Ixtapa Zihuatanejo: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Looking to plan your trip to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo? You’ve come to the right place!

I live in Zihuatanejo, so I can help you explore this magical place. In this blog, you’ll find things to know before traveling to Zihuatanejo.

To start, here are 6 tips for planning your trip to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo from scratch. I hope this travel guide to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is helpful.

1. When to visit Ixtapa Zihuatanejo and how many days?

The best time

What is the best time to visit Zihuatanejo? This is a common question for first-time visitors to Zihuatanejo.

If you can choose your dates, I recommend visiting between November and April. However, if your vacation falls during another season, don’t worry. You can still enjoy this tropical paradise.

The biggest reason to visit Zihuatanejo between November and April is the weather. During those months, the weather is warm and sunny, but not as hot as it can be during the summer months. From November to February, the average daily maximum temperature is less than 25 degrees Celsius. This is perfect for people who are tired of the cold winters at home and are looking for a sunny vacation.

The weather is hotter from May to August, but that’s okay. Just take a dip in the sea and you’ll be fine! That’s why Zihuatanejo is packed with tourists during the summer holidays, weekends, and holidays.

September and October are the offseason in Zihuatanejo. Traveling to in the offseason is the best! Why? Because you can experience all the major sights without having to elbow other tourists and save loads of money as well. Also hotels and airlines offer discounts during this time of year. After all, who doesn’t love a beach getaway?

Complete Guide: The Best Time to Visit Zihuatanejo

How many days?

The ideal length of stay for a trip to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is one week. Some international travelers stay for a month or longer, but many prefer to take several short trips throughout the year, even if just for a few days.

If you fly, you’ll have more time to enjoy this place. If you arrive by car or bus, consider the hours it will take you to get to Zihuatanejo. A short stay won’t allow you to experience everything this tourist destination has to offer.

But if you only have a few days, don’t worry! I have also written a 3-day itinerary for Ixtapa Zihuatanejo or on a weekend. I think it will help you.

No matter how many days you have, make the most of every second as soon as you arrive to enjoy your vacation.

2. Where to stay in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo?

Booking accommodation is arguably the most important task when planning a trip to Zihuatanejo. Like many of us, you’re probably looking for the best value for money. And for that, you need to do your research.

My advice is to book as soon as possible once you have the dates.

Read reviews carefully and consider your priorities. Do you only need a place to sleep? Do you want it to be close to the beach? Does it need to have an ocean view? Should it be cheap? Does it need to be centrally located? Do you want a quiet and exclusive area?

Start your research early to get a feel for prices. With enough time, you’re sure to find the perfect place to unwind.

La Casa que canta, a small luxury hotel

Thompson Zihuatanejo: 5-star resort. Private beach, infinity pool, gourmet restaurant. Stylish rooms with balcony and WiFi. Renovated with mid-century style. Perfect for romantic getaways, family vacations or events.

Playa La Ropa

Hotel Casa Sun and Moon

The Hotel Casa Sun and Moon, just 5 minutes from Las Gatas and La Ropa beaches, offers comfort and ocean views. Modern rooms feature air conditioning, cable TV, and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy Mexican cuisine at the beachfront restaurant or use the shared kitchen. An ideal choice for a simple and pleasant stay near the coast.

Playa La Madera

Zihuatanejo Hotel Irma

Hotel Irma is a 4-star hotel perched on a cliff in La Madera, just steps away from the beach, restaurants, shops, and downtown Zihuatanejo. It features rooms with Mediterranean decor, a restaurant serving Mexican cuisine, and additional amenities to enhance your stay.

Playa La Madera

Pie de Playa la Ropa

Pie de Playa la Ropa, located just steps from La Ropa Beach in Zihuatanejo, offers air-conditioned rooms for a comfortable stay. Situated within a 15-minute walk from La Madera Beach and 1.3 miles from Principal Beach, the hotel features family rooms.

Playa La Ropa

Thompson Zihuatanejo, a Beach Restort

Playa La Ropa

Hotel Villas Emma

Hotel Villas Ema in Zihuatanejo, just 2 minutes from La Ropa Beach, offers accommodation with a pool, free parking, and wifi. Rooms feature private bathrooms, TV, and air conditioning, some with ocean views and balconies. Close to Playa La Madera and Playa Principal.

Playa La Ropa

Villa Miramar

Playa La Madera

Complete Guide: Hotels in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

What’s the best area?

One of the most beautiful and exclusive areas in Zihuatanejo is Playa La Ropa (La Ropa Beach). Here you can enjoy a peaceful and natural atmosphere. There are hotels, resorts, bungalows, and luxury apartments to suit all tastes.

La Madera and the Zihuatanejo Downtown are central areas, full of life and very accessible. There you can find accommodations with ocean views. And near the center you will find cheap, clean, and stylish hotels.

Additionally, Ixtapa offers all-inclusive hotels, apartments, and vacation homes for you to share with your family or friends.

Troncones is a hidden gem in Mexico, with luxury villas and summer homes ideal for long getaways from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is a secluded area with spectacular ocean views.

3. Things To Do in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

As you plan your trip, you may be wondering what to see in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. It can be overwhelming, especially if you only have a few days. When traveling, one always wants to make the most of their time and see as much as possible.

Save these guidelines for organizing a trip to Zihuatanejo

Save these guides. They will guide you and help you organize in a simpler way.

3 Days in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo: an itinerary for first-time visitors. This travel itinerary highlights activities to do in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo for a short visit, such as a weekend.
25 Things to Do in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. Enjoy the fisherman’s walkway, Craft Market, Archaeological Museum, Water Activities…
Discounts and Promotions. Here you can find special discounts available exclusively to ZihuaMágico readers.

The Beaches

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo offers a diverse array of beautiful beaches, each with its own unique charm. From turquoise waters and white sand to towering waves for surfing and calm beaches for kids, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Many travelers agree that Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is a beautiful tropical paradise. If you’re planning your next vacation, be sure to add Zihuatanejo Bay to your itinerary.

If you’re looking for a relaxing day on the sand, La Ropa Beach or Las Gatas Beach are perfect. Surfers, let’s go to Playa Linda or La Saladita Beach for some waves!

Now, depending on your decision, I recommend doing some research on the beach you plan to visit.

Here’s a detailed guide to the beaches:

Complete Guide: The Best Beaches in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Tours & Excursions

Explore Ixtapa Zihuatanejo with tours and experiences to make your vacation epic.

There are several tours offered by different companies, such as beach tours that include round-trip transportation from your hotel, food, and some water activities.

In addition to beach tours, there are many other activities available, such as kayaking, horseback riding, snorkeling, visiting archaeological sites and hiking.

To help you choose which tour to take, how long it lasts, and what it includes, I have prepared the following guide.

Complete Guide: The 10 Best Tours & Excursions in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

What to Do for Free in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo may not be the cheapest vacation destination, but it’s packed with free and affordable activities that will make your wallet happy.

If you’re looking for a free and easy way to experience, take a walk along the Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman’s Walkway). In the heart of Zihuatanejo, you’ll enjoy the best view of Bay.

The boardwalk leading to La Madera Beach is a must-see for any visitor to Zihuatanejo. Bring your camera and snap some beautiful photos to share with your friends.

Every Sunday, the Cancha Municipal (municipal basketball court) hosts a program called “Domingos Culturales”. This event features folk dancing, local artists, and performances to entertain the public. You can also enjoy delicious local food.

Exploring Other Places from Zihuatanejo

Are you planning to visit other places during your upcoming trip to Zihuatanejo? Consider touring the Triángulo del Sol (Triangle of the Sun) in the state of Guerrero, comprised of three top tourist destinations: Acapulco, Taxco, and Ixtapa Zihuatanejo.

Other places of interest in the state of Michoacán include Playa Azul, Pátzcuaro, Quiroga, and Morelia. When you come to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, you can take the opportunity to explore these places as well.

4. Airport and how to get around

How to get around in Zihuatanejo? It all begins when you step off the plane, go through security, and collect your baggage.

The international airport of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo is located about 7 miles from Zihuatanejo, which takes roughly 15 minutes from Zihuatanejo and 20 minutes from Ixtapa.

If your lodging does not include airport transportation, you can request a taxi within the airport.

Another option is to rent a car to comfortably move around the area.

Taxis. If you arrive by bus, you’ll find taxis waiting for passengers outside the central station. Remember that fares are usually higher at night and public transportation stops running at 9pm.

Is there Uber in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo? No, there is no Uber in Zihuatanejo. There are no Uber transfers from the airport to Ixtapa. There’s also no Didi in Zihuatanejo, nor any other taxi app. If you Google ‘uber ixtapa zihuatanejo’ you might come across false information. I live in Zihuatanejo, and I can tell you there’s definitely no Uber there in Zihuatanejo, no Uber in Ixtapa, and there’s no Uber in Guerrero State. No Uber Eats in Zihuatanejo either.

Public Transportation. The most economical way to travel is by using public transportation. It can easily take you to most nearby beaches. For example, to go to Playa La Ropa, you can take the van at Kyoto Plaza or in front of the municipal market.There are frequent departures.

To get to Ixtapa, simply look for a van with the sign “Ixtapa.” Ask the driver if it goes to your destination.

If you are traveling by car, great! You do not have to worry about anything except finding parking, especially during peak season.

5. Traveling to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo with children.

Are you considering traveling to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo with your children? Great!

It’s perfectly normal to feel a little stressed when planning a trip to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo with kids. But rest assured that there are plenty of family-friendly options available in this popular destination.