Mexico´s Pacific Coast
Trip Start
Feb 01, 2005
1
6
145
Trip End
Dec 31, 2008
Puerto Escondido,
Mexico
Thursday, March 3, 2005
Acapulco, Puerto Escondido and Zipolite.
Monday 21st Feb we took a bus from Mexico City to Acapulco which took around 5 hours. We booked into the Hotel California - pretty much a run down dump like in the Eagles song "Welcome to the Hotel California......" It was in the old, seedy side of town. Our room was up 3 flights of stairs which has become a bit of a trademark for us. Our arms,legs and backs are getting strong from climbing stairs with packs on. Like most places in Mexico no toilet paper is to be flushed - it has to be placed in a bin next to the toilet! That takes a bit of getting used to. Our room had a miniscle balcony (no chairs) where we would sit on pillows of an evening drinking wine and to watch the world go by. Acapulco is the playground of the USA holidaymakers. They book all inclusive deals in big high rise and barely leave their resorts. The most amazing thing in Acapulco, which we had come specifically to see, happens every day at La Quebrada
Cliff Diver at Acapulco
. It has been a local tradition for 40 years or so for divers to climb the steep cliffs and plunge 40 metres into the water below, carefully timing the entry in the water to coincide with the waves. Looking at the boiling waves below it seems impossible and then they dive and survive - most impressive!Thursday 24th we moved on to Peurto Escondido - an 8 hour bus ride. We arrived right on dusk and walked down a steep cobbled street to find the hostel, where we had booked dormitary beds over the internet, had messed up our booking, BUT they could offer us a private room at a cheaper price. Fantastic! Third floor again but a beautiful room with sea views and a balcony big enough for chairs. We loved the hostel and Puerto Escondido so much our planned 2 days turned into 5. Our hostel was full of friendly travellers from around the globe (Scotland,New Zealand, U.K., Sweden,Japan, Iceland, Finland, France, Germany, USA, Canada) and 2 Aussie lads. The Aussies organised a BBQ for Saturday night and bought fresh fish off the boats and vegies from the markets then costed it out at around $A3.50 each! It was a feast and so good to eat simple food with no chilli for a change. Each night we would all gather in the common room and drink and talk and play pool. Puerto Escondido is a major surfing beach but also has sheltered bays and there is no wind just a constant gentle breeze. We abandoned our plans to go inland to Oaxaca and thought we would travel a little further down the coast to a little village called Zipolite
Colourful markets at Puerto Escondido
. We caught a local bus (non-existent springs and Mexico has the biggest and most speed humps known to man)to the town of Pochulta and then a 4 wheel drive utility with seats in the back to eventually find the village. We did not have accommodation booked but soon found one - you guessed it 3rd floor again! Very basic with cold shower only but right on the beach - almost on top of the surf - with hammocks on the balcony to watch the sunset. Eating is pretty cheap $A2.50 for a meal of chicken, beans and rice and the same for a cooked breakfast. Next it will be farewell to the Pacific Coast and weŽll put ourselves in the hands of a bus driver for some 13 hours to take us to the border of Guatemala. It is only a temporary farewell to Mexico as we plan to come back after Guatemala and Belize. 
Comments
Puerto Escondido!!
I recently was lucky enough to travel to Puerto Escondido and fell madly in love with the beach!! Major surfing beach is right - I think I surfed the best waves ever while vacationing in Puerto Escondido and truly recommend the gorgeous area to any surfer. I can't wait to go back! I only wish I had discovered it sooner - I could have spent so many wonderful vacations here!