Daytrips and Sidetrips
What can you expect to see on short daytrips or longer one-or-two-day sidetrips from the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area? On the short trips, you can visit a couple of the nearby towns such as Petatlan or La Union, with their typically Mexican markets, airy coastal architecture and small-town simplicity. Petatlan has the extra attraction of it's gold market and church which, although not a colonial masterpiece as is found in many other Mexican towns, has attracted a lot of attention because of the miracles claimed to have taken place there.
The more adventurous side-trip traveler might venture into the mangrove wetlands and lagoons that provide excellent spots for kayaking and birdwatching trips, or check out the archaeological ruins and museum at La Chole (Soledad de Maciel). There are beaches and palm groves galore in this region of the Pacific coast.
Farther afield, if you have the time and rent a car or want to experience the communality of bus travel in Mexico, you can take trips up into the hills of Guerrero and Michoacan, either to the south toward Acapulco and thence into the interior to visit the colonial silver-mining center of Taxco (this trip will take you at least 6 hours by car, longer by bus), or northward, following the new Morelia highway, to take in the wealth of arts and crafts available in the region of Uruapan, Patzcuaro and Morelia, Michocan. This excursion will take you from 3 hours to 4 hours, depending on your final destination
Acapulco Area
Acapulco can be a day trip but because it is over 200 kilometers to the south of Zihuatanejo, it is a long and exhausting one. Iit's always much better to budget at least one overnight stay should you wish to visit this old-favorite or the original Mexican resort towns
Barra & Laguna de Potosi
Located at the southern end of Playa Larga lies Barra de Potosi,
offering numerous enramadas serving fresh seafood, and boat tours of
the Potosi Lagoon - an excellent birdwatching excursion.
La Soledad de Maciel (La Chole)
La Soledad de Maciel town and archaeological site, also known in the
region as "La Chole", is located about 20 kilometers to the
southeast of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo on the southern side of Petatan,
accessible via Highway 200.
Playa Troncones & Manzanillo Bay
The Troncones Beach community is located about 1/2 an hours' drive
to the north of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, accessible by coastal highway 200. Miles of white beach, tranquility and solitude and a great number of quaint-to-luxurious accommodations to choose from for your stay should you choose to spend the night or your whole vacation there.
Bear's visit to Petatlan, Guerrero - the gold market, church, general orientation and a trip to a Mexican Hospital...
Ixcateopan, Guerrero
Located in the mountainous region near Iguala, Guerrero, Ixcateopan
hosts a festival in honor of the anniversary of the death of the Last
Aztec Emperor, Cuauhtemoc. Another destination that requires more than a one-day excursion as it is in the remote hills of the state and not easily accessed.
Petatlan, Guerrero
Petatlan is a short half hour drive from Zihuatanejo. The town boasts a
well-known but modern church, rather than an older colonial-style structure, a fascinating gold market and colorful, typical street market where pretty well everything can be found..
Taxco, Guerrero
In 1990 Taxco de Alarcon, located in the hills of the State of Guerrero, with its
colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and the magnificent Temple
of Santa Prisca, was decreed a National Historical monument. Taxco is
at an altitude of 1,645 meters above sea level.
Tours in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo - Easily book the tours of your choice for your vacation in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo: sail and snorkel, zip-line canopy tour, dolphin tours, countryside and cultural tours, Ixtapa Zihuatanejo highlights, tours to Patzcuaro, Morelia and Acapulco...