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.
Click here for
Getting Around Town... - Maps
Click here for Regional Travel Guides
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.
Click
here for more on the Beaches in and around Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo...
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).
It is a mere 35 minute plane ride from Mexico City and
is serviced through it’s international
airport by a number of Mexican and international
airlines
The Troncones Beach community is located approximately 30 kms north of Ixtapa along Federal Highway 200.
Click here
for Airport, Airline & Travel Info
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). *NOTE:
In November, 2001, Mexico's area codes changed. Zihuatanejo's
area code used to be "7" - now you must dial
the full "755" before the 7-digit phone number
proper.
Examples:
Dialing Zihuatanejo from the U.S. or Canada: 011-52-755-xxx-xxxx
Dialing Zihuatanejo 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 cell Mexican cell phone from outside the country: +52 1 (area code) (number)
Postal Code
is 40880 for the whole area.
Electricity: 110 volts
A.C.
Click here
for Useful Phones and Contact info
