Budget,
Backpackers,
Surfers,
Beach Lovers,
Naturalist,
Hippie,
Sun and Sand worshipers,
Off the Beaten Path Paradise! Everyone is welcome at Zipolite!
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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.
Hola, amigos! I’m often asked about how safe it is to visit Mexico. There are so many horror stories on the news, I’m sure many people think visiting Mexico is like jumping into the zombie apocalypse. That is not true at all, but you do have to follow certain guidelines to stay safe when traveling to Mexico.
One of the biggest myths about Mexico is that the whole country is a violent death trap. I admit it’s true that many gruesome things are going on, but I also advice you to put things into perspective.
Mexico is one of the largest countries in the world. That means that a dangerous situation does not necessarily affect the entire country. There are also many places in Mexico where everything is perfectly safe, calm, and peaceful.
Mexico is one of the world’s largest countries
Visiting Mexico is like visiting any other country. There are places you should visit and places you should avoid. There are things you can do and things you shouldn’t do.
However, you should play it safe. At the risk of angering the Mexican ministry of Tourism and many of my countrymen, I will be completely honest and share with you a few tips to help you stay safe in Mexico.
10 Guaranteed Ways To Stay Safe In Mexico
1. Don’t go to these dangerous places
You’ve heard on the news that there are violent and dangerous places in Mexico, and I’m sorry to say that this is very true. Fortunately, you don’t need to go to any of those places because all the tourist attractions and resorts are somewhere else.
This map shows you the states you should avoid (in yellow), according to the U.S. State Department. As you can see, most of the country is safe to visit.
In general, avoid the states that border with the USA, including Sonora, Baja California Norte, and also the state of Sinaloa.
Unfortunately, these states are part of trafficking routes and that’s what makes them so dangerous. Yes, there are things to see there, but it’s better not to risk it.
You also shouldn’t go to the states of Guerrero and Michoacan. Although they are not in this travel advisory section, they have recently been rocked by cartel violence and you should stay away from them.
2. Visit these safe and wonderful places
Most of the states in green (except for Sinaloa, Baja California Norte, Michoacan, and Guerrero), and all of the states in blue are perfectly safe to visit.
Better yet, these cities also offer other awesome little places only a short ride away. Mexico City has the pyramids of Teotihuacan nearby; the ancient ruins of Monte Alban are close to Oaxaca; from the white city of Merida you can catch a tour to the awesome Chichen Itza; the charming town of San Miguel is close to the city of Guanajuato; the picturesque Peña de Bernal is near Queretaro; and beautiful Cholula is right next to Puebla.
Also on the safe and wonderful side are the states of Hidalgo and Tlaxcala. The attraction there is to visit old towns and haciendas to get a taste of life in old Mexico.
Other places you can’t miss are the beach town of Huatulco in Oaxaca, the tropical city of Villahermosa and the Mayan ruins of Palenque in Tabasco, and Mexico’s rainforest version of the Grand Canyon, El Cañon del Sumidero in Chiapas.
There are plenty of peaceful, gorgeous beaches in Mexico
It’s worth noting that I did not mention even half of all the amazing places you can visit safely in Mexico. Sorry about that, but I couldn’t ever finish this post if I tried!
3. Be careful when you visit these other places
There are other famous places in Mexico that are worth a visit, but with certain precautions.
In Guerrero, you can visit the beach resorts of Acapulco, Ixtapa, and Zihuatanejo, as well as the colonial city of Taxco. In Michoacan, the city of Morelia is so gorgeous, even the Pope didn’t miss it. And in Sinaloa, the beach town of Mazatlan is popular with cruise ships and expats.
Even though these places are inside the forbidden zones, you can go there and be safe as long as you don’t wander away from the tourist areas. Also, it’s better to fly there instead of taking a bus or driving.
4. Travel safely
If you want to travel within Mexico, it’s best to fly, sign up for a tour, or take a first-class bus. Driving around is not a good idea.
I honestly don’t recommend that you rent a car. First of all, roads can be extremely confusing, and you might get hopelessly lost. Also, secondary highways are not safe. You would be better off taking a toll highway, although those are expensive. Finally, Mexican drivers are a bit reckless, so you don’t want to join them on the road. Trust me.
If you insist on driving, make sure you do so only during daylight. Also, try to travel with a local friend who knows his way around since it’s best not to stop and ask for directions.
The pyramids of Teotihuacan near Mexico City
5. Be safe in the city
The Mexican cities I mentioned above are all perfectly safe. Of course, you should observe certain safety guidelines. There might be pickpockets and thieves in crowded places, so don’t flash your cash in public. Use ATMs only in well-lit malls and stores, and don’t walk through dark, empty streets late at night. Also, don’t get so drunk that you are not aware of what you’re doing. Hailing cabs is not a good idea either. It’s best to call a cab service.
As you can see, this is all very common sense. I feel silly even giving you these obvious tips. Then again, you never know. Right?
6. Meeting new people
Most Mexicans are extremely friendly and courteous with foreigners. You’ll probably find that everyone is willing to lend you a helping hand if you need it.
You should know that English is NOT spoken everywhere, so most of the time you’ll have to get by with whatever bits of Spanish you know. But don’t worry! Even if your Spanish is awful, Mexicans will try their best to figure out what you’re saying.
As always, use your common sense when socializing. Accepting drinks and rides from complete strangers is never a good idea no matter where you are.
There are many lovely and interesting cities in Mexico
7. On blending in or standing out
Some sites recommend that you try to blend in as much as possible and avoid calling unnecessary attention to yourself. I have to say that’s much easier said than done. Everyone here can spot a foreigner from a mile away, so blending in is not really an option.
However, I do agree that you shouldn’t flash jewelry, cash, or expensive gadgets. That’s just an invitation to get robbed.
To be honest, Mexico is not the only place where you can get robbed. One of my friends got his camera stolen right out of his hands when he was walking through Paris, so this sort of thing can happen anywhere.
8. Exploring the countryside
Mexico has amazing views and many diverse landscapes, so it’s tempting to go on a hiking adventure. You can do that, and it’s perfectly safe as long as you follow basic hiking safety guidelines, such as not going out by yourself.
I do have to warn you against driving on rural roads. You might get lost and cell phone coverage in those areas is non-existent. It’s better to make sure that the hiking tour includes transportation to and from the hotel.
The mesmerizing landscape in Baja
9. Getting crazy
Lots of people think of Mexico as an ideal place to get crazy, specially during spring break. As you can imagine, this goes against all the common sense safety rules I just mentioned.
Local authorities work hard to take good care of tourists so they can have a good time, but that doesn’t mean you should take part in risky situations. Getting into a drunken fight at a seedy joint is never a good idea, for example.
Also, adult entertainment spots are popular with members of the organized criminal gangs and cartel people, so it’s dangerous to go there. Just don’t do it, people.
10. Kidnapping, carjacking and other nightmares
As a tourist, your risk of getting kidnapped in Mexico is practically zero. Sadly, kidnapping for ransom is a real danger for ordinary Mexicans citizens, but not for tourists. Just use your common sense, avoid risky situations, and use ATMs only in stores and malls.
Carjacking is also a problem on Mexican highways, but that mostly happens to people who drive around late at night on lonely roads. It’s also a matter of common sense not to do that, so carjacking shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Finally, there are the random stories of people disappearing and getting butchered somewhere in Mexico. Quite frankly, that will only happen if you insist on wandering around places you’re not supposed to be, such as dangerous states (see map above), seedy joints, dark alleys, and back roads.
Basalt rock formations in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico
10 Guaranteed Ways To Stay Safe In Mexico
Don’t visit places where travel is not advised (see map above).
Go to places where travel is deemed safe (see map above).
If there is a travel advisory, stay in tourist areas.
Avoid driving around by yourself. It’s best to fly or take a bus.
Travel by road only during daylight, and avoid secondary and rural roads.
Use ATMs only in well-lit stores and malls.
Don’t flash cash, jewelry or expensive gadgets.
Don’t wander around seedy spots and joints.
Don’t accept drinks and rides from complete strangers.
Don’t get excessively drunk and crazy.
The Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City
The Bottom Line
Visiting Mexico is quite safe if you follow basic, common sense safety rules like the ones I mentioned above. As a matter of fact, you should follow those common sense safety rules no matter what country you’re visiting.
However, it’s sad for me to admit that there are dangerous places in Mexico that you should never set foot on. Honestly, that is a shame. The entire country should be safe and open for all its citizens and tourists.
It’s true several horrible incidents involving tourists have happened- Adam Coleman and Dean Lucas, Harry Devert and Craig Taylor were all tourists who ended up dead. Actually, they were doing exactly the things I just advised you should never do. Nevertheless, I do not blame them. I believe people should be able to come to Mexico and not be in danger at all. Ever.
The bottom line is, if you want to come to Mexico, don’t be afraid to do so. I just shared some very simple, easy ways that guarantee you’ll stay safe and have fun.
My best piece of advice is to come to Mexico and have the best time of your life. Visit a few of the many amazing places I mentioned, have some good food, and enjoy your time here. I promise you’ll want to return, or perhaps you’ll never want to leave!
Have you ever been to Mexico? Do you have any experiences to share? Comment!
I love the fall, and one of the things I enjoy most about it the food. There’s so much yummy comfort food to savor!
One of my favorite fall recipes is Mexican corn on the cob. This is also known as Mexican street elotes. Yum!
“Elote” is the Mexican word for corn on the cob. When the evening comes, you can find elotes being sold on almost any street corner.
The vendors will take the elote out of a large, steaming pot, and top with anything you want. It’s a delicious treat!
My kids love elotes, but I prefer to make this at home for them. It’s very easy and quick, and it makes for the perfect evening treat!
How to make delicious Mexican corn on the cob
First, get yourself some nice, fresh, tender corn. I usually go to my local mercado.
To check if the corn is fresh, gently squeeze one of the kernels with your fingernail. If a some white, milky liquid comes out, it means the corn is fresh!
I got this corn from some local agronomy students who had just harvested their own corn. They were selling a dozen for $18 pesos ($1 US dollar). Talk about cheap!
Next, remove the leaves and the cornsilk. I chopped off a bit of both ends and the leaves came off very easily.
Don’t worry if you can’t get every single bit of cornsilk off. It’ll slide off when you cook it.
After that, put the corn in a pot with enough water to cover them. You can cook it in a regular pot, but I like to use my pressure cooker. It’s a lot faster that way.
In a regular pot, it will take about an hour for the corn to cooked once it starts boiling. In a pressure cooker, it takes only about half the time.
I added half a cone of piloncillo to the cooking water. Piloncillo is a Mexican kitchen staple. It’s a kind of brown sugar and it’s used to make most Mexican sweets and desserts.
The piloncillo adds a characteristic sweet-but-not-too-sweet flavor to the corn.
If you don’t have any piloncillo, don’t worry. You can add a couple of tablespoons of sugar and that’s it.
Don’t add any salt to the cooking water or the corn won’t come out soft!
Once the corn is done, let it cool a little and then it’s ready for the toppings!
Toppings for delicious Mexican elotes
First, slather it with mayonnaise all over.
Next, sprinkle grated white cotija cheese on it. Don’t use yellow cheese, it doesn’t work.
Then, top with a bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper. Or lime juice if you’re not into spicy stuff.
That’s it! You’re ready to enjoy a delicious Mexican elote.
I have to warn you that you’ll probably smear mayo and cheese all over your face,but that’s all part of the fun!
Elotes are one of my favorite fall treats. What’s yours?
The One Word That Could Negate Your Travel Insurance Coverage
With travel insurance coverage (and any other kind of insurance coverage) the devil is in the details—more specifically, the fine print. And one word can make a huge difference in your risk coverage: "unforeseen."
If you've followed my travel insurance coverage at all, you might know these two important travel insurance basics: First, most policies exclude trip-cancellation (TCI) and medical coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Second, many policies will waive that exclusion if you decide to purchase both TCI and medical coverage within a short time of making your initial travel insurance payment—about a week to a month after.
The 'Gotcha' Word in Your Travel Insurance Coverage
But the word "unforeseen" in your travel insurance plan can nullify that additional coverage you've purchased, which takes effect only if you are medically able to travel at the time you buy the insurance. If a pre-existing condition would prevent you from traveling at the time you buy the insurance, you won't be covered for any issues that stem from that condition. You can't figure, "I'll get over it," or "I'll cope," and must be able to travel upon purchasing the insurance.
A typical policy allows you to travel with a pre-existing condition that's under control thanks to medication—but it must be fully controlled when you buy the insurance. If you can't live with that uncertainty, buy a "cancel for any reason" policy, but read the fine print before you do.
In many cases, people with chronic medical problems can't insure their trips risk-free. If you're in that position, you can minimize your risk by making all of your arrangements refundable or cancellable, with only minimal penalties.
The "unforeseen" limitation appears in most travel insurance coverage policies, and can also come back to bite you in circumstances other than pre-existing medical conditions.
Say, for example, you're considering a trip to Florida, and at the time you make arrangements, a named tropical storm is already developing in the eastern Atlantic. If it becomes a hurricane and hits Florida, is it "unforeseen," or not? Here, my friends in the travel insurance business tell me, the answer isn't clear. Some policies would cover cancellation; others might not. The same is true for similar possible areas of unforeseen problems like political unrest, terrorism, and strikes.
The risk is fairly clear for medical pre-existing conditions. But for many more ambiguous contingencies, your best bet is to contact one of the big online travel insurance agencies and ask for a policy that will cover whatever specifics risks are of concern to you.
Consumer advocate Ed Perkins has been writing about travel for more than three decades. The founding editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, he continues to inform travelers and fight consumer abuse every day at SmarterTravel.
Tropical storm watch issued but the system is forecast to remain offshore
Mexico News Daily | Wednesday, October 4, 2017
A tropical storm watch has been issued on the Pacific coast of Mexico but the storm in question is a small one and is expected to remain offshore, the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) said this morning.
However, it began delivering heavy rains to parts of Oaxaca Monday, hitting the coastal towns of Mazunte and San Agustinillo particularly hard and leaving flood damage in at least 50 business premises and dozens of homes.
Two inland communities were cut off by landslides.
Wet weather is forecast to continue on the Oaxaca and Guerrero coast as tropical storm Ramón makes its way west-northwest, parallel to the coastline.
At 10:00am CDT it was situated about 90 kilometers south of Puerto Àngel, which is located about 10 kilometers east of Mazunte.
Both towns are popular tourist destinations located between Huatulco and Puerto Escondido.
The tropical storm watch extends from Puerto Àngel to Acapulco.
The NHC said Ramón was a small tropical storm, but predicted 50 to 100 millimeters of rain with isolated amounts of 150 millimeters in parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero through tomorrow.
+ Visita Playa Ventanilla (opcional tour por manglares costo $ 70).
+ Visita al Museo de la Tortuga (opcional costo aprox. $50).
NO INCLUYE: Comidas, propinas y aquello que no esté especificado. La entrada al Festival es GRATUITA.
***APARTA TUS LUGARES CON SOLO EL 50% Y EL RESTO LIQUÍDALO AL ABORDAR***
Contamos con pago en efectivo, transferencia, PayPal, depósito en Oxxo, bancos y tarjetas de crédito (3 ó 6 MESES SIN INTERESES con BBVA, Banamex, Santander, Banorte y AMEX).
