Ixtapa

Ixtapa is a resort town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in the state of Guerrero. Rolling mountains and sparkling beaches. Ixtapa was planned and built in the early 1970s on a former coconut plantation and mangrove estuary near the city of Zihuatanejo, which is 5 km away.

Ixtapa is a planned resort city that was conceived and built by FONATUR, the federal government tourism development agency that also developed Cancun at the same time as Ixtapa. But while Cancun experienced explosive growth and became an internationally known vacation destination, growth was quieter and slower in Ixtapa. This resulted in the current situation where Ixtapa has outstanding natural attractions with beautiful golden sand beaches and a small skyline set against the Sierra Madre Sur mountains. Nights are lively in Ixtapa, but there are no wild all-night parties. Hotels are comfortable with great amenities, but they aren't flashy with fake gold glitter. Those things are out there in Cancun for those who want glitz, but Ixtapa retains a more authentic vibe which tends to be most appealing to Mexican families and Canadians visiting for the winter months. Relatively few Americans visit Ixtapa (which might be a great reason to visit). Most European visitors prefer Caribbean resort areas, particularly Canun and Tulum.

The planned city is small and easily navigated. It is organized in super-blocks (called manzanas) with irregular shapes, with the higher-speed streets separating these blocks, and cul-de-sacs within them for local traffic. The terrain is very flat with swampy areas and lagoons.

Ixtapa is served by Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH ^IATA), with direct domestic flights from Mexico City (Aeromexico and Viva Aerobus) and international flights from Toronto (Air Canada) and Los Angeles (Alaska).

Several intercity buses travel to the main bus station (Terminal de Autobuses de Zihuatenejo). The bus station is on MEX 200 (Carretera Zihuatenejo-Acapulco), next to the Mega Soriana.

• From Morelia, Parhikuni has 7 buses per day for M$700 one way (October 2022).
• From Acapulco, Estrella de Oro has 5 buses per day for M$280 one way.
• From Mexico City (Terminal Central del Sur), Estrella de Oro has 5 Plus or Diamante buses per day for about M$1,000 one way.

Several additional bus lines are available there, including local second-class buses offering local routes to smaller towns throughout the region.

Fed Hwy 200 bypasses Ixtapa and Zihuatenjeo along the north/west side of town as Careterra Zihuatanejo-Manzanillo and from the south/east side of town as Careterra Zihuatanejo-Acapulco. Avenida Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon goes into town from Hwy 200. Zihuatanejo is 253 km (157 mi) (4½ hr) north/west from Acapulco and 98 km (61 mi) south/east from Lazaro Cardenas and 438 km (272 mi) from Manzanillo.

Coming from Toluca (west of Mexico City) take Fed Hwy 134 towards "Valle de Bravo, Temascaltepe" from Paseo Cristobal Colon and Del Pacifico south of town. The Junction at Hwy 200 is 404 km/8 hr 46 min in the village of Pantla from Toluca and another 12 km north of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.

Alternatively one can also go north on Hwy 55D towards 15D north of Atlacomuco and then go 146 km west on Hwy 15D towards the Hwy 14D turn off at Aramburao which goes through or around Patzcuaro. Take Hwy 37/37d just west of Uruapan towards Hwy 200 (202 km/2 hr SW of Uruapan) which is 56km north/northwest of Zihuatanejeo via Hwy 200. Going through Atlacomuco, Patzcuaro and Uruapan is longer, distances wise (200 km longer than Hwy 134) but quicker time-wise (6 hr). Because Michoacan and Guerrero states are in bad areas seek local advice regarding safety before setting out and preferably travel during the daytime, before dark, especially if traveling on Hwy 134 which is a libre road.

Taxis are the easiest way to get around Ixtapa and Zihuatenejo and a couple taxi trips per day will end up being far cheaper than the cost of a rental car (plus no headaches with parking, traffic fines, getting lost, etc.) Even for relatively long day trips (like maybe to Troncones), it's usually easier and cheaper to negotiate with a taxi driver.

Lanchas are the best way to get between beaches. You can hire a water taxi at the Embarcadero on Playa Linda.

Ixtapa is very bike friendly with dedicated bike routes, flat terrain, and courteous local drivers. There are several bike rental shops in the Ixtapa hotel zone and three well-known, popular bike routes (called ciclopista in local parlance):

• Tropical Route (Hotel Zone to Playa Linda): Most popular and scenic bike route, it's just under 10 kilometers (each way) and meanders through a lush ecological and wildlife reserve. The path is flat and shady and passes by ponds where crocodiles can often be seen soaking up the sun along the shore.
• Urban Network: A series of paved tracks connect Marina Ixtapa, the local golf clubs, and the busy hotel zones, making it easy to cycle directly from your resort to local sights without having to contend with cars and trucks.
• Zihuatanejo Link: A scenic dedicated bike path connects the resort area of Ixtapa to the neighboring fishing village of Zihuatanejo.

• 17.662033-101.6022581 BiciRent Ixtapa, Paseo Ixtapa, Manzana 11, ☏ +52 755 108 9742. Daily 07:00 - 19:00. Good variety of rental bikes including some tandem bikes and e-bikes for the lazier riders. Friendly staff can also provide advice about local trails and routes. Repair shop on site.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.660479-101.5998552 Bizihuanas, Plaza Ixpamar, ☏ +52 755 113 3228. Daily 07:00 - 18:00. Good variety of bikes with comfortable seats. Rentals include helmet and bike lock. They have another location in Zihua, so you can do the Link trail (10 km) to Zihua and drop off the bike if you'd rather take a taxi back.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.662646-101.5991683 Pro Bike Ixtapa, Calle La Salitrera 38, ☏ +52 755 108 5070. Daily 07:00 - 18:30. Friendly staff with good quality bikes. Delivery and pick-up can be arranged. Guided bike tours available.  (updated Jun 2026)

• 17.644513-101.5571881 Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande (Archaeology Museum), Paseo del Pescador, ☏ +52 755-554-7552. Tue-Sun 10:00 - 18:00, closed Mon. A collection of treasures, history, and culture. The museum has a large variety of pottery and intriguing stone relics.  (updated Jun 2026)

• 17.688512-101.6461092 Playa Linda. North end of Ixtapa, the beach lives up to its name and is quite beautiful, but also a bit rougher, attracting surfers to its steady waves. Playa Linda is also where you'll find boats taking visitors to Isla Ixtapa (where there are three more beaches).  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.672853-101.6414663 Playa Quieta. Known for its calm waters and mellow atmosphere.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.670685-101.6183854 Playa Los Escalleros. Rock-strewn beach that is best for walking and admiring the ocean views and the arc of golden sands along Ixtapa.  (updated Jun 2026)

There are three more beaches on Isla Ixtapa and several more in neighboring Zihuatenejo, including:

• Playa Las Gatas The waters here are known for being calm, cool, and easy to swim. There are nice, secluded areas for snorkeling and scuba diving, and a small beach shop with fabulous bikini tops. Local vendors sell delicious ice cream, snacks, crafts and other refreshments on the beach. There are small boats that take you from the town pier to the beach, with a short commute of only 10-15 minutes.

• Playa La Ropa One of the largest and most breathtaking beaches is known as Playa La Ropa. This beach is filled with restaurants, palm trees, and gentle waves. A taxi from town is US$3.

• 17.682195-101.644431 Cocodrilario Tamakun, Playa Linda. Daily 07:00 - 20:00. Locally operated wildlife refuge with lots of crocodiles along with iguanas and a bevy of beautiful birds (mostly colorful tropical species like parrots and toucans). Free.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.662959-101.6088552 Delfiniti (Swim with Dolphins), Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 755 553 2707. Daily 09:00 - 18:00. Lively local water park where visitors can swim with dolphins. Clean and inviting space with friendly trainers who make kids feel comfortable.  (updated Jun 2026)

• Isla de Ixtapa - home to a great diversity of wildlife: raccoons, armadillos, deer, iguanas, deer, and innumerable species of native birds. Boats depart from the Embarcadero on Playa Linda and dock at Playa Varadero on Isla Ixtapa. The boats operate from 09:00 - 17:00 daily and cost M$80 per person, roundtrip. There are hiking trails on the island but most people sit on once of the beaches, where there are palapa restaurants, all serving cold drinks and light casual food, like seafood, burgers, and tacos. The three beaches on the island are:
  • Playa Varadero - the main beach, many restaurants and bars, on the leeward side of the island so it is quieter with fewer waves and is a good beach for swimming
  • Playa Cuachalalate - smaller beach, a bit quieter and less visited than Playa Varadero, also on the leeward side of the island
  • Playa Coral - faces out toward the Pacific Ocean, it is rockier and can be rougher than the other two beaches, but is popular with snorkelers

• Vicente Guerrero National Park is one of the newest Mexico national parks, having been created in 2023. The park preserves an area of 724 hectares between the Pacific resort destinations of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. The park includes the rocky hills of Cerro La Hedionda as well as 35% dense dry jungle and 26% mangrove swamp, along with coastal plains and savannah. The park provides natural habitat for thousands of plant species as well as 293 birds native to the state of Guerrero, 33 reptile species (mostly snakes and iguanas, but also crocodiles in the swamps) and several amphibian species (including several kinds of frogs). The park lies between Ixtapa to the northeast, Zihuatenejo to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the west (although the park does not include any beach area as it is developed. The park lands are east and north of Blvd Playa Linda, where you will find park entrance areas. There is no cost to enter the park.

• Ixtapa Divers PADI certified divers and instructors. Email: ixtdivers@prodigy.net.mx

Ixtapa offers two top-tier courses, one on either end of the beach. The vibe is slower and more mellow than in huge resort towns and because it is not known as a "golf destination", tee times are easier to arrange and costs are more affordable.

• 17.658949-101.5947923 Palma Real Golf Course, ☏ +52 755 688 2268. Daily 06:30 - 18:30. 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Robert Trent Jones. Beautiful setting amid natural lagoons and coconut palms with colorful flowering plants and various types of tropical fruit trees. Be careful because alligators live in the lagoons and can occasionally be seen strolling across a fairway.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.667914-101.6107684 Marina Ixtapa Golf Course, Blvd. Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 755 553 1410. Daily 10:00 - 17:00. 18-hole, par 72 course designed by Robert von Hagge. Beautiful and challenging course with coconut palm groves and rolling hills with sand dunes and small water ponds with 12 scenic bridges. The club house includes an on-site restaurant and bar, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a golf shop. Golf Digest calls it "one of the best courses in Mexico".  (updated Jun 2026)

Horse riding is a very popular activity in Ixtapa. Rides are generally 1-2 hours in length and stables provide gentle tempered horses appropriate for novide riders. Many stables offer sunset rides along the beach. These are popular and often require reservations. Many stables will pick you up at your hotel then drop you off after your ride. Many hotel concierges can arrange a riding excursion, or you can find them on your web sites like Viator. Rides usually cost from M$1000 to M$2000, depending on the length of the ride and any perks that may be added. There are three areas where most rides operate:

• Playa Larga
• Playa Linda
• Barra Potosi

Ixtapa has several shopping centers of modern and colonial styles that are interconnected. They offer restaurants, cafes, bars, boutiques, clothing stores, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.

Some of the best food in the region is at the traditional pozole and seafood restaurants in nearby Zihuatenejo.

• 17.6613-101.6016135 Casa Morelos, Paseo Ixtapa (Centro Comercial La Puerta), ☏ +52 755-553-0578. Daily 07:00 - 23:00. Traditional Mexican restaurant with some unique and highly recommended dishes include the seafood casserole, shrimp in mustard sauce, and the crayfish in ajillo (garlic) sauce. M$150.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.665611-101.6162216 El Galeón, Marina Plaza Veleros 6, ☏ +52 755-553-2150. Daily 14:00 - 23:00. Marina Ixtapa - seafood and pastas. Dine on the terrace or on “the ship.” The restaurant reproduced a boat that sits on land, but overlooks the water. M$250.  
• 17.665316-101.6025627 El Tiburon de la Costa, Paseo de las Garzas (Hotel Ixtapa Palace), ☏ +52 755 553 0074. Daily 11:00 - 19:00. Reasonable prices, generous portions, and fresh seafood make El Tiburon one of the most popular restaurants in Ixtapa. House specialties include aguachile, coconut shrimp, and tuna tostadas. M$300.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.652885-101.5988728 El Faro, Colina de las Palomas, Vista Hermosa, ☏ +52 755 555 2510. Daily 18:00 - 23:00. Elegant dining room with panoramic ocean views, live music and attentive waiters. The tacos de jaiba and roasted salmon are recommended. Full bar with some creative house cocktails. M$300.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.665153-101.6066829 Bistro Soleaido, Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 755 553 0420. Daily 08:00 - 23:00. Comfortably upscale restaurant serving French and Italian cuisine. Fresh seafood is a specialty. Live music during dinner hours. M$300.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.6618-101.60118910 Deborah's, Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 755 553 1648. Daily 07:30 - 23:00. Casual open-air restaurant serving Canadian cuisine, eh? Live music in the evening. Follow up dinner with a Sexy Coffee (flambeed with Kahlua and brandy)/ M$200.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.670495-101.58475511 Alba e Sera Cocina, Carr. Zihuatenejo - Manzanillo, ☏ +52 755 172 1965. Tue - Sun 15:00 - 22:00, closed Mon. Small, unassuming Italian restaurant with great foccacio, pizzas and pasta dishes. M$200.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.661653-101.60156812 Maretto Italiano, Paseo Ixtapa, Manzana 11 (Centro Comercial Ixtapa). Small restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. The Maretto pizza is recommended. Good selection of Italian and Mexican wines. M$200.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.662777-101.60146113 Los Mentirosos, Paseo de las Gaviotas, ☏ +52 755 129 6360. Tue-Sun 18:00 - 23:00, closed Mon. Classic taqueria serving all your favorite taco varieties, including picanha, and arrachera. A variety of house salsas are available to spice things up. Great place for cheap eats. M$100.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.664474-101.60699714 Simplicio Steakhouse, Paseo Ixtapa (Plaza Ambiente), ☏ +52 755 133 1283. Mon-Sat 08:00 - 23:00, Sun 08:00 - 15:00. Casual Mexican steakhouse with a smattering of international dishes. Serves an excellent morning brunch with chilaquiles, sweet rolls, and French toast. Steaks are king at dinner and some of the cuts are simply huge (easily big enough to share). Known for their Cowboy Steak. M$300.  (updated Jun 2026)

Ixtapa has no real party nightclubs other than Ohana, which is pretty lame, has an unwarranted cover charge, and plays obnoxious reggaeton to drive away patrons with good taste. Most of the other bars are sports bars for people who would pay thousands of dollars to travel to a spectacular beach resort, then spend there time in a dark, windowless warehouse with TVs tuned to sports teams you don't care about from cities you care even less about.

The hotel zone's buildings are modern or in a colonial-coastal style with beautiful and well-kept gardens and it has several residential areas, all relatively extensive but mostly separated from the hotel zone I (Blvr. Ixtapa) and the hotel zone II (Playa Linda).

Most of the hotels are five and four stars. Most of them are affiliated with major international and national hotel chains, including NH Hoteles and InterContinental Hotels Group. The hotel area on the beach known as Hotel Zone I has an approximate extension of 4.5 km and the name of its beach is El Palmar.

There are no hostels or budget hotels in Ixtapa, but affordable accommodations can be found in neighboring Zihuatenejo.

• 17.667631-101.6326951 Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa, Paseo, Punta Ixtapa S/N, Zona Hotelera II, ☏ +52 755 555 1100. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. A 5-star Ixtapa beachfront resort. Has suites with private plunge pools, a spa, restaurants, and event and wedding space. M$7000.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.661823-101.6057572 Krystal International Vacation Club, Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 755 555 0510. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Family-oriented all-inclusive hotel with beachfront vistas. Located close to major shopping and entertainment districts. English spoken. M$3000.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.662428-101.6062773 Tesoro Resorts Ixtapa, Blvd. Ixtapa s/n Lote 5, Zona Hotelera, ☏ +52 755 555-0600, fax: +52 755 553-0790. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Beachfront on the Playa del Palmar strip. M$3000.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.660271-101.603524 Hotel Emporio, Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 558 526 6436. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with clean, comfortable rooms, beachfront location, on-site restaurant with all-inclusive meal plans though buffet is rather is rather limited. M$1500.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.65884-101.6006665 Hotel Fontan, Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 559 708 0015. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Older resort that caters to Mexican families. Kid friendly with organized activities available. M$1500.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.649505-101.5959886 Las Brisas Ixtapa, Paseo Playa Hermosa, ☏ +52 755 553 2121. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel that caters to Mexican travelers. Clean, comfortable, spacious rooms. On-site restaurants include a Mexican, Italian, and a Mediterranean theme restaurant. M$1750.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.675678-101.6414367 Azul Ixtapa, Av. Playa Linda, ☏ +52 755 555 0810. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern adults-only property with outdoor swimming pools, jacuzzis, and on-site restaurants with a variety of all-inclusive meal plans. Rooms are clean, spacious and have ocean views. M$7500.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.680851-101.644148 Qualton Club Ixtapa, Blvd. Playa Linda, ☏ +52 755 552 0002. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Comfortable yet modest low-rise hotel with clean, spacious, comfortable rooms at modest prices. Facilities include large outdoor pool area with daily activities including aquarobics. Loaner bicycles available. On-site restaurant. M$3000.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.664781-101.6076629 Sara Suites, Paseo Ixtapa 4, ☏ +52 755 553 1100. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modest hotel with clean, comfortable rooms. On-site restaurant has good food at reasonable prices. M$1000.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.662491-101.609110 Posada Real, Paseo Ixtapa, ☏ +52 755 553 1745. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. No frills, Moderate resort hotel with clean, spacious rooms with simple furnishings. Large, clean outdoor swimming pool. On-site restaurant has good, affordable food. M$3000.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 17.66337-101.59914311 Villa Riviera, Paseo del Coacoyul 3, ☏ +52 755 124 6948. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Suite hotel on a quieter street about 3 blocks from the beach. Rooms are spacious and comfortable and facilities in good condition, including the large outdoor swimming pool.  (updated Jun 2026)

• Playa Troncones 25 minutes north of the twin resorts of Zihuatanejo & Ixtapa and the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport. The beach looks like Ixtapa but without the crowds or development. Troncones offers many miles of beautiful, unspoiled, golden sand beaches. Stroll, the virgin clean beach's and go barefoot in the surf where flocks of pelicans skim the crests of the waves and endangered sea turtles lay their eggs in the warm sand. Troncones is "the real Mexico"
• Zihuatanejo - Ten minutes by taxi, 20 by bus, nice change from totally-tourist Ixtapa; excellent food, better value for your peso, more likely to bargain in shops, definitely more 'real world' than Ixtapa. Not as clean, not as pristine, but thoroughly enjoyable!