Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, Mexico
On
the Gold Coast, the dynamic tropical resort center of Ixtapa
and the quaint fishing pueblo of Zihuatanejo are contrasting
twins. One is bold, beautiful, exotic and full of action,
and the other is a quiet and more sedate, living a simple
life on the outer edge of her sister's spotlight. Ixtapa is
the most modern resort on Mexico's west coast, with half of
its land protected as an ecological reserve. Zihuatanejo has
an unpretentious, informal attitude and a serene and tropical
setting along a sheltered harbor. Just four miles apart, these
two towns are set in the lush tropical valley of the Southern
Sierra Madre and run along 16 miles of mountainous coastline
with exotic pure golden beaches and calm rocky shores.
While Ixtapa is a sparkling and exotic development of all-inclusive
resorts, restaurants, clubs, award-winning golf courses,
and shopping centers, the rural tropical seaside village
of Zihuatanejo dates back to the pre-Columbian era, when
it was the privileged home of the Mayan nobility. Its inns
and cafés are family-run, and exotic native markets
share your attention with the malecón (seaside promenade).
Tucked into one Mexico's most picturesque bays, these towns
deliver the best of everything. Lay back, pick up the pace
or do a little of both and enjoy two great tropical vacations
in one.
RESORTS AND HOTELS
IXTAPA AND ZIHUATANEJO ACTIVITIES
Cruise the Bays:
All-day or half-day cruises take you through the Pacific waters
of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo under the bright sunny skies or
at night, on a romantic sunset venture. An open bar, live
music, dancing, and a fresh fish dinner at Ixtapa Island make
a party of it!
Diving & Snorkeling:
If you can dive or just plain old breathe through a snorkel
and paddle around, you'll see lots of pretty corals and
colorful fish in the crystal clear waters. Don't worry if
you don't have your own equipment because there are many
outfitters to get you suited up in no time at all. Cruises
to take you to the best spots and feed you, too!
Tour the Countryside:
See the real Mexico on a visit to a tropical plantation,
a small town tile factory, and the small fishing village
of Barra de Potosi, where you can dine on the catch you
watched the fishermen bring in! This idyllic fishing settlement
also boasts an enormous lagoon with excellent bird- and
wildlife-watching.
Isla Ixtapa:
This wooded island is home to a diversity of wildlife, including
armadillos, iguanas, deer, raccoons, and dozens of species
of native birds. Each of the four beaches has its own character,
with safe beaches and pretty snorkeling opportunities.
Museo Arqueológico:
Zihuatanejo traces its history back to pre-Columbian times,
when it was a sacred sanctuary for Mayan nobility. Artifacts,
ceramics, and stone carvings indicating that the settlement
dates back to the Olmec civilization are regularly found.
Close to a thousand pre-Hispanic pieces, as well as murals
and maps of "The Place of the Women" (as Zihuatanejo
translates) are on permanent display.
Mexican Fiesta:
Don your party duds and head for a sensational celebration
of Mexican tradition. Folkloric ballets showcase characteristic
dances from different regions, and mariachis sing, until
you can't resist jumping up and dancing!
Playa Las Gatas:
This secluded beach across the bay from Playa Ropa and Zihuatanejo
is the best for swimming and bringing the kids. With exceptionally
clear water and an absence of undertow or big waves, the
small coral reef is popular with snorkelers and divers.
The only fulltime resident of Las Gatas is the dive shop
owner, one of those living legend types who charms his clients
with tall tales and a colorful personality. Open-air seafood
restaurants on the beach cook up your meals in a jiffy and
small shaded launches make 10-minute runs to Las Gatas from
Zihuatanejo pier.
Day Trip to Acapulco:
Don't miss this fantastic day trip down the coast to see
the famous cliff divers at La Quebrada and still have time
for lunch and shopping in the playground of the Silver Screen
stars!
Day Trip to Mexico City:
Fly away for a day and visit the highlights of Mexico City,
including the main square, cathedral, national palace, anthropology
museums, the pyramids of Teotihuacán, and more, with
a stop for lunch.
Horseback Riding:
Perfectly-trained horses on Playa Linda Ranch or at La Manzanillo
(at La Ropa Beach) take you on a beautiful and unforgettable
ride along the beach and through coconut plantations. How
many times have you seen this image in a movie and wished
yourself there? This is your chance!
Customs & Traditions Expo:
Visit Zihuatanejo's archaeological museum, then proceed
to the traditional and picturesque town of Petatlán.
Sites you will visit include the famous church linked with
many miracles.
Lobster Night:
Take a short tour with an entertaining and expert guide
along the cobblestone streets of Zihuatanejo, then settle
in for a top-notch lobster dinner.
Playa La Ropa:
Zihuatanejo's largest and most beautiful beach has a long
sweep of sand with a great view of the sunset and gentle
waves. Its name, "Clothes Beach," comes from a
cargo of silk that washed ashore when a galleon sank during
a big storm. Some lovely small hotels and restaurants are
nestled into the hills and palm groves edge the shoreline.
Playa Palmar:
This white-sand arc on the edge of Ixtapa's Hotel Zone has
lots of activity. Its beauty belies an often rough surf,
so use caution and don't swim when a red flag is posted!
Playa Vista Hermosa:
A lovely stretch of calm water at the far end of Playa Palmar:
impressive natural rock formations.
Golf:
One of Mexico's best-rated golf courses, the Palma Real
Golf Club, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Its 18
holes provide a diverse assortment of challenges as the
course wanders past lagoons and from jungle hilltops to
the sands of Playa Palmar. The course also serves as a wildlife
preserve! A clubhouse with 5 lighted tennis courts, a large
pool, pro shop, lockers, restaurant, and bar completes the
perfect golfing spot.
Fishing:
Anglers have been going to Zihuatanejo for decades to fish
for marlin, sailfish, dorado, yellowfin tuna, roosterfish,
and wahoo. The equipment for rent is first-rate, and boats
range in size from the 24-foot pangas to 38-foot sport fishers,
and a catch-and-release practice is highly encouraged.
Water Sports:
Most hotels have all sorts of water sports diversions to
get you out on the surf and having the time of your life!
Some favorites are wave runners, banana boat rides, and
the always-exhilarating parasailing.
Playa Principal:
Zihuatanejo's main beach is rimmed by the Paseo del Pescador
street. Fisherman depart from here for their nightly journeys
out to sea, and in the earthly morning display their catch
for sale to the local market and restaurants.
Playa Madera:
Accessible via a narrow footpath from Playa Principal; gentle
waves and a sprinkling of small hotels and restaurants.
Hotel Hopping:
Since Ixtapa was developed specifically for tourists, most
of what exists is the Hotel Zone backed by attractive village-like
shopping centers. Many visitors enjoy "hotel hopping"
along the beachfront, as each resort has a distinct, exotic
setting with bars, outdoor restaurants, and shops.
Marina Ixtapa:
The new marina is just up the beach from the Hotel Zone,
a collection of canals, islands, shops, villas, boat slips,and
restaurants that make up one of Mexico's premier mega-resort
developments. There's also a tennis facility and new 18-hole
golf course.
Shopping:
- Ixtapa's shopping centers are as gorgeous as its resorts,
and they are all nestled together in Los Patios, so you
needn't worry about getting around between them. There
are stores that carry things you wouldn't necessarily
expect to find in a seaside village, like hand-made, exquisite
jewelry. The prices can be high, but most are cheaper
than you would find in the US.
- Zihuatanejo, on the other hand, is a haggler's and
bargain-hunter's dream. Have lots of $1 dollar bills and
pesos handy because you'll find everything you want in
a street market waiting for your bid, from straw hats,
to wood crafts, to jeans. The Mercado Central is the local
"flea market" full of stalls and priced-to-sell
goods from food to pottery. There are also some good quality
craft shops, with beautiful hand-made pieces priced far
below their worth.
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Dining
Dinner on the Mexican Pacific Coast is all about being
outdoors in one of Marina Ixtapa's fine restaurants or
along the pier in Zihuatanejo. Eateries range from simple
beach huts to elegant banquet halls, and at whichever
end you find yourself, the chefs, cooks, and waiters are
sincerely eager to please and take pride in the quality
of their food. Seafood is the staple of most signature
dishes and the chefs are meticulous about freshness. Regional
seafood favorites include tiritas (fish strips), pescadillas
(fish tacos), and a la talla (baked in foil). Meals generally
cost less in Zihuatanejo than in Ixtapa, but even the
most glamorous restaurant in either place costs considerably
less than in other resorts. Most restaurants accept "smart
casual" dress, with just a handful that require a
jacket for men. Excellent hamburgers, steaks, and pizza
are around if you've got a craving. Many of the hotels
in Ixtapa offer Mexican Fiesta nights with special buffets,
entertainment such as folk dancing, singing, and games,
usually on weekday evenings.
Gourmet: Paul's Restaurant & Bar
is owned by internationally-renowned Swiss chef Paul Karrer,
who creates the finest dining in Zihuatanejo. Professional
food critics agree that the master chef serves "delicious
food that must not be missed." Paul's is beautifully
decorated with Mexican tile floors, exotic woods, wrought
iron, and hueso (palm stick) ceiling. Loyal patrons line
up for the fresh artichoke appetizer and the ever-popular
fish filet covered with a smooth, delicately flavored
shrimp and dill sauce, among many superb dishes. Benito
Juarez #23, Zihuatanejo
Highly Recommended: Villa de la Selva
is the former home of Mexican President Luis Echevarría,
set atop a cliff overlooking the Pacific. The international
cuisine is as good as you imagine El Presidente having
each night, and with each dinner comes a celestial light
show as the sun melts into the sea. Paseo de la Roca,
Ixtapa
Local Flair: Villa del Sol Restaurant
treats anglers like family when you bring in your fresh
catch of the day. They prepare it for you at no cost and
according to your preference, or with their own creative
touch if you prefer to leave the cooking to the experts.
You get a free bottle of wine, as long as you share with
the other guests! Playa La Ropa, Bahia Zihuatanejo
Romantic: Bay Club Restaurant has a
simple decor because the owners feel that nothing they
could hang on the walls or center on your table would
compete with the view of the mountain-fringed Zihuatanejo
Bay stretching across the horizon. Aromatic flower gardens
edge the bay to either side of you and jazz musicians
play for you under the stars. Playa La Ropa, Bahia Zihuatanejo
Nightlife
Discos, clubs, and bars line the Hotel Zone and marina
area of Ixtapa, where the party goes on until the wee
hours. Some of the larger resorts have their own discos,
as well as Mexican Fiesta nights with live music, dancing,
and fantastic buffets. Zihuatanejo is much quieter with
most bars in the local restaurants or hotels, which close
relatively early compared to Ixtapa.
Beach Serenades: Destined to be one
of the most romantic memories of your life will be the
night when you stroll hand in hand along the shore, settle
in the sand to snuggle, then find yourself being serenaded
by strolling musicians!
Carlos-n-Charlie's: Drenched in nostalgia
and photos from the Mexican Revolution, this restaurant-nightclub
is always a-buzz with a party ambiance and good food,
not to mention adventurous - the menu includes iguana
in season! A raised, al fresco wooden platform out back
is a picture-postcard spot for dancing. Ixtapa
Christine's Disco: The area's poshest
disco stages an incredible light show at midnight, in
addition to spinning great dance music. Ixtapa
Dino's: Popular with visitors and locals
alike for its energetic, but not frenetic, scene. Zihuatanejo
El Faro: Perched atop an 85-foot lighthouse,
this is the motherlode for seekers of the perfect sunset
view, especially if you'd also like a bar, live music,
and dancing. Ixtapa
Fandango: This is a casual and fun seaside
bar that regularly features good local bands. Zihuatanejo
La Valentina: Live tropical music is
always the center of attention at this chic venue. Ixtapa
Mr Mike's: Up on the hill, this live
music bar attracts a hip, laid-back clientele. Zihuatanejo
