Zihuatanejo is a quaint fishing village with a laid back, authentic Mexican vibe. You can find small boutique hotels, folk art shops and street-style seafood restaurants.

A stroll along the Plata Principal is where you’ll find a string of beachfront restaurants, bars and an old school movie theater (Cine Paraiso). The Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande displays local archaeological findings.

Beaches

Zihuatanejo all inclusive has a great variety of beaches that are perfect for swimming, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. These include the popular Playa la Ropa, which is the main beach in Downtown Zihuatanejo, as well as a few other less crowded, residential beaches.

Located on the beach is the all-inclusive resort Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, which offers plenty of amenities and activities for guests of all ages to enjoy. A kids’ club, three pools, a spa, and evening entertainment are also on offer at this resort.

Another great option is Thompson Zihuatanejo, a 5-Star Beach Resort that has fantastic views and a fantastic beachfront location. It has a lot of great amenities and it’s in a quieter area, so it’s ideal for couples who want to enjoy the beaches without a lot of crowds.

Both Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo have distinct characters, each offering a unique vacation experience for travelers of all travel styles. While Ixtapa combines modern luxury with beautiful beachfront resorts, Zihuatanejo is more of a laid-back, small town vibe with a rich history that makes it an excellent choice for a laidback getaway.

Restaurants

The town of Zihuatanejo is known for its delicious fresh seafood, and the restaurants here offer a great way to indulge your taste buds. The resort’s two a la carte beachfront restaurants — Ceniza (for dinner only) and Hao (for lunch, dinner, and cocktails) — are standouts, but you should also check out Angustina, a bar that offers a range of house mezcals and a selection of other local craft libations.

The hotel is built into a hill, which helps to minimize noise from the traffic on Playa La Ropa. Rooms are located on the top floor, with most facing the ocean and some having private terraces.

This 5-star resort combines the best of beachside luxury with a spa/relax and gourmet dining options. It’s a great option for an intimate getaway or a romantic vacation with your significant other. It’s also a good choice for families or group travel.

Bars

Zihuatanejo is a fun-loving beach town with plenty to offer. You can explore cobblestone streets and cozy artisanal shops, take a walk along the Paseo del Pescador (fisherman’s walkway), sample authentic Mexican food at small cafes, and explore ancient Mayan history at Xihuacan.

A whale watching trip is one of the most exciting things to do in Zihuatanejo during the winter season. During that time, around 20,000 humpback whales migrate through the area and you’ll be in prime position to catch a glimpse.

Another great activity is to go horseback riding through Playa Larga beach, coconut plantations, and mangrove trees in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area. This adventure offers a little adrenaline and a lot of relaxation as you enjoy a scenic journey.

If you’re looking for something a bit more active, try the Ixtapa Bicycle Path that starts in the Vaso de Miraflores neighborhood at the far northern edge of Zihuatanejo and continues over the mountains to the Playa Palmar area in Ixtapa. You can also try water sports such as surfing, windsurfing and SCUBA diving.

Activities

Zihuatanejo has a lot of activities for you to enjoy while on your vacation. You can relax on the beach or take a trip to the Xihuacan Archeological Site, visit an interesting museum that offers insights into local ancient history and culture, or simply walk along the Paseo del Pescador and explore the cobblestone streets of this quaint fishing village.

Another great option is to take a bike ride through the Parque Aztlan Ecological Reserve, which is home to caimans, parrots, and coatis, a rare tree mammal native to Mexico and Central America.

You can also spend some time relaxing on one of the city’s swimmable beaches, like Playa Principal or Playa Linda, which are less crowded and better for snorkeling. You can also take a day tour to Xihuacan, an ancient pyramid and museum that was occupied for more than 3,000 years by the Olmeca, Teotihuacan, and Mexica cultures.