Pacific Coast

To be honest, I didn't think we would reach the Pacific coast of Mexico, a country that if you read and respect all the recommendations of the European or American authorities, you don't even want to visit because of travel security issues. Of course, there are security issues in Mexico, like in many other countries we've visited in Latin America, but with the necessary prior research and careful travel planning, they can be overcome. The reality is not nearly as harsh as it seems when you read the recommendations of the authorities who would probably be happy to spend your money only in the countries where you earned it. The Mexican Pacific coast has absolutely gorgeous locations, from tiny seaside villages that have remained unchanged for decades to top-end resorts with pools suspended on cliffs. Surely, even if you saw all the approximately 200 countries in the world, Mexico would be both subjective and objective in the top 10!

In total we spent a week along the Pacific coast, in different locations between Puerto Arista and Mazunte. The locations were very varied, from camping on the beach with minimal facilities, to a 4-star hotel with a pool located on a cliff. And that's what I think makes this overland trip so interesting: the variety of experiences.

An interesting aspect in Latin America: all beaches are public, even if you have a property on the beach, the last twenty meters, between the sea water and the fence of your property, can be freely accessed by anyone. Of course, in some remote areas, the beach is actually "private" because no one passes there, b ut in principle you are free to pass. This aspect is a total contradiction to the jurisdiction in other countries, for example the USA and even Europe. I read an article a few days ago in the NZZ (Neue Zürcher Zeitung), in Italy the hoteliers (actually the "sunbed mafia") are unhappy that they are no longer rented out like in the past. Nonsense... Although tables, umbrellas, and beach-chairs are rented in Latin America, that doesn't mean you can't access the beach and sit on your own towel.Leer más