Day 7
Travel log
Oaxaca alternative
MANIALTEPEC LAGOON
Not far away from Puerto Escondido (18 kilometers away), you can take a day trip to the Manialtepec Lagoon. In rainy season –May to November- the water level rises until the river breaks through its sandbar and the six kilometer-long lagoon becomes a tidal estuary. You may rent kayaks or take boat trips from several docks.
Manialtepec is a birder’s dream come true. The tropical ecosystem attracts plenty of wonderful fauna, including herons, iguanas, ibis, ducks and parrots. Serious photographers will want to pack a powerful telephoto lens, tripod and a large memory card to capture these memories for years to come.
There’s a saying in Spanish: “Al que madruga, dios lo ayuda” (If you wake up early, God will help you). And of course, we have the English expression, “the early bird gets the worm.” Both sayings ring true when you’re planning your visit to Manialtepec. The birds are active at sunrise, the light is better for photography and you’ll avoid the hot mid-day sun.
If angling is your sport, local fishermen will rent everything you need and will take you to the best places to reel in your dinner. Delicious local varieties include mojarra and robalo.
In the same places where you hire the boat, you’ll find inexpensive eateries. Relax on the beach and wait for the sunset. Don’t forget to bring long sleeve shirts and trousers, as mosquitos come out in force at exactly this time.
Stay awhile as the night show is yet to come. At certain times of the year, a unique alchemy of ocean currents and water temperature attract a kind of plankton into the Lagoon. These half-plant, half-animals microorganisms glow creating a bioluminescent shimmer in the water that some believe has “fountain of youth” benefits. So you might want to take a rejuvenating dip under the stars.
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