Twin resorts on Mexico’s Pacific coast
La Ropa Beach, Zihuatanejo Bay
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is a twin resort situated on the shores of the Pacific Ocean to the north of Acapulco on what is known as La Costa Grande (Great Coast). This entire stretch of Pacific coastline has recently also been dubbed the “Mexican Riviera“, as opposed to the “Riviera Maya” of the Caribbean shore. This destination offers a spectacularly beautiful bay with several protected beaches within its confines, miles of long, white-sanded beaches open to the ocean both north and south of the bay, world-class diving and snorkeling sites, incredible surf breaks within only minutes of your hotel, some of the best sport fishing in the entire world and the choice between staying in large and comfortable high-end, name-brand chain hotels of Ixtapa with every amenity and home comfort, in quaint but luxurious Zihuatanejo bay-view boutique hotel and bed-and-breakfast accommodations with the utmost in privacy and pampering, or smaller and simpler economic beach hotels and vacation rentals with more of the feel of real Mexico.
Zihuatanejo, which is the older town and the original settlement, is a small port on the coast of Mexico that grew up around the fishing industry and that preserves the simple and welcoming atmosphere of a much smaller village. Zihuatanejo’s gorgeous and sheltered bay is perfect for enjoying all types of beach and water sports and during the winter season is often visited by cruise ships making their way to tourist destinations up and down the Pacific coast. Ixtapa, some 5 kilometers to the north of Zihuatanejo, is a planned beach resort which was begun in the early 1970s and now has many fine 5-star hotels and services, golf courses and a marina, a a much more invigorating (and sometimes dangerous!) open-ocean surf.
View of Ixtapa
Every spring about two weeks prior to Easter, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo hosts the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival during which an incredible variety of guitar musicis to be heard in a variety of venues throughout town.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo offers many resources for the deep-sea fisherman. At the town pier near the western end of Playa Principal in Zihuatanejo are stationed a number of fishing boats, from small pangas to large, electronically-outfitted cruisers, which can be rented at a variety of rates for your trips to catch the big one.
Water sports popular in the area include para-sailing, water skiing, banana boat rides, catamarans, snorkeling and diving. Kayak tours will take you into nearby lagoons for relaxing birdwatching expeditions. There are a number of excellent surf spots both north and south of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo.
From the pier you can also purchase tickets for the small boat taxi service that will take you to Las Gatas beach, a dreamlike, palm-shaded, well-protected tropical beach near the mouth of the bay that is accessible only by boat or by an energetic walk over the rocks.
Some quick facts
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is located on the Pacific coast of the State of Guerrero to the southwest of Mexico City. It is accessible via highway 200 from Acapulco to the south (250 km or 156 miles) or from Lázaro Cardenas to the north (115 km or 72 miles). It is a mere 35 minute plane ride from Mexico City and is serviced through its international airport by a number of Mexican and international airlines
A new highway is nearing completion and already navigable between Morelia, Patzcuaro and Uruapan in the mountains of Michoacan and Lázaro Cárdenas and Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. This highway has brought an additional influx of national tourism from the central areas of the country which, prior to the opening of the highway, were considerably more inaccessible.
Geographical location: 101.33 degrees West, 17.38 degrees North
Time Zone: Central
Daylight Savings Time is in effect from April to October.
Area Code: 52 (Mexico’s country code) + 755 (local area code for Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo)
** Note: Area codes changed throughout Mexico in the fall of 2001 and all phones were upgraded to a 7 or 8 digit system, nevertheless, some posted telephone numbers do not yet reflect updated area codes or full dialing requirements.
Postal Code is 40880 for the whole area.
Electricity: 110 volts A.C.
 View of Zihuatanejo |
 La Ropa Beach |
 Las Gatas Beach |
 Zihuatanejo aerial |
 Ixtapa aerial |
Related articles by Zemanta
- Travel green for Earth Day (cnn.com)
