Destination
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Zihuatanejo is a Pacific fishing town with a sheltered bay and an unpretentious food scene, paired with the planned resort strip of Ixtapa next door for travellers who want both.
Trips to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo from every city
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When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | fine |
| July | fine |
| August | avoid |
| September | avoid |
| October | fine |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- December, January, February, March: Peak sailfish season, and the Zihuatanejo international guitar festival in early March.
August, September: Wettest stretch of the rainy season and the Pacific hurricane peak.
Where to stay in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
- Playa La Ropa: Zihuatanejo's calm, swimmable crescent with boutique hotels on the hillside.
- Zihuatanejo centro / Playa Madera: The fishing-town centre, seafood restaurants and a small beach a short walk away.
- Ixtapa hotel zone: Planned resort strip of high-rise hotels, golf and a marina 15 minutes north.
- Troncones: Surf village 40 minutes north with small inns on a long, empty beach.
What to do in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
- Water-taxi to Playa Las Gatas for snorkelling and a palapa lunch
- Boat to Isla Ixtapa for a day of snorkelling
- Sunset from a hillside restaurant above Playa La Ropa
- Sportfishing for sailfish out of the municipal pier
- Learn to surf at Troncones
- Release baby sea turtles on Playa Linda between August and December
Good to know
| Airports | Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International (ZIH) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | mid-range |
| Time zone | America/Mexico_City |
| Kind of trip | beach, romantic, food, nature, adventure |
Questions about Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
When is the best time to visit Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo?
November, December, January, February, March and April. August, September: Wettest stretch of the rainy season and the Pacific hurricane peak.
Do US citizens need a passport for Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo?
Yes. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is in Mexico; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo on the ground?
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is mid-range by US standards: plan about $90 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.