Ixtapa

Introduction to Ixtapa

Side-by-side beach resorts, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo share geography, but they couldn't be more different in character. Ixtapa is a model of modern infrastructure, services, and luxury hotels, while Zihuatanejo - "Zihua" to the locals - is the quintessential Mexican beach village. For travelers, this offers the intriguing possibility of visiting two distinct destinations in one vacation. Those looking for luxury should opt for Ixtapa (eex-tah-pah). You can easily and quickly make the 6.5km (4-mile) trip into Zihuatanejo for a sampling of the simple life in a pueblo by the sea. Those who prefer a more rustic retreat with real personality should settle in Zihuatanejo (see-wah-tah-neh-hoh). It's known for its long-standing community of Swiss and Italian immigrants, and its legendary beach playboys.

The area, with a backdrop of the Sierra Madre and a foreground of Pacific Ocean waters, provides a full range of activities and diversions. Scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, bay cruises to remote beaches, and golf are among the favorites. Nightlife in both towns borders on subdued; Ixtapa is the livelier.

This dual destination is the choice for the traveler looking for a little of everything, from resort-style indulgence to unpretentious simplicity. These two resorts are more welcoming to couples and adults than families, with a number of places that are off-limits to children under 16 -- something of a rarity in Mexico.

Although they couldn't be more different, Ixtapa (eesh-tah-pa) and Zihuatanejo (zee-wha-tan-EH-ho) are marketed together as a single resort destination. Zihuatanejo is a fishing village that's grown up to offer exquisite views of its drop-dead-gorgeous bay from restaurants and beachfront hotels. It still, however, retains its Mexican identity, with a fishermen's market that occupies the prime beach downtown and a quirky main plaza that doubles as a basketball court. Now home to some 75,000 inhabitants, it bustles -- but at a Mexican pace.

About 4 miles (7 km) to the south, Ixtapa was created in the 1970s -- by FONATUR, Mexico's National Fund for Tourism Development - exclusively as a vacation resort. Although it's small and tame in comparison to FONATUR's poster child, Cancún, it's definitely been genetically engineered. Ixtapa is a "short stack" of high-rises fronted by the Pacific and backed by a row of mini-malls harboring restaurants, shops, grocery stores, and pharmacies. Neither place has much in the way of attractions, but they're both pleasant places to stroll and have great beaches. The most scenic sandy stretches line the Bahía de Zihuatanejo, where green-clad hills back right up to the sea.

Long before Cortés and Columbus sailed to the Americas, Zihuatanejo's beautiful bay was a retreat for indigenous nobility. Figurines, ceramics, stone carvings, and stelae found in the area verify the presence of civilizations dating as far back as the Olmec (3000 BC). Weaving was likely the dominant industry, as evidenced by pre-Hispanic figurines, bobbins, and other related artifacts. The original Nahuatl name, Cihuatlán, means "place of women. " Ixtapa, originally spelled Iztapa, means "white sands," and was ceded to (but not used by) one of the Spanish conquistadors.

In 1527 Spain launched a trade route from Zihuatanejo Bay to the Orient. Galleons returned with silks, spices, and, according to some historians, the Americas' first coconut palms, brought from the Philippines. But the Spaniards did little colonizing here. A scout sent by Cortés reported back to the conquistador that the place was nothing great, tagging the name Cihuatlán with the less-than-flattering suffix "ejo" - hence "Zihuatanejo."

When to Go to Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

Mexico's Pacific Coast is at its best in winter, with temperatures of 70°F-80°F. The off-season brings humidity, mosquitoes, and heat, but also emptier beaches, warmer water, and less-crowded streets.

Brides who want to glow but not sweat like a sumo wrestler should avoid a June wedding. The rainy season here is June to October, and the heat just before and during it can be stifling.

Surfers, on the other hand, will love the turbulent waters at this time of year. What's more, the countryside, the Sierra Madre Occidental, and the Sierra Madre del Sur turn a brilliant green. Note, though, that hurricane season runs from late September to early November.

Fishing Season

Anglers revel in the profusion of sailfish (November through March), black and blue marlin (May through January), yellowfin tuna (November through June), and mahimahi (November through January). Light-tackle fishing in the lagoons and just off the beach in pangas (skiffs) for huachinango (red snapper) is also popular.

Ixtapa Hotels and Resorts