Nestled between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Zihuatanejo is on a beautiful stretch of Mexican coastline called “La Costa Grande” — “The Great Coast”. The surrounding mountains and the gorgeous protected Zihuatanejo Bay foster a sense of idyllic seclusion as this picturesque fishing village welcomes tourists from all over the world.
As Zihuatanejo has grown, an interesting symbiosis between modern convenience and cultural traditions has emerged. We have grocery stores, coffee shops, fine gourmet dining and broadband internet access but we also still have a central open-air market, wandering roosters, door-to-door vendors of freshly baked goods and Sunday gatherings in the town square for “family night” events, markets, street food and cultural performances.
Just 7 kilometers (4.35 miles) away, Ixtapa is a counter-balance to Zihuatanejo’s quaint fishing village roots with luxury hotels, golf courses and late night clubs. Between the two cities, vacationers get the best of both worlds in terms of luxury, culture, beaches, shopping, cuisine, recreational activities and more.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is the site of several major sporting events including a international competition-level triathlon, several global surfing competions & exhibitions, golfing benefits and an annual sailfish tournament. We are also home to the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival which brings together guitarists from all over the world the first week of March.
We have four beaches in the Zihuatanejo Bay. Solana is perched above Playa las Gatas, an idyllic stretch of soft sand located on the opposite side of the bay from town. There are a handful of seafood restaurants that serve the freshest fish and other vibrant Mexican flavors. Grab a hammock and enjoy your escape… or wander into the beautiful clear water that leads out to a natural coral reef that has grown over time and is a perfect spot for leisurely snorkeling.
Heading towards town, you’ll encounter Playa la Ropa, a popular “swimmers’ beach” for both locals and tourists. Playa la Ropa is dotted with beachfront restaurants and hotels, all where you can grab a table and lounge chair for the day to sip drinks, eat snacks and enjoy the view. If you can pull yourself out of your lounge chair, you can also rent hobie cats and stand-up paddleboards, take rides on the banana boat or go parasailing.
Closer to town is Playa Madera with more swimming, boogie boarding during the summer months and restaurants. Playa Principal is in front of the town square – “La Cancha” (the basketball courts) and is where local fisherman anchor their boats and unload their catch of the day.
Beyond Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, there are several small beachside communities including Troncones & Saladita to the north and Barra de Potosi to the south. Troncones is a recommended day trip for guests with several beach restaurants and water activities. Fifteen minutes further, Saladita is a popular surf spot. Barra de Potosi is home to a wildlife refuge, a lagoon and “enramada” open air restaurants serving the freshest seafood.
The Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo area is serviced by an international airport (ZIH) that receives flights from the US, Canada and Mexico City daily. The airport is a 15 minute taxi ride to Solana.
Zihuatanejo