Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo
Country: Mexico · Region: Mexican Riviera · Area: Guerrero · Arrival: tender · Currency: Mexican Peso
A twin destination: purpose-built Ixtapa resorts beside the authentic fishing village of Zihuatanejo on a pretty bay.
Top sights
- Zihuatanejo bay & old town
- Playa La Ropa (top-rated beach)
- Playa Las Gatas (snorkeling)
- Ixtapa hotel-zone beaches
- the pier fish market
Things to do
- Vicente Guerrero National Park
- A 724-hectare national park created in 2023 featuring rocky hills, dry jungle, mangroves, and habitat for 293 bird species, 33 reptile species, and various amphibians.
- Paseo del Pescador
- A waterfront boardwalk and main attraction area along Bahía Zihuatanejo with shops, market, and local atmosphere.
- Isla Ixtapa
- A separate island accessible by boat offering good snorkeling and fresh seafood restaurants on the beach.
Beaches
- Playa Las Gatas
- Located across the bay from town, reachable by lancha, featuring white sands, palapas, and an artificial pre-Columbian reef for snorkeling.
- Playa La Ropa
- A lovely beach surrounding Bahía Zihuatanejo, named after a shipwreck containing Chinese silk.
Where to eat
- Fonda Doña Licha
- Homestyle regional dishes including traditional pozole on Thursdays and tripe on Sundays, serving breakfast and lunch only.
- Sirena Gorda
- Intimate restaurant on Paseo de Pescadores specializing in fresh seafood including ceviche, swordfish, and octopus.
Bars and nightlife
- Angustina Mezcal y Cocina
- Bar and restaurant located on Paseo Del Pescador in the town center.
Forecast for Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo
Loading the live forecast.
Weather in Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 85°F | 73°F | 0.2 in | 2 |
| February | 85°F | 72°F | 0.1 in | 1 |
| March | 86°F | 72°F | 0.7 in | 3 |
| April | 86°F | 73°F | 0.0 in | |
| May | 88°F | 76°F | 0.4 in | 3 |
| June | 87°F | 77°F | 7.5 in | 15 |
| July | 88°F | 78°F | 4.1 in | 15 |
| August | 87°F | 78°F | 9.0 in | 18 |
| September | 86°F | 77°F | 11.6 in | 21 |
| October | 85°F | 77°F | 8.8 in | 19 |
| November | 86°F | 76°F | 2.1 in | 6 |
| December | 86°F | 74°F | 0.3 in | 2 |
Getting around
Tender into walkable Zihuatanejo; reach La Ropa and Las Gatas by short taxi or water taxi.
What to eat
Tiritas (Zihua's local strips-of-fish ceviche) and fresh grilled seafood.
Budget notes
Moderate; Zihua is the better-value, more authentic side.
Tips
Tender port. Zihuatanejo is famously the town from the end of 'The Shawshank Redemption.'
Best for
Beaches, relaxed, authentic
More ports in Mexican Riviera
Cabo San Lucas · Ensenada · La Paz · Loreto · Manzanillo · Mazatlan · Puerto Vallarta · Topolobampo