I am often asked “Where do travel agents go for a relaxing vacation?” I’m sure there are a thousand different answers since we all have our different interests and favorites. For us, we have two places that are great getaways for a week to just relax and do nothing but enjoy the sand, sun and surf. The first is Kalapaki Beach in Kauai and the second is what I consider to be the best kept secret in Mexico
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is part of the Guerrero's Sun Triangle, together with Acapulco and Taxco
Zihuatanejo is pronounced "zee-watt-a-NEH-ho" which means "place of woman" in the Nahuatl tongue. Ixtapa is pronounced as "eeks-TAH-pa", which means "the white place" in the same tongue.Ixtapa is a modern world-class resort that was created from the ground-up beginning in 1968 by Fonatur (National Tourism Development Fund, a Mexican federal bureau that is in charge of developing and urbanizing new tourist destinations).Today, it has all-modern construction, well kept gardens and a large residential area that is located away from the hotel zone. Its bay is wide and is one of the great places to enjoy a spectacular sunset. The beaches are the best on the west coast of Mexico
cap off a perfect day.
cap off a perfect day.
The city maintenance in Ixtapa is still done by Fonatur (with federal funds) in contrast with Zihuatanejo where the City Government does all the maintenance. Ixtapa has several colonial and modern style malls interconnected by plazas and gardens which makes it very difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. You'll find restaurants, bars, boutiques, shops, grocery stores, drug stores, etc. On the other side of the street from the malls are the beachfront hotels with a variety of restaurants, bars and shops.
Ixtapa’s hotel strip is about 2 miles long and the Ixtapa beach is called El Palmar. All the water sports such as parasailing, banana boats, jet skis and surfing are available. Beachside massages can be had for about $20 and I am told they are outstanding. At the end of the main road, you'll find La Marina de Ixtapa with capacity for more than 100 yachts, a golf course, luxury condominiums and a promenade with charming restaurants overlooking the marina. An occasional crocodile swimming by adds a little interesting touch to your dinner.
Nearby is Playa Linda beach and Playa Quieta beach with more secluded hotels.
Zihuatanejo is a small town, which still conserves the typical look, feel and friendly atmosphere of the old fishing village with a true Mexican flavor. Many of the downtown streets are still original cobblestones and resurfaced ones have imitation stones. Most of the construction has a tropical-coastal look (even some of the new to help preserve the old town appearance).
There are numerous restaurants, boutiques, jewelry stores, bars, hotels (from one to five stars), tourist markets, and much more. You won't see any tall buildings (four stories maximum) because they are not permitted by city law (the purpose is to conserve the village look).Every year the picturesque and sheltered Zihuatanejo bay, only 1.8 miles wide, is visited by more than 80 cruise ships as well as sailboats and private yachts from all over the world. Zihuatanejo was a stop-over port for TV's "Love Boat" series, in real life, the former Pacific Princess.
The downtown area known as El Centro
Besides the progress and the inevitable and continuous modernization of the city, Zihuatanejo has been able to retain its original charm, its traditions and its friendliness. For one of the best authentic Mexican food meals, no trip would be complete without a visit to Bandido’s in downtown Zihuatanejo. They have the best prickly pear cactus beef or chicken Molcajetes I have found and the guacamole they make at tableside is to die for.
A great time to visit is early December or the first part of May to avoid high season. The weather is great and you’re not fighting the crowds or high prices. Take my word for it, this is a relaxing place!
Call 877 836-1949 for more IXTAPA vacation information.