Ixtapa Vacation Guide

Introduction

Ixtapa, on the south-west coast of Mexico, is a modern, world-class, resort town, famous for its intense beauty. Great care has been taken to ensure that the resort harmonizes with the natural beauty of the environment. With some of the best water sports on this stretch of coast together with a number of award-winning golf courses, long golden beaches and a vibrant nightlife, Ixtapa offers visitors a taste of Mexico past and present.

Mariachi bands often play on the beaches and in restaurants around Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, serenading diners with romantic ballads; the favourite being 'Zihuatanejo'. Hiring a band to serenade a sweetheart is an old Mexican tradition and they can also be hired for private functions.

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The Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport is located about 15 minutes from the city by car. It is posibble to find direct flights from the US and Canada. There are also many flights with connections from Mexico City. Mexico has a vast inter-city bus system that offers inexpensive and convenient transportation as well.

Like most other resort cities, Ixtapa is fairly easy to get around with many attractions within walking distance. In town, taxis are plentiful and operate a fixed fare system. Renting a car is another option for short sightseeing trips.

Ixtapa Island (across from Playa Quieta near Punta Ixtapa) has four beautiful beaches on the island that offer diverse environments for relaxing or enjoying water sports. The gentle surf of the island's beaches creates pleasant diving and snorkeling conditions.

Playa las Gatas (south-eastern edge of Zihuatanejo Bay, Zihuatanejo), protected from the waves by a breakwater, is an ideal spot for swimming, snorkelling, and scuba diving with a beautiful and secluded beach. The quiet cove also contains restaurants, offering lounge chairs on the beach.

Museo Arquelogico (eastern end of the Paseo del Pescador, Zihuatanejo) houses more than 900 pre-Hispanic artifacts, murals and maps, the museum also displays the discoveries of an archeological site found near the resort area. The artifacts indicate settlement dating back to the Olmec civilization (predecessors of the Mayans).

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