Escape to Mexico’s Secret Resort Town – See What Makes It So Special
If you’re a fan of off-the-beaten-path places, hidden gems, and laid-back beach towns, you’re going to fall in love with Zihuatanejo (Zihua for short). I live in Mexico, and these are my favorite places.
Before we continue, let’s address the elephant in the room 🐘
You’re likely wondering, How do you pronounce Zihuatanejo? No worries, it’s a common question! The Zihuatanejo pronunciation is zee-waa-ten-eh-hoe. The town’s nickname, Zihua, is pronounced zee-waa.
With that out of the way, let’s get to this ultimate guide to Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
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1. Visit the Best Beaches in Zihuatanejo
There are several great beaches in the Bahía Zihuatanejo (Zihuatanejo Bay), like Playa la Ropa, Playa Contramar, Playa Madera and Playa Larga.
The main beach in Zihuatanejo, Playa Principal (AKA Playa Municipal), is close to Downtown, but not ideal for swimming.
You can get to the more secluded, like Playa las Gatas, by taking a panga boat (water taxi) across the bay.
Head to the main pier in Zihuatanejo, and you can jump on a boat headed to Playa las Gatas for about $50 pesos ($2.50 USD) per person, round trip — or you can join this snorkeling tour.
I recommend Playa la Ropa Beach (Clothes Beach), one of the best Zihuatanejo beaches.
This beach is named after a shipwreck that crashed just off shore hundreds of years ago, spilling a large amount of cargo and clothing which eventually washed up on-shore.
2. Take a Walk on the Zihuatanejo Pier
The Pier in Zihuatanejo is the perfect spot for an evening stroll along the sea, taking in the laid-back lifestyle.
It’s also lively during the day, especially at the fish market, which is a fun experience. When on the pier, don’t forget to take a photo at the ZIHUA sign.
🐟 Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman’s Path)
The Paseo del Pescador starts at the pier and ends at Playa la Madera.
It is a paved pathway that meanders just next to the sea, passing homes, colorful murals and sculptures along the way.
The Paseo del Pescador is popular with walkers and runners who take in the sea-breeze while exercising.
3. Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande (Zihuatanejo Museum)
Located near the municipal beach in Downtown, the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande showcases this area’s rich history.
The exhibits offer a glimpse into the Olmec, Cuitlateca, Mexica, Tarascan and Teotihuacan cultures of the Guerrero Coast.
⚠️ Note: Most displays in the Zihuatanejo Archaeological Museum are in Spanish only, so make sure you know at least some Spanish words if you want to visit.
4. Go Snorkeling in Zihuatanejo
There is an artificial reef in Bahía Zihuatanejo (Zihuatanejo Bay) that dates back hundreds of years, and attracts lots of marine life.
The beaches south of Downtown Zihuatanejo, including Playa las Gatas and Caleta del Chon, are some of the best Zihuatanejo snorkeling spots.
For the real best snorkeling in Zihuatanejo, you’ll have to visit nearby islands because they have the healthiest reefs and clearest water.
These include Isla Ixtapa (Ixtapa Island), Isla del Zacatoso (Zacatoso Island), and Los Morros de Potosí, all accessible only by boat tours.
Located one state west of Guerrero, there’s amazing snorkeling at Manzanillo Beach in Colima State.
This is actually called the best snorkeling area in Zihuatanejo, though it’s in another city. At just 15 minutes, it’s an easy drive from Zihuatenento to Manzanillo Beach.
5. Horseback Riding in Zihuatanejo
This Horseback Riding on the Beach Tour goes along Playa Larga, past coconut plantations and mangrove trees in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area.
Enjoy pleasant landscapes and vistas of mountain ranges, a lagoon, and the Pacific Ocean while on a gentle horseback ride.
Beautiful scenery, horses were so well mannered. Our guides were awesome… I’d highly recommend this tour.
—Dennis E. (see more reviews)
The tour is suitable for both beginner riders and the more experienced.
If you want, bring the horses some of their favorite snacks, apples and carrots, as a thank you gift. Round-trip transport from your hotel in Zihuatanejo is included.
6. Take a Day Trip to Ixtapa Mexico
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are usually called Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico, like they are one place!
Most travelers heading to one will usually visit the other on the same trip. Located just five miles (8 km) apart, getting to Ixtapa from Zihua is easy and quick.
Ixtapa is much more built up than Zihuatanejo, offering more things to do.
One of the best things to do in Ixtapa is take a boat tour to Isla Ixtapa Island, which has some of the best snorkeling in the area.
⛵️ Note: This is also one of the best Zihuatanejo tours, and you can take the boat from either city.
7. Zona Arqueológica Soledad de Maciel (Xihuacan)
Xihuacan Pyramids, located at the Soledad de Maciel Archeological Zone, may not rank among the most massive or famous ruins in Mexico, but they are worth checking out.
These are the only ancient ruins in Zihuatanejo, and located about 45 minutes away.
Though relatively close by, getting to Xihuacan from Zihuatanejo on your own is a bit complicated.
Even if you have a rental car, I’d still recommend the group tours listed below, including a knowledgeable guide, entrance to the ruins, transportation and lunch.
8. Go Shopping in Zihuatanejo
The best place for souvenir shopping in Zihuatanejo is Centro (Downtown).
If you’re looking for handicrafts and artesanias, go to El Jumil, the Mercado de Artesanías Zihuatanejo (Zihuatanejo Artisan Market), and La Zapoteca for handwoven textiles by Mexican artisans.
Head to Abel & Julia to buy sterling silver goods from Taxco, Mexico.
Taxco is an old silver mining town located in the mountains of northern Guerrero State. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, and one of its pueblos magicos (Mexico magic towns).
🛍️ Zihuatanejo Travel Tips for Shoppers
Don’t miss the Eco-Tianguis Sanka Organic Market, held Saturday mornings from 9am-1:30pm.
This organic market, located near the Archaeological Museum in Zihuatanejo, is a favorite among locals for great shopping at great prices.
9. Try the Best Restaurants in Zihuatanejo
Not many know this, but traditional Mexican food is very regional — and it’s not all tacos and burritos!
In Guerrero State, local specialties like pozole, a stew made with meat and hominy, and barbacoa de chivo, shredded, barbecued goat meat.
Located on the coast, plenty of great seafood is caught fresh daily.
Head to the beachfront restaurants to try tiritas, the local Zihuetenejo take on ceviche, as well as fish tacos, cócteles (seafood in a red tomato salsa), and zarandeado (“shaken fish”).
For Zihuatanejo restaurants in Downtown, you can’t go wrong with these places:
- La Flechita Roja: Best tacos in Zihuatanejo
- Carmelitas Cafe: Try the machaca, a local beef dish
- El Manglar: Home to the famous Zihuatanejo crocodile 🐊
- La Papa Loca: You’ll never look at potatoes the same
- Restaurantes Mexicanos Any
- Fonda Doña Licha
If you’re looking for an upscale dinner in Zihuatanejo, the best places are located outside of Downtown.
Check out Patio Mexica Cooking School and El Arrayan in Playa la Madera, and Espuma and El Suspiro, both located near Playa de la Ropa and Playa los Gatos.
It’s a more upscale restaurant, but the sunset views over Zihuatanejo Bay are worth the price of admission. In fact, the restaurant’s name, La Vista, means “the views.”
10. Sample Local Guerrero Coffee
Guerrero State produces most of Mexico’s coffee, with ideal growling climates in the Sierra Madre mountains.
You can sample some at Cafe Caracol, Cafa Galeana, and Cafe Zihuatanejo, which all sell locally grown coffees from the mountains near Zihuatanejo Ixtapa.
11. Take a Day Trip to Troncones, Guerrero
Troncones is one of the best Mexico surf towns, and located about 45 minutes from Zihua.
In Troncones you’ll find great waves, friendly locals, some restaurants on the beach (like Roberto’s Bistro), and little else — but for surfing in Mexico, it’s a paradise.
🏄♀️ Want to learn to surf in Zihuatanejo instead? Join Ivan to see the best surf beaches in Zihuatanejo and he will teach you how to catch a wave. ▶︎ Book your Zihuatanejo surf lesson here.
How do I get to Troncones from Zihuatanejo?
The best way to get from Zihuatanejo to Troncones is on this tour or by rental car.
When renting a car in Mexico, I recommend and personally use Discover Cars. Public transportation in this part of the country isn’t reliable, and you don’t want to risk being stuck in Troncones.
If you don’t have a rental car, you can try to negotiate a day rate with a Zihuatanejo taxi driver.
For an eight hour day, this will cost about $1,500-2,000 pesos ($90-120 USD), and they drive you to Troncones, stay all day as you enjoy the town, and drive you back to Zihuatanejo at the end of the day.
The 3 Best Neighborhoods in Zihuatanejo
1️⃣ Centro (Downtown Zihua)
Downtown Zihuatanejo is the heart of town, and where you’ll find the most restaurants, banks, pharmacies, things to do and more.
It has a typical small Mexico beach town feel, inexpensive shopping in the local mercados (markets) and great people-watching.
The Zihuatanejo Pier and its lively fish market are the major attractions here.
There’s also the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande (Costa Grande Archaeological Museum), the only museum in Zihuatanejo, located right on the waterfront.
Best Hotels in Downtown Zihuatanejo
- Zihua Mia Hotel Boutique
- Hotel Del Pescador (Beachfront)
- OYO Hotel Posada Lys (Budget Friendly)
2️⃣ Playa la Madera
La Madera Zihuatanejo is a residential neighborhood overlooking a swimmable beach that is popular with locals.
It’s a short walk from Downtown Zihuatanejo, and a 20 minute walk to Playa la Ropa. La Madera is a quieter area, with nice hotels and great seaside dining.
Best Hotels in Playa la Madera Beach
- La Casa Que Canta (Near-Perfect Reviews)
- Hotel Aura del Mar
- Bungalows La Madera (Budget Friendly)
3️⃣ Playa las Gatas & PLAYA LA ROPA
These beaches are in the south of the city, and popular with expats in Mexico. They are less crowded and ideal for snorkeling and relaxing at a beach bar.
If you’re staying here, you’ll definitely want a rental car because there’s not much within walking distance.
Best Hotels in Playa la Ropa Zihuatanejo
4️⃣ BONUS: More Options for where to Stay in Zihuatanejo
There are a few other Zihuatanejo neighborhoods, like Lazaro Cardenas and Barra de Potosí — though they aren’t as popular with visitors.
You can still find hotels in those areas, and they’ll likely be cheaper, but then you’ll definitely want a rental car to get around.
Final Thoughts: Is Zihuatanejo Worth Visiting?
If you love hidden gems, taking the road less traveled, and going off the beaten track, then prepare to fall in love with Zihuatanejo Mexico.
For culturally-minded travelers seeking the “real” Mexico (ie. non-resort towns), you will also enjoy traveling to Zihuatanejo.
Unlike other places off the beaten path in Mexico, Zihua is so easy to access because the airport is just minutes from the beaches.
It’s also close enough to a bigger town, Ixtapa, that you’re not far from anything you might need in case of emergency.
If you’re looking for one of the best non-touristy places in Mexico, Zihua is it.
There’s beautiful beaches (especially La Ropa Beach and Las Gatas Beach), charming local mercados, delicious street tacos, beachfront bars, and nice Zihuatanejo hotels — this town has it all!
Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:
Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.
Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.
- The 30 Most Beautiful Cities in Mexico (#7 Will Shock You)
- Mexico Off the Beaten Path Places for Your Bucket List
- 20 Hot Springs in Mexico That are Calling Your Name
- Hidden Beaches in Mexico You’ve Never Heard Of
- Best Waterfalls in Huasteca Potosina Mexico
- The Coolest Mayan Ruins in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula
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