Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Beaches Ranked

The Costa Grande coast, ranked honestly

The 50-km Costa Grande coast around Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo contains a wide range of beaches — from the planned Ixtapa hotel-zone beach to bay-protected swimming beaches, surf breaks, boat-only snorkel beaches, and remote open-Pacific beaches that haven’t been over-developed. Some are stunning. Some are surf-only. A few are boat-access exclusives. This is the no-bullshit ranking based on water quality, accessibility, and what each beach actually does well.

The ranking

1. Playa La Ropa

The 1.4-km horseshoe beach on the eastern side of Zihuatanejo Bay. Mountain-protected calm water, golden sand, palapa restaurants on the sand, the most beautiful natural setting on the Costa Grande. The single best beach in the region. Suitable for kids, casual swimmers, and travelers wanting a serious beach day. See our Playa La Ropa guide.

2. Playa Las Gatas

The 400-meter sheltered beach on the southern shore of Zihuatanejo Bay, accessible only by water taxi. Protected by an ancient 15th-century Tarascan-built breakwater. The best snorkel beach in the region with the densest fish population. Great half-day combination from old town. See our Las Gatas guide.

3. Playa el Palmar (Ixtapa)

The 2-km Ixtapa hotel-zone beach in front of the high-rise resorts. Krystal Ixtapa’s beach. Open Pacific (not bay-protected), so swim conditions are more variable than La Ropa. Strong undertow on bigger swell days; standard ocean precautions apply. Best in calm-water conditions; otherwise suitable for sunbathing more than serious swimming. Full resort beach amenities.

4. Isla Ixtapa Beaches

The four small beaches on the uninhabited island 10 minutes by boat from Playa Linda. Each different — Cuachalalate (the developed one), Carey (the snorkel beach), Coral (the locals’ favorite snorkel), Varadero (the empty quiet one). Worthwhile half-day excursion for anyone staying multiple nights at Ixtapa. See our Isla Ixtapa guide.

5. Playa Troncones

The 4-km open-Pacific beach 30 km north of Zihuatanejo. The surf beach for the area — sand-bottom break running the beach length, beginner-friendly waves, and the small bohemian surf town of Troncones at the northern end. Worth a day trip or overnight. See our Troncones guide.

6. Playa La Madera

The smaller downtown Zihua beach immediately east of the Muelle Municipal pier. Soft sand, calm bay-protected water, a few palapa restaurants on the sand, and walking distance to old town centro. Best for travelers staying in old town hotels or wanting an evening beach close to the Friday Tianguis. Less famous than La Ropa but equally calm.

7. Playa Principal

The smaller central Zihua beach right at the foot of the pier. Working fishing beach in the morning (pangas pulled up on the sand), more recreational in the afternoon. Calm bay-protected water, soft sand, the most authentic of the Zihua beaches because it’s still a working part of the fishing economy.

8. Playa Linda

The 1-km open-Pacific beach at the northwestern end of Ixtapa, near the Isla Ixtapa panga dock and the Cocodrilario crocodile lagoon. Less developed than the hotel-zone beach. The combination beach — beach time + crocodile lagoon + Isla Ixtapa boat all in one half-day. See our Playa Linda guide.

9. Playa Quieta

The smaller beach at the western end of Ixtapa, between Playa el Palmar and Playa Linda. Calmer than el Palmar (the cove geography protects it slightly), softer sand, fewer vendors. The quietest of the developed Ixtapa-zone beaches. Used mostly by the Club Med property; public access is fine.

10. Playa Manzanillo

A small protected cove about 10 minutes south of Zihua. Local families’ beach more than tourist beach. Calm shallow water, basic palapa restaurants, scenic but not destination-quality.

11. Playa Ropa Norte (Northern La Ropa)

The northern third of La Ropa beach, often overlooked because the central section gets the beach club traffic. Quieter, fewer palapas, longer empty stretches of sand. Worth knowing about if you’re spending a full day at La Ropa and want to walk away from the central crowds.

12. Playa Las Pozas (south Costa Grande)

A remote open-Pacific beach about 15 km south of Zihuatanejo on Highway 200. Genuinely undeveloped — no palapa restaurants, no facilities, sometimes no other people. For travelers wanting a wild Pacific beach experience without the Troncones surf community. Bring everything; expect nothing. Riptide caution; not recommended for casual swimming.

What about the wild Pacific beaches further north or south?

The Costa Grande has multiple completely undeveloped Pacific beaches beyond Troncones (north) and past Acapulco’s outskirts (south). They’re dramatic, often empty, and largely not safe for casual swimming due to riptides and isolation. If you’re after the wild Pacific beach experience, the Troncones-area and Las Pozas-area beaches are the most accessible options. Beyond that, you’re in serious “rent a 4WD and bring everything” territory.

Picking your beach by trip priority

If beach is the main factor:

• Best resort base + variety: Stay at Krystal Ixtapa on Playa el Palmar, day-trip to La Ropa, Las Gatas, and Isla Ixtapa during the week.
• Best for the iconic Costa Grande beach + old town access: Spend most of your beach days at La Ropa with one or two other beaches.
• Best for surf: Day-trip or overnight to Troncones.
• Best for boat-access exclusivity + history: Half-day at Las Gatas with the 15th-century breakwater.
• Best for combining wildlife + beach + boat: Half-day Playa Linda + Cocodrilario + Isla Ixtapa.

Most Ixtapa visitors stay at one resort beach (Krystal Ixtapa on el Palmar) and visit 2-4 of the others as half-day or full-day excursions during a week-long stay. Renting a car for one or two days is the standard pattern if you want to see the full Costa Grande range.