I don’t know exactly what I expected out of this adventure, but I definitely did not expect to be spending so many hours every day in the car driving around in search of waves. Yes, the rumors are very true: it is a region rich in many perfect right hand point breaks, but you do have to work for it sometimes – in our case every day. The winds and tides are huge factors, making each secret spot a fickle beast that could be flat or choppy all day and firing for only a couple short hours. If you choose poorly, you could waste half a day creeping along a narrow dirt road and getting stuck on a desolate beach in 95-degree heat only to be skunked. The risk only makes the reward that much sweeter though. If perfect rights aren’t your thing, don’t worry, there are some pretty heavy beach breaks nearby. Perhaps you’ve heard of a little (wrong word) place called Puerto Escondido?
The Oaxaca region is awesome, but be prepared for a serious surf trip mentality. You’re not exactly roughing it, but it’s not a good honeymoon spot either (unless your significant other is a surfer of course). Pack light: tees, shades, hat, boardshorts, wax and plenty of sunscreen is all you really need. Definitely surf until your rashes and sunburns are unbearable, but also be sure to enjoy those quiet moments in between. Like when you realize you are sipping on a cerveza under a little palapa in front of a barren, picturesque beach out of a friggin Corona ad with no one else around for miles.
Photography by Matt Titone and Sam Titone