Troncones, Mexico

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I received a call in July from an old friend who had recently purchased ocean front property in Troncones, Mexico-about thirty minutes north of Zijuatenejo on the Pacific. She asked if I was interested in staying on the site in exchange for advice on the planning and design of a boutique resort focused around wellness and yoga. At the time, I was in La Paz, Bolivia with plans to continue north through Panama so the request was within reason and doable. The idea ultimately turned into a plan while staying in Costa Rica when I discovered and purchased an inexpensive flight from San Jose to Mexico City.

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Many Americans became familiar with the town of Zihautenejo through the wildly popular 1994 film - Shawshank Redemption - which portrayed the sleepy fishing village as a remote hide away for the movies primary character. A place of peace and tranquility. Today, this beautiful stretch of coast in the State of Guerreo is one of Mexico`s primary tourist destinations including the resort heavy Ixtapa to its immediate north. Troncones, a relatively undeveloped area is just a few miles up the road. I use the term relative because this long stretch of beach does include resorts, hotels and individual residences but the scale and density is fractional compared to its heavily developed neighbors to the south.

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I stayed in a small cottage at the west end of a long and narrow lot terminating on the Pacific. The sound of crashing waves was omni present and a clear feature of property with big potential. To the south, a continuous stretch of sand meandering in and around a variety of dramatic rock formations leading to the Troncones commercial center. To the north, much of the same but with a greater proportion of sandy beaches with far less development. I hiked these beaches daily during the early hours of the morning and around sunset in the evening when the temperatures dropped to reasonable levels. Tide pooling, bird watching and a continual search for photo opportunities became my routine and adventure in this tropical paradise along the Pacific. Sure, the heat/humidity can be stifling and typically not my cup of tea but its not impossible to acclimate, especially if your time is limited. I made it work.

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After spending a couple weeks on the property, I was able to complete my end of the deal by presenting a digital package including drawings and a written explanation detailing problems and potential for site development including a schematic solution as an example of what`s possible. All good and received very well. A successful barter.

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Unfortunately, at least for now, my time in Mexico represents the final leg of a nearly five year Latin American odyssey. What began as an escape from the Covid lock downs with the goal of finding an alternative country of possible residency became the great adventure driven by curiosity, new friendships, a rediscovery of my creative self and a desire to live within the tenants of complete freedom. Next year, I will seek a new chapter in the life of an International Drifter but with full intent of returning to this wonderful region of the world when the calling feels organic.