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January 2003 to January 2004

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So, here's how it works:if you're fortunate enough to have been in Zipolite, San Augustinillo, Mazunte, or other points in this area, write up your trip. Tell us where you stayed, where you ate, the things that you did, and what your impressions were. Or if you're really the envy of all of us by fact of living there, tell us what you think are the "do not miss"-es of the area. If you're planning a trip down, ask questions. Someone will answer. And lets vicariously enjoy paradise.

I was in Zipolite in February 2001 just before the big fire, with my husband and 2 other male friends. Our friend had been to Zipolite before and recommended it to us. Our idea was to do _nothing_ for a week. We had no plans. I highly recommend the "flow" method of traveling.

We flew into Mexico City and took a grueling 17 hour overnight bus trip the next evening (after checking out Teotihuacan) via Oaxaca, Salina Cruz, Huatulco and finally(!) to Pochutla in the morning. Shared a taxi to "downtown" Zipolite where we stashed our bags at the restaurant next to Posada Brisas Marina, had a snack, and walked up and down the beach for a while trying to find the best spot to stay. We ended up back where we started at PBM.

Carl and I took an upstairs room ($18 at the time) which suited us perfectly: balcony with hammock, ceiling fan, private bathroom with hot water (but you hardly need it), and a gorgeous view of the ocean right outside our window. Cool breezes kept us comfortable and mosquito-free. Our friends took one of the courtyard cabanas with thatched roof, cement floor and sleeping loft, for $8. (These may not be there now because of the fire, I don't know.)

[Unless it is Christmas or Easter, I think reservations are useless. Just go and look around, you can check out the entire place on foot in about an hour. Or take any room for the first night, then move the next day if you find one that suits you better. Take half the clothes and twice the money you think you need. Don't take anything you can't afford to lose. Pay attention.]

Each morning we would wander out to the palapa and string up our hammocks for another serious day of loafing. Even though I was obviously with my husband, I was propositioned once or twice, but I declined with no bad feelings either way. Rite of passage? Whatever. I took it in stride and felt pretty safe with my husband and 2 male traveling companions.

We got drinking water from the tienda across the road, I remember. We paid a small deposit on the bottle and got 3 (?) gallons at a time.We never had a bad meal in Zipolite. The fresh fish is the best! Margaritas (and drinks in general) were relatively expensive, I remember - $4 for a HUGE margarita and $1 for bottle beer, if I recall. Remember this was 2 years ago.

We did our banking in Pochutla - best to go early in the morning before it gets too hot. Walk out to the main road to catch a colectivo or camioneta - cheaper than a taxi. (Get plenty of small change if you can. It's in short supply at the beach.)

One day we got a group together and took a boat ride from Puerto Angel. We saw sea turtles & sea snakes, but no dolphins or whales. We did some snorkeling (mask and fins provided by the trip operator) at a little bay and had a snack at a little place on the beach in this pretty cove. That was about the extent of our "planned" activites while we were there. The rest of the time we lay in our hammocks (which you can buy from vendors who stroll the beach), swam in the warm ocean, ate delicious food, danced at the discos if we had the energy, or otherwise just walked the moonlit beach and talked with people we met at the restaurants. It was, for me, the perfect vacation.

What I found at Zipolite: mostly young people from Europe, Canada, South America, not too many tourists from the US, backpackers, former hippies, friendly locals, a laid-back, tolerant atmosphere (sex, nudity, marijuana if you want it, are all there), and a blessed absence of consumerist disneyland-style tourist culture. No phones or televisions in the rooms, no fitness center, no mall, no cell phones.

There are mosquitos & no-see-ums, dogs humping on the beach, people doing the same thing only a little more discreetly, great cheap places to stay, great food, low-key nightlife, good conversation, good food, the most inviting ocean to swim in, a beautiful sandy beach where you can still collect shells...in short, a litte slice of paradise. Don't tell your friends. Just go, you'll either love it or hate it. If you hate it you can be in Huatulco or Puerto Escondido in a couple of hours. If you love it you may have a hard time leaving, and an even harder time staying away once you do leave. It gets inside you.

[%sig%]

Its so...empty...here now! Hey, did anyone get the address of the new Shambhala website before the old board went under? Daniel, you out there?

Zipolite on the 28th!! Wooohooo!!

The URL is for Shambala is http://shambhalavision.tripod.com/ [%sig%]

Well put, Cathie! But before folks start freaking out, those were snake eels, not sea snakes. There are no sea snakes in the eastern Pacific.

Is the email for Paraiso del Pescador in San Agustinillo working? I tried it a week ago and haven't gotten a response.

It's nice to see the new comments section in Spanish as well as English!

[%sig%]

Thanks for the clarification, John. Chalk it up to my muy poquito command of Spanish. It sort of freaked me out, whatever it was! The guide who pointed it out said it was deadly poisonous, but maybe he was just trying to inject a little excitement into our trip.

Really good deals right now.... Check Alaska Airlines, under promotions...To and from Mex...really good deals from Seattle, Phoenix, L.A. going to P.V, Ixtpa, Los Cabos...under $99- $194(one way...)

You have to book before Jan 30th... They don't get you all the way to Zip...but at least your on your way!!! Now if I could just fit in someone suitcase...ha! ha! :)

Wow, those *are* great fares, Tina. Kinda tricky though in that the quoted prices are half the roundtrip fare (can't book one way) and minus taxes. Heres the link...

http://www.alaskaair.com/www2/Promo/FarePromos/PostHolidayMX.asp

For a huge array of amazing airfares, head over to sidestep.com and install their little fare search engine (you can skip the registration) It skims the best fares off of 140 sites (including those Alaska Air specials) This thing absolutely rocks! Sidestep found me a ticket on United, Ohio to Mexico City for $225 ($300 even with taxes). Prices quoted on sidestep are all taxes included. Im a bit of a net airfare junky and Ive never seen anyone match these prices. I can spend HOURS playing with this thing.

See y'all down on the beach around the 1st week of Feb!!

I got a ticket on Mexicana from Sac, CA to Mexico City for $414 round trip (taxes included) using Yahoo! travel (aka Travelocity). Seemed reasonably cheap to me.

This will get me there in time to catch the 6:45 pm Cristobal Colon bus to Pochutla via Oaxaca the same afternoon (one way US$45). I'll arrive on the beach the next morning and be swaying in my hammock with a cerveza beside me the next afternoon. See you there! (2nd week of February)

Hello all, I am looking for info about lodging in the Zipolite-San Agnostinillo-Mazunte area. I would like to rent a room or house for 3 to 4 weeks in March. Any information on this and pricing would be appreciated. Thanks.

Marty

To answer your question Sean, yes I'm still around. But in Kansas right now getting ready for the drive to San Miguel de allende, Zihuatenejo and finally Zipolite to vistit my sister Gloria of Shambhala. Hope to see you there!

Daniel de Shambhala [%sig%]

Greetings John and hola to everyone else interested in and around the area of Zipolite. I've been going to Zipolite for almost 20 years and helped build Shambhala with my sister Gloria. Shambhala is in the process of rebirth and transformation see our website: http://shambhalavision.tripod.com/ I'm the public relations director for Gloria, but also the shambhala tourist guide. I can take you to some beautiful places like our retreat in the foothills of Oaxaca which fronts the river of Chacalapa, or to my favorite hidden beach with three caves just a short hike behind out land. There are trails to San Augustanio that go along the crest of the coast line with fabulous little coves. If you would like to day trip with me to some of those hidden places come by Shambhala to see me the first week in February, I should be there doing Thai Massage.

Namaste, Daniel [%sig%]

Tell me about San Miguel de allende. I have many artist friends that go there and just love the place. They stay all winter. It is in the mountains, correct? I've been to Zihau several times, love it there as well as PA and Zipolite. Tell me, about how far is it from San Miguel de allende to the coast...Zihau or Puerto Angel?

Hi everyone!

I can't find the way to access the old comments that were entered on the Zipolite site in 2001, 2002 and the first days of January 2003. Anybody knows? Thanks.

Hey, thats cool Daniel....I like the new website. You may remember me, Im the American guy who was running the place while Gloria was up in Oaxaca getting her knees worked on. All together, I was there from the milenio until right before the Ishaya people came in 2001. Whats new in paradise? Juan Flaco and Genaro still around? I should be down there in a couple weeks...see you then.

Saludos de Ohio Sean

I am currently staying in my friend, David´s, cabana on Rinconcito in Mazunte. It is a couple stairways above the beach and has the most gorgeous view I´ve ever seen, from the base of Punta Cometa all the way to Puerto Angel. (It´s below the Alta Mira cabanas, closer to the beach.) It´s hard to describe what a great spot this is. I´ll probably be leaving on March 7, and I´m helping David find someone to rent it after I leave. The house itself is brick, attractive, nicely built, a whitewashed room with a bed with mosquito net, table, chair, shelves, water dispenser, three windows; a bathroom with shower and flush toilet, with a beautiful mural of vines and birds and cactus painted on the wall (David is an artist as well as a fisherman); and a front porch covered by a palapa, with a sink, hammock and chairs. Everything is quite artistic and lovely, and the location is superb. David will also be able to take you out to fish, snorkle, or whalewatch. There are great restaurants a short walk away.

If you¨re looking for something a more comfortable than the usual rooms here, and want a drop-dead gorgeous view, this is the place for you.

If anyone is interested in renting for a week or more, please email me or answer here. Or email me any questions. I check email every Wednesday and Saturday.

Saludos amigos

Do you have some pictures? How much is the rent? I am a Barra de Navidad type of person, usually, but heard a lot about Zipolite...

Pablocito, I've lived in both the Costalegre and the Costa Esmeralda. Once you've seen the Oaxacan coast, it'll be hard to go back to La Barra.

Joan, this sounds ideal but the dates don't work for me. I'm arriving Feb 12 for a 10 day stay. If you or your friend know of any similar places for rent in Mazunte or nearby, I'd be interested in hearing about them. Thanks!

Yeah, its too bad that all that stuff is gone. Hey Tom, is there an archive of that stuff you can link to?

"...I check my e-mail every Wednesday and Saturday..." DAMN, that should get someone on the road south all by itself! Let me live vicariously here...if there's no need for business services, you walk out of your cabaña and catch the next camioneta to one of the internet cafés in Zipolite, but if you have to go to the bank or Super El Fuente, you probably go on into Pochutla and check your email there and take a collectivo back, right? And then wash the town dust off with either a tepid shower or a plunge into the sea... How are you going to STAND going back to civilization, girl?

Daniel, we have met, long ago. And I look forward to renewing our acquaintance, though probably not before May.

I second the other two, where are the old ones?

John, Youve got it exactly right. (Sorry, I cant seem to find the apostrophe on this keyboard.) Wednesday its Zipolite, Saturday Pochutla (to also get money and shop). And the dust disappears in the warm waters of Rinconcito bay.

In answer to some of the questions Ive received about the cabana...

There is no electricity. I use candles at night. I find that even with my bad eyes Im able to read at night by the light of three candles (cost=30 cents a day). There is a breeze from the ocean and so far Ive felt no need for a fan. In fact, I pull up the blanket at about 3am every morning. There is no screening at the windows right now, but Im going to try to get David to put some up; that shouldnt be very complicated. Some nights there are no mosquitos at all, and some nights theyre pesky. There are coils in the room which I burn on the porch; thats been effective. The mosquito net over the bed is 100% effective, and I sleep about 10 hours a night like a baby. The mattress is very comfortable.

The price is 250 pesos a night for two people. If you rent for a month, it will be 6000 pesos. For a single, its 220 and 5500.

The only caveat I would have is that one stretch of rock steps is a little slippery and often covered with loose gravel, and I wouldnt advise an elderly person to take the cabana unless theyre in good shape with good balance. Carrying an infant up and down might also pose a problem. (Now if I can only talk David into putting up a banister on that stretch!) And yes, its right next to Richards house. (Look down and to the right.) Ill be back in touch on Saturday.

Joan

Sounds like paradise to me. I am planning to go to Mazunte in october or november.Has anyone here stayed at Alta Mira,and if so,would you recommend it?And do you think there is any need to book ahead?

lars

Hello, I read your post on an available rental for the month of March. A friend and myself are planning to be in the Puerto Escondido area for the entire montrh of March. Is there availability? You mentioned alot in your replies to others in this post, but do you have any pics? How far is it to Zipolite, and Puerto Escondido?

I will look forward to your reply, please email me @ insomniac@intrex.net, Sincerely, Nathanael Mays

For choices in Puerto Escondido, check out the web site below.

<http://www.puertoconnection.com> [%sig%]

About an hour east of Puerto Escondido, you'll come to a tiny village on Hiway 200 named San Antonio. Take a right next to Restaurante San Antonio, known locally for its great prawns served on Sundays. Ask for "langostinos". The first village you come to on the beach "loop" is La Ventanilla, home to not only a loooonnnngggg, pristine beach but also a lagoon full of caimans, well worth a stop. The next village is Mazunte. If you didn't stop in La Ventanilla, you're only about 15 minutes from where you turned off the main highway. Mazunte is not only home to the gorgeous little accomodations mentioned here, but also to the national turtle museum and institute. Just beyong Mazunte is San Augustinillo; just beyond San Augustinillo is Zipolite; a little further on in Puerto Angel. From Puerto Angel, the "loop" continues to El Crucero, just short of Pochutla, where it recrosses Hiway 200 and becomes Hiway 175. These are places on the beach that make Puerto Escondido look cosmopolitan by comparison.

Hi guys, The cabaña has been rented until March 22. If anyone is interested in any dates after that, let me know.

Cheers, Joan

I have placed the old comments at <http://www.tomzap.com/comments_zipolite2002.html>

There are now screens in the windows of David`s cabaña! And I thought it couldn`t get any better!

Hi, Could somebody help me please?! For a couple of times I have tried to make a phone call from the Netherlands to hotel Angel del Mar in Puerto Angel. It just doesn't work. It drives me grazy.....

+52 958 584 3008 should work. Can somebody advise me?????

Thx [%sig%]

Their website says this number...did you try emailing them??? 01 958 584 30 08 info@hotel-angel-del-mar.com http://www.hotel-angel-del-mar.com/

Hola!

Escribo este e mail, para comentar que fui de vacaciones a las playas de agustinillo y quede fascinada del lugar. Me gustaria radicar en aquel lugar, pero si me gustaria saber que oportunidades de empleo existen.

Saludos del medioeste del USA. The temperature this morning is -10°F and I couldn't help but think about my last days in paradise. I spent a week in Zipolite from January 1st to the 8th. I posted some comments before the board changed but they didn't last too long. So, are there only about 5 people who post anything on this board??? Sure has been quiet here lately, did everyone get jobs or something? Maybe that's good as the Zipo/Mazunte area is at a nice balance right now and maybe any others who have interest in visiting should have to make an effort to find out about it. My report begins with a "cheap flight tip" which I usually would not share but since no one reads these pages but a few hardcore Zipophiles I feel happy to give out the info. MLT Vacations has a website, <www.worryfreevacations.com> which has listings for the major US airports that harbor its package flights. Click on the "hotdeals" highlite and then "book". This is how it works; if you know that you are taking vacation time during a certain week, then go to the website and find the cheapest flight nearest to your destination. These last minute fares usually are found in the period 1 to 3 weeks before the departure. I have used this service on Sun Country, Northwest, and Champion Air flights at least 10 times and I have been and pleased with the flights except for the sometimes spartan amenities and crowded seating, but they are over in about 4 hours so it is not too much of a bother. Part of the reason for the cheap fares is in order to fill all the seats on the plane and some flights, like mine, are at odd times and dates so they aren't too popular. This happens, for example, when the usual Wednesday scheduled flight happens to fall on X-mas morning or New Years morning. Who wants to fly out at 8AM New years morning? A nut like me for one. I had passed up some $200 RT deals the week before X-mas and a $250 2-week deal to Zihuatanejo on X-mas morning and in desparation on 12/26 I booked a $287 RT flight for New Year's morning. That meant a 3 1/2 hour drive to Minneapolis at 2AM to my airport parking reservation and flight. The closest destination to Zipo for MLT packages is Acapulco but there were no deals so I opted for Zihuatanejo. I arrived tired but happy at noon and caught a cab to the Zihua bus station. I had a 2-hour wait for the next bus to Acapulco ($P110 - 4 hrs) and another long wait for the 3AM bus from Acapulco to Pochutla ($P220 - 8-9 hrs). Tip, when asking for bus tix, ask for anything that is going toward your destination or further. There may be a bus to Salina Cruz or beyond that can drop you off in Pochutla with seats available, but a bus that goes to Pochutla that is booked full. Be flexible and ask a lot of questions. The red-eye 3AM bus was nice enough, not over booked and included a smelly toilet which was nice as the stops are short along the way (keep eating and drinking to a minimum). I spent my night sleeping (tip: bring a neck pillow). I was on the beach at Zipo by 3PM on January 2nd and I would have 6 days to get the gringos out of my ass before I had to return. The best way to do that is with some nekked body surfing in those big beautiful Zipolite waves. More later...? buena suerte, Xoyotila [%sig%]

Hi, here are a bunch of links to sites I have built...with info on Zipolite....sorry they are over the place but they are...some need a little updating...but there are some really nice photos and good info if you have never been http://thedesignerzone.tripod.com/port.htm http://www.geocities.com/la_artista_tina/zipolitemx/zipolite/ http://memories41.tripod.com/shambhala/sham.htm http://memories41.tripod.com/zipolite/ http://memories41.tripod.com/lifeguards/ http://imagivity.tripod.com/webcove/gallery/home1.htm http://imagivity.tripod.com/webcove/gallery/gall26.htm

Xoyo, I thought your post deserved a separate thread, so I moved it. I hope you don't mind. I've traveled your methods more than a few times and give you a big "SALUTE"!

Author • Autor: Xoyotitla (---.cf-res.cfu.net) Date • Fecha: 02-09-03 09:38 Saludos del medioeste del USA. The temperature this morning is -10°F and I couldn't help but think about my last days in paradise. I spent a week in Zipolite from January 1st to the 8th. I posted some comments before the board changed but they didn't last too long. So, are there only about 5 people who post anything on this board??? Sure has been quiet here lately, did everyone get jobs or something? Maybe that's good as the Zipo/Mazunte area is at a nice balance right now and maybe any others who have interest in visiting should have to make an effort to find out about it. My report begins with a "cheap flight tip" which I usually would not share but since no one reads these pages but a few hardcore Zipophiles I feel happy to give out the info. MLT Vacations has a website, <www.worryfreevacations.com> which has listings for the major US airports that harbor its package flights. Click on the "hotdeals" highlite and then "book". This is how it works; if you know that you are taking vacation time during a certain week, then go to the website and find the cheapest flight nearest to your destination. These last minute fares usually are found in the period 1 to 3 weeks before the departure. I have used this service on Sun Country, Northwest, and Champion Air flights at least 10 times and I have been and pleased with the flights except for the sometimes spartan amenities and crowded seating, but they are over in about 4 hours so it is not too much of a bother. Part of the reason for the cheap fares is in order to fill all the seats on the plane and some flights, like mine, are at odd times and dates so they aren't too popular. This happens, for example, when the usual Wednesday scheduled flight happens to fall on X-mas morning or New Years morning. Who wants to fly out at 8AM New years morning? A nut like me for one. I had passed up some $200 RT deals the week before X-mas and a $250 2-week deal to Zihuatanejo on X-mas morning and in desparation on 12/26 I booked a $287 RT flight for New Year's morning. That meant a 3 1/2 hour drive to Minneapolis at 2AM to my airport parking reservation and flight. The closest destination to Zipo for MLT packages is Acapulco but there were no deals so I opted for Zihuatanejo. I arrived tired but happy at noon and caught a cab to the Zihua bus station. I had a 2-hour wait for the next bus to Acapulco ($P110 - 4 hrs) and another long wait for the 3AM bus from Acapulco to Pochutla ($P220 - 8-9 hrs). Tip, when asking for bus tix, ask for anything that is going toward your destination or further. There may be a bus to Salina Cruz or beyond that can drop you off in Pochutla with seats available, but a bus that goes to Pochutla that is booked full. Be flexible and ask a lot of questions. The red-eye 3AM bus was nice enough, not over booked and included a smelly toilet which was nice as the stops are short along the way (keep eating and drinking to a minimum). I spent my night sleeping (tip: bring a neck pillow). I was on the beach at Zipo by 3PM on January 2nd and I would have 6 days to get the gringos out of my ass before I had to return. The best way to do that is with some nekked body surfing in those big beautiful Zipolite waves. More later...? buena suerte, Xoyotila

I liked Xoyo's story so much that I put it in a separate thread, hoping that he won't mind.

Trip Report - parte 2 ¡Qué frio hace aquí en Iowa, esta noche otra vez va a hacer -20 grados C°! Echo de menos el paraíso Zipolite :( Having arrived at Zipolite on January 2nd I began to check out the surroundings. This would be my 7th trip here and I am beginning to get familiar with the scene although it has changed over the years. I was last here in July of 2000, just before the fire. I had stayed a few nights on the third floor of Hotel El Paraíso and was happy to see that they no longer have the thatched roof, a big safety improvement. I arrived to paradise frazzled, grumpy and tired. It was the1st weekend after the New Year and quite crowded with international tourists and many Mexicans tourists also. One of the first things that caught my eye was a 7 Series BMW driving on the dusty road behind the beach. I assumed it was some well-to-do Mexican on vacation but still a bit disheartening for a devote of Zipo. I must add that I was at the Pochutla bus station buying my return ticket in advance and was distracted along with everyone else by a bright red Porsche Boxster that cruised by on the main street. This further distressed me but that was not all, 1/2 an hour later another Boxster, this time silver, drove by! I'm not claiming to have any exclusive rights to this area but some of you may agree that these are sights better left in the big cities and not in our out-of-the way paradise. Hopefully none of those driving were real estate developers. I must also say that Pochutla is turning into a respectable little city as opposed to the funky, dusty pueblo that it used to be. They could certainly use a new bus terminal but then that would make me guilty of suggesting progress so I'll shut up. The prosperity must be in part due to the gajillions of tourists that visit Pto. Angel, Zipolite, and Mazunte. It must definitely bring in some business as the avg. tourist is probably dropping $20+ dollars per day and there are probably several thousand tourists on average; the figures would be interesting to see. Yet it is STILL a relatively undeveloped area and looks to remain that way for a bit longer as it is still in a remote location. I felt that there was an equally large tourist community in the Mazunte area but it was quite separate from the Zipo scene. This is fine with me and may be partly due to the collectivo situation which I will try to explain.

From the Pochutla intersection at Hwy 200 the road heads seaward to Pto Angel, Zipolite, Mazunte, then loops back out to join Hwy 200 again about 10 miles west of Pochutla. The collectivos, or pickup truck taxis, run in both directions now but not all the way to the middle. That is to say that you can go from Pochutla to Puerto Angel but then must take a taxi to Zipolite. From the other direction, you can take the collectivo from Pochutla west to San Antonio then back east to Mazunte and a bit further, but not all the way to Zipolite. This is all taxi politics and is none of our business other than it is no longer possible to catch a collectivo from Roca Blanca to Pochutla for 6 pesos. It is still pretty cheap if you load up a taxi which is also much faster. I was able to pay 10 pesos for my share of a taxi ride all the way to Pochutla. I tipped the driver an extra 10 as he drove like Mario Andretti and got us there quickly. I know that this is a little wordy but it may save some of you the confusion of trying to figure it out. Please correct me if I'm wrong. More later, Xoyotitla [%sig%]

I'm supposed to criticize someone for being too wordy? Heave forfend! Tell us more and keep the detail high. I can almost feel the centifigal force pressing me against the other passengers as the taxi drive hurtles around those corners past Trailer Los Mangos campground...

Hey John! I was going to tell that part too. Yeah, the taxi ride with six adults and two kids. I got to sit on top of the gearshift with a succesion of obese people pinching me between themselves and Mario. Gotta love Mexico!

One more go - Nightlife, Judging Others, Prices The holiday crowd was at capacity when I arrived . From my previous trips I know it starts to get busy the week before Christmas and continues through the New Year. By Saturday the 4th it was thinning out and after the weekend it was very quiet. When I arrived it was obvious that the locals were overworked, tired, and a bit grumpy from dealing with the tourists. Each time I go to Zipolite I am more and more impressed with how laid back, yet accepting the scene is. I'm sure that everything under the sun goes on under the sun and under the moonlight but it is all usually done discreetly. The nights I was there were very quiet. The restaurant bars were fairly dead after 10PM with the exception of the new Eclipse. It is now located between El Cosmico and Shambala and it is quite a nice restaurant in a beautiful setting. They put candles in paper sacks up on the rocks and it is all quite nice. Other than that, the disco La Puesta del Sol was usually going but you wouldn't know so unless you ventured in. Maybe it is some kind of serendipidous thang that when I get to the party it disappears but I don't think so. It's not like Zipo is going to become the wet t-shirt contest capital of the world or anything. Hell, no one wears t-shirts anyway : ) and the ones who do aren't ever going to get nekked anywhere if they can't get the cobwebs out at Zipolite! There was a band playing one night at a bar on the "behind on the beach street". Great crowd, great vibe, very nice to bump shoulders and meet all those people that you see on the beach. I ended up chatting with a very nice fraulein but by the next morning I had forgotten her name. :(

I learned a great lesson on my second day while having breakfast at La Choza. An older couple, maybe 55-60 was sitting at the table next to me talking like gringo tourists do over coffee. In my smug indignation I quickly categorized them as some lawyer and wife who had heard about Zipolite and come down for a week to complain. I had to go talk to them and get the scoop. It turns out that she is the lawyer and he/they have been coming to Zipolite for the 15 years. He had a room at La Choza but paid to hang a hammock next door so he could sleep with the waves. Not only did I feel like a jerk but, I realized that it was time to get my nekked butt into the water and relax. It just goes to show that Zipolite might be a hairy, hippy, drug hangout for some but many many others of all ages, persuasions, and interests come here because the place is just so f#*king cool!

My breakfast at La Choza cost about $7US with tip and consisted of eggs, papas and coffee. This is about the same price as in the states. This might have been a bit higher than other places but not much. A friend tipped me off that the best prices are not at the beach restaurantes but behind the beach. He said the service was friendlier and more courteous also. I think he was correct and all of those places are worth checking out. There are a couple of them behind Hotel El Paraiso that fit the bill: nice food, better service and more like $5US total price. So unless you are bringing your own food count on $10-15US per day for food. Beers are $P8-10 with a few places like San Cristobol and Eclipse charging $P12. You can get "caguamas" at the tienda behind San Cristobol for $P15 + 3P deposito; the cheapest beer around and quite popular. I started my trip staying at El Pacifico, just hanging my hamaca and storing my things in the safe-room for $P20 per day. This turned out to be a pain in the ass as Doña Susana can be a real bitch sometimes and I got tired of bothering her to unlock the room. So I got a deal at San Cristobol for $P150 instead of the usual $P200. I was happy with that and they put up with me also. I stayed in the $P350 rooms in El Paraíso a couple of years ago and they are still the same price which is surprising as they are very nice rooms. I believe that they are the highest priced rooms in Zipolite. I also inquired at La Choza which I thought would be expensive but I was told that the rooms were only $P100 with bath. Is that true? If so it sure is a great deal that I will check out on my next visit.

Well, it was soon time for me to head back up the road to catch my flight from Zihuatanejo to Minneapolis. I bought my ticket a few days in advance just to be sure I would get one. The little Pochutla bus station was like tourist "grande central"! It is not uncommon that busses are full and one has to wait until the next day. I left at 7PM from Pochutla and arrived near the Zihuatanejo airport about 9AM. Not a bad way to spend my last night and I trusted that the bus would get me there on time. My flight wasn't until 1:30PM so I decided to check out Barra de Potosí for breakfast. While waiting at a tienda I overheard some chicano like English speaker saying that he "wasn't going to do f#*king nothing for less than 100 pounds. Sh*#t man who do you think I am, I ain't moovin' less you get a real deal dude" or something like that. It sure sounded drug-ugly and made me quite uncomfortable, as the location was in a respectable little business area where the cop helped the vendors load-up and then helped the little old ladies onto the collectivo. I made my way to Barra del Potosí and tried to order breakfast at10AM. I asked for cafe con leche and the man came back 5 minutes later and told me they had no Nescafe. Sh#t! What kind of restaurant in Mexico doesn't have Nescafe? I realized that it was too early in the day for these tourist servers to help me so I left. I caught a cab to the airport, ate at the entrance tienda with the airport workers and flew on home and the flight went smoothly. Damn, it sure is cold here. Buena suerte, Xoyotitla [%sig%]

Just finished reading your post. Thanks for the bedtime story! I'll have sweet dreams tonight for sure...sigh!!! Boy I miss Zip!

Don't he make us turn green with envy, Tina? Sure you can't make it down this Spring and let Lalo and tus Angelita meet? I'll spot you a bowl of the super soup at La Choza....

Hi John, Yes, it sure is nice to dream ...... I'm working on getting down there, ...more like next fall or winter, if I am really lucky,....now let's see wears my four leaf clover....and my wish bone....and..... :)

I'm happy to hear someone enjoyed my report. One thing that I forgot to mention was that the waves were big all week but very safe and enjoyable, even the children could wade in the surf. There was quite good surfing all week and we were even treated to some dolphins on the far breakers one afternoon. Everyone retreated to the shore to watch and enjoy them playing in their habitat. Speaking of Lalo, I believe I met him a few visits ago, he stays next to El Pacifico, correct? I saw him a few times on the veranda but never saw him on the beach or elswhere. Chao

Hi Xoyotitla, I really did love hearing about Zipolite. When Lalo writes(which is rarely lately) he just speaks about us and Angel and I never get to hear about Zipolite and all it's beauty. So I miss that a lot. Yes, he stays in his hammock between the Roca Blanca Restaurant and I guess it is the other place. I always stayed clear of there as I was told about some scary things on that side....You probably never saw him on the beach because he's "always" working whenever he can...I believe he's working at Alquimista right now...but he moves around as the work does...Now is his busy time...after the tourists leave it's a very unnerving time as work is so hard to find down there. Well thanks again for the report...how were the mosquitos...this is a good time of year...closer to April and Sept I found them bad....They especially like me...those and the sand fleas(Alquimista)....that's one of my biggest concerns for when I bring Angel down.

Hola, yes the mossies were a bit bad. They don't bother me much but I did have a lot of little bites. You say that the Roca Blanca end of the beach is kind of scary? Really? I'm glad nothing happened to me! I did get a little scared over in front of the new Eclipse when I saw these nekked guys talking and laughing and one of them had a big stiffy going on :O Then that place up on the hill is kind of spooky too, that ShaLaLaLaLaBamba place. They've got this scary stairway that goes up and up and people go up there and never seem to get back out! I saw some people sitting on the rocks up there with their legs all twisted together. They were holding some tiny things in on top of their knees and humming and moaning at the sky, pretty scary. I thought maybe they were waiting for the space people or something, which is cool, so I decided to go help them. I started climbing up the stairs and a big voice came down from above and said, "You can't bring your beer in here!" Now that was really scary!

[%sig%]

It's not that end of the beach, "just the campground and beside it.." people have lost things staying there....Roca Blanca Restaurant and rooms are great! My favorite place. And Shambhala is great too! You mean you didn't go up to the meditation point and watch sunset. That's too bad. Ya, no drugs...Gloria wants it to be a spiritual place....and Ohm beach and the Meditation point are very beautiful....you don't need beer. Angel is calling ....have to run...will write later.

Okay...where was I....oh ya...Shambhala,...I would never have ventured there, I bet, except the 2nd time I went to Zipolite(10 years after the first time) I was sooooo exhausted from my air plane ride, and bus ride...and fending off the constant conversation...of every guy that sat next to me(if you know what I mean)....(my spanish was extremely sad at that point)...that I couldn't even talk when I got to Pochutla. I piled into a collectivo with a bunch of people, and when they said where do you want to go...I just shoved the guide book at them and they saw...Gloria's Shambhala there....They said...OOOh! ShhhaaambalaCity!!! That's where were staying...and it's cheap $50 pesos a night for a room...

At first when I saw the room...I thought ohhhh man I made a mistake...but when I opened the shutters...the view was soooo awesome...with the waves crashing and ....well I was sooo happy. Later that night everyone there insisted I come to dinner with them....even though I said I was tooooo tired....but I went and it was great! Every night was like that....That was a great trip.

In the morning I went down and the beach and people were doing yoga and the most beautiful sunrise was happening. Every morning I got up early and took beautiful photos...in the afternoons I would go to the Meditation point.

I went to town and bought all sorts of goodies and decorated my room...flowers, sarongs...etc. Ya...that was so much fun. Then I was truly hooked.

The next time I went back to Zip though I stayed somewhere else though...eventually I found the room above Roca Blanca, actually Lalo found it...that's one of the rooms we stayed in after the fire.

I love that room. I have painted some excellent paintings sitting in that little room...the wind blows in and keeps it fresh and cool.

Well those are all the positive things...there are some negs...I don't like to mention them...people have to find out for themselves...I'm not talking crime stuff...just natural predators and politics.

La Choza sounds like a cool place...I will check that out ...when we go back...what's the view like from there....and are the rooms enclosed....I mean is there ways for creatures to access the rooms after the doors and windows are closed....I guess I am referring to things that "squeak" ...I hestitate to mention "_ats" because it freaks people out...but they are definitely a reality down there...and if I am taking a baby ...I have to be super careful.

Tina, I never experienced a _at problem during my many stays in that room. Just the usual assortment of local beach _ats.......Taking my daugter this summer for her graduation present.. Everyone please wish me luck and if you have the time please help me chaperone this lovely lady from the aforementioned.

Gunter

Tina, the room above the bar - above whqat used to be the kitchen - has the best view of any at La Choza, and I don't think you'd have any four-legged vermin problems there. 'Course, that room runs a little more than the standard ten usd...

Seeking accomodations for the end of march...the 22nd through the 27th...or thereabouts. Is David's place available then...rent? enjoyed your comments. Let me know. Thanks! Wendy

Hi All, I will be heading down to Oaxaca this weekend with an old buddy of mine. We're flying into Mexico City and then driving straight to Oaxaca City. We plan to kick around the countryside for a few days and then head down rt.175 to Puerto Angel and Zipolite. I have never been to Oaxaca, but I have traveled extensively in both Jalisco and Nayarit. I found Barra de Navidad way too touristy, and Chacala, with all its local charm and beauty aside, just to crowded. Will I be happily surprised around Puerto Angel and Zipolite, and find a little Pacific Coast peace? If so, can you recommend any places to stay in which a struggling freelance video editor can lay his head in relative comfort? (let's say $15-$30USD per night that sleeps 2?) Finally, if you have any suggestions as to places we should roam in the countryside it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance...

Cheers, Rich P [%sig%]

On your way down from Oaxaca City, plan at least one night at the Puesta del Sol in San Jose del Pacifico. It's a gorgeous place to lay your head. Incredible vistas - you're at 8300 ft elevation there.

If your map is good enough to get you to Pluma Hidalgo as a side trip down closer to the coast, you'll be going to the prime coffee growing arera. The Oaxacan coffee plantations use the "shade grown" method, and the fincas really are wildlife refuges. Incredible birding, by the way.

Recommendations for places to stay on the coast are best taken with a grain of salt. The environment is hard on hotels and palapas, and the maintenence can vary greatly from one year to the next. But except for Christmas and Easter, accomodations are quite easy to come by. There's a couple of hotels in San Augustinillo in your price range; I think I'd look there first. There's lots of space in Puerto Angel in your ranges as well. Zipolite is considerably less expensive, but the accomodations tend towards spartan if not primative. If you do want to spend a few nights in Zipolite, I don't feel at all hesitant to recommend La Choza in the Roca Blanca area. They also have a great restaurant, though their prices are higher than what you would pay in Puerto Angel.

Mazunte also has its charm. Check all the areas before you settle in, and don't hesitate to relocate if another place, uh, "moves" you.

If you go to Mazunte, be sure to check out Punta Cometa...it's totally awesome!

I think that the reasons I encountered little visitors was that in one situation the guy beside me was sooo "duh" and was leaving food out...he said to me when I questioned him..."they're so smart, they can even crawl up on the table!!!"

The other thing was ...I believe that sometimes the population grows in certain years due to weather...ever hear about when all the Navajos were dying and the elders said it was related to an old saying "when a mouse runs across your shirt, you must burn your clothes". They discovered there was a huge increase in the deer mice....due to weather condition...food availability...etc...

Anyways....I always try to be really clean...tie up all food and hang it if I can...and I wear lavender...

Thanks for the info, Any recommendations for a safe and semi-comfortable place to stay in Zipolite?

Cheers again, Rich

Thanks for the info, Any recommendations for a safe and semi-comfortable place to stay in Zipolite?

Cheers again.

Rich

Thanks for the info, Any recommendations for a safe and semi-comfortable place to stay in Zipolite?

Cheers again.

Rich

La Choza's my choice. Sergio keeps it safe.

Hanta Virus - Morphology: spherical viral particles (80 to 120 nm diameter), with protruding surface glycoproteins - Internal organization: three single stranded RNA molecules designated S (small), M (medium) and L (large), with a negative sense coding strategy

Reservoir and Transmission: found naturally in various species of small rodents, dependent on the type of strain, transmitted to humans via aerosolized excreta causing either HPS (Hanta Pulmonary Syndrome) or HFRS (Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome) depending on Hantavirus type

I went to give blood this week and they turned me down again. I knew that they would if I told them the truth; that I had been to Zipolite...I was so ashamed. So Tina, how are you going to know if it safe to bring this kid down? Are you just going to take a chance with the little angel or do you have some inside info on the aerosolized rodent excreta levels? I was worried about taking my daughter down when she was 3 & 4, but mostly I was worried about her mom going off and kicking my butt if the kid got sick or something. She did fine except for mosquito bites (sleep net next time, and repellent) and she had a great time. I don't know what the infant mortality statistics are for Mexico, one would think they would be very high. However, that doesn't seem to be curbing the number of children in the general population.

Another winter storm headed for the Midwest this weekend, I'm dreaming of cheap flights but my banker says I can't go anywhere until May at best. :(

It's snowing here too!(Kootenays, B.C. Canada ) Well considering Angel is half Mexican she should have some built in stuff...and I am immunizing her, although that in itself is a freaky thing, but at least in Canada they have stopped using Mercury(Thermosal(sp?)) as a preservative.... Lavender...it has a very long history. Apparenty during the black plague the grave robbers used something called 3 thieves oil....they rarely got the plague, and it had lavendar it. It repellents insects, as well, as many other things, it's incredible on burns, heals all sorts of wounds... I keep a little blue glass spray bottle around all the time. I put a little water in it, and about 10 drops of lavender....and I am constantly spraying us...I use it as a deodorant, and when ever good natured strangers touch little Angel's hands or face I spray us down. There's a lot of flu and bugs going around right now...and it's helped a lot...I believe. If you read up on aromatherapy you will see that pure essential lavender oil is antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal....the only other natural substances close to it are onion...euclyptus, tea tree and thyme...of which the last 3 i also try to carry in my kit...

I will use a mosquito net, cover up at dusk and probably stay at rooms at Abborates Esmerlda, it's the little store on the back road, behind Roca Blanca Restaurant, Berto and Elly run it, Berto is Chico's brother, ....anyways, it's cement ceilings, all enclosed and even has screen's..so that's probably best for us. Not right on the beach....but...I know will be fine...it's just a money thing that keeps us from going right now...Man this site is dead, sure hope some people tell us there adventures...sooooooon!!

Anybody know who that gorgeous guy is that runs on the beach in the mroning with sunglasses, reversed baseball hat, speedo and to kill for body...someome said he was a famous writer...i love watching him run...help...jane...didnt give my real net address embarrassed cause i cant spell...still help...ps livelula is the only bar in town...

Is there Internet access in Zipolite? How hard is it to get, and how fast is the connection? My husband and I are considering moving there, but since having an income while there is our main obstacle...He is a webmaster, and can work anywhere there is a decent connection.

There is certainly Internet access in Zipolite. The connection is very fast, but not DSL speed. There are at least 3 internet cafes in Zipolite at the western end (don't know about the other end). You can get a private phone line put in. Talk to Daniel at the Brisa Marina...one of his long-term guests has a line installed and his computer hooked up there.

Advice: Before you make a permanent move, stake yourself for a visit of 3 to 6 months to make sure it will work out for you. You can probably live VERY well on US$500 per month per person there. But _maintaining_ that income is the challenge.

[%sig%]

Cathy...tell us about your adventure!!!!

Dear Wendy, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but a flurry of guests kept me from the internet. The cabaña will be available after March 22nd. I won´t be here, but go to Rinconcito and look for the brick cabaña on the hill (about two stories up from the beach) with an orange hammock on the front porch. Ask any local person for the pescadero David (nicknamed Lucho). Tell him that you saw the ad on the internet, posted by Juanita.

Hope it´s available. You´ll love it. If it´s not, it should be easy to find other accommodation (unless it´s semana santa, when there are mobs). Try Posada del Architequecto.

Best, Joan P.S. I´d love to hear from you if you stay there!

Alguien me podria informar de un terreno en la playa en venta mil gracias de antemano

Could you tell me what we would have to do to legally authorize a Mexican citizen to drive our automobile?

Contact your broker for your Mexican Auto insurance and ask them.

This is the above comment translated. Can some one give me information on a lot for sale on the beach ? thank you very much in advance...

Joan, Would you happen to know if David's cabin is available 4/14 through 4/19? I realize it's Semana Santa but that's when my girlfriend and I will be there.

This will be my 10th or so time in Mexico (regular to Guanajuato) but first time for us in Oaxaca. We are flying in and out of Oaxaca and want to make the most of the week in between.

We wish to avoid anything resembling the Club Med (read: Huatulco). Looks like we should stick to beaches and towns from PA on west. Also, I'm considering renting a car for the entire trip back and forth from Oaxaca for the sake of exploring, etc. Advice?

Thanks for your time, Ken [%sig%]

The folks who were supposed to arrive at the beginning of March have cancelled. The cabana is generally available. I'm no longer in Mexico, but here are the directions:

Go down the Rinconcito road in Mazunte until you reach the beach. Make a right and walk a few steps. Look up. You'll see a brick cabana with round windows and a front porch with an orange hammock. This is David's. The entrance to the stairs is behind a palm tree. If you can't find it, ask at Pacha Mama, the excellent new veggie restaurant at the end of the Rinconcito road.

Good Luck

hola buenos dias!! por fin vamos otra vez un poquito al sol..heike de alemania con mi novio sergio de espana, viviendo en dublin... una amica nos ha contado que zipolite sera el paraiso en tierra - y queremos venir a verl y vivirlo una semanita.. y tus cabanas suenan precioso vamos a venir al fin de avril, tienes algo libre? suerte y besos de heike

I will be in Zipolite in April. Just wondering what to do besides hit the beach. I do want to ride horses, visit the turtle museum, and loaf around. Give me some advice as far as what else I might enjoy doing there. Also, has anyone stayed at Solstice, the yoga retreat?

In the morning get up real early and watch the sunrise, in the evening go up behind shambhala to the meditation point and watch the sunset. Take a ride out Mazunte and go see Punta Cometa and swim in the big natural jacuzzi...be careful though...don't get sucked out ....bring lots of film...so you can remember it all.

Drink cappachino's at the San Cristobal Las Casas restaurant in the mornings... If you can paint...then you'll love just sitting around drawing and painting... Go into Pochulta for the market...I think the Artisans market is monday??? How's that for a few things.

Hola Sean, I hope you're enjoying Shambhala, tell tom I send my greetings and to make the best of any given moment, especially in Zipolite! I had a wonderful time at the fish bake below Shambhala, I was impressed by its size. When will you be returning home to the U.S.? Are you still at Shambhala?

You now have my E-Mail address to keep in touch. Please send me an attachment of the still you took of the nudists spelling out, "NO WAR" on the beach below Shambhala. I want to add it to Gloria's website while I make a few other to her site after talking with her about it.

If you are still staying at Shambhala please tell Gloria I made it back to San Diego with coffee mugs intact. Sah will know what I mean.

Take care brother, Daniel

Hi Joan! I'm planning a trip at the beginning of april, I would like to knowif it 's gone be available for two weeks and if it's safe for a woman travelling by herself!! I guess it is!!! Thank you

Hi Melanie: I stayed in Mazunte for three weeks in 2001. First week at Alta Mira and second week at Richard's house just past the one being spoken of. I was alone the first 10 days and then had a girlfriend with me. I/we never felt unsafe. I don't know how old you are..I'm older now, but have been travelling in Mexico since I was 23. My experience has always been that yes, if you are young and female you will get unwanted attention. But it is usually easy to handle by a polite but firm response. The only time things get out of hand is when there is a lot of alcohol involved and those are the situations to stay out of. You will love Mazunte, I know I did.

zoe

We have just returned from two beautiful weeks at Rancho Cerro Largo outside of San Agustinillo, and have posted a number of pictures on our website, for those who are interested: http://home.attbi.com/~ricewings/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html [%sig%]

Melanie, I've travelled in the area by myself many times and found it to be very safe. I walk around alone at night and have had no problems. David is a local guy, so you will kind of be under the protection of the local folks there.

I have no idea of availability, as I'm back in NYC (unfortunately). You'll just have to show up. If it's not available, there are many other places to stay. Posada Dona Sol in San Agustinillo is wonderful, affordable and very safe. And they have hot water!

Have fun.

Joan

I bet that's my friend Jody........

Wonderful pictures, luisa, thank you!

I looked up Rancho Cerro Largo and it said $60! Is that the real price? That is awful high! Are they multiple rooms? (Just curious, no plans to go anytime soon...sigh) Zoe

yes!! Thanks I needed that...I love to look at photos from Zipolite.Thanks again!!!!:)

Go to Rio Tonameca on Sunday morning and enjoy the weekly riverside feasting. Ask some of the older locals about artifacts. Vist Alberca Paraiso in Chacalaba. Ride a camioneta up to Candalaria and vist a coffee finca. The birding is incredible with a chance of seeing some rare animals. The possibilities for adventure are endless! Of course, adventure is sometimes defined as something really scary happening to someone else far, far away...

Yes, $60 is the price for a cabina for two, with lots of breakfast and dinner included. The cabinas are like the one shown, very simple, one room, with latrino seco and private patio in front. Another of the pictures (the one with pink and white bugambilia) shows the bathroom. The cabinas are beautifully laid out along the hillside, with a central dining and common area at the top. The price is steep, but the place, its friendly atmosphere and hosts are very special.

Ah, food included makes some difference but still a bit steep. I guess we all have different needs. Some who are comfortable with just a hammock for 50 pesos might think it steep to stay at Alta Mira as I did for $35. (It is a bit high in my opinion without electricity, if they ever get electricity in as they plan I think it would be a good price.) Zoe

Just returned on march 23,2003. We arrived by car from Mexico City via Acapulco way. We spent our first night at a B&B in Acapulco and then hit hwy 200 at noon for an 8 hour drive. We enjoyed the drive but the topes (speed bumps) do wear on you after awhile. We landed in Mazunte at 8 PM with a moon almost full staring at us from the top of the hill at Alta Mira. The shimmering pacific bathed in the silvery rays of the moon was breathtaking. We splurged on the $40 premium rooms and were very pleased -- we had #9 and our friends had #7. We made our reservations for Alta Mira through i-escape.com . It worked out well. The beach at Mazunte is very nice. The water is mostly calm with an occasional wave big enough for body serfing. The beach is sheltered from the open pacific by punta cometa, which is a rocky point at the end of Mazunte and is the southernost point of Mexico. Hike out to the end of Punta Cometa for a memorable sunsent. We found pretty decent snorkeling around the rocks on either end of mazunte beach. On the east end my partner ran almost headlong into a huge (10-12 feet) shark. It peacefully went on its way. We were told sharks are quite rare so he felt lucky to see one and happy he survived the initial shock. Some of the best snorkeling we had was at estacahuite which is only 10 minutes away by car. I also highly recommend the extremely beautiful beach at San Augustin, about 40 minutes south by car. Very good snorkeling and a very layed back atmosphere. You can park under a thatched roof if you buy a few drinks from the families that run them. We saw only mexican families and there were no worries about losing your stuff. On your way out, stop to look at the raging pacific on the beach on the other side of the punta. If smoking is your thing, stop off at zipolite. We got a really nice bag for $5. From Mazunte we went out with a local fisherman in his boat to see the sea turtles. He was fishing while we were looking for turtles. In all we saw about a dozen turtles, including one couple caught in the act of love. The fisherman gave us one of the tuna he caught and our hostess at Alta Mira cooked it up for our dinner that night. We returned to Mexico City via the mountain road to Oaxaca. Spent a few days there too. We stayed at the senoral on the zocolo which is not great but very well located. The museum in the old convent at the church of Santo Domingo is a must. As are the artisan shops around that area. We also enjoyed a trip out to the very impressive ruins at Monte Alban. For our next trip I think we will fly into Huatulco. If you rent a car, be sure they document every scratch/dent and cigarette burn.

Yeah, those damned seed burns do make a nasty hole in the upholstery, don't they? Did the shark you saw have catfish-like whiskers? There's a few resident nurse sharks in the area, called "gatos" by the locals. Harmless if you don't try to ride them or something equally brainless... Glad you had a great time and thanks for the report.

Definitely not a nurse shark. This one was big, grey and cruising the surface. I would have loved to see some nurse sharks. Perhaps I will hire a boat next time to find out where they hang out.

Well, it IS the ocean and there ARE sharks...you didn't notice white or black fintips, did you? Could also have been a bull. Even as a veteran night diver, I still got the chills some mornings when I watched the shark fishermen bringing in their overnight catches. Saw them bring in a MONSTER tiger one morning. Sure am glad we're not in the normal food chain...

Saludos, I'm thinking of driving my VW Van down to Zipo. I've visited there twice in past years and absolutely adored it. I'm now thinking of quitting work, adventuring my way down from LA to Mexico and then living near the beach and volunteering over at Pina Palmera if they (hopefully) need me. Has anyone down there seen VW-type vans along those sandy streets? I've had this dream for some time and am wondering if it could be actualized. I've lived in my van before---camping, Burning Man etc--but I'm thinking longer term here---six months possibly. I'd probably pay to park on someone's land and use their washroom. (The van has a sink, stove, and mini-fridge...and for what it is, is comfy.) Any thoughts/advice? Gracias...

[%sig%]

Lots! but your going to be going for the rainy time of year and that might not be that fun as the humidity is high...VW's are the best because they make them there...so parts and mechanics aren't a problem. I have friend's that go to the baja every year in their VW and they have been doing that for 20 year probably. I'm sure you can easily make a deal to park on someone's property and use the shower...check out Shambhala-talk to Gloria, Roca Blanca, or the place right beside Roca Blanca...well those are my thoughts. Only thing you need to check on...is that there are rules that if you bring a vehicle in,...you have to bring it out...John...you know this part better I am sure... perhaps you should comment. Have a great time....:) Oh, my advice, stay away from the campsite. If you run in to Lalo, he lives beside the Roca Blanca restaurant, his english is quite good, and he is very helpful...have you checked out the pina palmera website...they'll have lots of info for you... Take care.

cien is david por favor,tal ves an american? how is gabino,el maestro de los hamacas? thanks jim

Hi, I am going to Mazunte in October and will be arriving by air in Mexico City.Are there any direct buss-routes from Mexico City to Pochutla?

Selvajim, David is a Zapotec fisherman. His family is one of the two families that originally settled Mazunte. He has some great stories of the history of the area.

Joan

Lars - yes. Two per day, at least.. Check Magicbus.com. And if you miss them - and they depart inside an hour of each other - you can route creatively through Acapulco or Oaxaca City.

For Alex: Regarding your VW, be aware that any American (i.e. German) VWs made after 1972 have quite different motors from the Mexican ones. Parts and service are definitely a problem.

The newer Mexican vans use a water-cooled Golf-type motor. The older ones use the circa 1970 Beetle engine.

So beware. Any kind of breakdown could lead to great complications. And as someone has already mentioned, you can't just abandon it. You have to get the vehicle out of the country! (They will have your credit card no. in order to fine you!) Jimbo

I've read about Zipolite on the net for a few years now and I am curious about coming down to check it out. I have a few questions: - Is haunta virus from rodents really a signficant concern? - Seems like I've read of some murders of tourists near Puerto Angel in the very recent past. Is Zipolite dangerous? - I am a young-at-heart 45-year-old male with hippie leanings. Would I be out of place coming down there alone? - When is the best time of year to visit? - Do most people from the US fly to Oaxaca and travel to Zip by bus? - Is a lack of ability to speak Spanish a big problem?

Thanks for info on any of these questions or any info you might think of interest. Jim

1. I've never actually heard of a case of hanta in Zipolite. This was a speculation regarding a carefull mother's concerns about her infant.

2. Someone else will have to answer about any recent homicides; I haven't heard of any lately. However, there is an influx of ladrones, mostly Chilangos, during the Christmas and Easter busy seasons. And there are a few local "bad guys".Some caution should be used at night in very dark places. 3. 45 year old ex-hippie? You will be among your own kind!

4. My favorite time in Huatulco is late Fall, when things are still green, and early December, when the sea seems most conducive to my form of recreation - underwater!

5. Huatulco is the closest airport; Puerto Escondido just a ittle further. Unfortunately, travel to neither is cheap. That's why so many fly into Mexico City or Acapulco and then bus it.

6. You can get by with no Spanish.

We need new threads on this board, Tell us your adventures travelling by bus to zip. Any ticket prices and other info would be helpful. thanks, gregor

I am a Canadian and have been to Zipolite many times. I get "air only" on a charter out of Toronto directly to Huatulco and it usually costs around $600 CDN. (That's only about $1.95 US). Just kidding, actually it's about $400 US so it really depends where you're departing from. Most Canadian charters only fly to Huatulco in the winter, fall and early spring. At least, it's a thought. I'm 65 yrs old, male and travel alone. I've never felt unsafe, just use common sense. Good luck, Chris

Daniel, If you could please let Gloria know that my mom, Donna ( the one that got lost for months on a few week trip to Mexico with her) will be coming back down there (after 30 years) this summer. She is very exited yet worried, wondering if Gloria is still there. I just refound this site and will let her know what I read tommorrow. Please send Gloria my love and let her know that Sarah is an honor roll student and in the gifted and talented class. She had the best start in the world there. I owe that to Gloria. Thank you very much- Karma

well, heres a link to an adventure I had on a bus *leaving* zipolite once...

http://peoplesguide.com/1pages/chapts/pubtran/bus/bus-robbery.html [%sig%]

Hello, I decided a month ago that I wanted to spend the summer on the beach in Oaxaca. Since then, I've done a lot of reading about the different beaches there and I decided that somewhere in the area of Puerto Angel was the place for me. The place you described sounds absolutely perfect to me because I really want to have a place of my own while I'm there.

Is it too late to discuss renting the house for the months of June and July? Even if it is, I'd appreciate a reply in which you might let me know what my chances are of finding another place like yours. I'm having a little bit of trouble coming up with reliable information from my home here in Austin, Texas and anything you might tell me would be very valuable information. Thanks for your time, Matthew

Hello, My name is Matthew and I live in Austin, Texas. I've spent a lot of time around the city of Oaxaca and decided that this summer I'd like to finally make my way to the coast. The truth is that I'm going there to catch up on some reading and to write songs that I can record when I return to the States in August. For that reason, the vicinity of Puerto Angel sounded best to me. It sounds relatively small and quiet. In one sense I am looking for a little isolation but on the other hand I look forward to talking to the folks that live there. I guess that it would be more accurate to say that I'm looking to get away from all things American for a couple of months. My spanish is pretty good and I'd like it to keep getting better.

I'm looking for a house that I can rent for the summer. I'd prefer a house to a hotel because I like to play the guitar and sing as I work out new songs and I don't want to think that I might be disturbing anyone. Also, even if I knew people were close by, it would inhibit me somewhat. What are my chances of finding a house that I can rent for June and July on the beach in Zipolite, Mazunte, or Puerto Angel? Are there other beaches anyone knows of that might suit me? Here in Austin, my only sources of information are travel books and websites like these. Any information you'd like to share with me about accomodations or the beach communities would be much appreciated. Please describe your memories in all their glory so that I might get a good idea of what you are saying. Thank you for your time, attention, and interest in helping me have a productive summer.

Matthew

bonjour je suis francaise et je recherche mon ami tristan qui construit sa maison a mazunte ou dans le coin... hello i'm french and i'm looking for my friend tristan who lives in mazunte who can help me please my e mail laetitiabaudin@aol.com [%sig%]

Dear Matthew, As I've said before, the only way to see if the cabana is free is to go there and talk to David, but I would bet he'd be happy to rent it out for two months! If you don't have any luck with David, try Posada Dona Sol; Ana and Jeff do long-term rentals at a very good rate. There are lots of possibilities on the coast, most of them very reasonable; you'll find something. Just get there, rent a room for a day or two, and do some on-site research.

Joan

I meant summer 2003!!

Matthew

Hi Karma, Im staying up at Shambhala at the moment, and I pased your message on to Gloria...she was very suprised and happy to hear from you! She says that she, your mom, and you all discovered this place together...basically starting Zipolite as its known today. Im sending a note she wrote to you via email.

Daniel, I passed your message on to Gloria. All is well, everyting is quiet here at the momnt, especially since jerry left! Carlos, from the old days, showed up and was working here again, then he split a couple days ago. Pilar snuck of to Puebla for the time being and for the moment its just me Pepe and Gloria. Oh, and the puppies--six of them, husky/wolf/shepard mix. they are mobile blue eyed, highly destuctive little furballs! and only a couple weeks old. I cant even imagine whts goin to happen in a couple more weeks...gonna take the whole place apart worse than huricane pauline! saludos, Sean Oh, Ill send the naked hippy war protest photos nextime I come up!

Yeah, you got it right....this place is perfect for what you want. sympathise with wanting to get the hell out of the states for awhile. Ive been down here since before the war, and dont really feel like going back. there isnt *anyone* down here in favor of curent US govt insanity. It rains every day here in the summer and is very quiet, not too many folks around, but always someone interesting to hang out and eat tacos with. Cozy, very small town feel. Very humid, lush and green in the summer.

As far as accomidation, youll have you pick. Lots of empty places to choose from. Hotel/house thing isnt much of an issue...the hotels are houses, basically. People rent houses, rooms, cabanas, hammocks. Nobody here will be bothered by your guitar but if you want there are myiad beautiful places to wander off and play by yourself. All the beaches are nice and you can move freely between them...very close. I would recommend just showing up and looking around, pretty much everything here would meet your requirements. Anything you book in advance is likely to be more expensive than what youd find here yourself. Myself, I like shambhala up on the hill on the far west end of Zipolite (check out the site mentioned in the 'wow' thread)...cheap, best view of the whole beach, and nice folks. this is the original Zipolite.

Might see you here!

I am interested in info about the house. What is the price breakdown? and availability. We are thinking of coming down in August. Let me know. Thanks.

Sean: Matthew is clearly looking for a place to enjoy all of the appeals of Shambala, and more. Shouldn't we warn him that it is one of the only places on the beach that won't let him smoke a joint? From his post, Sean, surely you might have suspected that, no? Get off of his back, Sean, before he even arrives.

Of cousre it's alright to recommend Shambala on this site, Sean. But consider "the beach" in question. Got it? Now, consider the type of people who flock to this beach. Finally, consider the person whose post you responded to. Thank you.

Matthew, Zipolite is everything you seem to be asking about. Go there and write your album. You will be inspired! Make friends with the locals. They are the best Spanish teachers in town. Speak with them. Sing with them. Dance with them. Eat with them. Drink with them. Swim with them. Don't look for smoke; it will find you.

Write some great songs, Matthew. This world could use them right about now.

Rains every day? Huh? Heck, I've been there years when there was NO rain until August. June and July tend to have some scattered rainfall, but the heavier rains tend to be later in the season. Check the historic data elsewhere on the site; Usually over half the anual rainfall is in September but even then there are fewer rainy days than dry ones.

Hello, im from Monterrey,MX (writing in english cause it might be easier for most people reading this) anyway i went to Zipolite in January and totally loved it.I wanna go back in May, or June but id like to hear about those months, many people there? the ocean is too wild? i liked everything about January, the amount of people, the sea, etc if someone can help me please let me know....

Fernando. Thanks!

All information is at the beginning of this thread

Hi...I am planning on coming down this summer with my two sons..16 and 6. We are layed back and surf, not looking for much, only some where that is friendly to my six year old. Sounds like finding a place to stay will be no problema. How cool is the area for the young lad? Will the 16 year old have enough surf and other expoloration potential (snorkeling, fishing, etc) to keep him going? We are planning on spending some time in PE but I feel that Zipolite will be more to my liking (hey, I'm paying)! All replies apprecated...

Peace to all

Dios mio, Señor Gif, youve obviously been away from zip far too long, you need to smoke some of your own medicine and relax! First of all, nowhere in his post did Matthew mention or even suggest smoking weed...it seems silly to me to even bring it up. You think just because hes a musician he smokes dope? (well youre probably right..) Second, all I said was that I enjoy staying at Shambhala, not that he should stay there...Im hardly jumping on his back. Third, if you had ever stayed at Shambhala you would know that plenty of people living there (and Ill include myself) enjoy indulging in their head of choice whenever they want.

The situation with grass at Shambhala is this: due to rather serious problems she's had in the past with harrassment from Mexican law enforcement, Gloria does not allow guests to use anything illegal on Shambhala property. Theres simply too big a risk for her of jepordizing her property and her personal freedom if her guests are busted using drugs on her land. She simply asks that if you are going to use illegal drugs, you step out onto the beach or over the hill, off her land. You make it sound like Shambhala is uptight and anti-pot and this is not the case. The fact is, Shambhala is about the most friendly, laid-back, quiet, peaceful and beautiful place to stay on the entire beach, which is why the type of people that come to Zipolite love the place...and have returned year after year for 30 years now--since the beginning--longer than any other place on the beach. My veinte centavos. Of course then there's the no-alchohol policy...:-) If anyone wants to talk about that, the first beer over at Livelula's is on me.

John, Ive never looked at the weather stats for the Oaxaca coast, Im just going by the couple years that Ive spent the summer months here, when Ive seen a *lot* of rain. Of course it doesnt rain every single day, but afternoon showers were the norm when I was around. Sometimes it would piss rain for days non-stop. Im just trying to let our friend know that he can expect to see plenty of overcast and rainy weather if he comes that time of year.

Bob, I bet the kids would love this place. Again, very slow in the summer...you kind of have to make your own fun, but very natural and beautiful. Surf--there is plenty of that, but extreme caution with the water is warranted here. This is generally not a safe place for inexperienced surfers. the break is usually big, hard and fast, and the current can be quite strong. These are not ideal surfing conditions. Ive seen experienced, confident surfers from california and australia walk out of the water here with dazed looks and broken boards. People die in the water here, so make sure you figure out whats going on before the kids jump in. There are plenty of fishing and exploring opportunities, some OK snorkling too. And PE is close, its easy to get back and forth. Enjoy!

Its about the same, but with far fewer people and the water is generally higher with bigger waves...hard to bodysurf. The clouds and rain may be moving in by then too.

Matt, DO NOT, under any circumstance, smoke on the beach. That, my friend, is rule number one. Keep it where you smoke it, at the cabana you're going to rent down the beach from Shambala. Never carry it with you away from there. Visit Shambala. It's really lovely. Go for lunch and play some backgammon. Check out meditation point at sunset. It'll blow your mind. Stay away from fat naked guys smoking herb on the beach, like Sean. It's an easy target for the policia.

Try the opium. Have a blast. Write a song about Peace. Peace.

Hello Everyone, I certainly appreciate all the replies I've receieved regarding my inquiries about Zipolite and all the encouraging words toward my purpose for being there. I've also enjoyed reading the ongoing debate over whether or not I smoke pot and the stereotyping that has started all of this. If Zipolite is as small and quiet as everyone has me believe, then perhaps I'll see some of you down there. I have a much better idea of what the different areas on the coast have to offer thanks to you folks out there. Keep the comments coming. Thanks again, Matthew

I was there last year in June and Ziplite was dead. I moved on to Puerto Escondido and had a great time. dg [%sig%]

But Matthew, are you going to keep us dying from suspense or what!? Do you or dont you smoke dope?

And as for you, Gif, or Kelly, or whatever your name is (do I *know* you?) , if youve never sat in the sand around a blazing fogata on the beach under the full moon passing around a nice churro with your friends, I doubt youve even *been* here. Or maybe you prefer hiding from cops under your bed in your cabana? I'll smoke a nice fat one for you tonight with sand between my toes while watching Scorpio rising in the east around midnight...stars are fantastic right now. Still a bit nippy up there in Canada, is it? Cmon down and join us when your brain thaws out a bit :-)

Here's an answer for BOB, with the six year old. Stay in San Augustinillo. The quiet side of the rocks will be safer for your little one <there's really no place on Zipolite safe enough for a six year old to swim> while the wild side of the rocks should entertain you and your teen. Make sure you visit Ixtaccahuite, on the other side of Puerto Angel, during your visit. It's a better place to snorkel.

Yeah, you know me. say hi to Coco. Give him a sip of your beer.

Well Gif, sorry to say but if its crazy old Coco Loco your referring to, Ill pour a swallow in the sand for him. Coco Loco is drinking Endless Free Cocktails with all the ladies on the Perfect Celestial Beach. He aint with us no more...moved on to better things. And so my mischevious Canadian friend, might I ask who you are?

Not that I'm surprised, and not that he will remember me in his new surroundings, but I'd like to know how we lost him. I've had a soft spot in my heart for him since the days when he used to wear cowboy boots that were 5 or 6 sizes too large for him.He wore them with more pride than any Texan I've met. I've been told that he arrived in Zipolite as an orphan some 25 years ago. He won and lost the heart of most people who took a moment to talk to him.

I'd love to be a Canadian. Sorry to disappoint, but I hail from Kansas. My ties with Canada are restricted to the web.

I'm the guy who served you beer on the beach a few years back, at the bar that played "Comfortably Numb" each night at sunset. The bar was named after the price of the beer.

Ring a bell?

I tried sidestep & found the best fares yet. On Aviasca Airlines $318.00 OW from LA all the way to Oaxaca, You do have to make connecting flights from 1st LA To Monterrey then Monterrey to Mexico City , then MC to Oaxaca, then a OW flight on a regional carrier, Aerotucan to Puerto Escondido for another $100.00., guess I will be taking a bus down to Zipolite, If anyone has more or alternate info, please post it, Please don't contact direct, I just got rid of a ton of spam.

Hope to see you all soon Spencer

Well, anyone coming from Texas needs to check the links at the top of the "What's New" section of this website. There are some real steals coming out of San Antonio and some pretty good deals out of Houston. But the season is almost over and the routes will be done...

Well Gif, Im not sure how he died. Ive asked a few people and they just shrug. I dont think it was anything dramatic like getting run over by a camioneta or anything. The impresion I get is that it was just...Too Much Fun. My favorite Coco era was when he was carrying that toy cap pistol for awhile and would wave it around menacingly when he was really lit. I miss the guy. Seems like alot of the serious crazys that used to always be wandering around here are gone...its almost becoming respectable. the pueblo is actually naming all the weird little sand streets and alleys and putting up street signs. Talk at the recent town meeting was about paving everything. Progress, I guess...

Bartender...comfortably numb....I dunno, man, Im stumped. frigging hot down here!

hola mi nombre es laetitia no hablo sobre tres muy bien espanol y soy tiene la investigacion de busquedar para mi amigo tristan quien es frances cuyo no mas noticias las que tengo durante diez meses.el es la importacion de tres que ello encuentro se que el vive tiene mazunte o alreador se que esto vivio con una mexicana que se llama melina y que el tiene una casa desde la playa de mazunte o zipolite por favor alguien puede darme la informacion tiene a su sujeto quiero saber si alguien ello conoce o ello tien encontrado por favor ayudeme porque soy desesperada desde francia porque el no retransmite mas a mensajes sobre internet no tengo ningunas otras soluciones que ustedes...... por favor alguien puede hacer la investigation de busqueda para mi sobre el terreno de mazunte por favor........ muchas gracias..... laetitia

Hi there Joan. You will be happy to know that there is now an internet office in Mazunte...on the road to Rinconcita!! Hi from Helen and Tony (We live at Playa Rinconcita)

Wow! Wish that internet was there two summers ago when I was staying at Rinconcita! I was dating someone in Colorado and thought I was in luuuuvvvv..I have long since broken up with him. But I went at least every other day in the heat and humidity of August to Zipolite to e-mail him. Though I don't know, hard to picture an internet place on that road! Changes, changes!

Zoe

Helen & Tony, Yikes! Hard to believe. Who opened it? One of the locals or an ex-pat? The internet arrives before a paved road or telephones!

Hope you guys are well. I miss Rinconcita like crazy. Give my best to one and all, and I'll see you in a few months.

Joan

What?

Has anyone seen Felipe / Phillipe from Quebec? He used to work at 6 Peso Bar/ Iguana Azul in Zipolite. I'm eager to reach him because I have some news about our mutual friend, his best friend from childhood from Quebec, and my friend from Banff since 1987. It's really important that I reach Felipe. Thanks.

Laetita is looking for a Frenchman named Tristan who is supposed to be in Zipolite but is not communicating with the folks back home. Would someone in the Zipolite area PLEASE go find Tristan and get him to lay Leatita's worries to rest?

When I was visiting Stacy in December a wonderful person, Sam, was there. She gave me her business card when I left, and I have lost the card, does anyone have Sam's e-mail address, or, better yet---Are you there Sam? Please e-mail me I'd love to hear from you, Be Well! Stacy's Mom!!!

felipe's usual pattern is to be in kerrville, texas for the music festival starting the last weekend of may for three weeks.

Since the Dead and Merle Haggard are scheduled for Willie Nelson's picnic (July 4 & 5, in Spicewood, and hour from Austin), he may stay longer in Texas I'd think. 'Course, Rod Kennedy's Kerrville thing is a lot more for folksy folk...

I'm in Austin so I'll keep an eye out for him. I'll see y'all in June.

Gunter [%sig%]

Does anyone know what happened to our tragic friend, Coco?

HI Joan. The Internet Office is being run by the same people that have Ziponet and also another one in Pochutla. Sure is handy. Internet with no phone lines?...you bet. Thanks to a satelite. Helen

My girlfriend and I will be visiting the 13th-21st of June and are looking for a good spot to explore the coast in that region. We are from Portland, Oregon. Is the place available? We would need a cost for the rent and any other information you feel is necessary. We appreciate it! Thank You, Tannen

Hi I was wondering what the rates are per week in the last weeks of August and how far it is from the beach.

The info is within the thread. Look for my posts.

small world! i am living in austin and from kerrville. the folk fest sounds bunk this year...they have judy collins haha

Yup, here I am, very happy to be able to contact you and Stacy again Sue. Thanks for thinking of the Zipolite page !. Any other lost friends who fancy getting intouch with Sam Mace....Sahaja, drop us a line on the page. all love to all Zipolite lovers. Sahaja

For all Coco Loco fans.......it would seem as if he got into a rather heated arguement one evening outside the back of Zipolipas.....his regular stamping ground......and was stabbed.......he staggered off a little way down the road and fell over, everyone thought he was drunk as usual and left him alone.....until they noticed a growing pool of blood around him. As to who was the guilty party....?....you know Zipolite, there are so many conflicting reports flying around that I have given up even trying to find out the truth.....if indeed there is one !.

Just be in peace that dear old Coco Loco is in a far far better frame of mind these days !.

he is burried next to another of the beach's main personalities....El Poncho who also met his end on The Beach Of The Dead.

The 'panteon' is at the top of the paved road going uphill from behind the Pharmacy on the main road in from 'Poopchutla'......go up and visit, memories and a spectacular view.......

i thought i was the only one who refered to pochutla as poop-chute-la. guess not.

zipolite is a great place where to write songs. i am a guy from oklahoma originally who writes songs. i am just finishing up the writing of thirteen songs for a new album. of course, i will record it as usual and as usual have it set on a shelf with the other 'albums' i've done. you'd be doing yourself a favor by coming down, holing up and writing some songs.

Hola, Por favor.....Have you heard that there are new rooms/cabanas built, catering to the rich Mexican tourist...$40 a night...someone who just arrived mentioned this in an email...they are in between the Shambhala and Alquimista....what's the scoop?? Details or Photos....Anyone???

Amiga

Hola, I was there last January and there was nothing of size located between Alquimista and Sha-la-la-labamba. There is not much room there to construct anything, there were a few rough looking cabins and there were some nice places just before Gloria's entrance. BTW, I paid $35 US for a third floor room at El Paraíso for New Year's Y2K. I asked the señorita who runs the place what it cost on my last visit, $P350 was her reply. I was surprised that in 2 years the price had not gone up. BTW-2 This place has beautiful tiled rooms with elec, hot water, balcony, and private bath (bring your own toilet seat). It was well worth the price. Buena suerte

Hi! Amiga hope you can help me have you seen or know my nephew francisco from houston about 20 years old choppy spanish (hopfully getting better at it ) stays close to roca blanca before shambala tell him his tia frances says hi and drop me a line if he would to say he's o.k. Gracias [%sig%]

the best place to stay with all you need in a luxurious house is in Puerto Angel next to the light house. If you are interested i can email you some pictures of my house with 5 bedrooms, 5 bathroom, swimming pool, jaccuzi and a lot more. thanks....

Amiga...I just got back from Zip on the 25th of Mayo...and, yes there are seven new and higher-end free-standing cabanas rented out by El Alquemista. They are located between Lo cosmico and the restaurant El Alquemista, being also owned by Marcello (Argentinian). Apparantly a nice local woman rents them, and their website is in the works complete with photos and booking info. These cabanas are lovely, each with thier own bathroom and have hot and cold running water, a large bed under a mosquito net, fans and a huge hammack (matramonio) on the front deck of each unit. I understand they are around 400 pesos/night and you would do well to book them in advance, as they were all full the whole month I stayed. Some people I met who stayed there said they are seriously world class...new, clean and all about Location...Location...Location!! Cheers, Stacey

Hey all, this seems like a very friendly and informative place, I have a few questions for you all :) My husband and I are flying in to Puerto Escondido around the end of June =) We are planning to show up in Mazunte and stay about a week....most likely at Alta Mira. Money is not really an issue, but I am wondering how we are going to get to Mazunte from PXM. A taxi from the airport? Is it the sort of thing that should be planned ahead, or can we just grab one? We travel light and are willing to share. Also our return flight is pretty early in the am, 11! Will it be difficult to arrange transport from Mazunte to PXM in the morning? Would it be wiser to stay the night in puerto then? Haha I said a few questions didnt' i! Well it's the worrying woman in me :) I'm so looking forward to this trip, especially after reading what others have had to say. Also, just for future reference, would Hautulco have been the smarter choice to fly into? Thanks in advance =) I will be sure to come back and tell youi all about our experience ~Lorissa

Was this coco john from Zipo? His girl friend was called baby-cakes? Did he have dred-locks and an emaciated face?

No my friend, we are talking about the one and only Coco Loco, the little old Mexican guy who had lived the last 15 years or so in Zipolite causing chaos and havoc wherever he went......he must have been in his 50s when he died although he looked like he was a good deal older.......... ......your chum with dreadlocks sounds like an interesting character too...........but what on earth is anyone doing with a girl called 'baby-cakes'..........?, the mind boggles !. Ah and by the way, I first heard the nickname of Poop-chutla from Hugal the wonderful Austrian artist who frequently spends his winters down at the beach.........aparently it was the kids from the UMAR who coined that phrase.

Are John and Babycakes still around?

Huatulco is easy to fly into, and much quicker and cheaper to Mazunte from there. Maybe collectivo from airport (walk out gate to road) to junction, and cab it on to Mazunte or San Augustanillo, or just cab it it's cheap. I like Mexico Lindo y Que Rico at the west end of San Augustanillo. Probably best swimming beach is there. Cabs are all over and start early no problema. You will make the taxista's day with a fare from airport to Mazunte or SA. They are not expensive. Watch the speedo in the cab, due to local phenomenon you will always be travelling the same speed. 0.

There is a chauffeur in Mazunte called Bartolomeo. His car is in good shape. He will drive you to the airport for a reasonable amount. He lives on the road to Rinconcito, on the right hand (going toward the beach) side just past El Arbol. Any local will know where to find him.

Gracias!! I appreciate the info.

no hay . para vivir tranquilo es perfecto, para lo demas no hay nada, ni de servicios basicos ni de posibilidad de trabajo.

la neta

My new goal in life is to befriend the lovely person renting one of the expensive rooms behind El Alquimista--my favorite bar in the world. Canb't wait to see everyone in a couple of weeks.

dg [%sig%]

i know who you are talking about. this john and babycakes. i haven't seen 'stateside' john ('stateside', because that was his opening line as he approached easy gringo marks to be hustled). i did see babycakes not too terribly long ago in oax. city. she recognized me because she glared back at me with a bitter hatred. (not that she would have reason to loathe me, that is just the way it is when a hustler is spotted for what he/she is) she looked better than normal though. i used to describe her as a 'burned faye dunnaway'. ok, now THERE'S reason to hate me.

I used to think she was a mute until they hustled a Guatemalan couple. She chirped like a canary. Right up until the moment "The Sting" was completed, then she clammed up again and I never heard another word out of her. I think it had something to do with Opium. She was probably hot once upon a time. Someone should tell him to stay out of the sun........

I believe they were more interested in coca. I've donated many a book to John over the years to keep him going between bumps. What restaurants are open at this time of year? Yes san Cristobal, La Choza, El Alquimista and the other big regulars, but have any new places opened up in the past year that I musyt try?

Frisbee Dave [%sig%]

Try the Comedor Alex, near the Farmacia on the main road just after the turn off to Lola´s, great food, normal prices and great atmosphere and off the beach....

I have not been to Zipolite for 5 or 6 years. Is Tao Ziploite still there? In the past I've stayed in Puerto Angel but the Tao looked my style and the owner was cool. I am going in November and am looking for a place for about 10 dollars. Is this still possible? Also I remember Lola's had one nice 2nd storey room with bath etc. Does anyone know what that would cost? I was in Maruata, Michoacan last year if anyone needs info on that part of the coast. Gracias!

[%sig%]

A few years back I met a gentleman who was developing a school for pregnant girls on the road just past Mazunte I believe. I think his name is Fransisco. He was often seen with his lovely daughter. Is he still around? Is the school flourishing?

David [%sig%]

Wayward girls? <perk>

could you email me with the pictures, prices and availabilty for July? thanks Jens [%sig%]

Hi : Has anybody seen Andreas, he hangs around puerto angel, and zipolite and pochutla. His brother fixes cars in pochutla. He has been there for 3 years, and I have to get in contact with him, he was supposed to build a cabin for me, or at least the sketches. Let me know if you have seen him. I hope he has not drowned in his 10 pesos a coke bottle filled with mezcal.

Yes,I do know that coca john split to state-side and was found by the police in NY. They ran is SS# and found him wanted on a sm coca charge in FL. Statue of limitation got him freed and when legally back to Zipo to find his "babycakes". She was not to be found because she was doing another victim. He wanted to make some money so while in Zipo Bubba from Texas told him that Austin would be a good place to hang. As we all know all Bubba's come from Texas...Dave~The~Wave~~~~~~~

I hhave an amazing confirmation to Dave the wave's synopsis. Last night, at the corner of 5th and Lamar in Austin, Texas, I asaw John with a cardboard sign begging for money. I kept my head down. As I watched someone gave him the remains of a box of pizza and he accepted it with a bit of reluctance. He looked a lot healthier than the last time I saw him. Marina was nowhere in sight. I'll be in Zipolite in a few days. Dave the Rave [%sig%]

Maybe that was my fantasy.

[%sig%]

Hi there, name is Jesse, and I´m drivin down to Zipolite on wednesday. I´m from Canada and I rented a car while in Mexico. I have been going to several places and I am now in Acapulco. Zipolite was mentioned by my landlord here and we decided to go (2 couples). I was also warned about robberies and stuff that happens there. I am not really worried about myself I am worried about the car since mexican rental policy is a little bit strict if you ask me. So if anyone can tell me a bit about being cautious I would luv it. Finally I wanted to ask where are the best cabins located hehehe. Thanks for helping out and I will make sure to try meet you guys and thank you for your help while there with a nice shrimp feast hehehehe L8r and cya soon!

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Park it at La Choza.

The topes are going to drive you crazy. Personally I would just take the bus. It's not a bad ride from Acapulco...I've done it about 4 times....I am from Canada too! (Vancouver). Don't drive at night!

Take John's advice ...he would know best.

As for best cabins...what's your price ....you'll pretty much have your pick...it's aparently veeeerrrryyyy dead right now...

Someone wrote me they were staying at Cosmico for $10 a night... There are apparently some very fancy high end places...$40 a night near Alquimista. Alquimista is an excellent restaurant.

Stay AWAY from the campground!

Abborates Esmerlda has nice, clean reasonable rooms. I think you'll have your pick of the crop, so to speak. Just walk the beach and ask. Perhaps start at the far end(Shambhala) and work back...give you a good idea of what's happening. Alquimista is just below Shambhala.

Anyways have fun and write about your adventures later okay. Missing Zip, Tina

Thanks for the response guys. I´m from a small town near Niagara Falls (Thorold) I already took note where to park (THX John) And about where to stay I guess that getting there early will do in order to make a choice. And Tina topes are insane but trust me we could use some near the Falls for all those americans that dont understand what kms are yet...hehehe. Thanks again, and cya soon

So, what is the problem at the Campground?

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The camping at Fernando´s, at the beginning of Zipolite, on the Lola´s end, is excellent. I have lived there on and off for 7 years, it is absolutely safe and clean and cheap. It is safer than the camping in the Roca Blanca end. Enjoy!

Hi Stacy, I have never heard of Fernando's. How much is it per night?

The campground is a great place to stay. Very reasonably priced and the little outdoor shower is quite nice. Beware of coconut bombs. They land with a thud that will definitely make you jump if your sleeping to close to the trees.

Que paso amigos. I'm thinking about heading down to the Zipo-PuertoAngel area in late July for my honeymoon. I've never been down there in the in the middle of summer before and wanted some heads up on what to expect weather-wise. I know its always been really comfortable at night in late Sept. to Nov. Also, what is the story with the new higher-end accomodations? I usually camp at Fernando's but wouldn't mind splurging a bit on this occasion.

Gracias para ayudar.

Hola amiga, At Fernando´s campground, also known as La Palmera, they charge $15/person per night for water, etc., $15 pesos for your tent space (1 or 2 person, megatents are more), and $15 for your vehicle. For large campers and trailers they charge by the size, the use of electricity, etc.

The shadiest part is under the almond trees.....and yes, be careful for falling cocos, never camp or put your hamaca where a coco can fall on you, especially now with wind and rain, it can be dangerous. It is getting green and lush, there may be more mosquitoes, and certainly a great night show of fireflies. It is cooler and less sticky than the beach. It is peaceful and quiet at night..... and yes, there are quite a few chickens that make noise in the morning, welcome to Mexico, get used to it, enjoy it, or go somewhere else and be a complaining, annoying tourist....¡viva Mexico y los gallos locos de Fernando!

Marcos is the camp helper/guard/worker, speaks a little English and German, nice guy, can help you with anything you need. Sylvia has a great fruit and vegetable store in front of the campground, and the beach is just a quick walk across the street. I highly recommend the Comedor Alex as a restaurant, good and reasonably priced, it is where many of the locals go....it is on the road around the corner near the Farmacia.

There is a lot of space, the bathroom and showers are clean and use fresh well water, and it is absolutely safe. The beach is not safe for your possessions, though it is not necessarily dangerous either, good judgement is key. Some park with Carlos and Sarah, near La Volantina, on the Lola´s side. I have heard good and bad about the campground in the Roca Blanca near El Tiberon.

There is another excellent campground in San Augustinillo, on the beach, but it has less to offer in space and no hook up for electricity I believe.

Viva Zipolite, viva la raza.....Stacy

What campground are you referring to, why is it so horrible? How much time did you spend in Zipolite, how much time have you spent in Mexico? Be careful what you know and what you assume......everyone´s experience is unique.

Tina, What campground are you referring to, why is it so horrible? How much time did you spend in Zipolite, how much time have you spent in Mexico? Be careful what you know and what you assume......everyone´s experience is unique.

Thanks for your help. So far I have only two anwers ...I´m gratefull, yet I found a model already. I´m still searching so I´ll keep in touch. garroshe.

[%sig%] Post Edited (06-23-03 17:02)

Hola a todas!

For the past 8 years or so, I have visited Mexico 2 or 3 times a year. Usually the typical tourist destination, Cozumel, Zihua, Vallarta... This November, I wish to do something a bit different. An internet friend suggested Puerto Escondido/Zipolite. He also agreed to meet up with me there if I do go (he is from Mexico City).

I read up on the area, and it sounds like a great experience. I have pretty much decided to give it a try. I'm hoping to be there for about 10 days. I do, however have a few questions I hope y'all can help me with. First and foremost is money. What do you recommend? Travellers checks, tyme card, cash? And how much to take to enjoy myself as well as provide for the neccesities (food, shelter, beer)? What type of security is available for valuables? Do I need to carry everything with me 24/7?

Also, I am allergic to seafood. I understand this to be a staple of the area. Will I have problems finding sufficient places to ingest chicken, pork and beef? I also try and tithe the cost of my trip to local charities, preferably educational ones. Any suggestions as to worthy groups?

I would definitely appreciate any feedback/advice anyone can give me on these questions. If you are there in November, I will gladly repay your help in cerveza.

Thanks in advance!

-heimdahl-

I'm planning on visiting Mazunte/San Agustinillo area in early August. How hot should I expect it to be? I like heat, and don't really mind humidity, but will I regret staying at Alta Mira without a fan (I'm assuming that no electricity means no fans)? Also, should I bother to make a reservation? Oh, one other thing, can anyone recommend an on the beach place to stay? Thanks for the help.

I stayed in Mazunte in August and September, part of the time at Alta Mira. It's pretty darn hot and humid! Depends what your tolerance is. Walking up the hill (I was the very top room before the restaurant) was intense and you were soaked in sweat by the top. Sleeping wasn't easy. I would lay out in the hammock until I was ready to sleep. Might have been better if I was comfortable to leave the door open, but as I was a woman alone I wasn't. All in all, it was intense heat/humidity and I probably wouldn't do it that time of year again. But the place was so beautiful I don't regret having been there and loved it while I was (Does that make sense?) Zoe

Someone just wrote me asking if I knew this film and where it was made "y tu mama tambien" Can anyone help? they need the answer by monday!!! Thanks!!!

The movie was filmed in huatulco...the beach they camp at is cacaluta...

Thanks so much! I let the person know.

Is it any good?

Yeah, right.

You could seduce me to "model on the nude", could I get a foto of her just to make sure?

I thought is was excellent, a highly sexual sensual, emotional, hilarious tradgedy; a bit like Mexico.

I was curious myself, and went searching for info about it on the web, I couldn't find anything about it on the actual official website but I found a review that made it sound really interesting. I am going to check it out when I find it.

Hola!.. I am planning on making a trip down to zipolite *my frst to Oaxaca* , puerto angel and I was wondering if Anybody whos been down there recently could tell me what to expect.. hows the weather like in early july?? Whats the price ranges for places to stay.. i LOVE the idea of cabanas but i've heard so many horror stories about them not having locks and having things being stolen. (i'm up for cabanas, rooms etz) ANd if there are any places down there that teach surfing other then in puerto escondido. (prices and places to stay for that place too) I'd appreciate the HElp and Advise! tHanks ANd take care ~Elvira

Everything you have heard is basically true about zipolite...Every mexican basically hates anyone with white skin, they think gringos are nothing but dollar signs and smile and shuffle around and pretend they are friendly when the basics are this. They hate europeans and americans. Mexicans are liars and thieves and you cannot trust any of them as far as you can throw them...A mexican man will say or doing anything to **** a gringa physically and mentally...Zipolite is a beautiful place if you realize that it is paradise if you dont involve yourself with the mexicans who will drain every peso out of you until the well is dry...Remember mexican men treat their wifes like slaves and cant believe that white women will shed their clothes so easily and freely...Take this place for what it is, gorgeous, sumptuous, a raw piece of nature populated by the wrong people...They would just as soon eat a turtle than save it...Remember this is a first generation of people who are wearing shoes and not shitting on the street. Through the luck of the lottery they have been planted like cabbage into one of the most beautiful places on earth...Date one of these pigs at your own risk for he is lying to you no matter what he says and most likely has a wife and kids stashed away somewhere...Enjoy...Danny

You forgot to put suntan protection on your neck, danny.

I fail to understand why anyone who feels this way about Mexico and Mexicans would bother to go there at all. Let alone hang out on a post with other people who come here because they love the place and the people and want to have even the smallest contact through cyberspace with others who feel the same way when they can't be there for real.

There are plenty of beautiful beaches in the U.S. and in Europe where everyone looks exactly like you. Though personally I would appreciate your bypassing California.

Zoe

Alabama sounds perfect for you and your kind, Danny. Lots of white sand and white people. You'll be right at home and far away from me.

if this is who i think, this person is not white.

What a crock of ca ca. I have many Mexican friends and they are not the racist, that this person is.

As for women dating Zipolite men, we are not stupid, we know what we are getting into.

And any impoverished uneducated person will survive anyway then can...can you blame them. Darwin's theory.

Who are you to say that this place should not be inhabited by those who are there. Who died and put you on the top of the list. Your an idiot, Danny!

They would just as soon eat a turtle than save it,...a duh...what is the Turtle Sanctuary all about!

Remember this is a first generation of people who are wearing shoes and not shitting on the street(What???) Go home you jerk! You don't belong in Zipolite!

Have you ever heard of being on a higher level...well your on the lowest rung...lower than all the people you just voiced your opinion about.

David: I thought that was mine?

Well, here I go again wading into a thread that should be allowed to die. Silly me. Obviously, Danny had a bad experience on Zipolite that has stimulated his natural xenophobia. Either that or he's really just trying to scare people away to keep it "his" place. But beneath all the layers of bullshit lies some important considerations. First, Amiga, not every single woman who goes to Zipolite knows "what she is getting into." Were that true, the Zipolite giggolos would be much fewer in number and their families would be in even more dire straights. And yes, nearly all of them are married with children to whom they return when the hostess returns to her homeland. And there are some "bad apples" on Zipolite who prey even more directly on careless tourists. Not all of them are Mexican. Most of the worst are seasonal, coming in from DF and elsewhere to con and/or rob. Zipolite citizens are often victims of these guys. That said, the vast majority of folks living on Zipolite are fine people, the kind of people you WISH your neighbors were.

As for the turtle thing: some folks are very resistant to new ideas and the very concept that they could be destroying their own environment, depriving future generations of the wherewithall to have a valuable and rewarding life. In the US we call them Republicans. In Zipolite, they're still eating turtle eggs. I've never been down and NOT been offered some. You'll also find some restaurants still serving longosta with eggs on the tail. Check it before you eat it and then stop patronizing restaurants serving "shorts" (tiny ones) or egg-bearing females.

Hi John, Points valid and well taken. And after I posted I realized that I over-reacted and thus put myself on a lower level.

What was so frustrating is that the comments he made were such a generalization. This person that is writing is supposedly very educated(I believe) as I have exchanged emails and so I was shocked that he would write such terrible things. Perhaps not every woman that goes to Zipolite is prepared...but any woman traveling thru Mexico, knows what Mexican men are all about. I think that it bugs a lot of men, that women would seek out sexual adventures with Zipolite men...or Mexican men...just my opinion.

As for turtles, well when people are not educated and impoverished, it's pretty hard to explain about saving the environment...try telling someone whose kids are hungry, why you shouldn't kill or sell something so you can feed them. I'm not saying what they do is right, but when you visit a foreign place you have to try to respect the people and environment.

There are definitely some bad apples in Zipolite, but I believe if this person read up on Zipolite, and had been warned, as I believed that person was...there is no reason to post such nasty things....and not generalize and say everyone there is like that.

And like Zoe and the others said, if this person doesn't like it, leave. But as I believe, this person is also impoverished to a certain extent and trying to survive there....well that's pretty hard, for a number of reasons I won't get into.

That's all!

I watched it the other night. Great movie. The director blew me away! What's his other one called? Something about a "Pero". I've been told that it's even better.

Hey have you seen the new website www.zipolite.net CostaChica Check out this story http://www.costachica.net/zipolite/english/index.html Pretty humourous I thought!!!

Wait a minute, that link doesn't take you directly there, ...so click Art and you'll see about the story...

Points well taken. Particularly the one about some men being bothered, even threatened, because some gringas go to Zipolite fully intending to live out some fantasies, including sexual ones, with the local men. Usually such a reaction occurs with someone who isn't getting real-life fulfillemnt and having trouble with a woman enjoying the kind of freedom he wishes that he had. But at the same time, I've spoken with some women who have been devastated on learning that the long haired bronze beauty was just loving them as his means of supporting his family. Not to mention that this behavior reinforces the belief on the part of many Mexican men that all norteñas are promiscuous. This further increases the odds that mistakes will be made and that otherwise "innocent" women will be treated in undesirable ways...

As for the bitterness being caused by a desparate struggle for survival, Zipolite is no longer the easiest place in North American to "slacker by" in. Panama may be cheaper.

"amores perros" "y tu mama tambien" both movies are good. there will be even better movies comming out. oaxaca is going to be my next paradise city.

pon un anuncio en el periodico.

put an ad in the local paper. most locals are very nice and may help you find your friend.

why pay? ive got ways to stay and eat for very little. anywhere you go. you all should find your own ways.. im telling you this because thats the best way to enjoy a vacation on the land of the "cloud people".

best wishes to you all.

if any of you go to Mitla, look up Senora Gloria Olivera. the sweetest and most lovable woman you can find there. and buys some things from her.

Hi, mathew, sorry for the spelling, iam from Spain, and i arrived from Zipolite (Oaxaca) a month ago, now iam in England (ive been here for six years now) and last year i went to Mexico for a month, i felt in love with the place and i spent one yesr in zipolite, ive got many friends now there and ive got a friend that has a beautiful house in Zipolite (actually he is selling the house), but in the meantime he rents it, i need to check his website becouse the other day a friend of mine told me that the house is on the internet so, maybe you can see the pictures, i will let you know as soon as get the information. Angeles.

Whenever traveling in Mexico, the ubiquitous ATM card is your best bet. The conversion rate on a bank-affiliated ATM is the Interbank rate, far better than what is available even for cash exchanges. Unfortunately, the closest ATM to Zipolite is in Pochutla, so you'll probably need to get 1,000 pesos at a time to save trips. (A little under $100us). Get some small change at the bank as "No hay cambio" is the most commonly heard phrase in any Oaxacan coastal business. The rule of thumb for travel, even to Zipolite, is to take twice the money and haldf the clothes you think you'll need. Figure a simple room at someplace fairly nice like La Choza at about ten bucks a night. Figure twice that to eat, a bit more if you drink. If you seek herbal refreshment, it's cheap, cheap, cheap.I recommend La Choza because your valuables WILL be safe in Sergio's lock room - but that is true for most of the better places. If you take a camera or a boombox to the beach and leave it on the sand while you frolic in the water, expect it to be gone when you come back. Fact of life. Between the Roca Blanca section - where La Choza is, by the way - and the older section of Zipolite is a school for handicapped children known as Piña Palmera. It is worthy of your largess. There is a link in the Main Menu to their website. Check it out.

"any woman traveling thru Mexico, knows what Mexican men are all about."

And what ARE Mexican men all about? It sounds like you're defending a people by essentially substantiating what that rednecked whoosit claimed, then asking your audience to tolerate the "faults" of these clearly stereotyped men? If this is the case, I must remind that toleration isn't acceptance, nor is it devoid of racism. Racism is insidious, and the most effective and relatively guilt-free way of maintaining racism is to tolerate "them." "They" can be blacks, homosexuals, or any other marginalized group, including, I guess, Mexican men. But by "tolerating them," we imply that there is some kind of inherent fault that needs to be tolerated. And that's pretty yuck.

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Does anyone know of a Mexican woman by the name of "Mida" in Zipolite? Probably only 5 feet tall, skinny and muscular.

David Gunter, Did you ever work for a brokerage firm?

Well, Shelly, problem is that your position doesn't really allow for the <sometimes huge> cultural difference that abound. Mexico IS a culture rife with "machisimo." Many Mexican men DO seek out extra-marital relationships, often on a ritualized and formalized basis. The retaliation for this behavior is sometimes referred to the "cult of Sancho." And much of the interplay between Mexican men regarding touristas and their behavior comes straight out of a 1960's high school locker room.

Great riff John.

Has anyone stayed at or been to the Posada Las Mazuntinas in Mazunte? what's it like?? any info would be really appreciated! thanks.

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i've been down to the Oaxacan coast twice and for the next and third time i'm wanting to make this a long stay. ( three months or longer ). Can anyone give me some advice on rentals for this type of stay? Are there houses or apartments near one of the beaches ( Zipo., Mazunte, etc. )? i'm not bringing a lot of money and i don't need luxuries. Am i just better off going through one of the cabana places on the beaches? My two previous visits were rather short and i didn't get to do a lot of research on this. My spanish is pretty good and i just want to get to know the area better and spend some much needed time away from the states. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Japa, don't try to plan too far in advance. Do you have some friends among the locals? Get down there, rent a room or a hammock for a few nights, and talk. To old acquaintances. To Sergio at La Choza. To Pati or Eva at Tío Chilo's in PA. To whoever is running the washateria in Zipolite these days. You get the picture; LOCAL resources. For what you plan, anything you find out about in these threads will be over-priced and commitments you make will limit your possibilities.

Geeze, such anger...So let me get this right...It's okay to be just a little bit of a liar and just a smidgen of a womenizer and just a might bit of a thief if your poor and have three kids at home and more on the way cause you are caught in some kind of religous time warp and dont have enough guts to pull your self out of your grizzley life like millions of blacks did in hundreds of years of death and struggle in the United States to obtain freedom and their rights...I guess honesty is now considered racist. So lets see, lie and cheat every waking moment to some (and there is no such thing as an innocent women) sex hungry girl who would prefer being decieved by some brown skinned midget for a roll in the hay then honesty from him that she is no more than a paycheck and a good laugh with his buddies later when there yucking it up arounbd the life guard station. What ever happened to self respect. And one other thing, this doesnt only envolve targeted women, these men, who are supported by all of a corrupt Mexican society are supported by there women, who are equally guilty of the basic charade there lifes have decended to...The place is one basic criminal conspiracy...Somehow these wonderful people(quote) have come to think of many of us as money trees, they dont understand we have worked most of our lives and that nobody has given us anything...especially money...Execute them all...have a nice day

Nobody has given us anything? Especially money? What a joke! This is the great American lie we've been fed since we were old enough to watch the fourth of July fireworks. We are the most privileged people in the world, and our privilege, cash included, comes at the price of the poverty of other nations. Danny, take a look at the big picture and get out of your insulated American bubble. Just where do you think American money, and it's privileges (you may call them "rights"), comes from? Talk about a "religious time-warp"! American religion is gift-wrapped in money-money-money, and tied up in a pretty ribbon of self-righteousness and economic/cultural colonialism.

Comparing Mexico's economic situation with the experiences of African-Americans who were brought here in slavery is ludicrous. The two situations are not even remotely comparable. American influence in Mexico is in many ways overt, but in many more ways, it is quite insidious, and much harder to target, especially when it's sanctioned by the people's own government. African-Americans were uprooted, transported, and enslaved. The leaders of their own (black) communities did not support this. That's only one of many vital differences.

Besides, I don't think anybody is saying that it's okay to lie and cheat and steal from other people (although, personally, I think that the poverty and three kids at home circumstances are compelling arguments). The situation is a wee bit more complex than that. Take into account the often negative American influence on contemporary Mexican life, which when coupled with the long history Mexico has with colonization, can make for some hefty, and justly deserved, anger. Also take into account the cultural differences in gender roles in Latin America, Mexico in particular. Add a pinch of poverty, bake at a sultry beach-wave temperature, and voila! the perfect conditions for a gigolo movement. It's not "okay," it's not always justifiable, but it is understandable.

But not EVERY Mexican male is going to be involved in this kind of scam. That's like saying that all us Texans think like Our Leader. When we assume that Mexican men are gigolos, we do violence to them. It is racism. It is still racism even if we justify it through poverty or whatever, because such justifications substantiate the erroneous and stereotypical view that all Mexican men are out to make a buck by romancing some airhead American or European. And while that is the goal of some, it is not the goal of all.

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this whole gigglo thing....in my relationship with a Mexican man, ...the man actually gave me his pay each week, we paid the rent and I bought groceries and cooked. He always "asked me to dinner" and paid and would get angry if I tried....because he had "asked". I don't know about other women's relationships...but I don't know how these supposed gigglos support themselves

Visitors' Comments ArchiveZipolite, Oaxaca January 2003 to January 2004

Visitors' Comments Archive
Zipolite, Oaxaca
January 2003 to January 2004