About Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

About Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
The twin destinations of Ixtapa and
Zihuatanejo complement each other, making
up one of the most varied and attractive
destinations in the Mexican Riviera—Mexico’
s Pacific coast—a compelling region
appealing to people of all tastes where you
can enjoy a diversity of landscapes, beaches,
and activities.
The small, quaint fishing town of Zihuatanejo
conserves its charming heritage and humble
environment. Visitors enjoy its many
cobblestoned streets, handmade crafts, folk art, world-class fishing, soothing walks on the beach, harmonizing sunsets,
and warm weather. The town attracts people who seek a more private and calmer retreat than what may be found in
many of the more touristic resorts.
The city’s name Zihuatanejo stems from its original Nahuatl name Cihuatlan. Cihua means women and tlan means place of,
giving it the meaning “place of women.” Madera Beach, one of the small bay beaches close to Zihuatanejo’s main
municipal beach, received its name in the 1920s because the town became known as an exporter of fine wood. La Ropa
Beach (Clothing Beach), Zihuatanejo Bay’s longest and most beautiful strand, derives from a shipwreck of a boat from
the Orient that brought all its materials to shore,
strewing the stretch of white-sanded beach with
its cargo of clothing and textiles.
Separated from Zihuatanejo by a hill and several
coves, Ixtapa is a more refined, structured, and
popular destination for people searching for
modernity and common touristic comforts.
Ixtapa, with its long stretch of Playa el Palmar as
well as other smaller beaches, hosts an array of
first-class high-rise hotels, condominiums, houses,
gorgeous landscapes, two championship golf
courses, Marina Ixtapa, high-end night clubs, and
a variety of excellent restaurants featuring
Mexican and international cuisine.
FONATUR (Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo—or the National Tourism Board of Mexico) began this tourist resort in
the early ’70s to welcome high-class tourism. It is a small world-class resort for tourists who prefer to avoid the big city
scene or crowded destinations. The white sands in the area gave Ixtapa its name: a Nahuatl word that means “the white
place.”
Sheltered among the prolific Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo share captivating white sandy
beaches, clear blue waters, warm weather, and 300 sunny days out of the year. July and August are the hottest months
of the year, averaging 84º F–91º F. The cooler months, from December to February, average 70º F–73ºF. The rainy season
starts in June and carries on through September and sometimes into October. The water temperatures at the beaches
average 79º F annually.
A Zihuatanejo Sunset
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Beach Locations
Zihuatanejo Bay and Beaches
Playa La Ropa
La Ropa Beach, found within Zihuatanejo Bay, is located between Playa Madera and Playa Las Gatas. The beach itself is
approximately one kilometer long and is easily accessible from downtown. An array of fresh seafood restaurants, hotels,
and water sports providers is found along the beach. Colonia la Ropa consists of largely commercial touristic hotel and
residential property, with a growing number of condominium and townhouse projects planned and under construction.
The low-lying areas behind La Ropa beach afford flat, easy access to the beach, and the higher lands and lots in the hills
of La Ropa area provide spectacular bay, town, and sunset views.
Playa La Ropa, Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Playa Madera
Playa Madera is a 200-meter stretch of beach found within Zihuatanejo Bay between the downtown Playa Municipal and
Playa La Ropa. It offers an eclectic range of restaurants, small inns, and bed-and-breakfasts. It is serviced by streets
leading from the road to La Ropa just past the flood control canal and is also accessible by foot from town along a narrow
seaside footpath known as the “extensión del Paseo del Pescador.” There is very little undeveloped land in the area, and
much of the older, existing construction is currently undergoing major reconstruction and expansion. It is extremely
accessible to the downtown core and without yet being congested.
Playa Municipal
Playa Municipal is a 900-meter stretch of beach, also
known as Playa Principal, which runs from the municipal
pier to the canal. From the pier, you can take a boat taxi
out to Las Gatas Beach or charter anything from a small
panga boat to a large, luxury fishing yacht for fishing or
snorkeling trips. Near the midpoint of the beach is the
zócalo and cancha (town square and basketball court),
which are the focal points of downtown Zihuatanejo social
life. This is a commercial area with small businesses
interspersed with some of the original residential buildings
of the town, many of which are being renovated and
expanded into larger shops and offices as well as small
hotels and guesthouses.
Playa Las Gatas
Las Gatas is located within Zihuatanejo Bay and close to its mouth, directly across the bay from the downtown area. It is
protected by an ancient man-made reef and is accessible only by boat or via a somewhat rough and rocky walking path. It
offers a handful of restaurants and is a great place for snorkeling. Behind and above Las Gatas, accessible via the scenic
Playa la Ropa road, are areas into which infrastructure is slowly being installed by Fibazi, as well as Cerro del Vigia and
other projects offering lots and condominiums with bay and ocean views.
Ixtapa Area Beaches
Playa El Palmar
El Palmar is Ixtapa’s most popular beach that stretches approximately two kilometers along the hotel zone. High-rise
hotel and condominium complexes line the shore and the thundering waves usually pound into the sandy shore. Care
should be exercised when entering the water here as the open ocean waves and currents can be powerful. Public beach
access points are located next to the Barcelo Hotel, the Posada Real Hotel, and the Beach Club.
Playa Quieta
Playa Quieta is a long beach stretch located in front of Ixtapa Island. It is a 15-minute drive north of Ixtapa and is where
Club Med is located. It is a popular sailing and windsurfing beach because of its usually calm surf.
Vista Hermosa
It is a small private beach in front of and accessible through Las Brisas Ixtapa Hotel. The elevators of Las Brisas make it
easy to access the beach. The white, sandy beach stretches a few hundred yards and is fronted by open ocean. A poolside
restaurant serves food and refreshments. There are a few condominium and residential projects in this area.
Playa Linda
Playa Linda is stretch some two kilometers long at the
far northern end of Ixtapa. Here you can find a tourist
market and ecological preserve area where visitors
can observe crocodiles, giant iguanas, waterfowl, and
turtles in their habitat. Residential and touristic
development is slowly arriving to this area.
Ixtapa Island
Ixtapa Island, also known as Isla Grande, is located
across from Playa Quieta. It has a collection of
beautiful beaches (Cuachalalate, Varadero, Coral, and
Carey, or Sacrificio) that are excellent for all kinds of
water sports and snorkeling in particular. There are small restaurants on the beaches where you can find refreshments
and seafood. You can purchase a round trip boat ride from the pier of Playa Quieta to the island at very reasonable cost.
Driving North—Troncones, Majahua, and Beyond
Pantla and Buena Vista Beach Communities
These growing beach communities are located 15 kilometers north of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. There are lush vegetation, palm
groves, and three kilometers of great, unspoiled beach. Access is through the town of Buena Vista on Mexican Federal
Highway 200.
Troncones and Manzanillo Bay
Troncones is a 3.5 mile long beach located half hour north of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, on Highway 200 turnoff at Km. 31. A
Pemex station has recently been opened near the Troncones Junction. Troncones is a small beach community and has a
range of bed and breakfasts and small inns and restaurants. It extends northward to Manzanillo Bay where there is a
good surf point. The small fishing village of Majahua delimits the northern end of Troncones and Manzanillo Bay.
La Saladita
La Saladita beach is a small community 40
kilometers north of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.
This beach is located five kilometers off
Highway 200 from the small town of Los
Llanos. It is another great spot for surfing.
There is no public transportation available
in this area.
The Ranch (El Cayaco)
The Ranch is another great surfing point and river mouth break that has hard, fast lefts and rights. It is about one hour’s
drive by car north of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo along Highway 200 near La Union and is also often accessed by panga boat from
the sea.
El Miramar
El Miramar is a beachfront development surrounded by beautiful mountains, tropical growth, and beautiful beaches that
are great for surfing and snorkeling. It is only 65 kilometers north of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo and very convenient to the
rapidly-growing port of Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan.
Driving South—Playa Blanca, Playa Larga, Barra de Potosi, and beyond
Playa Larga
Playa Larga is a beachcomber’s delight: a two-kilometer stretch of beach in between the Zihuatanejo International
Airport and Zihuatanejo. During the winter months, you can observe dolphins and whales in this area. There are several
palapa-shaded seafood restaurants from which to choose typical coastal fare such as fish grilled with garlic, breaded
shrimp, octopus a la Mexicana, and ceviche seafood cocktail.
Playa Larga
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca beach is a long stretch of white sand south of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. The beach runs from the Zihuatanejo’s
International Airport to Barra de Potosi, extending southeast from Playa Larga. There are several private condominium
developments along this stretch of open ocean beach that is graced with a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean expanse
and views of the Morros de Potosi islands.
Barra de Potosi
Barra de Potosi is to the south of Zihuatanejo
at the end of Playa Blanca. It is located on the
shores of a large lagoon that is home to an
abundance of waterfowl and other species.
Boat and kayak trips can be taken into this
area for bird watching expeditions.
The beachfront community is small with a few
guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and a
number of enrramadas (palm-fronded shade
roofs) offering fresh seafood along the shores.
It is a wonderful area for nature lovers and
beachcombers.
Real Estate in Zihuatanejo, Mexico
MBPRealEstate.com (Mexico Beach Property) offers listings for beachfront and ocean view
residential properties and building lots as well as hotels, commercial, and investment properties in
Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa, Troncones, and neighboring beachside communities on Mexico’s spectacular
Pacific coast.
Visit the website at http://www.mbprealestate.com to view a variety of properties currently
available.
For information or general inquiries, please contact John Murphy in Zihuatanejo, Mexico by phone
or email:
Office phone: +52 (755) 554-0719
Cell phone: +521 (755) 120-2637