Tour Operators in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
There are a number of companies that offer independent guided tours of the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo area, including:
Beaches in Zihuatanejo
Playa Principal stretches from the city pier (muelle) to the canal, and is backed by the Malecon (seaside promenade) named Paseo del Pescador. The town's fishermen bring their boats onshore to offload their morning's catch; the beach is also used for swimming.
Playa la Madera (Wood Beach) stretches just east of Playa Principal, at the foot of an area with crowded with hotels, restaurants and bungalows.
Playa de la Ropa (Clothes Beach) sits on the protected eastern side of the bay, and is a 5 minute taxi ride from the pier. The beach is a mile long, and has several open-air palapa restaurants situated under the palm trees. This is a good beach for swimming, jet skiing, parasailing and windsurfing.
Playa las Gatas, accessed by boat, is a great beach for snorkelers and scuba divers to explore its breathtaking coral reef. You'll also find a number of open-air palapa restaurants on this beach.
To get to Las Gatas, pick up a panga (a small, canopied boat) a the Zihuatanejo pier. The 10-minute trip costs about $25 pesos. Buy the ticket at the Cooperativa office on the pier.
Beaches in Ixtapa
Playa del Palmar lies in front of the Ixtapa Hotel Zone. The beach faces the ocean, and the surf can get rough at times. Generally good for swimming.
Playa Vista Hermosa is at the eastern end of the Hotel Zone near the Ixtapa Golf Club.
Ixtapa Point is a small peninsula at the northwest end of Palmar Bay. A residential development is being constructed here.
Playa Quieta (Quiet Beach) is on the west side of the peninsula, but the beach is off limits to the public, as it is used as a private beach by Club Med.
Playa Linda is a mile up the coast from Playa Quieta. Here you'll find open-air palapa restaurants along the palm-fringed beach. Here you can also catch a pango boat that will take you to Isla Ixtapa, a 10-minute trip away.
Isla Ixtapa (Ixtapa Island) is a beautiful little island ideal for swimming and scuba diving. You will also find open-air palapa restaurants on the island. Round-trip tickets to the island can be purchased at the Playa Linda pier landing; the cost is around $25 pesos. Remember to keep your ticket stub. The last pango back to the mainland leaves the island at 5:00 pm.
Bike Rentals
Ixtapa has a bike path through and around the town; the 4.35 mile course proceeds around the golf course, but you can also go as far as Zihuatanejo. You can rent a mountain bike by the hour ($4) or by the day ($20) from Tropical Bikes, located in Ixtapa next to the Bancomer; Tel: +52 (755) 554-6894. They also offer bike tours of the area.
You can also rent a bike from X-Plora, located in front of the Royal Park Hotel in Ixtapa; Tel: +52 (755) 553-3584. They also offer bike tours.
Day Trips from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
Petatlan Petatlan, located about 30 minutes away from Zihuatanejo, boasts a modern church, a gold market and a street market.
The Cristo Jesus de Petatlan Church is situated in a lush setting surrounded by trees. It faces the town square, the gold market and the street market in downtown Petatlan.
Though not of historic or colonial style, this modern Catholic church boasts some beautiful stained glass windows, and features well-manicured grounds. People travel from many miles away in search of miracles that are believed to be performed for the faithful in this church.
The gold market in Petatlan is directly across the street from the main entrance to the church. The vendors sell a wide variety of gold jewelry by the gram. Be prepared to bargain for the best price.
Barra de Potosi Barra de Potosi is a quaint fishing village located a 40-minute drive south of Zihuatanejo. With a population of only 600, Barra de Potosi is about as laid-back as it gets in Mexico.
The main attraction here is the long white sand beach and lagoon that dominate the area. This is birding country par excellence.
Several seafood enramadas (thatch-roof restaurants) line the beach; La Condesa is one of the best. Try their pescado a la talla (broiled fish fillets) or tiritas, both local specialties. Make sure to try their handmade tortillas, too.
Shore Trips offers a Mexican Countryside Tour that takes you on a scenic drive into the countryside south of Zihuatanejo. On this tour, you'll visit a fruit plantation, meet some local artisans who will give you a demonstration on their crafts in a small tile factory, and then conclude with a visit to Barra de Potosi for lunch and free time to enjoy the scenery. The 4¼-hour trip operates daily, and runs $53 per person for adults, and $44 for kids 8 to 12.
Diving
The Zihuatanejo Scuba Center operates two dive shops: in downtown Zihuatanejo at Calle Cuauhtemoc #3, and at the main dive facility in the Puerto Mio resort. They offer full day and shorter packages.
Tel: +52 (755) 554-2147 for information and reservations
Dolphins
Delfiniti Ixtapa offers you the opportunity to swim with the dolphins. You can even reserve an encounter over the internet. Located in Ixtapa.
Fishing
Sailfish is the primary big-game catch in the area, but dorado, black marlin and yellowfin tuna are also caught in the waters around Zihuatanejo.
Several operators offer day charters from the Zihuatanejo harbor. The following list is a representative sample:
Cortez Yacht Charters is one of the oldest and most reputable independent sportsfishing companies in Zihuatanejo.
Grand Jefe Sportsfishing offers charters on three boats.
Vamonos Fleet offers a selection of 31- to 38-foot Bertrams for charter under Captain Jaime Morales and his crew.
Zihua Sport Fishing Company offers charters on their boat La Diosa.
Golf
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is proud to have two world-class golf courses, suitable for golfers of any level.
The Palma Real Golf Course, with 18 championship holes, was designed by Robert Trent Jones. Located across from the Barcelo Hotel.
Tel: +52 (755) 553-1163 for reservations
The Marina Ixtapa Golf Course, designed by Robert Von Hegge, is known for its original course layout, with canals traversing the entire course.
Tel: +52 (755) 553-1410 for reservations
Horseback Riding
You can rent a horse by the hour at Playa Linda. Ride along the beach or through one of the nearby coconut plantations.
You can make a reservation through Rancho Playa Linda.
Tel: +52 (755) 554-3085
Museum
Regional Archaeological Museum (Museo Regional de la Costa Grande)
A small, interesting museum in Zihuatanejo that contains hundreds of local artifacts. All of the exhibits are in Spanish.
Located on Plaza Olaf Palme along the Paseo del Pescador.
Open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Tuesday thru Sunday
Tel: +52 (755) 554-7552
Water Sports
You can enjoy water and jet skiing, windsurfing and parasailing in both Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. Look for the rental facilities on Playa del Palamar in Ixtapa, and at Playa la Ropa and Playa las Gatas in Zihuatanejo.
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