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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

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Tulum and Cancun could go into 'imminent' lockdown - even as travelers are flocking there Victoria M. Walker

 

Tulum and Cancun could go into 'imminent' lockdown - even as travelers are flocking there

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With its proximity to the United States, cheap flights on multiple airlines and relaxed entry requirements, Americans have traveled to destinations across Mexico throughout the pandemic.  

And few areas may be as popular with sun-seeking tourists as Quintana Roo, the Mexican state on the Caribbean coast that's home to such iconic resort getaways as Cancun, Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya and Tulum.

Unfortunately, travelers with upcoming trips to Quintana Roo may see their plans in jeopardy as the state's governor debates a lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Here's what you need to know if you're considering a trip.

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ocean border at Tulum. (Photo by photo by dasar / Getty Images)

A COVID-19 arises in Quintana Roo

According to the Associated Press, Quintana Roo Gov. Carlos Joaquín said last Thursday the state has seen five weeks of increases in cases and blamed the surge partly on Easter travel. And now, the state is at risk of imposing an "immediate lockdown."  

“We knew that there were large risks during Easter week, that there could be a greater number of infections. Unfortunately, that came to pass, ”Joaquín said, according to the AP.

The Mexican government uses a so-called stoplight system, which is frequently updated, to determine what is allowed to open and or must remain closed in its states. The four metrics to assess the colors (green, yellow, orange and red) are the trend in numbers of new cases, hospital occupancy trends, current hospital occupancy rates and percentage of positive cases.  

Quintana Roo is currently under the “orange” designation , which means that essential and nonessential labor activities are permitted but with certain limitations. Activities in public spaces are allowed but with restrictions, while activities in closed areas are completely suspended. Tourist activities and hotels and restaurants are currently capped at 50% occupancy.   

If Quintana Roo reaches the “red” designation , it will go into lockdown. Under the red designation, only essential activities will be allowed and people will be restricted to a walk around their homes during the day. We've reached out to the Quintana Roo travel board and will update this post if we hear back. 

Nightlife is prominent in places like Tulum and Cancun - popular spring break destinations known for wild parties, but travelers headed there now will have to enjoy their piña coladas in their hotel rooms. Bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues are supposed to be closed at this time, according to the state government, but readers noted packed bars in the region.

More than 220,000 people have died in Mexico since the start of the pandemic, trailing behind only the US, Brazil and India. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data , the country has recorded nearly 2.4 million positive cases.   

The situation hasn't fared much better when looking at Quintana Roo-specific numbers. The state has recorded over 25,000 cases of the coronavirus and nearly 2,700 deaths, though those numbers are likely an undercount.

In December, the CDC assigned Mexico a Level 4 “very high” COVID-19 designation (it's still at that status) and said that “all travel” to the country should be avoided. The US State Department also assigned Mexico its highest warning, Level 4: Do Not Travel - though most countries are currently at that level.    

Balancing the need for tourism with safety

Crowds a the Cancun airport. (Photo by Mary Kate Heaney / The Points Guy)

The COVID-19 situation in Quintana Roo is a messy confluence of the state's reliance on tourism, easy entry requirements and pandemic fatigue from foreign travelers.

A report from Airlines for America found that Mexico was the “clear leader” in international travel in April, with most of those travelers being US citizens. Tourism is the region's bread and butter, and the pandemic decimated the industry - which relies on American and other foreign tourists.  

When travel dried up at the onset of the pandemic last year, Quintana Roo was among the hardest hit, losing almost 64,000 jobs in about a month . Around half of Cancun's economy is directly supported by travel and tourism, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and over 40% of jobs directly support the industry. The organization in 2018 named Cancun the world's most tourism-dependent city. And Mexico never closed its borders, unlike many other countries during the pandemic.   

Americans flocked to Mexico, and the Quintana Roo area in particular, during the pandemic because of inexpensive flights and cheap hotels. Nearly 1 million international travelers flew into Cancun (CUN) airport, the largest airport in the region, in April of this year, according to Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, known as ASUR, an international airport group in Mexico, the US and Colombia.  

Flights are relatively affordable, with several of the US's largest airports offering nonstop flights to Cancun, often as low as $ 200 round-trip. And the airlines are taking advantage of the increased demand: Frontier, for instance, reportedly doubled international flights to destinations to Cancun and Cozumel, according to Cirium , and airlines are flying full plans to Mexico due to interest from travelers. 

Traveling to Mexico has also been relatively easy, compared to other international destinations. Beach-goers and holiday-seekers who arrive in Mexico are not required to self-quarantine or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. However, travelers may be subject to health screenings at airports and other points of entry. This is different from entry requirements for the US and Canada, which require negative COVID-19 tests to enter their borders, even for fully vaccinated travelers.  

Having a COVID-19 vaccine is also not a requirement like it is for other international destinations.

And even precautions that have been put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, such as physical distancing, may be more relaxed or not as strongly enforced. Last November, a large music party in Tulum turned into an international superspreader event after several guests contracted the virus and brought it back to cities like New York. Other over-capacity parties have been shut down, even though there's a ban on nightlife .   

It's clear that Quintana Roo is in a precarious position, balancing public health with the need for tourism in popular destinations like Tulum and Playa Del Carmen. But what has become clear is that there's limited time for the region to get back on track, before it faces its worst surge in COVID-19 cases yet.

Featured photo by Arthur Fonoretzky / Getty Images

Tomorrow May 19 Ashtanga Yoga Led Class with Chacal from Guatemala

 

Tomorrow May 19 Ashtanga Yoga Led Class with Chacal from Guatemala, studying in Mysore, India.
Come 10min before we close the Door on time. 💘
At @casaom mazunte.
4:00pm
MXN100






The Eye Huatulco · Latest Issue Online https://huatulcoeye.files.wordpress.com/.../may-june-2021...

 




Surfer killed in shark attack near popular Australia beach It is the country's first fatal shark attack of the year. Last year saw eight deaths.

SYDNEY — A man was killed in a suspected shark attack Tuesday off a popular beach on the mid-north coast of Australia's New South Wales state, rescuers and police said.

Emergency services were called to Tuncurry beach, more than 186 miles north of Sydney, after reports of the shark attack, NSW police said in a statement.

The man, thought to be in his 50s, suffered critical injuries to his upper right thigh after being attacked while surfing.

"Despite the best efforts of paramedics and bystanders at the scene, the man could not be resuscitated," NSW Ambulance said in a tweet.

The incident would be Australia's first fatal shark attack of the year, according to the Taronga Conservation Society, which collects shark attack data. Eight people were killed last year.

Tuncurry beach, also called the Nine Mile beach, and neighboring Forster Main Beach have been closed.

Estrella Galicia Caparica Surf Fest | Day 1

 


Monday, May 17, 2021

The CDC Changes COVID-19 Testing Requirements for International Flights


 
The CDC Changes COVID-19 Testing Requirements for International Flights
 
 
The CDC Changes COVID-19 Testing Requirements for International Flights
 
The new CDC ruling on COVID-19 tests for international air passengers returning to the United States will make travel a little easier—but there's one important detail you need to know.
 
 
 

Mexico News Today Monday, May 17, 2021

 

MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021

New poll predicts Morena will lose its majority in Chamber of Deputies

The ruling party will lose direct power over the lower house of Congress at the June 6 elections, but the coalition it leads will still control the legislative body, a survey commissioned by El Pais newspaper suggests. FULL STORY

Covid on the decline: new cases, deaths have been steadily dropping

Health Ministry Director of Epidemiology José Luis Alomía said the sustained decrease over the last 19 weeks was “good news” but warned against complacency. FULL STORY

Some teachers make special effort to overcome Covid-19 pandemic’s challenges

Innovative educators have found creative ways to reach students and connect with them despite the constraints of distance learning. FULL STORY

Mexico will attempt to stop New York auction of pre-Hispanic artifacts

The Mexican government said it will take legal measures to prevent the sale of pre-Hispanic artifacts by Sotheby’s New York. FULL STORY

Economic crisis closed at least 867 bank branches in 2021

Banks feeling the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic shuttered nearly 900 locations in the first quarter of the year and consumers reduced their use of credit cards. FULL STORY

Chedraui purchases chain of US warehouse stores

The US $620-million purchase means that Chedraui, through its U.S. subsidiary Bodega Latina, will take over the Smart & Final brand and its 254 locations. FULL STORY

World-traveling YouTubers find enchantment in CDMX

Since 2019, Ernestas Tyminas and Darina Karpitskaya have been living a nomad's dream: traveling the world. They recently visited Mexico City. FULL STORY

MEXICO LIFE

A recently discovered Maya site in Campeche's jungle still gets few visitors

The archaeological find of Balamku holds perhaps one of the most beautiful surviving stucco friezes from the ancient Maya world, Thilini Wijesinhe writes. FULL STORY

MEXICO LIFE

Juicy, delicious shrimp is easily achieved once you know a few basics

The shellfish has a well-deserved reputation as being tricky to buy, prepare and cook. But these tips will help you navigate the potential pitfalls, Janet Blaser writes in The Tropical Table. FULL STORY

Rain relieves CDMX drought but scientists warn the future could bring worse

Recent studies show that the Valley of México is at risk for entering into a prolonged drought. FULL STORY

Mexico City government approves tougher penalties for making a racket

Last month, more consequential noise regulations went into effect in the nation's capital, with violators subject to higher fines and arrest. Here's what you need to know. FULL STORY
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Chihuahua native is third Mexican to win Miss Universe crown

The software engineer was crowned Sunday night at the contest's 69th pageant in Hollywood. FULL STORY

MEXICO LIFE

How San Cristóbal de las Casas became a haven for chocolate, coffee

In just a few decades, the city has gone from sleepy Chiapas town to a center for high-end makers of these gourmet treats, Leigh Thelmadatter writes. FULL STORY

THE MND POLL


THE STORY:
Militarization: a lost war that has only brought ‘catastrophic’ results. FULL STORY
THE QUESTION: 
The military is being given increasingly more power. Does it represent a threat to a healthy democracy? VOTE HERE
LAST POLL:
Are you confident enough in cryptocurrency to use it for payments and money transfers? 
88% distrust it. FULL RESULTS