The aim of Puerto Escondido was to get some serious relax time in before the onslaught of nine adults and three kids in Texas.

Staying in a bright pink house, with pale blue cacti doors, we quickly settled in to doing not much at all! The accommodation was in a perfect location with the Manzanillo beach just a five-minute walk away. We spent our days exploring the nearby Zicatela, Angelito and Carrizalillo beaches, reading, writing and eating seafood. On one occasion we sat and ate oysters that were shucked and served on the beach in front of us by the dripping diver who had literally just emerged from the ocean. Sitting by the beach was very entertaining. We soon came to realise that there were few Mexicans who could swim, so the beaches were lined with families who would sit in the shallow waters and wait for the waves to come and wash away the heat. We found ourselves praying for a huge wave as this was when we would witness hundreds of Mexicans being swept in different directions by the huge body of water. Kids had boogie boards and floating devices ready, others would sit with their backs to the water and wait for the thrust of water to body board them ashore. Most hilariously though were the people who didn’t expect the wave and there would be legs and arms flying and shocked laughing faces galore. Being there was probably the first time I have ever enjoyed just chilling at the beach for long periods. The water was the perfect temperature and shade was readily available. There was a low key, backpacker, hippy surfy vibe and it really suited us. Our nights were spent cooking in our outdoor kitchen and Adam occasionally heading to the local supermarket to watch the college basketball on their outdoor TV.

We really enjoyed Puerto Escondido, touristy enough that we had a decent supermarket and access to yummy restaurants, but not so much that it no longer felt like Mexico! We would happily return.