Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo Mexico
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
- Bahía Zihuatanejo
- A sheltered bay with safe swimming and several lovely beaches surrounding it.
- Vicente Guerrero National Park
- A 724-hectare national park created in 2023 between Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo featuring rocky hills, dry jungle, mangrove swamp, and habitat for 293 bird species and 33 reptile species.
- Isla Ixtapa
- A separate island accessible by boat offering good snorkeling and fresh seafood served on the beach.
- Paseo del Pescador
- A boardwalk area with shops and markets near Playa Municipal selling swimwear, beach accessories, and Mexican handicrafts.
Beaches
- Playa Las Gatas
- A beach across the bay reached by lanchas, featuring white sand, palapas, and a precolumbian artificial reef for snorkeling.
- Playa La Ropa
- A lovely beach surrounding Bahía Zihuatanejo, named after a shipwreck that included Chinese silk.
Where to eat
- Fonda Doña Licha
- Homestyle regional restaurant serving traditional pozole on Thursdays and other regional dishes for breakfast and lunch at budget prices.
- Sirena Gorda
- Intimate seafood restaurant specializing in fresh ceviche, swordfish, and octopus along Paseo de Pescadores.
Bars and nightlife
- Angustina Mezal y Cocina
- Mezcal and cocktail bar 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