really makes for a great Mexico vacation and getaway!
SAVE THE TOOTH -- SALVA EL DIENTE

The Mammoth Monoliths of Cerro El Diente are under attack. Don't wait to visit these incredible rocks, only 17 minutes from Guadalajara! And don't forget: the resorts around the City of Roses are just as nice as a Cancun hotel or resort
CHAMBA'S LAW  (LA LEY DE LA CHAMBA)

Why don't the potholes ever go away?
This and many other Mexican mysteries are explained at last...with the help of Don Pancho and the Acorn Woodpecker.

HOW TO ENJOY YOUR LAPTOP AND STAY HEALTHY

Tips from a Yoga Master: four quick and easy exercises you can do once every hour
RETURN TO THE MONOLITHS OF SAN ESTEBAN

A new route is found to the top of a mountain covered with rocky spires

Art Historian Acelia Garcia de Weigand

 wins Woman of 2011 award in the field of culture. Learn all about her 30 months living among the Wixarica (Huichol) Indians of Jalisco and Nayarit
Chapala's Newest and Most Melodious Hotel has a "unique concept."
Meet the owner and co-designer: multitalented Tony Wilshere
Grab your hiking boots, cell phone and plenty of water for an unforgettable journey into the past...
A retrospect on the discoverer of a lost Mexican civilization and a true Renaissance Man
Step back into the 1700s at this gorgeous hacienda built by Carmelite monks -- only 50 kilometers from Guadalajara, Mexico
Thanks to people like her, American kids are discovering "The Real Mexico"
A Jewel of an Hacienda is dying along the dike that shrank Lake Chapala
Mexico's Belgian-Swiss Composer-in-the-woods on Tour in the USA

AN INTERVIEW WITH BRAINTICKET
 
The artist attempts a mural that would unify the aspirations  of all human beings throughout history
Incredible bass fishing, Huichol villages and more
Book Review
Seventy pages of illustrations and descriptions by Karina Aguilar...and it's free!
At last the 2011 update is here, IN ENGLISH ... Find out what's inside!
La nueva edición de nuestro libro Al Aire Libre,
The Spanish Version of "Outdoors in Western Mexico"
Book Review
GUIDE TO BIRDS OF THE PRIMAVERA FOREST
Color photos of 197 birds that you can find in the wonderful woods just west of Guadalajara
Learn all about the secret lives of bats, Vampire Bugs and one of the strangest caves we've come across in a long time.
  
Peter Ruplinger and friends report on new cave discoveries near the pueblito of Palos Marias in Michoacán: pits, river caves, fabulous formations, scary spiders-- they found all of them and a lot more!
Narrow, cool and inviting, this Slot Canyon features natural shelves, a clear spring, orchids and a puma to boot.
The Wisdom of Ancient Seers
The inevitability of death was the cornerstone of The Warrior's Path...
All five of Mexico's natural ecosystems converge around Guadalajara, resulting in incredible biodiversity and natural beauty enclosed in an area the size of Kansas.
Mysterious columns of volcanic rock dot Guadalajara's Primavera Forest near the Rio Salado
A cabin beneath red canyon walls 400 meters high; hot springs and wild rivers: just another paradise inside the Magic Circle
A visit to Casa San Matias in the highlands: Los Altos de Jalisco
Besides bugs, this cave has bats... but to reach it, you may get jabbed with agave needles, pierced by thorns and nettled by evil Dominguilla plants. This is one story you don't want to miss... and one cave we don't plan to revisit soon!
Maestro Anshel Brusilow escapes from the Philharmonic  to Rancho Pint for an evening of Oh Hell... and shares some recollections of Stravinsky and Shostakovich.
At last the secrets of Little-Fig Cave are revealed, along with the secrets of better cave photography, long life, etc. etc.
STUDYING SPANISH THE SILENT WAY


A first-time visitor to Mexico comments on language learning and Guadalajara

 
A two-million-year-old Success Story. Follow Botanist Miguel Cházaro into an amazing cloud forest in western Mexico
The Mine, the Movies and the Stars. An Interview with Paolo Forti and Penelope Boston
with Photos you'll Never Forget!
Photo credit left: Speleoresearch Archive and Films La Venta
What was it like?  What's next?  An Interview with Gustavo Vela Turcott

Ancient Distillery and Heavenly Pools in Tecuane Canyon
Book Review:
Something new is happening in the Valley of Santa Rosa, 300 meters above the frothy Santiago River...hold on to your helmet!
15,000 Yaqui Indians were removed from Sonora in the early 1900s. Here's what happened to them...
Fifteen cavers from all over western Mexico gather to practice rescuing an accident victim hanging from a rope underground.
Another promising cave is found near Canutillo - by Mario Guerrero
Interview with Jorge Monroy - His new mural - A Gallery of Jorge Monroy Watercolors
Leaf Blowers may be Cause of Drastic Decline in Bird Population
VERSION EN ESPAÑOL:
JUST ANOTHER DESERT ADVENTURE
Sand Flying, Car Swerving and Gas Peddle to the Floor

Steve Bowen describes the thrill and challenge of driving in the sand...but what about that elephant?
Photo by Sergi Gomez
And the Headless Walker in White
Plus: The eternally howling winds of Puerto Del Aire
Photo by Sergi Gomez
THE HUAXTLA CAR AND BIKE ROUTE

A Scenic Drive Par Excellence and a fabulous place for hiking. biking and canyoneering
"Wait till you see this place," he said. "There's a fantastic jungle, a roaring river, archeological ruins, ripe mangoes, a hot waterfall...and it's only half an hour away."
An Englishman battles to save Mexico's unique fish.
Pez Diminuto del Río Teuchitlán Cuenta con Aficionados en Todo el Mundo
He raises 6000 tarantulas per year...what for?  The amazing story of Rodrigo Orozco and his project to save Mexico's tarantulas, which just happen to be the gentlest in the world.
Proyecto de Rodrigo Orozco para salvar a las tarántulas de México.
We've run into them one too many times! Check out our list of
 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AVOIDING OR SURVIVING A KILLER BEE ATTACK
Cartoon courtesy of TRINO
(LA ATARJEA TAPADA)
A cool hike to a tasty spring in the beautiful Primavera Forest.
THE CAVE OF THE DWARFS
Why does Chava look so happy? Discover the wonderful delights of this talus cave above the Santiago River            VERSION EN ESPAÑOL
Twenty-one years ago we found a mesa full of stone circles hidden in El Bosque de la Primavera. Until a few days ago, these ancient tombs were safe, but now....
Are the monoliths above Cuautla, Jalisco, really a "Mexican Stonehenge?" Join us--and "Michael Jackson"-- on a  visit to this  fascinating site for hiking and camping.
At last we get to enjoy a prehispanic meal at El Jardín Mestizo. The soup was cooked with the help of a red-hot rock and the mushrooms were encased in clay and baked under embers...and that's not half the story!
Poisonous plants, thorny acacias, roads that look more like rivers, slashing cane leaves, pounding thunderstorms: how much are cavers willing to put up with just to crawl into a hole in the ground?
Baby chicks the size of turkeys, the disgusting lava discharge...Zotz creeps deep into La Madriguera de los Lobos to survey the second lava tube found in Jalisco.
A lake vanishes and so do a few of the amazing petroglyphs...but we find a fabulous hot spring and a new cave that has a "charm all its own."
What did native people eat before the Spaniards arrived? To find out, we visited a unique, outdoor cooking school, dedicated to rescuing the ancient gastronomy of Western Mexico.
What is Geocaching? Check out this page and see what we discovered at El Tepalo Falls above Lake Chapala.
This curious cave in Nayarit has it all: vampires, tailless whip scorpions, leaf-cutters, snakes...
... and it might just be the world's only cave with an obsidian ceiling.
 


Naturalist Jesús Moreno Navarro treats us to twelve of his best photos.
Cave pearls, sparkling columns, tons of mud and the "Four" Passage which requires you to twist your body into a pretzel shaped like a 4.
Strange shapes, weird waves of volcanic rock, orchids and wild deer:  La Campana is one of the best sites for hiking and camping in Mexico and still as pristine as ever.

Excruciating relocation of Chiquihuitón Cave: only the skinny need apply.  Waiting for the world to end at Tequilizinta Bluff. Discovery of Carro Cave. Splashing through Chapuzón.

Chocolate dribbles, lava balls, multi-colored gour pools: Mexico's lava caves are first class!
This little mountain town lies nestled in the heart of the Sierra del Tigre, in western Mexico, 2,240 meters above sea level and 28 kilometers due south of Lake Chapala
“I’m going to take you to the obsidian workshop of Navajas so you can see with your own eyes what these humble people are doing,” declared our friend Pedro...
 
Powerpoint Show - 1.5 megabytes 
A 1.5 mb Powerpoint Slide Show of photos taken just before Katrina hit New Orleans.
 

Crystal-clear, bathtub-hot water bubbles up through clean sand  into a small pool surrounded by exotic plants... all this and CAVES as well !
Outstanding photos by naturalist Jesús Moreno Navarro.
Fotografías excelentes por el naturalista Jesús Moreno Navarro

What is this caver complaining about?
Join us (if you can take it!) for a visit to a (possibly) 2000-year-old obsidian mine
in Western Mexico   VERSION EN ESPAÑOL
Spanish-English bulletin of Grupo Espeleológico ZOTZ
Dedicated to proving  that Caving can be Fun... and Funny
A black cloud shrouds the Bosque de la Primavera.
A howling wind tears at the tejas on the rooftops.
And Rancho Pint is plunged into darkness.
This is the moment when strange tales are told...



CONTACT US:
OUR TELEPHONE AT RANCHO PINT:
From the USA: 011 (52) 333 151 1612
From the Guadalajara area: 31 51 16 12

More articles, more pictures, more stories... on just about anything



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Beat the heat in crater of the Tequila Volcano Crater is a picturesque landscape of oaks and pines, flowers and tall bunchgrass

Beat the heat in crater of the Tequila Volcano

Crater is a picturesque landscape of oaks and pines, flowers and tall bunchgrass


“There is a bottomless pit at the top of Tequila Volcano and no one has ever gone into it.”
This was a rumor I heard many years ago and because cave exploration is my hobby, I made up my mind that I would be the first to reach the bottom of that pozo sin fondo.
Tequila Volcano is located at the southern end of the famed town of Tequila, Jalisco, towering above it like a giant with his head in the clouds. Even on the hottest day you may need a jacket at the very top, which is 2,920 meters (9,580 feet) above sea level.
Curiously, we may never have heard of Tequila the town if it weren’t for Tequila the volcano. Up until its last eruption 200,000 years ago, this classic stratovolcano produced vast quantities of lava, including enough obsidian to rank the state of Jalisco fourth largest in the world in terms of obsidian deposits.
The ash released by the volcano covered a large area where, combined with abundant springs and near-tropical climates in the already fertile Santiago-river canyons, it helped produce the perfect environment for growing agave.
When I first asked the local people how to reach the peak of the volcano, I was told I would find a good cobblestone road which is well maintained to provide access to the microwave antennas perched on the crater rim.
“Crater? That might be more interesting than the so-called Bottomless Pit,” I thought.
The long and winding road up the volcano is a favorite for botanists and biologists who say that with every 200-meter rise in altitude, they find themselves in a different environment, with new plants, bugs and animals to explore.
One of those plants is carnivorous and appears at around 2,000 meters above sea level. It’s a delicate mountain violet or butterwort that traps tiny insects on its sticky broad leaves, which lie flat on the ground around the stem. You’ll often find this plant on the side of the road, in places where nothing else is growing, because it gets its nutrition from bugs rather than soil.
Searching for butterworts, we stumbled upon bright yellow Caesar’s mushrooms, an edible amanita which got this name because they were supposedly a favorite of the Roman emperor Claudius. In Spanish they are called yema de huevo, or egg yolks.
At altitude 2,838 meters, there’s a barely noticeable path leading to the rim of the crater and, by the way, to the so-called Bottomless Pit, which you can still see there today. This hole turned out to be conveniently located right next to a sturdy tree, making it very easy for me to rappel all of 20 meters down to its bottom where I found — absolutely nothing.
“This looks like a valiant attempt to dig a well,” I shouted up to my compañeros. Now before you suggest that it surely must have been a waste of time to dig a well at the top of a volcano, let me mention what we found only 230 meters away: a delightful cold spring from which clean, drinkable water bubbles all year round.
Fortunately, the crater of Tequila Volcano proved to be far more interesting than the 20-meter pit. The craters of some volcanoes have steep slopes covered with loose scree or ash where nothing whatsoever grows.
Tequila Volcano is just the opposite. Oaks and pines, flowers and tall bunchgrass combine to form an unusually picturesque landscape that I have found bewitching, no matter in what season of the year I have visited it. Tall trees offering lots of shade are the order of the day right up to 2,880 meters altitude, above which all you can see are “dwarf” trees, nature’s bonsais, so to speak.
A short walk on a relatively level path takes you along the perimeter of the crater rim, past trees and rocks covered with brightly colored lichen and velvety moss. Here you’ll see tall, prickly Saint Benedict’s thistle, supposedly good for all sorts of things from curing anorexia to promoting lactation and, if you keep your eyes open, you may spot a small white Govenia orchid which grows not in tree branches, but on the ground, often right next to the path.
In less than half an hour you’ll arrive at the base of the massive volcanic plug rising straight up above you, popularly known as la tetilla, the nipple. It is said that this spine represents the final gasp of volcanic activity in the crater after its last eruption 200,000 years ago.
Today this monolithic spire challenges the adventurous to climb to the very top for a spectacular view of what at first they might take for countless lakes stretching out in every direction. Of course, it’s only an illusion because this volcano is located precisely in the heart of tequila territory and what you are really looking at are vast fields of blue agave.
I’m not a mountain climber, but I found it easy (albeit scary) to reach the peak of the pinnacle, well belayed and under the supervision of an alpinista friend. The rush of adrenaline on the climb was followed by the rush of exhilaration upon discovery of the glorious view from the very top.
A visit to the crater of Tequila Volcano is something you’ll still be talking about when you’re 80.
If you’re visiting the town of Tequila and not too tipsy after the experience, you’ll find the cobblestone road to the top at the extreme south end of town (N 20.87231 W 103.84263). After following it uphill for 15.7 kilometers, you come to a locked gate. Park here and continue on foot another 1.6 kilometers until you reach N 20.78951 W 103.84820.
Here is the beginning of the trail to the base of the lava plug. For more information on this site, see Scouting the Tequila Volcano.





ZIPOLITE - THE ULTIMATE BEACH BUM TOWN

https://www.alongdustyroads.com/posts/2014/7/29/city-guides-zipolite-mexico


ZIPOLITE - THE ULTIMATE BEACH BUM TOWN

There are two types of people who will need little persuasion to make 
their way to Zipolite:
1) Fans of the cult Mexican 'coming-of-age' road move 'Y tu mama tambien' 
looking for similar epiphanies and awakenings for it was here that the 
mesmerising beach scenes were filmed.
2) Those who have a desire to sunbathe or wander around the beach 
as nature intended; in their birthday suit with numerous bodily appenda
ges swinging freely (age and luck dependent).

And if you encamp here long enough, you may just become someone 
who belongs to both groups.
'Zipolite te atrapa' and for good reason: this place is a little gem on 
Mexico's Oaxaca coast and you will probably struggle to leave.

GREAT FOR 

A stunning uncrowded beach, strong and challenging surf, an LGBT friendly 
crowd and simply doing nothing. Though there are a small selection of 
upmarket hotels and wealthy Mexican weekenders, Zipolite remains a budget 
backpacker haven without having sold its soul over to them (a la Puerto Escondido).
This was, in our view, the best place along Mexico's west coast.

AVOID IF

We don't know why any traveller worth their salt would want to miss this place. 
However, the laid-back, sometimes hippy-esque, atmosphere may have some 
craving more 'action' after a few days and the nudity scattered around the be
ach (mainly the far east and west sides) may make some uncomfortable.
Zipolite's sea also has a justifiably notorious reputation. The waves are strong, 
the current unpredictable and the undertow can be overpowering, so 
much so that the beach is also known by some as the 'beach of the dead'
There have been several drownings over the years and the sea here should be 
treated with respect and an appreciation of the dangers.
Volunteer lifeguards are a common sight and red or yellow flags will indicate t
he state of the ocean each day. We did enjoy swimming in the sea, with the
 crashing waves being a lot of fun to battle and jump into in shallow water, 
but this is not the sea for you to learn to surf or practise your swimming.

MUST DO

Although we'd like to pretend that we were a hive of activity and exploration 
during our time here, that is not what Zipolite is about. The must do things here 
usually involve mostly doing nothing: all you'll need is a good book, good 
company, a cold beer and barefeet. Those who prefer a luxurious experience 
can seek out the white sun-loungers at Hotel Nude and a few other bars – just 
buy a meal or a few drinks and they can be yours for the day.
Nearby Mazunte has the Mexican Turtle Centre which is a worthwhile 
day-trip - a camionetta ride will cost between $5-6 per person.

WHERE TO SLEEP

There are plenty of cheap rustic cabanasdorms and hammocks along the 
beach. Your best bet is the west-side of the beach as everything on the east 
side feels a little remote.
Budget accommodation is easy to find, with the going rate around $50 for 
a dorm/hammock/camping and $100 – 150 for a wooden cabana. Our top 
tip is El Carrizo wherea double room with wifi, kitchen and a great host will 
cost you $100 pesos a night.

WHERE TO DRINK

It seems that at any given time of day it is happy hour in Zipolite, with the majority of the beach flanked bars and restaurants serving up reassuringly strong 2-4-1 cocktails and cheap beers. Two of our favourites were Reggae Bar and Bang-Bang, conveniently situated next door one another, about half-way down the beach. Popular with local artisans and backpackers, these unpretentious watering holes are a great place to chill out in a hammock, beer in hand whilst listening to a great soundtrack and partaking in a drinking game or two.

WHERE TO EAT

The main street parallel to the beach houses cheap taco and seafood joints, 
pizzerias and a couple of Western-based menus.
Our top picks are the '5 tacos for $35' place and the barbecue chicken 
stall where you can have a mountain of a meal for $30/60/100 (depending 
on how much chicken you select) involving pasta, rice, tortillas, potatoes 
and salsas.
A number of the artisans also sell freshly baked pastries in the morning or 
late afternoon on the beach – ranging from $8-15, these are a delicious 
accompaniment to your coffee-break.
Hotel Nude is the high-end restaurant in town but its food is lacking in 
quality and very over-priced.

GETTING THERE

If coming from the North or the East of Oaxaca, your first port of call will be 
Pochutla, from where it is easy to flag down a camioneta to Zipolte on the ma
in road. Some of these will have a sign for Mazunte and go no further, so double 
check with the driver on final destination. The prices can vary a little depending 
on the driver, but the typical going rate is $12 pesos per person, for the 20-30 
minute ride.
If arriving from Puerto Escondido, the cheaper and quicker option is to get 
dropped off at the San Antonio crossroads (look out for the Oxxo shop), 
and wait for a camioneta towards Zipolite. Cost is approx $10 pesos per person.

TOP-TIP

There are numerous tiendas on the main street, but we discovered that the che
apest is the smallest, on the same side and closest to Posada Mexico. As well as
 the satisfaction of saving a few pesos, the best part about this shop is trying to 
eke a smile out of the owner, a glamorous octogenarian; It took us about a week.

BUDGET-BREAKER OR MAKER?

Maker. We planned three days in Zipolite and stayed for nearly three weeks. And 
we weren't the only ones who found themselves settling here for a lot longer than
 planned.
The cheapest accommodation so far on our trip ($100 for a cabana with private 
terrace and shared kitchen), friendly locals and a special atmosphere were 
all available without ever coming close to breaking our budget. 

LIKE IT? PIN IT!

Zipolite: the ultimate beach bum town

Posada Buena Vida Zipolite - Zipolite - Mexico Everywhere I go Everywhere I go

Posada Buena Vida Zipolite - Zipolite - Mexico




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Road to Pochutla , Oaxaca. . . . . . #Oaxaca #Mazunte #zipolite #Puertoangel #puertoEscondido ... Instagram 2 Likes, 1 Comments - alejandro lasso (@lassodeluz) on Instagram: "Highway Pochutla , Oaxaca. . . . . . #Oaxaca #Mazunte #zipolite #Puertoangel ...

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