Zihuatanejo is the small fishing town that sits next to the planned resort of Ixtapa. While Ixtapa has the big hotels and manicured beaches, Zihuatanejo kept its character — a working waterfront, narrow streets, and Playa La Ropa, which might be the most pleasant swimming beach on the Mexican Pacific coast.
In This Article
The Beaches
Playa La Ropa curves along a sheltered bay with calm, clear water. Good for swimming, decent snorkeling near the rocks at each end. Small hotels and restaurants back the beach. This is where most independent travelers stay.
Playa Las Gatas is across the bay from the main pier — you get there by water taxi from the Zihuatanejo waterfront (about 30 pesos each way). Snorkeling, fish restaurants, calm water. A reef break at the end keeps the waves out of the bay.
Playa Principal is the town beach right on the waterfront. Fishing boats, pelicans, not ideal for swimming but the atmosphere is great. The fish market at the end sells the morning catch.
Getting Around
Zihuatanejo is walkable. The waterfront (paseo del pescador) runs from Playa Principal to the pier. Taxis and colectivos (combis) run between Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa (about 10 minutes). The combis also go to Playa La Ropa — look for the ones marked “La Ropa” on the main road through town.
Where to Stay
Playa La Ropa has the best selection for travelers — small hotels and guesthouses with 800-2000 peso rooms overlooking the bay. The town center has cheaper options around 500-800 pesos. Ixtapa has the big all-inclusive resorts if that is your thing. Staying in Zihuatanejo town and taking the combi to Ixtapa’s beaches gives you the best of both without the resort prices.
Getting There
The Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo airport has domestic flights from Mexico City. Estrella Blanca buses run from Mexico City Terminal Norte and from Acapulco (4 hours on the coastal highway). From Lazaro Cardenas to the south, buses take about 1.5 hours.
