In Destination with Transat: Have your cake & eat it too

Sunday night in Puerto Escondido, Mexican locals and bohemian travellers alike gathered across Zicatela Beach to watch the sun make its spectacular descent. Adding an epic thunder to the scene is the beach's colossal wave-breaks, known to the many surfers of this fishing town as the world famous “Mexican Pipeline.”  

Watching this eclectic crowd of onlookers, it's hard to believe I'm just an hour and a half drive away from the all-inclusive paradise of Huatulco, Mexico.

A two-day stay at the exquisite colonial style lodging of Hotel Santa Fe in Puerto Escondido is part of Transat Holidays' Experience Collection; a unique package being offered as part of their Huatulco Sun Savvy and Luxury Collections.

In the spirit of venturing from the comforts of Las Brisas Huatulco Resort in the days prior to this moment, we spent the weekend exploring the lively markets, shops, and churches in the towns of La Crucecita and Pochutla. 

After loosening up at the Chahue tasting house in La Crucecita from a few shots of Mezcal, the smooth and smoky cousin of tequila, I was feeling brave enough to try the local delicacy of Chapulines: toasted grasshoppers seasoned with garlic, lime juice and salt containing an agave worms extract. To my surprise, the smoky and savoury tastes of these critters complimented the Mezcal quite nicely, especially when served on a bed of tortilla covered in mole and the delicious local Oaxaca cheese.

Referred to by our passionately informative tour guide as “the forgotten child of Mexico”, the southern states have an especially authentic flair to their culture that is said to be the most well-kept representation of traditional Mexican customs. 

The people of Huatulco are exceedingly courteous and respectful. Seeing the daily interactions among the local community has been a wonderful experience to be a part of. Any tourists would feel very safe amongst the bustle of Hualtulco's surrounding towns.

With one last night immersing in the refreshingly effervescent surroundings of Puerto Escondido, we will be departing from our boutique hotel to round off the week in the lap of luxury at Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa. 

The adventurous escapades won't end there. Along the way, we will be exploring the Ventanilla Lagoon, mingle amongst baby crocs and turtles, and wander through the backpacker area of Zipolite and the fishing village of Puerto Angel, not to mention venturing to the first Zapotec archaeological site of Copalita and tasting the coffee produced in the village of Pluma Hidalgo resting on top of Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains. 

...All of this with the comforts of an all-inclusive resort awaiting us when the day is through. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?