Club Med Insider

Off the beaten path at Ixtapa Pacific

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Even though the Club Med Ixtapa may be paradise, escaping for a day trip or two can be a great way to soak up some local color. To be green for a day trip to Zihuatanejo nothing (except maybe a bicycle or walking) could be greener or cheaper than hoping on public transportation. It costs only eight pesos (about 80 cents US) to hop on a bus from right in front of Club Med to Zihuat (as the locals call it). Those who must taxi, consider carpooling with up to four passengers who want to venture into town.

When traveling on a day trip either at home or on vacation, my rule of thumb remains not spending more time “in transport” versus actually spending time at the destination. To me, spending a preponderance of time being driven from place to place doesn’t make sense, and certainly wouldn’t be called Green. The often used and much abused term “Green” can include many often overlooked aspects including: supporting the local community versus some distant corporation, sustainably grown produce, or something that benefits nature.

The resort offers several day trips (through the Discovery Centre) but the “Countryside” tour offers the most green for the peso. If at all possible, request their top local guide Paco who asked me what I wanted to see. We pretty much threw out any formal itinerary, as Paco tailors excursions to specific interests. As soon as I mentioned sustainability and organics, we split in his minivan (too large for two people but I could only do so much) to the outskirts of Zihuat to explore co-op farms where local farmers grow organic coconut, mangos, chicos (a local fruit that taste like kiwi), and other organic produce. Yes, I said organic. Maybe not third party certified organic but the local campesinos (farmers) use no pesticides or fertilizers, only old school farming techniques. A few workers cut down coconuts before my eyes using long poles with sharp blades. Oh, the serenity to hear no farming machines.

We headed down to the beach (behind the airport no less) to visit Victoria Lopez Palacios — the Mother Teresa of turtle eggs. In back of her simple beach front house she created a turtle rescue center made from mostly reused or re-purposed metal containers and what appeared to be an old kiddy pool. She rescues turtle eggs from the many predators, and buries them in sand filled containers to hatch safely. She then transfers the tikes into the pool for about two weeks whereupon she releases them. I didn’t bring any children, but kids would certainly be fascinated (like me) at this simple, rustic and educational set-up for the adorable tortuguitas.

Finally, with the sun setting and mosquitoes readying their evening attack, we checked out a local farm in the pueblo de Coacoyul that produces organic coconut oil. The pure stuff, no added anything. They also sell the coconut husks to various local factories where the fiber finds various uses. I wasn’t about to get sexy by rubbing the oil on my bod, but I did get to sample the coconut another way. If you’re lucky, the ruggedly macho owner will split six coconuts in half before your camera has a chance to autofocus. Then he’ll take the coconut and toss hot sauce on it. That combo tastes like heaven.