¡El Tour
Budget Bicycle Tours in Mexico
www.BikeMexico.com
The Complete Archive · 2000–2020
México's South Coast 2004
Season 2004–2005 · all tours that season
This is a REGULAR difficulty tour that continues down the Pacific coast down from Zihuatanejo to Puerto Escondido. More great beaches and views are to be had on this one. Enjoy the natural beauty of where the Pacific ocean meets the mountains of Mexico.
| Dates: | Fri Nov 26, 2004 to Sat Dec 11, 2004 (2 weeks - 10 cycling days) |
| Distances: | Average/day: 68km Maximum/day: 84km Total Approx: 679km |
| Route Type: | REGULARRegular DifficultyA good level of fitness is required. Distances average around 50 - 80 km per day (depending on hills), and are always less than 120 km. Roads range from flat to very hilly. We may climb up to 1500 metres on a hard day.WeatherThe Weather: Pacific CoastLate fall and winter along the Mexican Pacific sees little rain. It is generally hot and dry, often with a cooling breeze off the ocean. The rainy season ends around October so that during our tours the rivers are still flowing full.RoadThe Road: Pacific CoastThe road is generally in excellent condition. Some flat straight sections exist however it is mostly windey and hilly as the road negotiates its way through the foot hills and mountain sides. Traffic is generally light to non-existent, except of course close to larger towns and cities. The surface is generally wide and the drivers are courteous.LandThe Land: Pacific CoastMost of the Pacific coast is an abrupt meeting of the mountains and the huge expanse of a turbulent ocean. Beaches are many, surf is big, and the mountains looming. There are areas of dry shrub, while other areas are dense with tropical forests. |
| Highlights: | Challenging cycling, the intrigue of the Pacific Ocean, small towns, quiet roads, beaches, surf, camping, mountains, spectacular views. |
The Route
Itinerary
Click any day for the full description. Itineraries were always subject to minor changes.
WhenWhereDistanceHighlights
Day 0Meet in Zihuatanejo-
Small resort, beaches, night life, seafood. [more]
Zihuatanejo is Ixtapa's easy-going sibling. Only 8km away it still gets a lot of tourism but has a very different ambiance. Small-scale fishing is still important to the town's ecomony so seafood here is great. There are many good beaches, restaurants, bars and a very busy and colourful market.Day 1Zihuatanejo to Papanoa80 km
Small Towns, Beach, Possible Beach Camping, Seafood. [more]
A small town, Papanoa welcomes us after a moderate first day of cycling in the rolling hills through the beautiful Mexican countryside. Later on in the ride we are treated to great views of the Pacific ocean and some good beaches.Day 2Papanoa to San Jeronimo81 km
Small town real Mexico. Lagoon, River, Beach, Seafood. [more]
The small town of San Jeronimo sees no tourists except us. Here we'll experience an example of how good the food at the cheap market eateries can be. You can spend the afternoon exploring this charming little town or take a bus or cycle another 8km or so to the Hacienda de Cabañas. There you can enjoy a swim, some great seafood and the best ever handmade tortillas on a sandbar between the lagoon and the ocean.Day 3S. Jeronimo to Pie de la Cuesta75 km
Relaxing beach, big surf, lagoon swimming [more]
Pie de la Cuesta is Acapulco's quiet neighbor. A 2km strip of land separates the wide beach from the huge Coyuca lagoon. Swimming is better in the lagoon as the riptide in the sea here is dangerous.Day 4Pie de la Cuesta-
Relaxing beach, big surf, lagoon swimming [more]
Pie de la Cuesta is Acapulco's quiet neighbor. A 2km strip of land separates the wide beach from the huge Coyuca lagoon. Swimming is better in the lagoon as the riptide in the sea here is dangerous.Day 5Pie de la Cuesta to Acapulco10 km
All the comforts of home. Beach, Shops, Night Life. [more]
And down into Acapulco we go... after seeing the real Mexico, Acapulco is a bit of a shock, but it's also a chance to take a little break and enjoy some of the decadence that Mexico is known for. Riding in early in the morning we will avoid the awefull traffic. Check out the Fuerte de San Diego which was built in 1616 to protect the galleons that conducted trade between Mexico and the Philippines from Dutch and English pirates. Also of interest are the famous La Quebrada Divers who impress onlookers diving from a 45m high cliff into the ocean swells below. Acapulco also boasts a water park, aquarium, art gallery, diving, snorkelling and other water sports and of course more beaches than you can shake a bikini at.Day 6Acapulco to San Marcos81 km
Quiet beaches. Zero traffic roads. Interesting river crossing. Real Mexico. [more]
This is probably the most interesting day on the tour. We climb up the ridge that rings Acapulco and escape along a steep descent on the other side. Soon we find carless roads, empty beaches and many little beach restaurants and hotels awaiting the weekend when Acapulco residents come here themselves. Soon we are back in real Mexico as we cross a narrow bridge, pass through a village and finally get to the bridge that is no more. The bridge over the Papagayo river was washed away by a hurricane more than a decade ago and never repaired. We'll wait with the school-children for the small boat that takes people back and forth across the river that separates some people's homes from the village. San Marcos is another small charming town, now in the part of Mexico called 'La Costa Chica' where the locals and their customs also have some African influence.Day 7San Marcos to Playa Ventura73 km
Quiet Roads, Beach, Seafood. Possible Camping on the Beach. [more]
A fairly easy ride takes us into Playa Ventura. This is our last beach visit before we go inland for a couple of days then re-emerge for our final rendez-vous with the Pacific ocean in Puerto Escondido. Playa Ventura gets its name from the large Ventura family that makes up much of the village's population. We'll meet many of them including Luis who hosts the tiny Restuarant Dicalei and also helps organize the annual 15km road running race that attracts hundreds of people from all over Mexico and other countries. One of Lius' many brothers, Arturo, owns and runs the little bar down the road - this is definately the smallest bar you've ever seen; dwarfed by its great big character.Day 8Playa Ventura-
Beach, Seafood. Possible Camping on the Beach. [more]
Reeelllaaaxxx... You may never want to leave this place. It's truly a gem. You can explore the miles and miles of beautiful beaches, swim, body surf, or just take in some sun. If the natural beauty doesn't capture you, the local charm will.Day 9Playa Ventura to Cuajinipuilapa84 km
Real Small-Town Mexico. Beautiful Inland Views, Quiet Roads. [more]
Now we go inland for a couple of days. The rolling hills and views of distant mountains will feed our spirits as we pass through unassuming little villages where we stop and feed our bellies. Cuajinipuilapa is a busy little town without a hint of tourism but with a lot of Mexican character.Day 10Cuajinipuilapa to Santiago Jamiltepec83 km
Beautiful foothill and distant mountains. Colonial mountain town. [more]
We're in for some ups and downs on this day. After a long straight more or less flat stretch of road with some beautiful views of the mountains off in the distance, we cross the state border into Oaxaca and start into the hills. Pinotepa Nacional offers us a break for food, and anything else we might need including stores, banks and internet, then shortly after we're treated to a cooling swim in La Arena river. Our long final climb takes us to the hill-top town of Santiago Jamiltepec, a real colonial gem hidden away in the Mexican countryside.Day 11Santiago Jamiltepec to Lagunas de Chacahua51 km
Downhill. Lagoon, wetland wildlife. [more]
Think yesterday's climb was long? Wait till you see today's descent! We won't even have to pedal until about 10km into the day. The scenery as we hug the many twists and turns in the road is dazzling. As we approach the coast again we find the Lagunas de Chacahua national park.Day 12L. de Chacahua to Puerto Escondido61 km
Small Resort Town. Surfer Beach, Mexican Resort Beach, Seafood, Nightlife. [more]
We finally return to the ocean and are welcomed by Puerto Escondido. This small sea-side resort offers miles and miles of great beaches, body surfing and of course boogie-boarding and proper surfing if you're up for it. The nightlife is exciting yet intimate mixing an international surfer and backpacker croud with Mexican tourists.Day 13Puerto Escondido-
Small Resort Town. Surfer Beach, Mexican Resort Beach, Seafood, Nightlife. [more]
Small sea-side resort offers miles and miles of great beaches, body surfing, boogie-boarding and of course surfing if you're up for it. The nightlife is exciting yet intimate mixing an international surfer and backpacker croud with Mexican tourists.Day 14Pto. Escondido to Zihuatanejo-
Daytime van back to Zihuatanejo [more]
We'll arrange a private van to get everyone back to Zihuatanejo because the busses in this part of Mexico offer a rather poor service. Starting early in the morning you'll get to see the whole trip in fast rewind and arrive in Zihua in the evening.Day 15Zihuatanejo-
Stay a bit longer or fly back home [more]
Pack up and head to the airport for your flight home, or you may choose to stay a while longer.What it cost that season
| Guides' Fee | + Accommodations | + Food & Drink | + Misc. | = Approx. Total Land Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $130 | $170 | $120 | $920 |
All figures in US dollars, as published at the time. Riders paid their own accommodation, food and entrance fees on the road — the Guides' Fee was the only charge from ¡El Tour. Full history: price of Mexico's South Coast through the years.
Photo Album
This tour in other seasons: 2003–2004