Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Ten Days in Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido 2021

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Puerto Escondido, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, is an enticing location for beach goers. There's an International Surfer attraction at Zicatela Beach, lots of hotels, and restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines from which to choose.

It had been a while since we had visited and and it was time for an update!

Billy flew from Guadalajara to Puerto Escondido via Volaris, non-stop for $80USD each way. Since it was a flight early in the day, he had plenty of time to run around a bit before checking in to Hotel Las Olas. Price agreed upon was 850Pesos (about $43USD) per night.

The route of Volaris flight

This map shows you how far away the Mexican state of Oaxaca is from our adopted state of Jalisco, Mexico.

Just under the name Guadalajara you will see a large lake. That's Lake Chapala, where we live.

It's so convenient to have an international airport just half an hour away from our apartment. It makes it very easy to travel!

Waves beat on the rocks on Playa Principal

Playa Principal is a beautiful beach, and at this point on the sand are some rugged rock formations where the waves crash. These rock formations separate Zicatela from Playa Marinero and Playa Principal.

This is the beach that is much safer for swimming than Zicatela which has a strong undertow. The international surfer destination is to the left, outside the photo.

Beach vendor sells fresh tropical fruit

Further down the beach where the boats dock, families swim and eat tropical fruit and seafood cocktails brought to them by beach vendors.

Sculpture Los Manos

This sculpture of hands (Los Manos) is on the Zicatela side of the beach.

These two beaches, Zicatela and Playa Principal are the most famous beaches in the state of Oaxaca. They bring in sizeable revenue for the state. Playa Zicatela holds surfing competitions every year in November which brings in tourist traffic from around the world.

Fisherman on the beach

These beaches are also known for good fishing. You can try your luck off shore as this man is doing here, or hire a boat to take you further out for deep sea fishing.

Deep sea catch

Fisherman proudly shows his catch of the morning, as onlookers stand by.

Billiards on the beach

Everything is indoor-outdoor here at the beach. Bars, restaurants, even pool tables.

Anyone for a game?

Boarders and surfers waiting for the waves

Waves can get up to 16 meters high in this area. Behind the man on the boogie board in the center of the photo is a black dot. Can you see it?

That, my friends, is a human being waiting for a wave!

You can tell by the size contrast of wave to surfer how big these babies are!

The view of Playa Principal

Families come to this beach to swim, fish, scuba, snorkel, and eat fresh seafood.

The boats can be hired for deep sea fishing or trips to other beaches unreachable by road.

The city of Puerto Escondido is up the hill. Before 1930, there was no city, due to a lack of potable water.

Beach chairs and umbrellas

Here you can use these beach chairs and umbrellas for "free" - if you order food from the restaurant.

Otherwise you are on your beach towel in the sun.

Sand walkway to the beach

It's almost sunset here now, and it lights up a walking path to the sea.

Organic honey and cold coconut juice straight out of the fresh coconut are sold here at the restaurant on the left.

Panoramic view of the beach

Another very nice view from a rocky outcropping called El Morro.

Looking towards Zicatela beach

This is Zicatela, the internationally famous surfing beach.

This area is nicknamed the “Mexican Pipeline” due to the similar power and shape of the Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu.

You can see the sculpture of Los Manos easily from here.

Another view of the boats from the beach

After Billy and his friend did the Puerto Escondido Coastal Path, this was the restaurant where they sat to cool off and have a cold drink.

There is a bridge washed out on this Coastal Path which prevents one from completing it - unless you choose to do some serious rock climbing to get to the other side.

Mural of swimmer and the sea

Mexico loves their murals and this is a fun one! A beautiful swimmer is painted on a wall, surrounded by tropical fish.

Someone placed a 3 dimensional planter pot for flowers in her right hand.

Wedding on the beach!

Billy has crashed Mexican beach weddings before.

Fortunately, the Mexican people are verrrry friendly and Billy was generously welcomed in, even dancing with the bride!

Breakfast on the beach

Billy and his friend had breakfast on the beach that morning, and stayed until lunch time.

They took turns swimming, as someone had to keep an eye on their gear.

What a view!

The bill for 2 people before tip

Totaling about $15USD, this bill was for 2 breakfast plates of eggs Mexican style with chilis and tomatoes, a fresh orange drink, 2 cokes and 2 beers.

$7.50USD each for breakfast on the beach!

The restaurant - bar where breakfast was ordered

Sabor a Mar Bar - Flavor of the Sea Bar

Food and drinks are available here at this restaurant with beachside service from Raymundo on the right.

Pipeline Hostal

Speaking of the Mexican Pipeline, here's a surfer-style hostal to stay in, right on the beach.

Another hostal, with pricing listed

This is Hostal Mondala.

Cabanas - a little hut on the beach - run about $15USD a night.

A shared room is $5USD, and a hammock or campsite is about $3.50USD.

Beach vendor selling seafood cocktails

Here you go, freshly made seafood cocktails delivered right to your beach chair!

A closer look - Sure... I'll take one!

These little cocktails with shrimp, octopus, an oyster, tomato juice, salsa, lime and saltine crackers run about $2USD!

Yum!!!

Air-brushed Panama hat

Billy bought this Panama hat in Ecuador some years back and recently had it airbrushed with a beach design.

He brought it to the beach specifically to give away.

Who would be the lucky one?

Elizabeth the massage lady

Billy found the perfect person for his hat!

Elizabeth - not Betty, not Beth, not Betsy she emphasized to Billy - was THRILLED to have this present.

Perfect beach wear for a beach massage lady.

Billy the Beach Guy

One last shot of Billy the Beach Guy as we say "so long" to this pictorial of Puerto Escondido.

For more stories, videos and photos of Puerto Escondido, CLICK HERE

For more stories and photos of Oaxaca, CLICK HERE

For more stories and photos of Mexico, CLICK HERE

VIDEOS, VIDEOS, VIDEOS! See Mexico for yourself! Beaches, Bars, Babes, Great Food, Live Music 

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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