Salina Cruz and Cinatepa

We stayed the night in Salina Cruz but didn't get a chance to enjoy it there much. We were hit by a huge storm that was flooding the port town so Dorian and I decided to head inland through huge mountains covered in lush jungle.

We almost pulled over and camped on the side of the road because it was so beautiful but we kept driving and found a nice little hotel. After giving the owner our fifteen dollars for the night we were swarmed by winged insects. They completely covered the camper. They made it impossible to even open the camper door. We frantically left without even getting our money back. These bugs have really delicate wings and we still have pieces of wings throughout the camper and truck.

After we raced the sun to a town called Cinatepa where we stayed in one of the dirtiest hotels during our trip. This was a difficult day of traveling but the views made it all worth it.

Barra de la Cruz

This is Barra. The well known surf spot in Mainland Mexico. It's about a twenty minute walk to the beach from the camp. It starts to get really jungly from here on. The surf is insane and there are tons of guys in the water. The beach is beautiful with huge rock formations. The current is strong for swimming but I still went in about every ten minutes because of the heat. The sand was hot then and Ivy and I took refuge under a falling down palapa while Dorian surfed.

There is a gate collecting a small fee to enter the beach road. We stayed at the only camp on the inside of the gate. The locals were great. I really liked the girl who ran the restaurant but she spoke as little English as I do Spanish. Our view was amazing. We camped with cows, chickens and horses here. Ivy really enjoyed chasing them while Dorian and I gazed at the lush rolling hills.

There were many gringo surfers here when we camped. It was crowded there and loud at night so we only camped for three days. We probably would have stayed longer if it wasn't so crowded. This is a beautiful place that Dorian and I may consider visiting again.

Zipolite Beach Mainland Mexico

Zipolite Beach is awesome. This beach is graced by well built palapas and meditation lookouts. The waves here are great and the water is clean and clear. The current is strong so I made sure that lifeguard Dorian was present when I went for a swim.

We stayed at a small camp and met our new friend Jeff who manages the property for a local mexican family. He is a very spiritual guy who has been enlightened by getting rid of everything. He only owns a few things that he can fit into a backpack. Dorian and I thought he was really cool. We hope to cross his path again one day.

We also met two canadian families who drove down from Canada. I was able to trade with them macrame classes for some books on Central America. They also gave us some information on border crossings that we would be crossing. They were both really cool families.

The beach here is very tranquil. Dorian and I loved sitting in the hamacks for hours a day.

swimming beach in Puerto Escondido, Mainland Mexico

Zicatela Beach, Puerto Escondido

Zicatela Beach in Puerto Escondido is awesome. Dorian surfed the best waves of his entire life here. Unfortunately the pictures I took of the waves were on the smallest day. The waves are very heavy and huge just like pipline in Hawaii.

Dorian quickly fell in love with the hollow barrells he surfed here.I was impressed when he went out with the Pros on the biggest day there while many surfers sat on the beach in amazement. Even Ivy gave it a go.

Many specators come to visit Zicatela just to witness the massive water breaking. This wave is a site to see and surf. The beach down the way (see pictures above) is great for swimming.

The tide pools here are full of fish and beautiful shells and the turquise rolling waves glow in the sunlight.

Zicatela Beach, Puerto Escondido

Pinotepa National

We unfortunately stayed in the city of Pinotepa National at Pepe's hotel. They were kind enough to let Ivy stay in our room. The city wasn't very attractive and again only a one night stop. We later discovered that a beautiful national park lied ahead. We wished we had camped there instead.

Our goal was to get to Puerto Escondido (the pipeline of Mexico in surfer terms.) The coastal road was currently not near the coast and we were excited to get to some lusher greener land.