 Zipolite Beach, west end More Aerial Photos |
A shortage of small change can be a problem in Zipolite. It is suggested that you spend your larger bills at establishments that can make change so that you will have small change for street vendors, the ice cream man, etc. Zipolite does not have a bank but I believe there is a money exchange. Nearest bank and ATM machines are now in nearby Puerto Angel. See the note on Currency.
WARNING: There have been a few armed robberies in Zipolite and on the road between Zipolite and Puerto Angel. Visitors should take precautions. A serious incident occurred some time ago at the Piña Palmera rehabilitation center which is described in their March 1996 Newsletter. I have not received incident reports in recent years but I cannot guarantee that dangers have been eradicated.
Tourists hiking north along the coast from Zipolite beach have been robbed. Robbers target tourists carrying backpacks that may contain valuables. Locals set a trap and caught some of these individuals, but caution is suggested. It is recommended that when hiking on remote beaches in Mexico that you do not carry valuables or appear to have valuables. This is old news as well, but the recommendation still applies.
Past Events: Zipolite was hard hit on October 7, 1997 by Pauline, a category 4 hurricane. Pauline made landfall here with 180 mph gusts and 10-meter waves. There were no deaths in Zipolite. See Damage Reports and photos. Most of the heavily damaged hotels and restaurants were rebuilt and are back in service. Nearby Piña Palmera was also heavily damaged. Then on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 21, 2001, there was a huge fire at the Zipolite beach. There has been rebuilding since this event also.
See More Photos.
See Aerial Photos of Zipolite.
Playa los Amores is a small beach at the east end of Zipolite that is popular as a clothing-optional beach. Playa Camarón is a rocky cove at the west end of Zipolite behind Shambala.
Nudity is accepted (though not legal) on Zipolite beach but is not welcomed in the restaurants. Nudity is more common on Playa los Amores, just west of Zipolite.
Marijuana use is illegal although mostly accepted, but police patrol the beach lightly and there is a $200 peso fine for smoking on the beach.
Playa de Camarón is located in a small cove just west of Zipolite.
see Regional Map [120K],
see Local Map [40K]
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Beaches
• Playas
The large Zipolite beach is located a couple of miles west of Puerto Angel. The sand is composed of medium sized grains. There are numerous small restaurants and places to stay on and near the beach. It is geared more toward the younger set on a budget. The strong undertow in this area can make it dangerous for swimming--too much wave action for snorkeling, too. A volunteer lifeguard program has reduced the number of regular drownings. The main section of the beach in Zipolite is called Roca Blanca, named for the bird-poop covered rock just offshore.
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Hotels and Restaurants
• Hoteles y Restaurantes
Additional accommodations are available in San Agustinillo to the west and Puerto Angel to the east.
There are numerous places to eat and stay and the prices are low. Accommodations tend to be small and basic. Following is a list of mostly restaurant establishments. Many also have rooms for rent. For years, Zipolite did not have telephones and it is still customary for visitors to arrive without reservations. Now there are telephones and internet service. Christmas/New Year's and Easter week are the only times when it may be difficult to find a room. If you have telephone numbers or email addresses that are not listed here, please send them to me tom@tomzap.com.
Cazulita de Mariscos at La Choza menu
Help keep this information current. I am especially interested in telephone numbers. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.
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Transportation • Transportación
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Tour Operators, Outfitters
• Operadores Turísticos, Proveedores
Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.
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e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.
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Miscellaneous
• Misceláneo
