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Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo Attractions

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Activities

Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo Attractions

Museum of Archeology
The museum is located in the building once used as City Hall, a beautiful work of the Spanish Renaissance. The gallery is a modest archaeological display, exhibiting statues, gravestones, coats of arms, local artifacts as well as extensive maps and information of the area.

Plaza de los Heroes
The plaza is a quiet tree shaded square with concrete benches, dedicated to the renowned men of the Mexican republic. You will see stone-carved statues on pedestals and a large colorful significant mural illustrating the panoramic history of Mexico.

Zihuatenejo
This small town conserves the friendly atmosphere of the old fishing village, with "True Mexican Flavor". The downtown streets are cobblestones and most of the newer buildings have that tropical-coastal look to conserve the village feel.

Petatlán Village
A short trip from Zihuatenejo is the town of Petatlan. The downtown district is built around a white church named "Cristo Jesús de Petatlán", located atop a hill. Many miracles are said to have happened here. Relics of the famed priest of miracles is displayed here.

La Soledad de Maciel
Also known as La Chole, this archaeological site still a very recent finding. You will see 350 year old cactus, stones with hieroglyphics, cave of fallen rocks, excavation site, and a small village town. In the nearby town is a small museum in which displays artifacts excavated from the hill.

Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo Activities

In Zihuatanejo

At Zihuatanejo's town beach, Playa Municipal, the local fishermen pull their colorful boats up onto the sand, making for a fine photo op. The small shops and restaurants lining the waterfront are great for people-watching and absorbing the flavor of daily village life. Playa Madera (Wood Beach), just east of Playa Municipal, is open to the surf but generally peaceful.
South of Playa Madera is Zihuatanejo's largest and most beautiful beach, Playa La Ropa, a long sweep of sand with a great view of the sunset. Some lovely small hotels and restaurants nestle in the hills; palm groves edge the shoreline. Although it's also open to the Pacific, waves are usually gentle. The name Playa La Ropa (ropa means clothing) comes from an old tale of the sinking of a galeón during a storm. The silk clothing that it was carrying back from the Philippines washed ashore on this beach -- hence the name.
The nicest beach for swimming, and the best for children, is the secluded Playa Las Gatas (Cats Beach), across the bay from Playa La Ropa and Zihuatanejo. The small coral reef just offshore is a nice spot for snorkeling and diving, and a little dive shop on the beach rents gear. The waters at Las Gatas are exceptionally clear, without undertow or big waves. Open-air seafood restaurants on the beach make it an appealing lunch spot. Small pangas (launches) with shade run to Las Gatas from the Zihuatanejo town pier, a 10-minute trip; the captains will take you across whenever you wish between 8am and 4pm. Usually the last boat back leaves Las Gatas at 6:30pm, but check to be sure.
Playa Larga is a beautiful, uncrowded beach between Zihuatanejo and the airport, with several small palapa restaurants, hammocks, and wading pools.
In Ixtapa

Ixtapa's main beach, Playa Palmar, is a lovely white-sand arc on the edge of the Hotel Zone, with dramatic rock formations silhouetted in the sea. The surf can be rough; use caution, and don't swim when a red flag is posted.
Playa Linda is the primary out-of-town beach, with watersports equipment and horse rentals available. Playa las Cuatas, a pretty beach and cove a few miles north of Ixtapa, and Playa Majahua, an isolated beach just west of Zihuatanejo, are both being transformed into resort complexes. Lovely Playa Vista Hermosa is framed by striking rock formations and bordered by the Las Brisas Hotel high on the hill. All of these are very attractive beaches for sunbathing or a stroll but have heavy surf and strong undertow. Use caution if you swim here.