Playa Zipolite

The origin of the name Zipolite has been lost over time. Translated from Zapotec, it means "beach of the dead". Some versions have that referring to dangerous underwater currents just offshore. Locals say the Zapotecs offered the bodies of their dead to the sea, and it is the consequence for why the beach was unoccupied until alternative foreigners started arriving here in 1969. Other versions has it coming from the Nahuatl word sipolitlan or zipotli, meaning "bumpy place" or "place of continuous bumps or hills". ==History==

Archeological finds at the east end of the beach shows that the area has a long history, but for the first half of the 20th century only one family lived here. in the 1960s and 1970s, counterculture hippies began to congregate here in part due to the beach's isolated nature. At the time, there was little law enforcement, and drug use became common. but there were no deaths. Next was Hurricane Rick on 9 November 1997. While not as strong as Pauline, the storm damaged roads and other infrastructure that was only partially rebuilt after Pauline. A damaging fire occurred on 21 February 2001, burning many of the wood and palm-thatched structures that were on the beach. Since its beginnings in the 1960s, Zipolite has evolved from handful of beachfront cabanas and palm-thatched palapas to concrete, but still basic, hotels and other structures with a few more amenities. Behind the line of beachfront construction is an area called Colonia Roca Blanca with a street known informally as the Adoquin which has become the town center. Recently, the municipality has added tourist information services and police patrols on the beach both day and night during the busy season. ==Community==

The community known as Zipolite consists of an approximately one-mile stretch of beach with a street that parallels it. It has a central neighborhood, Colonia Roca Blanca, situated at the western end where many of the hotels and restaurants are located. Colonia Roca Blanca is named for the island or large rock just off the shore, which is white due to bird guano. There are no building codes enforced here, so constructions vary as to materials and quality. Several bank branches are in Pochutla. Zipolite also has a variety of restaurants from the standard Mexican to international cuisine and vegetarian choices. Zipolite can be reached by flying into Huatulco or Puerto Escondido and traveling on coastal highway 200. It can also be reached by road from Oaxaca City via the new highway (Autopista Oaxaca Puerto Escondido) and then on costal highway 200, which makes the total travel time from the state capitol about 3 hours. From the highway Zipolite can be accessed from the intersections to either Mazunte or Puerto Angel by either taxis colectivos (shared taxis) or a standard taxi. ==Piña Palmera==

Piña Palmera is a rehabilitation and educational center for disabled children and adults, from rural communities in Oaxaca state, the majority of whom are indigenous people. It is a private charity which has existed since the 1980s, and the charity has enrolled over five thousand people in one or more of its programs. Most of its staff is volunteer. The endeavor is supported by a Swedish charity and it not affiliated with any political or religious group. , about 350 people are in their programs. ==The Beach==

Zipolite is a nearly pristine beach about forty meters wide and two km long, with medium grain gold colored sand. The water is clear with tones of blue and green. This was one of the beaches featured in the Mexican hit movie Y tu mamá también. This beach is part of the Riviera Oaxaqueño, which includes the nearby beaches of Puerto Angel and San Agustinillo. organized by Federación Nudista de México and the local hoteliers' association. The beach's appeal stems from being one of very few beaches in which nudity is tolerated. Before it was mostly practiced on the sheltered far east Playa del Amor and the far west end, but recently the amount of nudists, also families with children, is growing also on the 'main' beach, probably thanks to some hotel owners becoming more open and flexible. Swimming is practiced here but caution is strongly advised. Waves are strong in the afternoon, which is good for surfing and undertow is always strong. The ocean just offshore has strong currents that flow in circular patterns, some of which push swimmers toward shore and some which can pull swimmers out to sea. These currents are strong but not very wide. Swimmers have regularly drowned, prompting the creation of a volunteer lifeguard team and a flag system to indicate where and when it is safest to swim. ==Naturism and nudism==

Nudity is legal on the beaches of Playa Zipolite, including Playa del Amor to the east of the main beach. Elsewhere, Mexican law condemns only "immorality" and thus the issue ends up being a matter of the judge's criteria. As of 2016, Playa Zipolite is Mexico's first and only legal nude beach. • CAMP is a clothing-optional hostel and resort including a pool and sauna. It provides dormitory beds as well as private rooms. It is located half a kilometer from the beach. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, the nudist festival was held on schedule from January 29 to February 1, 2021, with face masks recommended. ==See also==