Thirty, Flirty & Fuego – A Celebration of Life in Puerto Escondido, Mexico (Part 2.)

Where did I leave off?

Ah, yes! Birthday shots! There is no better way to begin a birthday trip in Mexico than by throwing back some shots of tequila! We downed our shots and took a few moments to admire the breathtaking view of the beach before heading downstairs to get ready for more birthday festivities.

Our first stop was Calma Spa, where we enjoyed 1-hour massages. The outdoor, rooftop spa offered a scenic view of the Zicatela neighborhood as well as the nearby beach. We were able to enjoy our massages while listening to the sounds of the ocean waves. The massage therapists were knowledgeable and worked out all of the aches and pains that I had from my long flight! We left feeling rejuvenated and ready for our next stop on my birthday adventure.

We caught an Uber and headed toward Playa Palmarito, a beach on the outskirts of the city center. Unlike other vacation destinations in Mexico, Puerto Escondido is still a hidden gem. It is primarily a vacation spot for locals and it is not oversaturated with resorts or tourists, which explains why our next destination was in the middle of nowhere! After about a thirty minute drive, we pulled up to a fabulous hotel/beach club. An attendant greeted and ushered us into the enormous arch entry way of the infamous El Origin Beach Club.

If you were to Google or TikTok search for “must-do” things during a vacation in Puerto Escondido, spending a day at El Origin Beach Club would be amongst the top two. This stunning hotel/beach club is nestled on the shores of Palmarito Beach. The beach club boasts a boho chic aesthetic with a stunning pool, bar, and in-house DJ – who knew there was amazing Spanish house and disco music! For $700 pesos (~$40.00 USD) you can enjoy an entire day there basking in the sun by the pool or on the beach. $500 of the $700 pesos (~$25.00 USD) can be used toward food and drinks throughout the day. Food and drinks ranged between $80-$150 pesos.

We grabbed a pair of chairs and began running up our tab! Cocktails, ceviche, tacos, and tequila were only a few of the things we enjoyed while relaxing by the pool. We explored the grounds and eventually made our way to the beach, where we witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I had ever seen in all my travels! The day had flown by so fast! It always does when your having fun with friends. I frolicked along the beach with my best friend, twirling around in circles as the sunset kissed my cheeks and faded into the ocean waves. How blessed I felt to welcome thirty in this way.

We gathered our things and made our way back to the hotel, where we freshened up and headed out for my birthday dinner at Restaurant Glou Glou. Located on the roof of the unique, boutique hotel, Casa TO, Glou Glou offers a culinary experience that will take your tastebuds on a journey through the history of Oaxaca, Mexico with a modern twist. We tried so many unique dishes such as: watermelon ceviche, shrimp gorditas, roti bread with garam masala butter, and many more things that I can’t remember their names but just that they were delicious! The plates were petite but powerful!

With full stomachs we made our way to the hotel lobby to admire the unique architecture and get some birthday pictures – note: always take your birthday pictures before eating a big meal! We snapped a few before the hotel attendants shooed us out of the lobby. Although my birthday day had come to a close. We still had another full day of adventure ahead of us!

To be continued…