El Refugio de Potosi

Posted by Staff in Live Reports, Mexico

After a light lunch of the local dish, tiritas (a favorite of fisherman who can prepare it right on the boat using only lime, onions and the catch of the day) and ceviche, we headed to El Refugio de Potosi, a brand new center for wildlife conservation and ecological education. About a 20 min drive from the center of Ixtapa, the refuge is located in the “coastal, tropical, dry forest” of Barra de Potosí, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico.

An impressive undertaking, El Refugio is still in the early stages of development but currently includes botanical displays, an iguana habitat and breeding facilities, Macaw roosts, hummingbird feeding stations, a butterfly house, sea turtle nursery, and a 15 meter observation tower.  Future plans include additional exhibits for mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and insects and a facility for students and volunteers.

After sweating it out with an iguana family, it was definitely time to get back to the hotel and hit the pool. With temperatures hovering around 95 degrees and a humidity factor that only a seaside town can muster, it was definitely time for a little poolside R&R. Once again, I grabbed a chair 10 yards from the sand and watched the waves roll in. Hey, if it ain’t broke….

The Dorado Pacifico has 27 years of experience hosting travelers and to show her appreciation, she’s about to undergo a multi-million dollar facelift. Rooms are getting refreshed (see photo above) and the property is adding a spa that will eventually be adjacent to the tennis courts. Currently, El Dorado offers a wide range of massage therapies, but will now be including skin treatments with a focus on natural elements and ingredients.

I’ll actually be trying the Hot Stone massage tomorrow, which I promise to give a full report on. Hopefully, I’m not too dopey to appreciate the city tour of Ixtapa and visit to eco-reserve, Parque Aztlan, that follows.

~Vanessa Torres, reporting live from Ixtapa

Zih-what?

Posted by Staff in Live Reports, Mexico

Despite – or perhaps because of -the rocky start to the trip (drama in the form of disgrunted hijackers at the Mexico City airport led to flight delays) landing in Ixtapa- Zihiuatanejo was especially welcoming.  It’s only a 50 minute flight from Benito Juarez International Airport and yet worlds away from the hustle and bustle of that major international hub

After checking in to El Dorado Pacifico, I had dinner at the gorgeous Las Brisas Ixtapa just up the road.  The sweeping ocean views are the perfect cure for wathever ails you, but should you need that extra push, order yourself a corona or one of Las Brisas specialty margaritas.  I poured a cold one, parked myself on one of the comfy sofas overlooking the ocean and switched my internal clock over to Mexico time.

This morning, we headed to Zihuatenejo’s famous Las Gatos beach, reachable only by a small fishing boat called a “panga.”  Tickets are about $35 pesos each way and take about 10 minutes from pier to pier.

Zih-what? as it’s been dubbed by the locals is the quieter, sleepier, more authentico sister to Ixtapa’s government-built, tourist-driven hotels and shops.  Today, the beach was almost empty when we arrived, with a few snorkelers and families arriving right around lunch time.

But don’t be fooled – the pace may be slower and the comida more traditional, but the prices prove that toursits have already discovered this hideaway.  At $90 USD for lunch for five adults (without drinks!), the locals here have clearly realized that they are on to something good.

~Vanessa Torres, reporting live from Ixtapa

Follow us to Ixtapa

Posted by Staff in Live Reports, Mexico, Vanessa Torres

We have reporter, Vanessa Torres in Ixtapa this week and she will be blogging and tweeting her adventures…so stay tuned.  The picture above is from her balcony at the Dorado Pacifico Beach Resort in Xtapa.

Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/HipCompass

Good night from FreeFest

Posted by Staff in Live Reports

FreeFest was a huge success. There were various activities to keep the audience entertained, such as the Kyocera Lucky Layoff Lounge, where attendees could play games and win various prizes from Converse shoes to Virgin Mobile cell phones.

Every performance was a hit and attendance turned out to be what was predicted: a total of 35,000 people. As the day progressed, more and more volunteers showed up to catch the last few hours of the bash.

For those staying at the Sheraton Hotel, the location of FreeFest was convenient as it was only a ten-minute walk away. Everything about this event was well organized, including accommodation, and it was the fastest 12 hours I’ve ever experienced.

Beginning tomorrow afternoon, West Coasters will be heading to the Dulles Airport via megabus to catch their Virgin America flight back to LAX (with internet connection, don’t forget). The good part about this is most of us can, and I’m sure will, sleep in.