Hitting the beach is the first thing visitors want to do when they arrive and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo will not disappoint. There are miles of golden and white sand beaches for you to explore. Whether you want to surf, snorkel, sunbathe, swim or enjoy a margarita in the sun, you are sure to find a beach just right for you. Ixtapa Island is the most popular attraction in the area and is home to four fabulous beaches as well as an abundance of tropical fish, exotic birds and even some friendly deer. There is a ferry to the island running throughout the day from Playa Quieta pier in Ixtapa as well as from the Municipal Pier in Zihuatanejo. Playa Cuachalalate is located near the main pier on Ixtapa Island and is the main beach, lined with authentic palapa restaurants and always bustling with activity like snorkelling, jet skiing and swimming. Playa Varadero is another popular beach on the island similar to Cuachalalate with watersports, restaurants and calm waters safe for children. Playa Coral is unique in that it has a protected shallow reef teeming with tropical fish and is excellent for snorkelling. Playa Carey is the only undeveloped beach on the island and has no facilities or restaurants. On the main land in Ixtapa, Playa Linda is great for swimming at the southern end while the northern end offers great surfing conditions. Horseback riding, a nature preserve and craft market are also available. La Ropa beach in Zihuantanejo is said to be one of the best with soft white sands, fantastic beachside seafood restaurants and a vast array of activity options. You really can find a beach just for you.

There are plenty of things to do away from the beach as well. The nature preserve at Playa Linda is fascinating with its crocodiles, iguanas, turtles and waterfowl. Diving is also a favourite among visitors. Ixtapa Aqua Paradise is a diving school offering beginners lessons by certified instructors who will then lead you on underwater expeditions. For more experienced divers a couple of sites you should visit are Contramar and El Pango. Ixtapa is also home to its own theme park, Magic World. Magic World is a water park with many attractions including a replica pirate ship, wave pool and amusement rides. Feel like doing a little exploring? Tour operators such as Adventours offer a wide range of opportunities to see Ixtapa’s natural splendors. But be prepared as these are fairly active tours and include activities such as kayaking, cycling and snorkelling. Among the many other things to do are golf at one of two scenic courses, deep sea fishing, sailing, hiking or swimming with the dolphins.

Of course after all these activities you are probably going to be hungry. Lucky for you Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is home to some of the best restaurants and traditional foods in Mexico. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is famous for its pozole, a pork and hominy stew. Thursdays in Zihuantanejo are pozole days and just about every restaurant in town serves up huge pots of their own special concoctions. These stews are dressed with sides such as shredded cabbage, lime, chilies, tortillas or onions. You absolutely have to try it while you’re there. Tameles y Atole Any serves up the best pozole in both towns. If you are looking to indulge in other traditional fare or succulent seafood, there is no better place than La Ropa in Zihuatanejo. The beachside restaurants offer great food, friendly service and a relaxing environment that only comes from sinking your toes in the sand. Among the many favourites, Elvira’s, La Perla and Rossy’s really stand out for their service because the food seems to be great everywhere. Looking for something a little more upscale? Places like Casa Morelos, El Galeon and Casa Bahia offer a polished ambiance, excellent food, top notch service and a great ocean view. You will be pleasantly surprised by all that Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has to offer. The best time to visit is from November to April when there is plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures and no rain. The average high temperature through these months is 30˚C while the low is 20˚C. The summer months can be very hot and humid and you will generally spend more time trying to escape the heat than enjoying it.