Zihuatanejo

DESTINATIONS mexico zihuatenajo

Zihuatanejo

Zihuatanejo is the perfect combination of Mexican flair, breathtaking nature, and old-fashioned charm. This picturesque fishing town is a unique beach destination, and the perfect place to relax by the shore and enjoy the fresh sea breeze. With Ixtapa, a more frantic party and resort destination only a few kilometres away, you get a two-for-one deal coming here, combining traditional and laid-back Zihuatanejo, and modern, buzzing Ixtapa.

The City Beach Life

The City

Zihuatanejo is located on the Mexican Riviera, about 240 kilometres northwest of Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero. The old fishing town is quite small and has great weather all year around. If you plan on coming here, keep in mind that a short rainy season goes on from June until September. Ixtapa is a tourist destination located only five kilometres north of Zihuatanejo, which was the original settlement. The two cities are often referred to together, as "Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo". Ixtapa was a government planned destination and has been a major tourist resort area since the 1970s, when both Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa became popular getaways for the rich and famous. Zihuatanejo still keeps a calm feel to it, while Ixtapa is more like a miniature Acapulco. Pick one of the two, or combine them for the perfect holiday.

Beach Life

One of the main attractions in Zihuatanejo is the large bay, most of which is surrounded by beautiful beaches, all located on the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Because of the bay protecting the beaches from the stormy ocean, the waves here are mostly gentle, making the whole area great for swimming and other beachside activities. If you are lucky you might come across one or two turtles on the beach, as many hotels sponsor the turtle conservation campaign.

Do & See Dining Cafes Bars & Nightlife Shopping Tourist Information

Do & See

Both Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa are great destinations for entertainment and relaxation. Enjoy the vibe at relaxing Zihuatanejo or party it up in Ixtapa. Wherever you go along the Mexican Riviera, you will find an endless array of beautiful beaches, water activities and world-class dining.

Ixtapa Island (Isla Ixtapa)

Taking a boat trip to Isla Ixtapa is one of the most popular daytime excursions for tourists. Isla Ixtapa is a beautiful island with amazing light gold sandy beaches and crystal clear water which makes it a perfect place for snorkeling. You can get there by taking a boat from the Zihuatanejo Municipal Pier …

Delfiniti de México

If one of your dreams is to swim with dolphins, it can become a reality by visiting Delfiniti Ixtapa. Six different programs allow visitors to interact with the majestic sea mammals to varying degrees, tailoring the experience to each person's needs and tastes. …

Sailing Cruises

This ultra modern sailing catamaran will take you on remarkable sailing, snorkeling, sunset and adventure tours to Ixtapa, around Zihuatanejo Bay and to nearby reefs. These tours allow you to explore beautiful places and experience some of the most perfect getaways on your …

Guided Ecological Tours

There is so much to see and explore ashore and below sea level in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. Ixtapa Adventours is a company that provides a day full of fun where you can enjoy snorkeling along coral reefs, biking through lush jungles, kayaking in calm and warm ocean waters and admiring native plants, birds, fish …

Xihuacan Museum and Archeological Site

A small village called La Chole, located only 25 minutes away from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, houses a fascinating archaeological site. Since the 1930's many artifacts have been found here, such as jewellery linked to many cultures, including the Tarascan, Aztec, Toltec and Olmec. You can also visit an onsite museum with many of these astonishing …

Marina Ixtapa Golf Club

This golf club, designed by Robert Van Hagge and opened in 1994, offers 18 holes and is ranked by Golf Digest as one of Mexico's best courses. Marina Ixtapa Golf Club features all necessary facilities, such as a club house, two tennis courts, lockers, a restaurant, bar and a swimming …

Patio Mexica Cooking School

Mexican food is a delight, and what better way is there to learn more about it than taking part in a cooking class like Patio Mexica? Here you will learn how to cook traditional Mexican food on the teacher’s patio. Monica, the teacher, speaks fluent English and Spanish and will show you how to …

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling Tour

Discover the area's fascinating marine life and the hidden paradise that lies just beneath the ocean's surface by taking a diving or snorkeling tour. There are various tour companies offering daily tours and other water sports …

Sport Fishing

Every season is fishing season in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, and there are plenty of tour operators who provide fishing tours. Here you can experience a lifetime of fishing and catching large fish like the yellowfin tuna, blue marlin and trophy size dorado. …

Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa Spa

Pamper yourself with a spa treatment and unwind in a beautiful setting. At Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa you can enjoy massages, facials, soothing signature treatments and couples' treatments. This spa also features a full-service beauty salon offering hair treatments, waxing, manicure and pedicure …

Adventure Park (Parque Aventura)

Parque Aventura in Ixtapa provides a mix of fun, physical challenges and pure adrenaline through activities like zip-lining, hanging and moving bridges and other fun games and challenges, and is a great option for a day of fun with the …

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding on the beach is another way to explore the natural beauty of Zihuatanejo. You can either take a tour in the daytime which includes lunch at a restaurant or an afternoon tour where you get the chance to admire a stunning sunset on …

Paseo del Pescador

Paseo del Pescador is a pleasant seaside promenade and features outdoor eateries and beautiful cobblestone streets. In the mornings, you can enjoy watching fishermen selling their early morning catches to local restaurants and families. This is a very relaxing spot which is highly appreciated by travelers and locals …

Dining

When dining in Zihuatanejo, the beautiful views over the bay are often included. You can enjoy some great traditional Mexican food and numerous seafood dishes, or try some of the local specialties like Huachinango (red snapper) with tomato or garlic sauce. Zihuatanejo is also surrounded by several mango farms, making them a staple at most tables.

Carmelita's Cafe

Carmelita's Cafe is a much-loved family-run restaurant and cafe. After starting as a small coffee shop in the airport, they have recently expanded and moved to a new location, now serving fantastic traditional fare in downtown …

Rufo's Grill

Rufo's Grill is a local favourite, offering mouthwatering grilled dishes based around meat, fish, shrimp, pork ribs, chicken or vegetables, among many other options, all in a rustic and elegant setting. …

Tentaciones

At Tentaciones you can enjoy sophisticated fresh, local seafood specialties and Asian fusion cuisine. With a beautiful location on a mountaintop, the restaurant offers breathtaking views over the bay. The impeccable service provided here makes the whole dining experience …

Ristorante Il Mare

Ristorante Il Mare is a cosy and romantic restaurant, with an ideal location on a cliff at "La Madera" beach overlooking the beautiful waters and beaches of Zihuatanejo Bay. When dining at this restaurant you can enjoy modern Italian and Greek …

Los Braseros

This highly recommended restaurant features more than 140 delicious dishes with unique Mexican flavours, and is ideally located in the city centre of Zihuatanejo. Los Braseros is a good value restaurant you can visit for breakfast, lunch or …

Coconuts

When dining at this restaurant you will be dining in the oldest building in Zihuatanejo, located in the historic centre. Coconuts serves a unique mixture of gourmet Mexican and international dishes prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients. They also host live music and dancing, and screen a lot of major sporting events, making it …

La Perla Restaurant

At La Perla Restaurant you can tickle your taste buds with Mexican dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients. On the menu you will find traditional local cuisine, such as grilled red snapper served with garlic and fresh tortillas, spicy Pacific lobster, octopus, jumbo and medium size shrimp and scallops, to name a …

Bistro del Mar Restaurant

Claimed to be one of the best restaurants in Zihuatanejo, Bistro del Mar Restaurant offers typical Mexican food in an elegant atmosphere next to the sea. The menu offers everything from pizza to meat and fish dishes which are all cooked with the best …

Chili Bean's

This inexpensive restaurant, situated on the Ixtapa Boulevard right across from the Emporio Hotel, is a popular place among locals and tourists alike. The friendly staff serve mouth-watering dishes in a vibrant atmosphere, including succulent BBQ ribs or authentic Mexican dishes like chiles rellenos, enchiladas, chicken mole and homemade ground beef chili, only to …

Cafe Marina

Starting as a pizzeria in the mid 1980's, Cafe Marina has evolved into a beloved Zihuatanejo restaurant and cafe, offering great pizza and local dishes, as well as smaller snacks and great coffee with an unbeatable view of the …

Cafes

In this old fishermen’s village, the waterfront is filled with cafés and bars. Here you can sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the waves roll in. You will definitely not have difficulties finding a place for lunch or a drink on the inviting seaside promenade.

Carmelita's Cafe

Panaderia Del Buen Gusto

Panaderia Del Buen Gusto ('Good Taste Bakery') offers a wide variety of bread and sweet pastries, but their speciality is definitely cakes. There is no seating area, so in order to enjoy the bakery's delicious creations, you'll have to order them to …

Mi Tacita de Cafe

Located right in the middle of Zihuatanejo, Mi Tacita de Cafe has pleasant outdoor seating on a small square. They offer small meals and snacks, such as both sweet and savory crepes, as well as high-quality coffee …

Café Caracol

Café Caracol is another small and cosy cafe in the centre of Zihuatanejo. Besides serving high-quality, organic coffee from the Guerrero region, Caracol also sells organic and locally-produced honey and vanilla. …

Cuattro Cycle Café & Té

As the name might suggests, Cuattro Cycle is a bicycle-themed modern and sleek cafe and tea house with a location in Zihuatanejo and another in Ixtapa. They only serve coffee produced in Mexico, and their offering also includes a remarkable variety of teas, as well as some creative and delicious cold …

Café del Ferrocarril

Café del Ferrocarril is the perfect place to stop for breakfast and a coffee on your way to the beach in Ixtapa. The omelettes come highly recommended, and the cafe is said to have the best frappes and cold coffee drinks in the …

Cafe Marina

Bars & Nightlife

Zihuatanejo is not your typical party destination. Instead you will find tranquil bars, classy lounges and romantic hang-outs here. The nightlife lasts until midnight, so if you do not want your evening to end you should head to Ixtapa, which is full of bars and clubs where the party keeps going until morning. Do not forget to try the national drink Mezcal, a strong drink related to tequila.

Coconuts

Chili Bean's

Barracruda Bar

Bandido´s Restaurant Bar

If you feel like dancing while in Zihuatanejo, head over to Bandido´s Restaurant Bar. Here you can dance salsa to a live band, drink a cold beer, mingle with the locals in or just relax on the outdoor …

Señor Frog's

Senor Frog's is a very entertaining nightclub, bar and restaurant, where shared tables, tasty drinks and good music create a fantastic ambiance. This venue has a laid back mood where you can chat up with friends and dance to mixed music until well into the …

Christine Club

Christine Club is a huge world-class disco and nightclub with a great stage and dance floor, located at the Hotel Krystal in Ixtapa. It is wildly popular with both locals and tourists, and is one of your best bets for a memorable night …

Shopping

There is a wide selection of shops both in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, including clothing boutiques, beachware shops, and great places to find souvenirs, particularly in downtown Zihuatanejo. There are also numerous galleries that showcase the best of Mexican art and traditional crafts, as well as fine jewelry in gold and silver.