Zipolite – An oasis of calm on the coast

IMGP8163

DEC 26, 2015 – Just before Christmas, I took a van from Oaxaca to Zipolite, a beach resort on the Pacific Coast and still within the state of Oaxaca. Zipolite is a very relaxed place, with a long beach full of budget accommodations, simple bars, restaurants and only a handful of fancier hotels. Most of the people staying there were either hippies of any age, or young backpackers, with a particular concentration of French speakers. There seems to be a solid community of expats, particularly Europeans, who live in Zipolite year-round. Even though I was there in the high season, the place didn’t feel crowded – no mazes of beach chairs and umbrellas, hardly any families with kids, just people relaxing under the palm leaf shades and occasionally taking a bath or going surfing. Compared to the rest of Mexico, even the rules are relaxed – Marijuana consumption is widespread and tolerated, and clothing is optional on the beach.
I spent the first night in a bungalow that I had booked online for an exorbitant price, fearing it might be the only place available. Then I camped on the beach for four more nights and paid about $3 per night to use toilets, showers and WiFi. One of the highlights of my stay was a dolphin watching and snorkeling tour on three nearby beaches. After Christmas, I stayed an extra day because I didn’t manage to buy a bus ticket online, and the night bus was always sold out in advance. In the end I just took a day bus to Tehuantepec instead of traveling directly to Tuxtla GutiĆ©rrez.

Slacklining on the beach
Slacklining on the beach
Local kid trying out the slackline
Local kid trying out the slackline

IMGP8126

IMGP8129

IMGP8097

The red flag means "danger" - or sometimes rather "sorry, there is no lifeguard today"
The red flag means “danger” – or sometimes rather “sorry, there is no lifeguard today”
Many varieties of Mezcal for sale on the local market
Many varieties of Mezcal for sale on the local market

IMGP8155

IMGP8160

Where is Waldo?
Where is Waldo?

IMGP8168

Christmas party on the beach
Christmas party on the beach

IMGP8225

IMGP8236

One of the fancier places, with expansion underway
One of the fancier places, with expansion underway
Tents in the shadows (mine is on the right)
Tents in the shadows (mine is on the right)
The local Anonymous Alcoholics
The local Anonymous Alcoholics

No Comments

Post a Comment