Living and Playing in Puerto Escondido, in the Mexican State
of Oaxaca
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Puerto Escondido - for Surfing, Hiking, Learning, and Living
Well
The
once small village of Puerto Escondio, in Oaxaca, sits on one
of the most famous surfing beaches in Mexico. The city is now
home to over 20,000 people, and thousands more visit each year
to catch the gigantic waves off Zicatela Beach. Others come for
the hiking opportunities, and for the friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
This beautiful town on the Pacific Ocean was occupied long before
the Spanish conquest, but it became a prominent port at the beginning
of the last century, and became a major tourist attraction and
hippie getaway after Federal Highway 200 was built along the coast.
You can reach the city by plane, or drive there from Acapulco,
which is 400 km to the northwest along the coast, or from Oaxaco,
the state capital, which is 324 km north of Puerto Escondio. A
flight will take approximately 45 minutes from Mexico City.
One of the nicest aspects of this town, in addition to the views
of the sea and the attractive colonial homes, is the availability
of a rich variety of housing and hotels. If you plan to visit
the city to see if it's the perfect place for your retirement,
you can stay in a 4-star hotel or rent a rustic cabin, depending
on your taste or budget.
The local restaurants serve the traditional
Mexican cuisine, but if you want a taste of Europe or North
America, you'll find a restaurant that caters to your needs.
No one could avoid visiting the beautiful beaches, which can
be seen from the streets in town. Zicatela beach is known throughout
the world in surfing communities, because the waves are truly
huge. If you don't surf yourself, you'll still enjoy watching
world-class surfers challenging the waves.
For a calmer, more tranquil experience, visit Main Beach, where
you can swim, fish or dive. If you are just learning to surf this
would be the place to get your feet wet before you attempt to
tackle the giant waves on Zicatela beach.
For a bit of seclusion, you can visit Playa Bacocho, which runs
for almost 30 miles and is often completely deserted. The beach
is sandy, and the waves are mild. Playa Carrizalillo is a perfect
spot for swimming or snorkeling, because the water is warm and
calm.
If you visit long enough, you can find several other beaches
in the area, where you can go boating, learn to surf or snorkel,
or just hang out on the sand. International fishing tournaments
are held in the area in February and November, and the waters
are known for excellent fishing for sailfish, marlin and tuna.
Dolphins and whales also visit the water off Puerto Escondio,
and the black coral reefs are home to a variety of smaller, colorful
fish.
There are many smaller towns in the area, and anyone interested
in traditional Spanish architecture and churches will want to
bring a camera. Marketplaces in each village sell the local handicrafts.
If you're thinking of retiring anywhere in Mexico, you'll want
to know the language. Many Spanish language schools have been
set up in Mexico for business travelers, tourists and potential
residents. There is a Spanish
language school is in Puerto Escondio, that offers much more
than just spanish lessons.
If you stay at the Maress Spanish School a while you can learn
about the local culture, take some painting or sculpture lessons,
learn to cook some Mexican dishes, and even take salsa dancing
lessons. Many people combine a few months of classes with a stay
in the home of a local family, and totally immerse themselves
in the culture of Puerto Escondio. If you decide to do this, contact
the school - they will help you make arrangements for your stay.
To see some of the beautiful homes currently for sale in the
area, visit the Zicatela
Properties website.
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