Barra de la Who?

Mexico has a way of sinking its claws into you. We left Puerto Escondido on a Thursday and stopped driving only 2 hours later at a point break recently added to the list of "world class point breaks." In a perfect world, this is how our entire trip would have gone. Instead we powered through 4 countries in 4 days... but that's another blog.

Because this break is definitely no longer a secret on anybodys list, after much debate we'll let the cat out of the bag... It's Barra de la Cruz. It's a beautiful right point break that is heavily localized and rightfully so.


If you're into a little local action and you find yourself in this stretch of Mexico bring $2 US/per person to get through the beach gate, located approximately 1 km from the beach. If you're into staying the night and can dig a no frills atmosphere, we definitely recommend Pepe's Cabana's at only $6 US per night per person. The restaurant on the premises is equally economical and open for brekkie, lunch and dinner. The bonus of camping out at Pepe's is that your $6 fee includes your entrance to the beach.

Day 3: Gulf Coast to the Pacific Coast

After breakfast and emails we were back in the car for another long day of driving. It would prove to be another hot day in the 3 digit zone. It was nice to share the road with our new friend Glenn. If anything were to go wrong anytime, anywhere we would offer backup or have backup. That’s a good feeling in a foreign country that’s getting so much bad publicity lately. Don’t get me wrong they get 2 thumbs up from me… well, sort of.



Today we had a little directional melt down. We managed to miss our exit twice and added 2.5 hours to the day. Oh yeah, not to mention we had our first shakedown by 2 heavily tattooed Policias with machine guns. Both men demanded money from each vehicle in order to cross the road and drive in the right direction. They were clowns, but it was a little unnerving all the same. If this ever happens, just do your best to keep the price low, pay them, and get on with life.

We broke rule numero uno and drove into the night. There was nowhere to stay along the trans-isthmas highway, Mex 187, between Vera Cruz and about 30 minutes east of Salina Cruz. Glenn and I talked some employees at a grocery store into letting us stay in our trucks in the parking lot. This was in a town just short of Salina Cruz. A little shady without a doubt as prostitutes worked the local bus stops 50 feet from where we parked. I slept with the machete under the pillow to help Jana fall asleep faster.

Dear Diary: After driving 12 hours today we have put over 2,000 miles on the truck in the last 36 hours. I need to stretch my neck and my back.B

Day Two: Gulf Coast

We had our work cut out for us for the day as we wanted to see the El Tarjin ancient ruins. We were only stopped at 1 of the 4 search points. I chatted up the Federali that searched the truck. He was surprised by the organization and the custom drawers under the bed. We gave the crew of 20 year old military kids with semi automatic guns in there grip, a bottle of water each and jumped back in the car to continue the drive south.

After a nice relaxing lunch we made a new friend sitting in a traffic stop due to construction on Mexico Highway 180. I heard a voice outside the car yell, “Hey bro, where you from in California?” Turns out the guy behind us was from San Diego and wanted to know where we were surfing. He was headed to the infamous Mexican Pipeline; Puerto Escondido. We decided to caravan the rest of the trip through Mexico until we went opposite ways.


The caravan travelled into the witching hour of dusk. Unfortunately we couldn’t find our planned destination so we ventured on south another 25km to a city called Guitierrez Zamora. So, we didn’t make it to El Tarjin after all but we did find a “nice” hotel in the middle of town with safe parking. It´s called The Palencia and is in town square. For $39 US you get air conditioning and super secure parking.

Buenos Noches.

Day One. Tex to Mex

We woke up early at Padre Island in Texas about 100 miles or so north of the Brownsville border in search of Mexico. After handling the visa and drivers permit we slipped into Mexico without getting searched by Customs. Needless to say there were quite a few unhappy travelers sitting in the humid heat waiting to continue with there journeys.


We drove through Matamoras which was just as confusing as Tijuana in terms of poorly marked and unmarked street signs. Jana was the navigator and I was responsible for watching out for the shady people and anybody else that may have been of concern to us. Just like in the movies. We made sure to follow the input from other travelers that have made the trip and made sure we learned from their mistakes.



Once we were outside the city vibes and atmosphere changed drastically. Our first destination was La Pesca, a port town 6 hours south of the border. We slept in the back of the truck at a pre planned campground/hotel on the water that was rich with jumping fish and thirsty mosquitoes. We kicked the soccer ball around until it was to dark and made some food before calling it a night.



Note to self: Fix the holes in the screen windows on the camper shell. The mosquitoes had us way out numbered.