Zihuatanejo Bay and Beaches
Playa La Ropa
La Ropa Beach is the most beautiful beach in Zihuatanejo Bay. Located between Playa Madera and Playa Las Gatas, the beach itself is approximately one kilometer long and is easily accessible from downtown. A wide selection of fresh seafood restaurants, hotels, and water sports are available along the beach. Colonia la Ropa consists of largely commercial touristic hotel and residential property, with a growing number of condominium and townhouse projects planned and under construction. The low-lying areas behind La Ropa beach afford flat, easy access to the beach, and the higher lands and lots in the hills of La Ropa area provide spectacular bay, town, and sunset views.
Playa Madera
Playa Madera is a 200-meter stretch of beach found between downtown and Playa La Ropa. This neighborhood offers an eclectic range of restaurants, small inns, and bed-and-breakfasts. It is serviced by streets leading from the road to La Ropa just past the flood control canal and is also accessible by foot from town along a narrow seaside footpath known as the “extensión del Paseo del Pescador.” There is very little undeveloped land in the area, and much of the older, existing construction is currently undergoing major reconstruction and expansion. It is extremely accessible to the downtown core without being congested. Be sure to stop for a meal at one of the eclectic little restaurants on Calle Adelita.
Playa Municipal
Playa Municipal is a 900-meter stretch of beach, also known as Playa Principal, which runs from the municipal pier to La Boquita. From the pier, you can take a water taxi out to Las Gatas Beach or charter anything from a small panga boat to a large, luxury fishing yacht for fishing or snorkeling trips. Near the midpoint of the beach is the zócalo and cancha (town square and basketball court), which are the focal points of downtown Zihuatanejo social life. This is a commercial area with small businesses interspersed with some of the original residential buildings of the town, many of which are being renovated and expanded into larger shops and offices as well as small hotels and guesthouses.
Playa Las Gatas
Las Gatas is located directly across the bay from the downtown area. It is protected by an ancient man-made reef and accessible only by boat or via a somewhat rough and rocky walking path from Playa La Ropa. It offers a double handful of restaurants and is a great place for snorkeling. Behind and above Las Gatas, accessible via the scenic Playa la Ropa road, are areas into which infrastructure is installed by Fibazi, as well as Cerro del Vigia and other projects offering lots and condominiums with bay and ocean views.
Ixtapa Area Beaches
Playa El Palmar
El Palmar is Ixtapa’s most popular beach stretching approximately two kilometers along the hotel zone. High-rise hotel and condominium complexes line the beach and the thundering waves usually pound into the sandy shore. Care should be exercised when entering the water here as the open ocean waves and currents can be powerful. Public beach access points are located next to the Barcelo Hotel, the Posada Real Hotel, and the Beach Club.
Vista Hermosa
It is a small private beach in front of and accessible through Las Brisas Ixtapa Hotel. The elevators of Las Brisas make it easy to access the beach. The white, sandy beach stretches a few hundred yards and is fronted by open ocean. A poolside restaurant serves food and refreshments. There are a few condominium and residential projects in this area.
Playa Linda
Playa Linda is stretch some two kilometers long at the far northern end of Ixtapa. Here you can find a tourist market and ecological preserve area where visitors can observe crocodiles, giant iguanas, waterfowl, and turtles in their habitat. Residential and touristic development is slowly arriving to this area.
Ixtapa Island
Ixtapa Island, also known as Isla Grande, is located across from Playa Quieta. It has a collection of beautiful beaches (Cuachalalate, Varadero, Coral, and Carey, or Sacrificio) that are excellent for all kinds of water sports and snorkeling in particular. There are small restaurants on the beaches where you can find refreshments and seafood. You can purchase a round trip boat ride from the pier of Playa Quieta to the island at very reasonable cost.
Driving North—Troncones, Majahua, La Saladita
Pantla and Buena Vista Beach Communities
These growing beach communities are located 15 kilometers north of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. There are lush vegetation, palm groves, and three kilometers of great, unspoiled beach. Access is through the town of Buena Vista on Mexican Federal Highway 200.
Troncones and Manzanillo Bay
Troncones is a 3.5 mile long beach located about twenty minutes north of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. The new highway makes driving to Troncones easy. Troncones is a small beach community and has a range of bed and breakfasts, small inns and many restaurants. It extends northward to Manzanillo Bay where there is a good surf point. The small fishing village of Majahua is at the northern end of Troncones and Manzanillo Bay.
La Saladita
La Saladita beach is a fast growing community 40 kilometers north of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. This beach is located five kilometers off Highway 200 from the small town of Los Llanos. It is another great spot for surfing.
Driving South—Playa Blanca, Playa Larga, Barra de Potosi
Playa Larga
Playa Larga is a beachcomber’s delight: a two-kilometer stretch of beach in between the Zihuatanejo International Airport and Zihuatanejo. During the winter months, you will observe dolphins and whales in this area. There are several palapa-shaded seafood restaurants from which to choose typical coastal fare such as fish grilled with garlic, breaded shrimp, octopus a la Mexicana, and ceviche seafood cocktail.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca beach is a long stretch of white sand south of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo. The beach runs from the Zihuatanejo’s International Airport to Barra de Potosi, extending southeast from Playa Larga. There are several private condominium developments along this stretch of open ocean beach that is graced with a sweeping view of the Pacific Ocean expanse and views of the Morros de Potosi islands.
Barra de Potosi
Barra de Potosi is to the south of Zihuatanejo at the end of Playa Blanca. It is located on the shores of a large lagoon that is home to an abundance of waterfowl and other species. Boat and kayak trips can be taken into this area for bird watching expeditions.
The beachfront community is small with a few guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and a number of enrramadas (palm-fronded shade roofs) offering fresh seafood along the shores. It is a wonderful area for nature lovers and beachcombers.
See the Regional Locator Map for the location of these beaches