Casa la Distancia
A windy, 7 hour drive up over the mountains, through the pine forest and down into the tropical foliage on the other side of the Sierra Sur, takes you from Oaxaca City to the coast. Many tourists find this drive too perilous and opt for the 45 minute flight in an 8 seater plane. But I enjoy the slowness of the drive. I love to stop for seasonal roadside snacks, like fresh heirloom peaches in the mountains or fresh heirloom cacao once you’re closer to the coast. Experiencing shifts in the vegetation and climate as you cross the mountains makes your body feel alive.
Once you reach the coast, there’s 553 km of Pacific Ocean shoreline to choose from. For this particular trip, I chose to stay at Casa la Distancia, an appropriate stay for a quarantined getaway during the uncertainty of coronavirus times.
Casa la Distancia is nestled on the hill overlooking Playa Mermejita and Punta Cometa, the southernmost point in the state of Oaxaca. The home is also a short walk from Playa Rinconcito in Mazunte. While the house is just a short walk to these three beaches, once on the home’s expansive wooden deck, overlooking the tree canopy and the coastline, you truly feel alone in nature. In late July, butterflies abound, fluttering above the canopy. Dozens of different birds fly past each day, singing their respective songs, and the ocean waves are not far in the distance.
La Distancia was dreamed up by Mexican actor and activist Luis Gerardo Méndez and Mexican architect Paul Curuchet of Estudio Atemporal. The duo wanted to create a space to inspire both relaxation and creation; a space that would invite guests to write a script, to rehearse a small theatre play, to create music, or just to escape from the craziness of the big city. The resulting Casa la Distancia is just that.
This off-the-grid home is totally solar powered with grey water systems, and incorporates artesanal wood construction throughout. The homeowners thoughtfully sourced artisan-made furniture from Mexican home brand La Metropolitana.
While visiting Casa la Distancia, spend a day relaxing on the large open air deck,creating something, reading a book. We started the day with a fresh Oaxacan coffee and birdwatching on the deck. We spent the afternoon foraging flowers and making arrangements on the beautifully crafted dining room table by La Metropolitana. For sunset, a swim in the salt water infinity pool with a fresh cocktail accompaniment.
The next day, start your morning with a quiet sunrise walk on Playa Mermejita. This beach is almost always empty because the strong current makes it dangerous for swimming (yet ideal for a meditative morning walk). Then head to Mazunte for lunch and a swim in the more welcoming waves. We love the smoothie bowls at Tiburon juice bar. For sunset, the Punta Cometa hike is one of the best places to say goodbye to the day.
When back at Casa la Distancia, cook a meal in the fully equipped kitchen, stargaze on the deck and then return to your room to unwind with a book. Each of the three bedrooms have a wall of large windows or doors that open to the ocean view. Regardless of where you are in the home, you will always be surrounded by nature.
If you have a longer stay and want to explore other beaches: San Agustinillo, Zipolite, Playa Estacahuite, Agua Blanca and Puerto Escondido are all a 1 hour or less drive away.
And now to load up the dogs and head to the mountains...
