More than a nudist destination, Zipolite, Mexico offers a rare diversity of experience ---

The best travel experiences always happen in smaller destinations that are relatively unknown. The most memorable, rewarding, and authentic experiences happen in unique places that are proactively sought out or accidentally discovered through a freer style of travel.

Zipolite, Mexico is a primo example of a truly unique and authentic place that is natural in its expression of life and lifestyles. It’s a diverse and international community where people live as they choose – such freedom and diversity attract visitors from around the world and many visitors become permanent residents.

En las grandes ciudades del mundo, no es difícil para los turistas encontrar arquitectura impresionante, comida tentadora, arte histórico y opciones de vida nocturna – los aspectos más valorados de un destino por casi toda la gente. Veo, sin embargo, un aspecto más importante al juzgar el atractivo o valor de un destino; su gente. Escoger destinos por su gente tanto o más que otros aspectos de un lugar puede ser muy gratificante. La gente hace toda la diferencia en una experiencia al viajar. Es la gente local – la cultura local – lo que al final determina la calidad de tu experiencia como visitante. El servicio en tu hotel y restaurantes, tu interacción con la gente en las calles y en los cafés, tu aprendizaje cultural e histórico, y tu confianza y seguridad son todo producto de la gente local. Para mí, la gente es el aspecto más importante de un lugar cuando las atracciones y servicios usuales están presentes, o incluso cuando no lo están.

In the world’s great cities, it’s not difficult for tourists to find grand architecture, tantalizing food, historic art, and lively nightlife – the most valued aspects of a destination for most people. I see, however, a more important aspect in judging a destination’s attractiveness or value; its people. Choosing destinations for their people as much or more than other aspects of a place can be very rewarding. People make all the difference in a travel experience. It’s the local people - the local culture - that ultimately determines the quality of your experience as a visitor. The service at your hotel and at restaurants, your interaction with people on the streets and in the cafes, your cultural and historical learning, and your safety and security are all a product of the local people. For me, people are the most important aspect of a place when the usual attractions and amenities are present, or even when they’re not present.

Huatulco es el lugar más limpio y verde de México ---

La mayoría de los turistas en México tienen necesidades simples; un destino vacacional con playas, clima caluroso, comida tradicional y una atmósfera de fiesta. Otros turistas buscan una experiencia cultural auténtica u oportunidades de conectarse con la naturaleza, de las cuales México ofrece en abundancia.

Cancun is not every traveler’s ideal destination. For those preferring a more authentic experience, Isla Mujeres is a 20 minute ferry ride from Cancun. Isla’s got turquoise waters, a good mix of tourist accommodations and local haunts, and everyone on the island pretty much knows each other. It also has just enough quirkiness — ex-pats building houseboats out of plastic bottles, pirate legends, and murals up and down the streets— to keep me from getting bored. I was also lucky enough to meet two locals who kindly drove me around in their pick-up truck and bought me way too many beers.

Bucerias is a low-key beach town that gets most of its charm from the fact that it’s not a big resort city like its neighbor to the South, Puerto Vallarta. Not that it wasn’t lovely; bougonvia hangs over the sides of brightly colored stucco walls, the beach is free of frat boys, every corner of our rental house is a work of art, and the Pacific is as magnificent in the early morning as it is under the afternoon sun with a mango margarita. Plus, everyone was very nice. But we had to lean in to hear Spanish.