One of the coolest things about going to visit Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is you’ll find two entirely different destinations only about ten minutes apart!But first let’s talk about how to pronounce these two places! Ixtapa is pronounced “eek-Tah-pa and the tough one, Zihuatanejo, is pronounced see-wah-tah-NEH-ho. To reach both you can fly directly into Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo airport and both areas, located in the northwestern region of the State of Guerrero, are a short taxi ride away.
BEST ZIHUATANEJO HOTELS
Zihuatanejo, nested next to Zihuatanejo Bay, is a quaint fishing port with a history dating back centuries and will give you the true feeling of Mexico. You won’t find any huge high-rise hotels here. The two top places to stay here are both boutique hotels. The first-class Tides Resort is right on the beach and La Case Que Canta is on a cliff overlooking the beach. You can’t go wrong staying at either!
Both hotels have excellent dining but if you’re looking for an authentic dining experience you can venture into town where there are all kinds of small restaurants dishing up traditional Mexican eats. You’ll also find some charming shops where local artists show off their talents and of course the usual Mexican souvenirs.
BEST IXTAPA HOTELS
As you drive toward Ixtapa you’ll notice immediately the closer you get to the hotel zone the fancier the landscape. Where Zihuatanejo has a few hotels discreetly along the beach Ixtapa has a bold Hotel Zone along Palmar Beach with dozens of large hotels to choose from. Two of the top rated
Las Brisas and Melia Azul Ixtapa. I also saw a lot of construction going on at the Club Med and learned that property is totally re-inventing itself and plans to unveil all the changes soon. No matter what you’re looking to pay from luxury all the way down to budget, you can find a hotel along the Hotel Zone.
SHOPPING IN IXTAPA You’ll also find a lot of plazas where there are all kinds of shops (although I’m told if you’re looking for local Mexican artwork the prices are often better in Zihuatanejo).
FAMILY FRIENDLY One of the things I was surprise to discover is that there’s so much to do for families coming to this destination. Where Zihuatanejo is more of a couple’s retreat, Ixtapa is geared towards families and there are all kinds of beach activities for the kids and if you’re feeling adventuresome you can do some snorkeling, kayaking and even swim with dolphins!
BEST BEACHES IN ZIHUATANEJO AND IXTAPA There are several wonderful beaches to choose from where the sand is as soft as talcum power and the water is clear and warm. Some of the best beaches to check out in Zihuatanejo are Playa Principal, Playa La Madera and my favorites Playa La Ropa and Playa Las Gatas. In Ixtapa you have Playa El Palmar, Playa Quienta and Playa Linda. You can also check out the many beaches along the bay where the waves are gentler for small children.
THINGS TO DO Of course relaxing on the beach here is pretty cool but if you’re looking for some exercise there are several great options. The area has two golf courses and there are several tours, besides the ATV tour I already blogged about, where you can get your heart racing with some zip-lining! Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is also known as one of the best places in the world for fishing sports and hosts the International Sailfish Tournament and the Tag and Release Tournament every year. If you’re into diving you have about 50 different places you can explore and of course you can grab a board and do some surfing! The bottom line is, this destination has so much to offer, minus the usual tourist crowds, so check it out before everyone else discovers it, too!
For more on the area you can also go to www.visit-ixtapa-zihuatanejo.org.
