Coastal Oaxaca

January 3, 2020: Coastal Oaxaca

This was the third day for the Guerrero Cintora and Greer families to do a big day trip together. After being picked up first thing in the morning we were driven over an hour to the West to La Ventanilla, Oaxaca. Here we visited the lagoon of the Tonameca River. For ten months of the year, the mouth of the Tonameca is blocked from entering the Pacific Ocean by a high sand beach. This forms the lagoon which is filled with mangroves and wildlife.

We split into two groups each with our own guide (the Spanish-speaking group and the English-speaking one). Our guides walked us to our boats which they propel by paddling. The area was hit by a major hurricane in 1997 which knocked down almost all of the mangrove trees. Rather than regrow those threes, new ones were planted. More than a decade later you can still see the roots of the old mangrove trees that were knocked over. As we travelled through the lagoon we saw lots of crocodiles sunning themselves in the mangroves and many iguanas in the branches of the trees.

We were then taken to an island in the middle of the lagoon. Crocodiles climbed out of the river. There were recovery areas, a monkey cage, and historic displays. We then stopped there for lunch.

After lunch we travelled to the Sea Turtle Center in Mazunte, Oaxaca. We took a tour of the facility, seeing the many turtles that have been rescued and our being brought back to health at the center.

Our driver then took us further East to beautiful Playa Zipolite. Playa Zipolite is also a nudist beach. We saw many examples of that, but didn't take any pictures. Then we were driven to the picturesque harbour of Puerto Ãngel where we had a lovely seafood dinner. It was after dark when our driver started on the long trip back to Huatulco. It had been a full day. Most of us fell asleep during the drive, to arrive back safely to our two condominiums after another successful day of exploring.

Map of the Ecotourist Area to the East of Huatulco

La Ventanilla Where We Visit

Our Guide Describing the Wildlife in the Ecotourist Area

Lagoon is Blocked Off from the Pacific Ocean Ten Months of the Year

Bridge and Path Leading to our Boats (shows the typical vegetation in the lagoon)

Daniel and Diego

Guerrero Cintora Family in Their Boat

Crocodile Sunning Among the Mangrove Roots

Waving as we Leave for Our Tour

Jocelyn, Daniel, and Diego

Blown Down from the 1997 Hurricane (new mangrove trees were planted rather than trying to recover the ones blown over)

We Took a Break on an Island in the Middle of the Lagoon

A Crocodile Eyes an Iguana

A Massive Crocodile Suns Himself on the Grass (we were within 2-3m)

Gathering Around to see the Monkeys

Maria Close Up with a Monkey While Emila Looks On

Karalee and David in the Boat

Kevin and Carley

Allen and Benita

Sea Turtle Center Mazunte, Oaxaca

Beach at Mazunte

David at the Sea Turtle Center with the Beach and Pacific Ocean in the Background

Playa Zipolite Further to the East

People, Dogs, Waves, and Rocks at Playa Zipolite

The Big White Hotel at Playa Zipolite

Daniel, Jocelyn, and Diego Appreciate the Pacific Ocean

Allen, Daniel, Jocelyn, and Diego

Carley and Kevin at Playa Zipolite

David Selfie on a Beautiful Afternoon at Playa Zipolite

Pacific Swells Look Beautiful on the Beach at Playa Zipolite

Karalee Looking for the "Kids" (once a Mom, always a Mom)

Our Family Walking along Playa Zipolite Back to our Van

Nothing Like Bare Feet in the Sand and Swell on the Beach

Dinner on the Beach at Puerto Ãngel

Fishing Boat Elena at Puerto Ãngel

The Pacific Ocean Starts to Calm Down once the Sun Sets

Families on the Beach Among the Fishing Boats

The Curve of Sand

l-r Back Row: Gilberto, Maria, Carlos, Carley, Emila, Kevin, Benita, Allen, Jocelyn
l-r Front Row: Daniel, Montse holding Diego, David, Karalee, Rodrigo, and Pame