Every morning at dawn, many fishermen return to Playa Principal. You can buy fresh seafood there; the beach also has a pier where boat tours around the bays and fishing trips depart. Cruise ships are also welcomed there. If you’re looking for accommodation, you can first consider which experiences you want to shape your stay: the beach and water, trips out to sea, nature watching or a museum visit.
Beaches and Water Activities
In BahĂa de Zihuatanejo, you can swim and enjoy a peaceful walk along the shore. Playa La Ropa is also suitable for swimming, thanks to its calm water. You can also go stand-up paddleboarding there and walk from one end of the beach to the other. The waves at Playa La Madera are especially suitable for bodysurfing, while you can kayak at Playa Quieta. Catcha L’ola offers surf lessons at Playa Linda.
For a different water experience, you can snorkel at Coral Beach on La Isla. The rocky reef is home to a diverse and colorful underwater fauna. You can reach La Isla by boat from the pier at Playa Linda; the trip takes no more than ten minutes. At the entrance to Playa Linda, there is also a fenced, protected natural estuary where crocodiles live. A viewing platform provides a place to observe the animals.
Three species of sea turtle nest on the beaches of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo: leatherback turtles, olive ridley turtles and black sea turtles. The “Liberar Tortugas” activity includes beach patrols, relocating nests and releasing newly hatched turtles. You can take part in releasing baby turtles at sunset from August through March; coordinate the date with the local conservation project.
Seasonal Tours and Excursions
Whale-watching tours are offered from December 15 to March 20. In addition to humpback whales, you may spot sea turtles, dolphins and manta rays. During the season, the beaches of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo are also officially designated whale-watching sites. As tour availability is seasonal, confirm that tours are available before your trip.
If you’d rather explore by bike, the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Ciclopista is almost 25 kilometers long. The mountain trail in the Parque Aztlán ecological reserve offers a different kind of challenge: it runs six kilometers to the summit and is used for training and physical challenges. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in the activities described.
You can book private sunset boat tours at Playa Principal in Zihuatanejo or at the Ixtapa Marina. Fishing trips can be reserved at Playa Principal through the Sociedad Cooperativa de Lanchas de Recreo y Pesca Deportiva “Teniente José Azueta, S.C.L.” Check the current operator arrangements in advance. This lets you plan your time on the water as an independent activity, a guided tour or an outing with a specific viewing goal.
Culture and Getting There
For a cultural stop, the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande is in the center of Zihuatanejo, on Paseo del Pescador and Plaza Olof Palme. Its six exhibition rooms display objects from various archaeological sites in the region. They document the development of the populations that settled there. A museum visit adds a look at the region’s history to your days at the beach.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo can be reached via the Autopista Siglo XXI and Carretera Federal 200. The Autopista Siglo XXI connects the area with Morelia and the BajĂo; the Carretera Federal 200 leads to Acapulco and the southern part of the state. The international airport is served by daily domestic flights, including from Mexico City, Monterrey and Tijuana. Routes and flight schedules may change, so check your connections before booking.
Seasonal whale-watching tours have a specific operating window, while turtle releases are offered from August through March. Beach days, boat tours, nature watching and a museum visit offer different ways to spend your time. Use these differences to choose accommodation for your stay in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, without having to combine the individual activities into a fixed itinerary.
Discover more destinations: El Calvario, Coyuca De BenĂtez, Tepecoacuilco De Trujano, San CristĂłbal, Taxco, San Marcos, El Coacoyul, Barra Vieja.
View the regional travel overview: Guerrero.
