5 Days In Oaxaca, Mexico

Punta Cometa

Remember the kind lady Josh and I met on the plane ride from Panama to Ecuador?  The lady who taught me the word sychronicity?  Her name is Irma.

Well, Irma invited us to stay with her in the coastal town of Mazunte anytime we wanted.  Honestly, I had completely forgotten about the invitation until something on Pinterest triggered my memory. Keep in mind that Irma is in her late 40s and works as director at a company that focuses on the creation of innovative methodologies of gender, equality, non-violence and the construction of well-being. 

You may be thinking: 

"you are crazy to travel thousands of miles to stay with a complete stranger!" 

And you may be right but here is my way of thinking: 

"Irma, who Josh and I connected with immediately, is a kindred spirit who saw similarities in us and understood that when she offered to open up her home to us and our child.  She is a fellow traveler, a free spirit who lives her life be open to others not pushing people away.  I believe that the world needs more people like her; there are so many people to meet and life is to short to not smile to someone as you pass them, to ignore a stranger in need, or to always live like others are going to hurt you.  I assume everyone is good until proven otherwise.  If only we could get kindness to spread the way a disease does.  Everyone would be infected with love and the world would finally be at peace. Yes - I would stay with a complete stranger.

So, with that being said - here are my 5 days in Mazunte, Mexico

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Day 1 - National Mexican Turtle Center

I am a sea turtle activist so this undoubtably would be where I start.  Here 7 of the 8 species of sea turtle that exist throughout world can be found here.  This center is essentially a full blown aquarium so taking my son Noah will be an educational experience for him.  They offer the hands on touch tanks, large glass windows for viewing all the creatures on display and if we go during laying or hatching season we can participate in that.  

Day 2 - La Ventanilla 

Just two kilometers west of Mazunte and down a dirt path is a ecotourism conservation cooperative that offers guided tours via canoes of the local mangrove fringed lagoons.  On the tour you will see hundreds of bird species, the endangered river crocodile and on certain days the release of sea turtle hatchlings. 

Then sunset from Punta Cometa

Day 3 - Trip to Zipolite

Zipolite is best known for being on the only nude beaches in mexico and for retaining much of the hippie culture that made it known in the 60's and 70's.  This town is very small, a one mile long beach with a road that parallels it but within this area you will find european tourists, local shops and restaurants.  The only accommodations are either camping on the beach or staying in a rustic cabin on the beach.  A true hippie escape!

 

Day 4 - Overnight trip to Puerto Escondido

80 kilometers away is the surfing village of Puerto Escondido aka Mexican Pipeline so of course because of my husband we would take a full day and stay the night here.  The waves are notoriously large and consistent luring in some of the most famous surfers in the industry.  Even though the village is small there are plenty of restaurants from all over the world, bohemian style cafes, night life, luxury hotels, small inns and campsites.  While here, I imagine we would wander the beach, hit the streets, dine out and stay at one of the small inns.  

Day 5 - Always depart in the evening

We always book our departing flights for the evening that way we have ample time for getting to the airport and doing any last activities we wanted to do.  So on our drive back from Puerto Escondido, we would stop in Puerto Angel for a brief walk on the secluded beach and a bite to eat.   

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Overall the state of Oaxaca offers up a bohemian vibe and laid back atmosphere regardless of which town you are in - so be prepared to move a little bit slower, to breath a little bit deeper and appreciate nature a little bit more.