Puerto Escondido - Part One - American Mexico

Oh hi! From Oaxaca we decided to head to the coast to get on with some serious tannage. Puerto Escondido (hidden port) came well recommended as a relaxed, hot and inexpensive surfer/traveller haunt. We took our first overnight bus (cheers Al). It took 10 hours in total, and was totally ideal, we got some sleep, it wasn't hideous, and there we were at the coast.

The Lonely Planet warned us that any hint of a breeze was a blessing...they weren't wrong! Super hot bright sunshine, we could feel ourselves frying! We headed to 'Dan & Carmen's' place for a cheap cabana for two.

We weren't quite prepared for Puerto Escondido though. Dan, the owner was an American who knew how to schmooze. The place was full of retired Americans! It was like stepping into the set of 'Cocoon'! Oh my god! Middle aged American group holiday-ville. They were all at it, on each others balconies, terraces with their own bar in tow. It was 'world of leather central'! Why were they all shouting?!

Dan & Carmen also has a place on the beach front called 'Carmens Cafecita' (their other cash cow) that was American-Mexico central. A great place for breakfast, if you could stand the shouting. It was the scene of many a jaw dropping moment... Mr Muscle bound aged 60, always with shirt off, pumped to the max, who looked like someone had stuck his head on action man's body. People wearing stuff that said 'Good call New York!' Sadly some very rude behaviour towards the mexican waitors. Generally there were lots of people who were overexposed to the sun.

There were a number of stray and very pitiful looking dogs, this was awful to see. In American terms the reaction was to continually stare at them while eating saying 'ooh look at that little guy'. God almighty. I wanted to leave the moment we got there, but managed to hang in there long enough to find some positives the next day.

Oh hi! on the little terrace having some mango.


Bananas growing above our cabana.


'Dan & Carmen's'... well part of their empire.


At the pool, no Americans in sight...sadly we could still hear them.


Swim Wiji, swim!


Our cabana. Nice Huh? Pretty plush. No wonder they are rented by the month!








'Dan & Carmen's' roof terrace view of the beach.


(By the way... I realise there are some lovely Americans, we met some very kind ones here too. We promised ourselves to not be quite so judgemental in future!) Whatever.