Regional Information: About Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
The Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo and Troncones are located in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero, Mexico, on what is known as the "Costa Grande". This "great coast" encompasses the area northward from Acapulco, full on to the border of the state of Michoacan.
The coastline is for the most part, low-lying and flat, with a number of rivermouths, large lagoons and wetlands punctuating it's length. Zihuatanejo is situated on a magnificent, protected bay that once rivalled Acapulco for commerce from the far east and other points abroad, and that still rivals Acapulco for it's sheer natural beauty.
The twin localities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo form a special part of Mexico, a largely symbiotic relationship between modern, comfort-rich Ixtapa - with it's golf courses, manicured boulevards and deluxe hotel accommodations - and Zihuatanejo, a growing but still small town that still clings to it's fishing roots, with it's municipal market, bay-protected beaches, early-morning roosters and slow-moving pace.
This is a place where first-time visitors tend quickly to become regulars, where new-comers scheme about how to make it back here - next month or next season, and stay longer. Our tropical, white sanded beaches are lined with coconut palms and along them you can water ski and parasail, hang out on a hammock with a book, snorkel with the many-colored fishes and watch spectacular sunsets at the close of every day.
Zihuatanejo's sheltered bay, often visited by cruise ships making their way to tourist destinations up and down the Pacific coast, provides various beaches of varying characteristics: Fisherman's Walk, along the main town beach, is lined with a number of small restaurants from which one can look across the bay and watch the movement of the townsfolk, fishermen and boats.
Around the bay toward the south of town lie Playa Madera and Playa La Ropa. La Madera is a small beach area lined with bungalows, hotels and guest houses. Playa La Ropa, which is a long, white-sanded beach that curves around the southern side of the bay and then toward the crags that lead to Playa Las Gatas, offers its visitors a variety of hotels, bungalows, restaurants and water sports – just in case lying out and lazing in the sun beside the waves isn’t enough for you. At Playa Las Gatas, you'll find a gently lapping sea protected by the ancient breakwater, making it an excellent beach for children or activities such as snorkeling.
Ixtapa offers the visitor a stretch of more intense and wild surf along Playa el Palmar, it's main beach. To the south is the Westin Las Brisas Hotel commandeering the more protected Playa Vista Hermosa. Northward along Playa el Palmar, next to the jetty, is Playa Escolleras, a favorite spot for local surfers and, farther along, are Playa Quieta and Playa Linda - another surfer's hangout and, from whence boats can take visitors across to the splendid sands and snorkeling spots of Isla Ixtapa.
Zihuatanejo offers many resources for the deep-sea fisherman (see our Fishing & Charters page). At the Pier near the western end of Playa Principal are stationed fishing boats which can be chartered at a variety of rates for your trips to catch the big one. From the Pier you can also purchase tickets for the small boat (panga) service that will take you to Las Gatas.
Geographical Information (maps)
101.33 degrees West, 17.38 degrees North
Access (Maps)
Zihuatanejo is located on the Pacific coast of the State of Guerrero to the southwest of Mexico City. It is accessible via highway 200 from Acapulco to the south (250 km or 156 miles) or from Lázaro Cardenas to the north (115 km or 72 miles). The Nuevo Milenio Highway running from the Feliciano Junction of Highway 200 inland also now provides easy access to Uruapan, Patzcuaro and Morelia. Zihuatanejo is a mere 35 minute plane ride from Mexico City and is serviced through it’s international airport (Airport code ZIH) by a number of Mexican and international airlines
The Troncones Beach community is located approximately 30 kms north of Ixtapa along Federal Highway 200.
General Info
Time Zone: Central
Daylight Savings Time in effect from the 1st Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October.
Area Code: 52 (Mexico’s country code) + 755 (local area code for Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo)
Telephone Dialing Examples:
Dialing a Zihuatanejo land line from the U.S. or Canada: 011-52-755-xxx-xxxx
Dialing a Zihuatanejo land line from within Mexico: 01-755-xxx-xxxx
Dialing a cell phone within the service area: 044-755-xxx-xxxx
Dialing a cell phone that is outside of the local service area but within Mexico: 045-755-xxx-xxxx
Dialling a Mexican cell phone from outside the country: +52 1 755-xxx-xxxx
Postal Code is 40880
Electricity: 110 volts A.C.
Airport information for the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) located only a few minutes outside of town to the south. General orientation, transportation options, contact information, flight status lookups,etc.
Embassies, Consulates and Official Government sites and info - Useful contact info for travelers from other countries. There is a local U.S. Consular Agency for Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. Also information on other Government websites such as Mexican Customs, the Presidential website, TMinistry of Tourism, etc.
Local and Regional News sources - local news from Zihua-Ixtapa.com as well as links to Guerrero State and Mexican National news sources, magazines and community information.
Maps of the state, Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Troncones, and surrounding coastal areas. Information on traveling coastal Highway 200
Regional Cuisine and specialties of the Costa Grande of Guerrero, Mexico as well as a collection of Mexican Seafood Recipes - Enchiladas, tacos and ceviche.
Surfing - Surfing the coasts of Guerrero; Surf spots and resources
Weather - what to expect from the climate in this area of the Pacific Mexico coast
Other Guerrero State destinations
- Acapulco
- Atoyac de Alvarez - Just off Highway 200, an area known for its excellent coffee
- Chilpancingo
- La Union / Troncones Beach
- Petatlan
- Taxco de Alarcon