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Mexico
- Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo The neighboring towns of Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa offer the best of old and new Mexico. The former retains its sleepy fishing-village charm, while the latter is as modern as any resort in the world.
Situated on twin bays divided by the Sierra Madre Mountains, the two towns are a haven for international travelers. While Ixtapa came to be in the 1970s, Zihuatanejo dates back to the beginnings of Mexican civilization.
Between the two, you can experience a combination that you won’t find in many other places: the richness of ancient Mexican culture along with the excitement of a world-class resort.
Zihuatanejo is deeply rooted in the colorful history of Mexico, from its beginnings as a sacred sanctuary for pre-Columbian nobility to its role as an important Spanish colonial port. Today tourists have discovered its splendor. The town is a delight place to spend the day.
Visitors can explore the excellent shops, restaurants and bars along the Avenida del Pescador by the bay, where the town’s tourist office is located, and along the main street, Avenida Cuauhtémoc. At the Mercado de Artesanía Turistíco, you’ll find an extensive selection of Mexican folk art. This region of Mexico is known for its bright whimsical ceramics, carved wooden fish and ceremonial masks.
More than 900 artifacts, excavated from an
archaeological site found near the end of the resort area, are on display
at the Museo Arqueológico in Zihuatanejo. Among the pre-Hispanic pieces
are murals and maps.
In addition, you’ll find a collection of Ming and Cihing porcelain
from the 17th and 18th centuries, when Zihuatanejo was an important port
of trade between China and Spain. Ixtapa, only 4 miles from Zihuatanejo,
was built along 24 miles of superb beachfront, picturesque coves and tropical
vegetation. You can enjoy spectacular views of sea, sand and sky just
about everywhere you look.
Ixtapa now has a string of first-class luxury hotels along the ocean and two 18-hole golf courses. Where the Ixtapa Lagoon runs into the Pacific, you’ll find Marina Ixtapa, a new 450-acre facility that includes 662 yacht slips, along with private villas, restaurants, shops, a beach club and a tennis center. There’s also an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge and miles of recreational canals.
Beaches:
Zihuatanejo’s beaches are located along a calm
bay, so the swimming is excellent. And the waters offshore
are a sportfisherman’s paradise.
Playa
La Ropa is the hotels’ main beach. This
mile-long curve is lined with trees just perfect for
hanging hammocks and lazing away the afternoon. The
surf here is ideal for swimming and all kinds of water
sports. La Ropa, named after the cargo of a wrecked
Chinese ship that washed ashore there, means “the
clothes” in Spanish.
Playa
Las Gatas (Cat Beach), located south of Playa
La Ropa, was named for the toothless whiskered sharks
common to this part of the bay. This pristine cove is
a favorite with snorkelers and divers.
Playa
Principal is
Zihuatanejo’s most popular beach, but be warned:
it can get hectic. It’s also the spot where fishermen
display and sell their catch every morning. A 15-minute
walk along a footpath heading east leads to Playa
Maderas, a small beach that retains more tropical charm.
Ixtapa’s beaches are found along the ocean
rather than the bay, and the surf is rougher than in
Zihuatanejo’s waters. There’s a total of 14
unspoiled strands. The main resort beach is Playa del
Palmar, which stretches for two miles. Its rolling surf
is great for bodysurfing. Tucked away at the far end
of Playa del Palmar is Playa Vista Hermosa, with its
impressive rock formations.
Playa
Quieta means
“quiet beach,” but with Club Med nearby, it
can get exciting. Blessed with calm waters, this is
a lovely beach for relaxing and easy swimming. Another
charming beach is Playa Las Cuatas, two beaches joined
by a footpath. Waves here reach four to five feet, making
it a good spot for both surfing and bodysurfing.
Activities:
Ixtapa Island is a 15-minute boat ride from Playa Quieta.
A nature preserve, the island is home to armadillos,
deer, iguanas, raccoons and dozens of species of native
birds. Of the four beaches on the island, Coral Beach
is the best for snorkeling. The western beaches are
preferred for swimming and sunbathing. The region boasts
ideal conditions for water-sports enthusiasts. You can
expect good diving and snorkeling on this Pacific coast.
The area’s 30 dive sites include shallow coral
beaches, rocky islets and a sunken shipwreck.
Sportfishing is a popular activity. The waters off Zihuatenejo
and Ixtapa are legendary for their abundant game fish,
including marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo and yellowfin
tuna. Golfers can play a round at the Club de Golf Ixtapa.
This challenging course, designed by Robert Trent Jones
Jr., features water traps and three large lakes. The
18-hole course at Marina Ixtapa has many sand traps
and long, rolling greens that provide challenges to
golfers of all levels.
Acapulco
|| Cabo
San Lucas || Cancun
|| Cozumel
Ensenada
|| Huatulco
|| Mazatlan
|| Puerto
Vallarta || Zihuatanejo
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