A city almost entirely the color of clay with a view of the sea, where party soul mixes with the traditional. Let’s talk about Zihuatanejo in Mexico, a place that is reflected in the beautiful coast of the Pacific Ocean and that has preserved its authenticity intact to this day.
Useful information
Zihuatanejo is the fourth largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Unfortunately, this state of Mexico does not have a great reputation and is actually considered one of the most dangerous in the country.
In this regard, the website Travel safely writes the following words: “It is recommended to avoid traveling to the state of Guerrero: there have been numerous episodes of violence in the main cities (Chilpancingo, Acapulco) and in rural areas. If you are traveling to tourist destinations in this state, it is advisable to make transfers by plane.’
The good news is that Zihuatanejo is a tourist destination and is also served by an international airport, making it safer than other places in the state. However, it is always good to keep your eyes open and leave nothing to chance, just like anywhere else in the world.
How it looks
Just a few years ago, Zihuatanejo was an oasis of peace and relaxation, a quiet haven for surfers and fishermen. Today, it is more of a tourist destination, but somehow manages to maintain its authenticity: a city where the color of the clay stands out and where everything can be experienced under the open sky. But not only that, because it is also a corner of Mexico dotted with absolutely suggestive coves and bays.
Zihuatanejo seems to have a double soul. Looking up, you actually notice a nearby tourist resort Ixtapa which is located on a hill and is dotted with mega resorts and restaurants. Even in Zihuatanejo, there are more and more hotels suitable for all budgets, but Mexicans here still live according to their rhythms, customs and habits. It would almost seem that tradition does not want to completely give way to modernity.
There is no shortage of cruise ships that fill the city streets, but in general Zihuatanejo is synonymous with relaxation, thanks to its many beautiful beaches.
The most beautiful beaches
This Mexican city on the Pacific coast has a city beach named after Playa Principal. Popularly called Playa Municipal, it stands right in front of the seafront and is perfect for watching the sunset.
Then there is Playa Madera which is definitely more beautiful than the other and which at sunset offers an incredible show of lights reflecting on its waters.
Then again Playa La Ropa, probably the most famous in the entire city. It is a large stretch of sand decorated with towering palm trees and caressed by always calm and warm waters.
It is also very interesting Playa Las Gatas which is smaller, is much quieter than the previous one. At the end Playa Larga which still presents itself as a virgin and which offers one of the most exciting views in all of Mexico.
Outside Zihuatanejo
Activities in Zihuatanejo are mainly outdoors. Tourists coming to these parts choose a boat trip nearby Ixtapa Island. And you shouldn’t blame them, because here too there are three wonderful beaches – all close to each other – that differ from each other: the calmest waters are found at Varadero and Cuachalalate beaches, while Coral Beach is ideal for snorkeling. because a beautiful coral reef survives here.
There is no shortage of small and characteristic restaurants where you can have delicious typical food.
They are about 30 minutes from Zihuatanejo the ruins of Xihuacan, an interesting 3,000-year-old Mesoamerican archaeological site. But what fascinates much more than anything else is its peculiar history: it does not seem to belong to one culture, but on the contrary it seems to have been used as a place of worship by different tribes, including Cuitlateca, Tarascan, Mixtec. , Aztec and much more Still.
Tourists who choose Zihuatanejo also do so because it is ideal for divers, especially beginners. The period from November to May is the best for exploring its colorful seabed, thanks to the sea being particularly calm at this time of year.
Among the various ocean wonders to be seen are dolphins, manta rays, turtles, tropical fish, whales, seahorses and many other beautiful aquatic creatures.
And then walks with a view of the sea, like the one you can do on Paseo del Pescador overlooked by shops and restaurants, always accompanied by the sound of waves. A very suggestive route that leads to the main square, which in the evening comes alive with dancing, street food and live music.
Another activity very popular among tourists who choose Zihuatanejo is cycling: there are plenty of them eight kilometers of cycle paths.
However, there are two main routes: one goes from Ixtapa to Zihuatanejo, while the other goes from Ixtapa Marina to Playa Linda.
It is also possible to spot some beautiful and winding ones in these parts humpback whales, whales that can measure up to 17 meters in length and have long pectoral fins and a lumpy head. It is not difficult to live this experience, because the Pacific coast of Mexico is also famous throughout the world for the sighting of these cetaceans. And Zihuatanejo in particular is because it stands on a stretch of coast that is in turn located on the migration line of these animals.
There are tourists who choose to come to this Mexican location golf: Nearby Ixtapa has two world-class 18-hole courses.
Finally, also an interesting indoor activity: The Costa Grande Archaeological Museum. It is a place that illustrates the special and interesting archaeological history of this region of Mexico.
The museum is small and has only six exhibition rooms, but in a small space it manages to cover different historical eras that go up to the present day: an ideal place for a journey into Mexican culture as well as indigenous history.