IXTAPA/ZIHUATANEJO
Looking to while away your time at a friendly, picturesque fishing
village with a laid-back pace? Or in the mood to unwind at an ultramodern
resort? Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo, on the State of Guerrero’s Pacific Coast, has
both! Few destinations offer visitors these two strikingly different
options—each within minutes of the other, both with unique attractions.
And both putting you in the mood for romance!
Both towns are just 15 minutes from the airport via a
recently-completed four-lane road. And the road connecting these sister
cities just underwent expansion as part of a major highway that will
eventually connect Acapulco (to the south) to the city of Lazaro Cardenas
(to the north).
Ixtapa’s coastline is home to several world-class hotels, condominiums,
developments, a marina and two golf courses. An impeccable, tree-lined
boulevard divides the hotels on one side from the small-scale shopping
centers on the other.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is a three-hour drive from Acapulco, or about a
seven-hour drive direct from Mexico City--by air a scant 30-minute flight.
There are also direct flights from the United States. As you pass
Zihuatanejo on your way into town from the airport, you start to climb the
mountain that separates this charming town from its newer half, Ixtapa.
After a few minutes you turn left off the highway and begin to descend
towards sea level. The view is magnificent—to die for! Spread out before
you is a valley covered in lush tropical vegetation and a white curving
beach defining the blue Pacific lapping it! If this isn’t romantic, then
nothing else in the world is!
Ixtapa borders a wide bay dotted with small rocky islands inhabited
solely by sea birds. Playa del Palmar, its two-mile-long beach, is a
stretch of beautiful pure white sand covering the entire base of the bay.
The word “Ixtapa,” in the Nahuatl Indian language means “the white place.”
All the major hotels face this beach. At times there can be a strong
surf/undertow, so always pay attention to the warning flags posted on the
beach. It’s still a romantic place to stroll and enjoy the Pacific breezes
and panoramic views.
The once sleepy fishing village of Zihuatanejo has picked up its pace
quite a bit over the years, but it remains a charming little town on a
beautiful bay. Fishermen still bring their daily catch to the town dock in
the mornings, the produce market still bustles with activity, and the
local boys still play soccer on the beach at sunset. It’s fun just to walk
around this town of 35,000 inhabitants and enjoy the local scene. Take a
stroll along Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman’s Walk) on the waterfront, and
browse along Cuauhtemoc, Juan Alvarez and Pedro Ascencio Streets, where
you’ll find quite a few attractive and interesting stores. The waterfront
walkway leads to several seafood restaurants, and at night you can join
the townsfolk at the plaza to cheer on their favorite team in a local
basketball game. Sunday evenings the plaza takes on a positively festive
air, with local bands playing, sidewalk art exhibits and occasional folk
dancers performing. The walkway south, which is romantically lit at night
by gas lanterns, takes you past the archeology museum, which exhibits a
small but interesting collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts found in the
region. The walkway winds southward along the rocky coast to Playa la
Madera (Wood Beach), a lovely clandestine beach. Further south along the
bay is Playa las Gatas (Cats Beach), which is beautiful and semi-isolated,
and is accessible only by pangas (small boats) that run between the town
pier and a mini-dock on the beach. It’s nestled at the foot of the
mountains and protected by an underwater reef. A walk to the end of the
coral and shell-studded beach brings you to “Owen Lee’s Ecological
Center,” where you can sit in perfect isolation under a big shady tree and
watch the sun set over the Pacific. Or you can dance the night away under
the stars at a local open-air disco! Mmmm—dreamy!
A countryside tour takes you to the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains,
through quaint villages, coconut groves and mango orchards to La Barra de
Potosi Lagoon, which is loaded with colorful birds and vegetation. It is
14 miles south of Zihuatanejo. The final destination is a pristine beach,
Playa Blanca (white beach). Surfers find good surfing in Troncones’
Manzanillo area, or up the coast at Playa Petacalcos, where the wave
action is just right and delicious seafood is served under beachfront
palapas.
Even though all the modern amenities are available, something of the
simple idyllic life remains here, especially in Zihuatanejo with its
tranquility, seclusion, dramatic natural beauty and superb beaches. Only
in a truly romantic place like this can you practically escape the world
and refresh your spirit.
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