Trip Report - 29-Nov to 11-Dec

Greetings, Fellow Zihua Lovers! I am still decompressing from being in Paradise for almost two weeks and now having to face the frigid blasts of cold air here in San Diego. Thanks, again, to the many reports and information on this forum that helped me overcome my fears and head down to Zihuatanejo for 12 days of warmth and relaxation. Flying out of Tijuana was much safer than I had envisioned. Used the CBX (Cross Border Express) which I normally never do since it ain't cheap! However, it allowed me to avoid a bus or taxi ride to the airport. The Tijuana airport was very orderly with everyone wearing masks and practicing safe distancing. Even the line up at the gate was very orderly, something never before seen by Yours Truly in any Mexican airport.

In Zihua, I rented a car. Again, this is something I have never done before because the combis are so convenient and provide excellent opportunities to strike up conversations and practice my horrible Spanish. Another change was that I stayed far away from my usual hangout in Playa la Madera. I love to walk to and from El Centro throughout the day. Not this time. I had the opportunity to stay in Paradise while staying in Paradise at Cerro del Vigia. The views were simply breathtaking. (Thank you, again, Don Ramon y Dona Susan!) Hit the usual spots including Majahua and Barra de Potosi. I was saddened to see much of the beach at Barra de Potosi washed away. Majahua has added two new luxury hotels / condominiums (not sure which) so the quaint village is growing up. Oh, well. Progress.

Driving in Mexico is not my favorite activity because many of the drivers are very aggressive but I just played "Abuelito Viejito" and drove slowly and let the others go around me whenever possible. I chose a manual transmission since I have not driven a manual transmission in over 20 years and I thought it would be fun. Big mistake! With the hills, I should have ordered an automatic transmission. Luckily for the rental car agency, I could only smell burnt clutch once. Never went up that way again!

There were fewer restaurants open and some of those that were open had reduced hours. The choices were still plentiful and the food was as awesome as ever. My two favorite restaurants moved and have merged into one. Mito and Entre Zankas have moved up the street and now have much more room and kitchens larger than closets to create their vegan and non-vegan masterpieces. Mito now has a cold beet soup that is to die for! Initially, I was saddened to hear that Las Adelitas had moved but the new location actually worked out better for me. El Arrayan reopened the day before I left, just in time for me to visit. Both Las Adelitas and El Arrayan made special dishes for me upon request. And long-time favorites Casa Vieja, La Terecita, and Carmelitas did not disappoint. Dear Lord, thank you for all the fabulous food options in Zihua!

All in all, I felt safer in Zihua than here in the States with our rampant, unbridled virus transmission. It appeared to me that the ratio of mask wearers to those without masks was about the same, better than 50/50. Of course, here many of the anti-maskers are rabid Trumpistas who scream about their constitutional rights and religious freedoms and virus hoaxes and try to breathe and cough and sneeze on anyone who tells them differently. In Mexico, they just were not wearing their masks.

As Rob and others have pointed out many times, take the proper precautions and you will most likely skate through without any issues. In the meantime, keep praying for the vaccines. First in line, the health care workers!

The trucks pulled out of Pfizer in Kalamazoo Michigan early this morning with loads of vaccines to head to the Grand Rapids, MI, airport to begin their journey to their destinations. So proud to be living in a city that has been instrumental in making this happen so quickly.

And you should be too!

Thanks for the report. Are taxis running as usual? That is how I plan to ride from and to the airport and probably take a couple during my stay.

Absolutely yes.

The trucks pulled out of Pfizer in Kalamazoo Michigan early this morning with loads of vaccines to head to the Grand Rapids, MI, airport to begin their journey to their destinations. So proud to be living in a city that has been instrumental in making this happen so quickly.

TWO FLIPPIN THUMBS UP!!!!

This is an update to my trip report. I noted that I rented a car instead of using the combis to get around. I also noted on another thread that I used Green Motion Car Rental in Zihuatanejo and recommended them because of the great price. Well, unfortunately, I was a bit premature with my recommendation. Allow me to relate the full story:

Our credit card company offers us automatic car insurance anywhere in the world when we use our credit card to pay for the car rental. In the past, the agents in Mexico have been very reluctant to accept this fact and would push their insurance saying that it was obligatory. Our credit card company came to the rescue with documentation in English and Spanish clearly stating that we had insurance. The agent would begrudgingly accept the documentation. Armed with said documentation and clearly stating that I did not want insurance when reserving the car using www.booking.com, I confidently went to pick up my rental car.

Like clockwork, the agent attempted to sell me insurance. I showed him the documentation and after a few minutes, we had worked out an agreement. In lieu of purchasing insurance, he would place a MXN$10,000 pesos hold on my credit card and then remove the hold when the car was returned. Fine. I returned the car in better condition than when I left the agency. The gentleman reviewed the vehicle and was happy with its condition and I went on my merry way.

A few days later back in San Diego, I checked my credit card and sure enough, there was an additional charge from Green Motion Car Rental. I called the agency and spoke with the agent and lo!, and behold!, all recollection of our initial agreement had magically been erased from his memory. He told me that insurance was obligatory and that I had to pay for it. I informed him that I had no intention of paying for the insurance that I did not need and that I would lodge a complaint with my credit car company.

For what it is worth, the place is a scam operation. My Spanish is not great but I was absolutely sure that we had worked out an agreement before I left with the vehicle. This guy must have just guessed that he could get away with it. We shall see what transpires. The ball is in his court now as the credit card company said they will deny the charge and ask to hear his side of the story.

This is an update to my trip report. I noted that I rented a car instead of using the combis to get around. I also noted on another thread that I used Green Motion Car Rental in Zihuatanejo and recommended them because of the great price. Well, unfortunately, I was a bit premature with my recommendation. Allow me to relate the full story:

Our credit card company offers us automatic car insurance anywhere in the world when we use our credit card to pay for the car rental. In the past, the agents in Mexico have been very reluctant to accept this fact and would push their insurance saying that it was obligatory. Our credit card company came to the rescue with documentation in English and Spanish clearly stating that we had insurance. The agent would begrudgingly accept the documentation. Armed with said documentation and clearly stating that I did not want insurance when reserving the car using www.booking.com, I confidently went to pick up my rental car.

Like clockwork, the agent attempted to sell me insurance. I showed him the documentation and after a few minutes, we had worked out an agreement. In lieu of purchasing insurance, he would place a MXN$10,000 pesos hold on my credit card and then remove the hold when the car was returned. Fine. I returned the car in better condition than when I left the agency. The gentleman reviewed the vehicle and was happy with its condition and I went on my merry way.

A few days later back in San Diego, I checked my credit card and sure enough, there was an additional charge from Green Motion Car Rental. I called the agency and spoke with the agent and lo!, and behold!, all recollection of our initial agreement had magically been erased from his memory. He told me that insurance was obligatory and that I had to pay for it. I informed him that I had no intention of paying for the insurance that I did not need and that I would lodge a complaint with my credit car company.

For what it is worth, the place is a scam operation. My Spanish is not great but I was absolutely sure that we had worked out an agreement before I left with the vehicle. This guy must have just guessed that he could get away with it. We shall see what transpires. The ball is in his court now as the credit card company said they will deny the charge and ask to hear his side of the story.

An insurance scam. My my. Whaddayaknow? What a coincidence considering my comments about insurance elsewhere here. I think they all do this routine. Sorry to hear it happened to you, amigo. Thanks for the info and the trip report!