The Best Beaches in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo (Complete Guide)

1. Playa La Ropa

Playa La Ropa (La Ropa Beach) is one of the best beaches in Zihuatanejo Bay. It’s a quiet, romantic beach that’s perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Playa La Ropa is on TripAdvisor’s list of the 10 most popular beaches in Mexico in 2023. It’s also been awarded the Blue Flag certification for cleanliness.

At Playa La Ropa, you can enjoy a variety of water activities, including parasailing, kayaking, and sailing. The calm waves make it a great place to bring kids.

Along the beach there are restaurants that offer you exquisite culinary dishes.

In this complete guide to Playa La Ropa, you will find all the information you need to enjoy this paradise.

2. Playa Las Gatas

Playa Las Gatas (Las Gatas Beach) is located at the end of the bay. Its crystal-clear, calm waters and white sand make it a paradise that invites relaxation. It is also perfect for swimming with children.

Getting to Playa Las Gatas is very easy. You just need to go to the main pier and take a boat to the beach. The boat ride takes about 10-15 minutes.

At the beach, you can snorkel, dive to the bronze Christ, ride the banana boat, and swim to the breakwater. You will find restaurants that offer a variety of seafood.

3. Playa La Madera (La Madera Beach)

Playa La Madera is just a few steps away from downtown Zihuatanejo. This small but picturesque beach is part of Zihuatanejo Bay.

Because of its calm waves, Playa La Madera is a favorite for many families with children. They spend the day building sandcastles and playing in the waves.

At Playa La Madera, you can enjoy delicious food, beautiful views, and relaxing walks. You can also enjoy stunning sunsets from your balcony in the hotels of La Madera.

4. Playa El Palmar

Playa El Palmar is an extensive beach in Ixtapa. There are so many things to do that you’ll have no trouble spending a great day.

From playing volleyball and beach soccer to renting a jet ski or taking a parasailing ride, there’s plenty of fun to be had at Playa El Palmar.

It’s a very busy area because it’s home to many all-inclusive resorts.

4. Playa Coral in Ixtapa Island

Playa Coral (Coral Beach), one of the three beaches on Ixtapa Island, is known for its reefs and colorful marine life, which can be seen from the shore.

If you love nature and ecotourism, you’ll love this beach. There are many water activities to enjoy, and you can also try delicious local food.

I’ve prepared a guide that will show you how to get to this beach.

5. Playa Linda

Playa Linda, a shimmering strand of sand stretching for a kilometer, is a popular tourist destination for families and friends alike. The high waves are consistent almost year-round.

Here is where you can get on the water taxi to go to Ixtapa Island. At Playa Linda, there are many water sports and beach sports such as soccer and beach volleyball that you can play. Even the little ones have fun playing with the sand.

There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, where you can savor regional dishes such as ‘tiritas’ (fish cut into strips and combined with lime juice), campechanas, pescadillas, and seafood.

6. Playa Quieta

Playa Quieta is located before Playa Linda. You can bring your own food and drinks here.

Many families visit Playa Quieta because children can play sports on the beach, swim, and enjoy the waves.

This is a quiet beach, as its own name says. It also offers beautiful sunsets. You’ll want to take your camera out and snap a picture to remember it.

8. Playa Troncones (Troncones Beach)

Troncones Beach (Playa Troncones) is a paradise for travelers looking for tranquility and adventure. Its waves attract the surfing community, while others appreciate the natural and wild environment.

Located just 20 minutes from Ixtapa, it’s a perfect place for a honeymoon or a romantic getaway.

In Troncones, you can find luxury accommodations, bungalows, and vacation homes to suit all tastes and budgets. People come to Troncones for the restaurants that serve delicious food and to enjoy colorful sunsets in this hidden paradise.

9. La Saladita Beach

Playa La Saladita (Saladita Beach) it’s a paradise for surfers.

Its waves attract surfers from all over the world. In the end, both experienced and novice surfers will enjoy the waves at this beach.

Playa Saladita is about 45 minutes from the international airport and about 30 minutes from Ixtapa.

If you’re an adventurous soul, this beach should be on your list of the best surfing beaches.

10. Playa Larga

Playa Larga offers a perfect getaway for those looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

On this beach, you will find many restaurants where you can try seafood and traditional dishes from the region.

Due to its high waves, extreme caution is advised and following local instructions is recommended, even if you know how to swim. This is why some restaurants have pools, especially for children to enjoy.

Playa Larga is located a few minutes from the airport and about 20 minutes from downtown Zihuatanejo. It is a place worth visiting.

11. Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca has become the favorite destination for travelers seeking privacy. There are plenty of beachfront accommodations, dining options, and beautiful views to enjoy.

It is located just a few minutes from the airport, and about 25 minutes from downtown Zihuantanejo.

Playa Blanca is located in the same bay as Playa Larga.

12. Barra de Potosí

Barra de Potosí is a place that mixes the beach with the wildlife that inhabits the lagoon and mangroves. It’s located beyond Playa Blanca, approximately a 15-minute drive from the airport and 30 minutes from Zihuatanejo.

Explore part of the estuary, which is 18 kilometers long, on a kayak or boat tour.

Relax and savor the local beachside delights and lagoon-side.

Did you know? During the rainy season, something amazing happens. A curious phenomenon takes place. The sandbar that divides the lagoon from the beach is swept away by the current. Each year, the lagoon opens and closes.

Final Recommendations

In this post, we’ve shown you some of the best beaches in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. If you asked me about the most beautiful beaches in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, I would say Playa La Ropa, Playa Las Gatas, Playa El Palmar, Playa Linda and the others on this list all have their own unique beauty.

Please take a look at our complete travel guides on this blog, so you can decide which beach to visit.

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