Things to Do in Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo

Two adjoining destinations on Mexico's Pacific coast — Ixtapa is the planned resort zone, Zihuatanejo is the original fishing village, and the Costa Grande coast extends north (Troncones surf, the Cocodrilario crocodile lagoon) and east (Petatlán's pilgrimage church, the Sierra Madre del Sur coffee country). Ten guides live now: beaches, marine day trips, sport fishing, surf, cultural day trips, and the Friday Tianguis food scene. Weekly additions for restaurants, neighborhoods, and audience-specific itineraries.

Old Town & Beaches
Live No. 1 Zihuatanejo Old Town & Pier The original Pacific fishing village — cobblestone streets, the working morning fishing pier, the daily market, and the best food on the Costa Grande. Live No. 2 Playa La Ropa The 1.4-km horseshoe beach on the eastern side of Zihuatanejo Bay — mountain-protected calm water, palapa restaurants, consistently ranked one of the best beaches in Mexico. Live No. 3 Beaches Ranked All 12 Costa Grande beaches honestly compared — La Ropa, Las Gatas, el Palmar, Isla Ixtapa, Troncones, La Madera, and the rest. What each does well, what each doesn't.
Marine Day Trips
Live No. 4 Isla Ixtapa Day Trip A small uninhabited island 10 minutes by boat off the Ixtapa coast — federally protected wildlife reserve with four beaches, snorkel reef, and palapa restaurants. Live No. 5 Playa Las Gatas A 400-meter sheltered beach on the southern shore of Zihuatanejo Bay, accessible only by water taxi. The best snorkel beach in the region, protected by a 15th-century Tarascan breakwater. Live No. 6 Playa Linda & the Crocodile Lagoon The northwestern Ixtapa beach with the Cocodrilario boardwalk — 100+ wild American crocodiles in a federally protected mangrove estuary, plus the panga dock for Isla Ixtapa.
Sport Fishing & Surf
Live No. 7 Zihuatanejo Sport Fishing The Sailfish Capital of the World — Pacific sailfish density among the highest anywhere, with multi-fish days routine November through May. Charters 20-35% cheaper than Cabo. Live No. 8 Troncones Surf Day Trip A small Pacific surf town 30 km north of Zihuatanejo — 4-km sand-bottom break, surf schools, and the bohemian alternative to Zihua's calm-water beaches.
Cultural & Day Trips
Live No. 9 Friday Market & Food Scene Costa Grande regional cuisine, the Friday Tianguis street market, beachfront seafood at La Ropa, upscale dining at Daniel's, and the daily El Mercado upstairs comedores. Live No. 10 Sierra Madre del Sur Day Trip Petatlán's 16th-century pilgrimage church, San Jeronimito's coffee plantations, cloud forest at 1,500+ meters, and rural Mexican mountain cuisine 75-90 minutes inland.
Coming Soon

More guides rolling out — Marina Ixtapa & the canals, Playa Quieta tucked-away beach, the Ixtapa nightlife scene, Petatlán filigree jewelry buying guide, the Pacific Coast Highway south to Acapulco day trip, plus restaurant deep-dives, audience-specific itineraries, and Costa Grande off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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One Ixtapa property in the Vacation Club Promo portfolio — Krystal Ixtapa on Playa el Palmar, 10 minutes from downtown Zihuatanejo and 15 minutes from the Playa Linda boat dock. Promotional packages from $435.

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The Vacation Club Promo blog covers destinations and tips. The resorts page covers the actual all-inclusive packages — under $500 for 5–7 nights at couples and family resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean.

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