What I love about Puerto Escondido and the Oaxaca region is that it's a slight detour off the "Gringo Trail" of typical Mexican tourism.  Like all super sweet surf spots, "Bad roads lead to good surf" and Puerto Escondido's Playa de Zicatela aka the Mexican pipeline is just that.  The state of Oaxaca is made up of steep mountainsides, winding roads and lush tropical valleys and lagoons, and is bordered on the west by the wild Pacific Ocean.  Zicatela remains untouched by American big box retail and franchise but has all the amenities you could need for a beachside vacation with more than just Mexican charm.  The neighbourhood of La Punta- right next door to Zicatela- will be our home base for our week on retreat.  Shops and restaurants are all within walking distance - and the main surf break- La Punta de Zicatela is right there too!  January weather is typically dry and sunny and the ocean swell is low to moderate, making the surf ideal for beginners and fun for intermediate surfers.  Smaller swell is also ideal for Stand Up Paddle touring, SUP surfing and even makes SUP Yoga a possibility on the ocean!  Not comfortable in the surf- no problem-  the pool at Casa de Olas will be our peaceful refuge for the week!  You don’t have to be a surfer to enjoy your time in La Punta but the vibe will certainly make you want to try!  I’ve planned our retreat week to sample a little bit of everything this region has to offer to give you a real feel of a Mexican holiday and also some much needed downtime for relaxation.  Feel free to join me on some of my favourite tours, rent a surf board and catch some waves, learn to salsa, check out the best taqueria's and mercado's in town or simply nap in a lounge chair with a cool coco frio!