There are lots of issues to do in Zihuatanejo, akin to lounging on the seashore, swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving, together with exploring the tiny however charming city of the identical title.
It’s a very good factor that Zihuatanejo normally doesn’t seem on the shortlist of well-known Mexican seashores. This low-key fishing village on the Pacific coast doesn’t get practically as a lot consideration as Cancun, Acapulco, or Puerto Vallarta, giving it a extra relaxed and off-the-beaten-track vibe.
15 Greatest Issues to Do in Zihuatanejo
Not solely are there attractive seashores and lots of different issues to see in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, but additionally great meals, pleasant individuals, and good climate year-round. This is without doubt one of the high locations to see in all of Mexico!
On aircraft tickets and tour brochures, Zihuatanejo is commonly paired with neighboring Ixtapa, referred to as Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. A visit to at least one doesn’t robotically imply that you simply’ll be seeing each.
The 2 are roughly 10 kilometers from one another and slightly totally different: Ixtapa is extra trendy and unfold out, with tall inns and large resorts, and its seashores are on the open ocean, not like sheltered Zihuatanejo Bay.
I’ve visited Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo many instances over time, normally to scuba dive, and I used to be all the time stunned by the nice issues I discovered — each above and under the water.
You may take advantage of a visit to Mexican paradise by testing this listing of the 15 greatest issues to do in Zihuatanejo.
1. Cling Out at Playa la Ropa
Massive and protected against the massive waves of the Pacific Ocean, Zihuatanejo Bay comprises a number of seashores, together with Playa Principal (actually, the Principal Seaside) proper subsequent to the city and secluded Playa Las Gatas on the opposite facet of the bay.
Between these two is the most important and nicest, Playa la Ropa (Clothes Seaside — the place this title comes from, I’m undecided). There’s good swimming and snorkeling, particularly close to the big rock on the far northeastern finish.
It’s additionally a incredible place for watching the sundown. Chances are you’ll find yourself sharing the view with a tranquil flock of pelicans floating on the water after their lengthy day of diving into the ocean for fish.
Playa la Ropa is a 30-minute stroll from the village, so if hanging out on the seashore comes first in your listing of issues to do in Zihuatanejo, contemplate getting a resort there.
2. Wander Round Downtown
Apart from tourism, the first exercise within the village of Zihuatanejo is fishing.
The east finish of Playa Principal is jammed with fishing boats pulled onto the sand. Earlier than sundown, anglers return with contemporary fish to promote to eating places or to anybody proper there on the seashore.
Playa Principal has stunning surroundings, however sadly, the water might be fairly murky. You will discover higher swimming elsewhere, like at Playa la Ropa.
As an alternative, exploring the city is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Zihuatanejo while you don’t really feel like swimming or laying within the sand.
The core vacationer space occupies two or three blocks straight behind the seashore. There are slender pedestrian streets, busy eating places, quirky cafes, and rowdy bars. Search for the stage close to the seashore, which frequently has performances and dwell music, particularly throughout Mexican holidays.
You will discover some good eating places blended in with the touristy ones within the downtown core. Attempt to discover a crowded spot that has extra Mexican vacationers and locals than worldwide vacationers to get the tastiest and most consultant meals.
After darkish, the bars get noisy and the streets get crowded, making it a superb space to search for issues to do in Zihuatanejo after darkish.
In case you’d want some peace within the late hours as an alternative, search for a resort exterior this central space. When you cross Benito Juarez Road to the east of downtown, issues get rather a lot calmer and extra authentically native.
The municipal market is positioned on Benito Juarez avenue simply north of the vacationer space. Go there to browse for souvenirs, purchase contemporary fruit and greens, and eat an inexpensive lunch of real Mexican meals within the tiny eating places there.
3. Stroll Down the Paseo del Pescador
Between Playa Principal and Playa Madera is a protracted concrete path constructed into the rocks and cliffs referred to as the Paseo del Pescador — the Fisherman’s Path.
This stroll supplies nice views of Zihuatanejo Bay and passes cozy artisanal outlets, seafood eating places with thatched roofs, and swanky worldwide eateries with intensive menus and classy decor.
A stroll down this path is undoubtedly among the finest issues to do in Zihuatanejo, particularly at sundown. After darkish, you’ll have views of the lights on each side of the bay. However in any respect hours, this stroll is without doubt one of the compulsory Zihuatanejo actions.
4. See the Shows on the Costa Grande Archaeological Museum
On the Paseo del Pescador is the Costa Grande Archeological Museum, one of the crucial attention-grabbing locations to go to in Zihuatanejo while you’ve had sufficient of the seashore.
The museum comprises six exhibition halls with artwork and artifacts present in close by archeological websites from the Olmeca, Teotihuacan, Mexica, and Tarasca cultures.
The museum is open from 10:00 AM to six:00 PM each day besides Monday.
Handle: Paseo del Pescador 1, Centro, 40890, Zihuatanejo, Gro., Mexico
5. Catch a Boat to Playa Las Gatas
Though Playa la Ropa is the largest, many individuals want Playa Las Gatas (the Seaside of the Cats.) It’s in a tiny cove close to the top of Zihuatanejo Bay, and though it will get crowded, it’s extra secluded than the opposite seashores close by.
Playa las Gatas additionally has a few of the greatest snorkeling within the space. Apart from coral and different sea life like starfish and countless sea urchins, there’s additionally a four-meter bronze statue of Jesus Christ erected beneath the water.
Attending to Playa las Gatas is half the enjoyable. It’s attainable to stroll all the best way from Playa la Ropa, and it’s a reasonably stroll too, on twisting paths that go over and under the rocky bluffs alongside the ocean.
The sooner and extra scenic manner, nonetheless, is to take a ship from city.
From sunup to sunset, boats go away the docks positioned on the far east finish of Playa Principal. When you’re there, you may hire snorkel tools and eat at a number of first rate eating places alongside the seashore.
Or, you may prepare a tour from Zihuatanejo. Some excursions embrace snorkeling and kayaking, whereas others mix with different locations to see in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa.
6. Scuba Dive at Los Morros de Potosi
A few of the greatest diving on the Mexican Pacific coast is positioned at a rocky cluster of barren islands referred to as Los Morros de Potosi, which is positioned about an hour south of Zihuatanejo by boat.
The shallow waters surrounding the islands of Morros de Potosi are filled with coral reefs, faculties of fish, sea turtles, and different aquatic life like octopuses.
In case you’re fortunate, you could even see a whale on the boat journey there.
This occurred to me as soon as when two humpback whales cruised previous the dive boat, making it the primary time on a scuba diving journey that probably the most attention-grabbing creatures I noticed had been above the floor of the water as an alternative of under it.
There are different nice dive websites round Zihuatanejo, with some within the small coves positioned simply exterior the bay and others on the many small islands offshore from Ixtapa.
Zihuatanejo has a number of dive outlets, all with related costs. I went with Dive Zihuatanejo and extremely advocate them.
7. Break Out the Binoculars for Some Whale Watching
Yearly from late December to late March, round 20,000 humpback whales migrate via the world. Throughout that point, a whale watching journey is without doubt one of the most fun issues to do in Zihuatanejo on the water.
Apart from humpbacks, you’ll have a very good likelihood of seeing minke whales, beaked whales, a number of species of dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and plenty of birds.
Bilingual whale watching journeys are usually guided by a marine biologist. They maintain observe of the whales passing via, providing you with a very good likelihood of seeing them. You can too be part of a whale watching tour with Dive Zihuatanejo.
8. Devour Scrumptious Mexican Type Contemporary Seafood
Mexican meals is rightly thought-about one of many world’s most interesting cuisines, and consuming seafood is crucial while you go to a seashore city and fishing village like Zihuatanejo.
Excellent seafood eating places abound, and discovering them is without doubt one of the high issues to do in Zihuatanejo. Basically, fancier locations have ocean views, touristy locations are a block or two from the seashore, and native hangouts with probably the most scrumptious meals are simply exterior the downtown core.
One in all these is Mariscos El Tiburón de la Costa, which yow will discover in entrance of a site visitors circle after strolling a number of blocks east from the top of Playa Principal. Their intensive menu has every kind of contemporary seafood, some land-based choices, and tropical drinks like piña coladas and margaritas.
9. Expertise a Loopy Potato
Loopy potatoes are an anomaly of Mexican meals that aren’t well-known exterior of northern Mexico. Though Zihuatanejo isn’t precisely north, it’s north sufficient for a lot of native eating places to have them on the menu.
A big baked potato is crammed with no matter you need: totally different sorts of meat, seafood, or greens, after which it’s smothered with cheese, salsa, and bitter cream. Mainly, no matter might be put in a taco will get put within the potato.
There’s a transparent winner for the primary loopy potato on the town: Papa Loca Zihua.
It’s exterior of the downtown core and is certainly a favourite of locals. And in the event you’re not within the temper for a potato, Papa Loca serves wonderful tacos and different Mexican specialties as properly.
10. Chill out All Day at Playa El Palmar in Ixtapa
In case your thought of a seashore trip is an all-inclusive resort with swimming swimming pools and a number of buffets, then the Playa Palmar (Palm Seaside) space of Ixtapa is certainly for you.
Not like Zihuatanejo, which is a functioning fishing village, Ixtapa is totally dedicated to tourism. Positioned in Ixtapa’s fundamental zone, Palmar Seaside is large and on the open ocean, which means nonstop waves and good bodyboarding.
Eating places, bars, and small outlets are clustered behind the row of inns on the seashore.
Centro Mercado is without doubt one of the prime locations in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo for procuring, particularly at evening, when the shops and slender walkways between them are lit up in colourful lights.
There are even excursions accessible that take you to the outlets and handicraft markets of Ixtapa. And for meals, you may’t go fallacious with some nachos and massive glasses of beer at Señor Frog’s, or pizza and cocktails at Frank’s Bar and Grill.
Ixtapa continues to the north of Palmar Seaside, the place there are extra seashores, like Playa Quieta and Playa Linda. These zones are much less developed than Playa Palmar, however additionally they have many eating places, inns, and vacationer locations.
11. Experience a Bicycle By the Rainforest
The Ixtapa Bicycle Path begins within the Vaso de Miraflores neighborhood on the far northern fringe of Zihuatanejo, passes via the Playa Palmar space in Ixtapa, and continues over the mountains to Playa Linda.
Alongside the best way, it passes the Parque Aztlán ecological reserve, the place you may see caimans, parrots, and curious teams of coati, an unique tree mammal from Mexico and Central America.
Using this path and exploring the park is certainly among the finest issues to do in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo to take pleasure in nature. To hire a motorcycle, you may search for a motorcycle store close to the trail or e-book a non-public tour like this one.
12. Take within the Views from the Mirador Playa Linda
At kilometer 5 on the bicycle path, a smaller path branches off that results in a viewpoint excessive within the mountains above Playa Linda.
Biking down the path takes you thru the plush vegetation of the native rainforest, and it’s simply one of many prettiest sights in Zihuatanejo.
The highest of the wood platform supplies panoramic views of the forest under and the lengthy twisting shoreline past. There’s little question that this viewpoint is without doubt one of the most stunning locations to go to in Zihuatanejo.
That is a type of actions in Zihuatanejo that you simply’ll have to be in good condition to take pleasure in as a result of it’s a steep trip as much as the point of view. Don’t neglect to carry a lot of water, sunscreen and a hat.
13. Gawk at Crocodiles within the Playa Linda Cocodrilario
On a small peninsula on to the south of Playa Linda is the cocodrilario (crocodile reserve).
Dozens of the massive beasts float within the water or lounge within the mud whereas huge turtles, iguanas, and birds go amongst them. It’s a small website, however there’s no charge to enter.
Close by is a market with native handicrafts and some eating places. Playa Linda is attractive too, and strolling down it after testing the crocodiles is a type of issues to do in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo while you’d like slightly extra privateness.
14. Go {Golfing} at Ixtapa
In case you’re questioning what to do in Zihuatanejo whereas sporting humorous checkered pants, then Ixtapa has two golf programs: the Palma Actual Golf Membership and the Ixtapa Marina Golf Membership.
Each have 18 holes and good surroundings, with ocean views and tall palm bushes. Additionally they include a lot of native wildlife like birds, iguanas, and crocodiles, so suppose twice earlier than reaching into the water to really feel round for a misplaced ball.
Costs differ in line with season. In case you come at a busy time, it’s best to most likely reserve a tee time beforehand, however in the event you go to in off-season, you might be able to simply present up while you wish to play.
15. Discover the Xihuacan Archeological Website
In case you loved the shows on the Costa Grande Archaeological Museum, then for certain you’ll wish to try the not too long ago excavated ceremonial heart of Xihuacan.
It’s one of the crucial attention-grabbing issues to see in Zihuatanejo, and positively probably the most historic.
Xihuacan, also referred to as the Soledad de Maciel Archeological Zone, might not be as huge or well-known as Mayan websites like Chichen Itza in southern Mexico or Teotihuacan close to Mexico Metropolis, however it’s a powerful space however.
Buildings embrace a mud-brick stepped pyramid and an historical ball court docket. The small onsite museum homes quite a few artifacts and offers additional explanations concerning the historical past of the world.
It’s slightly far and sophisticated to get there from Zihuatanejo by yourself, so a very good possibility is to take a small group tour like this one, which takes about 4 hours and contains lunch.
The Xihuacan Archeological Website is open from 10 AM to five PM and is closed on Mondays.
FAQs About Issues to Do in Zihuatanejo
Nonetheless questioning what to do in Zihuatanejo? Try these solutions to some steadily requested questions.
Zihuatanejo is called a captivating and pleasant fishing village and seashore city. It’s thought-about a extra laid-back different to Acapulco or Puerto Vallarta. It’s additionally well-known for being the ultimate vacation spot of Andy Dufresne within the film The Shawshank Redemption.
Zihuatanejo is a small fishing village that’s now principally dedicated to tourism. It’s positioned on Zihuatanejo Bay, so its seashores have calm, flat water. The seashores at Ixtapa are on the open ocean and include principally bigger inns and resorts. Ixtapa is totally devoted to tourism.
The perfect time to go to Zihuatanejo is within the cooler months from November to April. Nonetheless, it’s a good suggestion to keep away from excessive vacationer season in Mexico throughout that point, which is from Christmas to New Yr’s and Semana Santa, the week earlier than Easter.
Sure, the seashores are good for swimming in Zihuatanejo. Most seashores are in Zihuatanejo Bay, in order that they’re sheltered from the massive waves and rip tides of the Pacific Ocean. As a result of it’s proper subsequent to city, the primary seashore (Playa Principal) could be a little murky, so that you’re higher off heading to Playa la Ropa or Playa las Gatas.
Zihuatanejo is typically secure, though take primary precautions, particularly at evening. The state the place it’s positioned, Guerrero, has many harmful areas, however Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa have averted many of the state’s issues.
Now You Know What to Do in Zihuatanejo
As you may see, there are lots of extra issues to do in Zihuatanejo than go to the seashore. Enjoyable actions in Zihuatanejo embrace snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, kayaking, {golfing}, mountain biking, and even crocodile gazing.
The charming and fairly fishing village is without doubt one of the high sights in Zihuatanejo. Good eating places, pleasant individuals, and an especially laid-back vibe make it an ideal base for exploring the world and a worthwhile vacation spot in its personal proper.
Every time I went to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, I had a very totally different expertise. Whether or not it was after chilling on the seashore, devouring huge plates of coconut shrimp, or evening diving amongst neon blue bioluminescence, I all the time left questioning about after I might return for extra.
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