on our hike and then stay in Oaxaca for the Easter festivities.
The next morning we took an early bus to Puerto Escondido, Express
Service. The Express Service is a 16-seat van that goes directly over the
mountains. It is the shortest amount of time to get to P.E. However, we
had been warned by our friend not to take this route. Well, he was right.
The six-hour bus ride could have made us seasick with its continual side
to side motion interrupted by speed bumps every so often that would lift
you to the ceiling of the bus almost. The bus driver did give us a
20-minute break for a bathroom and lunch break in a village in the
mountains. You can guess that the bathroom and ´restaurant´facilities
were not the best. However, we did finally arrive in Puerto Escondido and
the search was on for a place to stay.
Road to Peurto Escondido from window of worse 6.5 hour bus ride ever
Road to Peurto Escondido from window of worse 6.5 hour bus ride ever
Arriving in Puerto Escondido we must have been shell-shocked by the bus experience and overwhelmed with again the difference in temperature, as it was very hot and humid, given the accommodation we decided to stay in. We can only tell you that the area and the grounds were lovely, as was the pool. However, we did not appreciate the student-housing look at the end of April and the small lizard climbing the wall and ceiling in our room in the middle of the night. We didn´t mind the Spanish music blaring from the bar on the other side of the room. We decided that night that we were going to be looking for another place the next morning.
We do have to say that one of the very nice things about this accommodation were the restaurants, and grocery store around the corner. We had a delicious Aztec Soup and stuffed green pepper Mexican style. It was a wonderful evening out. Then we went to the local grocery store where internet and two large screen t.v.´s were playing. When we began on the internet the outside cafe was fairly empty. As we worked on the internet a soccer game began between Mexico and Honduras.
As we inputted information on the computer we could hear the noise behind us grow louder and louder. When we turned around the patio was full of soccer fans wildly cheering their teams on. We had to leave it was much too noisy to continue. The grocery store assured us that after the game, the place would again be very, very, quiet.
The next morning we headed to Playa Zicatela which is the main Puerto Escondido beach. Playa Zicatela is the long stretch of beach located on the east side of Puerto Escondido.
Scene of beach in Playa Zicatela beach in Peurto Escondido
It is the main surfing area for Puerto Escondido, attracting surfers from all over the world, and is the site of annual surfing competitions in August and November.
Scene of Playa Zicatela beach in Peurto Escondido from balcony of room in Beuno Vista Hotel
The principal surfing season runs April through November when ground swells in the 6-15 foot (2-5 meter) range break into hollow tubes. For expert surfers only. Not for swimmers.
Warning flag of dangerous beach, no swimming, due to significant waves and undertow.
The November competition is associated with Puerto Escondido's Fiesta de Noviembre. The Mexpipe and World Masters Championships are held in August.
Scene of Playa Zicatela beach in Peurto Escondido from balcony of room in Beuno Vista Hotel
We were pleasantly surprised to encounter a beach with enticing cafes, restaurants and waves of the legendary Mexican Pipeline, which tests experienced surfers from far and wide. The waves are said to reach the height of 12 metres. The beach was truly beautiful. The waves were amazing to watch.
In the Playa Zicatela we found the Hotel Buena Vista. It is set on the main street above and is reached by a steep flight of steps up from Calle del Morro (street). From our breezy balcony high up on the top floor we could sit watch and listen to the waves during the afternoon sun and while falling asleep in the night.
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