Guidebook for Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo

Melissa
Guidebook for Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo

Drinks & Nightlife

Bars, places locals hang out
Upstairs, enjoy delicious "pub" food - wings, burgers, roast beef sandwiches and more. Downstairs, mix with the locals for a drink, insider tips and to cheer on your favorite sports team.
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La Hija del Capitan / Bar La Playa
39 Nicolás Bravo
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Upstairs, enjoy delicious "pub" food - wings, burgers, roast beef sandwiches and more. Downstairs, mix with the locals for a drink, insider tips and to cheer on your favorite sports team.
Coconuts is housed in an historic building in Zihua and although is a restaurant of fine dining has a great bar and bar menu for those with a more moderate budget. The atmosphere is not to be missed.
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Coconuts Restaurant & Bar
1 Agustín Ramírez
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Coconuts is housed in an historic building in Zihua and although is a restaurant of fine dining has a great bar and bar menu for those with a more moderate budget. The atmosphere is not to be missed.
Loot is the best place on La Ropa to grab an espresso but most go for the events it hosts. Art exhibitions, music, dancing, meeting locals...there's a bit of everything to enjoy.
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LOOT Surf & Lifestyle Store
55 La Ropa
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Loot is the best place on La Ropa to grab an espresso but most go for the events it hosts. Art exhibitions, music, dancing, meeting locals...there's a bit of everything to enjoy.
Stob by, have a beer and hang with many expat locals. Many nights during the season you can find live music.
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Barracruda Bar
5 Av. Cuauhtémoc
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Stob by, have a beer and hang with many expat locals. Many nights during the season you can find live music.
Bandidos is a fun spot to stop, have a drink and dance some salsa on weekend nights. It also is a delicious restaurant. Try the kiwi-goat cheese salad or the molcajetes. It is a lively spot filled with tourists and a live music venue.
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Bandido´s Restaurant Bar
8 Av 5 de Mayo
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Bandidos is a fun spot to stop, have a drink and dance some salsa on weekend nights. It also is a delicious restaurant. Try the kiwi-goat cheese salad or the molcajetes. It is a lively spot filled with tourists and a live music venue.

Food Scene

Restaurants, Cafes, Bakeries etc
We highly recommend trying out local Mexican pan dulce from this popular bakery (panaderia in Spanish).
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Panaderia Del Buen Gusto
11 Vicente Guerrero
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We highly recommend trying out local Mexican pan dulce from this popular bakery (panaderia in Spanish).
The best fish tacos in town! With a special - spicy! sauce and a great spot for people watching. They also offer a very indulgent breakfast including stuffed french toast & Guerrero coffee.
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La Sirena Gorda
90 P.º del Pescador
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The best fish tacos in town! With a special - spicy! sauce and a great spot for people watching. They also offer a very indulgent breakfast including stuffed french toast & Guerrero coffee.
A popular restaurant on La Ropa with delicious traditional Mexican recipes - we recommend the chili rellenos, a house specialty
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Restaurante La Perla
S/N Caracolito
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A popular restaurant on La Ropa with delicious traditional Mexican recipes - we recommend the chili rellenos, a house specialty
Paty's has a yoga studio on her upper level - practice while looking out over the bay and enjoying the early morning breeze. Then go downstairs, bury your feet in the sand and enjoy her all-day menu.
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Paty's Miramar
21 lokalkjente anbefaler
Paty's has a yoga studio on her upper level - practice while looking out over the bay and enjoying the early morning breeze. Then go downstairs, bury your feet in the sand and enjoy her all-day menu.
Excellent upscale mexican food. Many nights with live music or salsa dancing. Try the chicken or fish molcahete or the chile relleno with shrimp.
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Bandido´s Restaurant Bar
8 Av 5 de Mayo
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Excellent upscale mexican food. Many nights with live music or salsa dancing. Try the chicken or fish molcahete or the chile relleno with shrimp.
The absolute best authentic mexican food in Zihuatanejo at a reasonable price.
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Carmelitas Café
S/N C. Heroico Colegio Militar
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The absolute best authentic mexican food in Zihuatanejo at a reasonable price.
Il Mare has delicious food at a reasonable price but the real reason to dine there are the sunset views. Perched on a cliif with views to the bay and town it's a great place to spend an evening.
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Ristorante il Mare
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Il Mare has delicious food at a reasonable price but the real reason to dine there are the sunset views. Perched on a cliif with views to the bay and town it's a great place to spend an evening.
Best pizza in Zihuatanejo and they deliver! Also serving hamburgers, salads and the infamous Lolly ice cream cake for dessert.
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Jungle pizza
s/n La Ropa
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Best pizza in Zihuatanejo and they deliver! Also serving hamburgers, salads and the infamous Lolly ice cream cake for dessert.
Good food, great view and excellent service only a 10 minute walk from the Studios at Solana. Mediterranean restaurant in the Pacifica Grand Hotel open for dinner only. Reservations required.
El Suspiro
73 P.º de La Bahía
Good food, great view and excellent service only a 10 minute walk from the Studios at Solana. Mediterranean restaurant in the Pacifica Grand Hotel open for dinner only. Reservations required.
Best for dinner. Streetside restaurant in the historic La Madera neighborhood. Best grilled fish in Zihuatanejo!
Restaurant El Arrayan
n Adelitas
Best for dinner. Streetside restaurant in the historic La Madera neighborhood. Best grilled fish in Zihuatanejo!
Authentic Italian food in a garden setting in the heart of La Ropa. In the high season it is necessary to make a reservation in advance.
7 lokalkjente anbefaler
Trattoria da Gianni
55 Escénica La Ropa
7 lokalkjente anbefaler
Authentic Italian food in a garden setting in the heart of La Ropa. In the high season it is necessary to make a reservation in advance.
Good burgers, salads and sandwiches. Free delivery to Solana!
30 lokalkjente anbefaler
Margaritas Zihuatanejo Restaurant
102 Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez
30 lokalkjente anbefaler
Good burgers, salads and sandwiches. Free delivery to Solana!
Excellent salad, burgers and grill. Try the grilled catch of the day. Right on Fisherman's walk. A fab place for people watching and the prices are just right.
La Porteña Pizza & Grill
37 P.º del Pescador
Excellent salad, burgers and grill. Try the grilled catch of the day. Right on Fisherman's walk. A fab place for people watching and the prices are just right.
Absolutely the best fish & seafood on Playa La Ropa. El Manglar is an open air restaurant located next to a small estuary where you can see iguanas, shore birds and even the occasional crocodile. Try their food, you will not be disappointed!
14 lokalkjente anbefaler
El Manglar
Presidente Darío Galeana Farfan
14 lokalkjente anbefaler
Absolutely the best fish & seafood on Playa La Ropa. El Manglar is an open air restaurant located next to a small estuary where you can see iguanas, shore birds and even the occasional crocodile. Try their food, you will not be disappointed!
Delicious mexican fusion cuisine awaits at this friendly dinner spot. Lunches are more traditional and they serve up a mean tuna tostada for those so inclined.
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La Terracita
S/N P.º del Pescador
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Delicious mexican fusion cuisine awaits at this friendly dinner spot. Lunches are more traditional and they serve up a mean tuna tostada for those so inclined.
New restaurant with friendly proprietors, good food and a beautiful city view serving Middle Eastern, Thai and Indian dishes. They offer take out.
Orient Bay - Um Souk
Escénica La Ropa
New restaurant with friendly proprietors, good food and a beautiful city view serving Middle Eastern, Thai and Indian dishes. They offer take out.
The best vegan food in Zihua. Try the tacos, ginger beer and frozen desserts. You won't be disappointed in this lunch spot.
6 lokalkjente anbefaler
Vegano EntreZankas
64 Avenida Cuauhtémoc
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The best vegan food in Zihua. Try the tacos, ginger beer and frozen desserts. You won't be disappointed in this lunch spot.
Choose from an inside air conditioned space or street side open air dining and enjoy well prepared & presented food. Mito has excellent options for the carnivore and vegan alike.
7 lokalkjente anbefaler
Mito Restaurante and Wine Store
64 Av. Cuauhtémoc
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Choose from an inside air conditioned space or street side open air dining and enjoy well prepared & presented food. Mito has excellent options for the carnivore and vegan alike.

Sightseeing

Book with Pako to discover all of the best scuba & snorkel spots or just to get out on the water and explore! You can even get PADI-certified while you are on vacation!
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Adventure Divers Zihuatanejo
43 Ejido
10 lokalkjente anbefaler
Book with Pako to discover all of the best scuba & snorkel spots or just to get out on the water and explore! You can even get PADI-certified while you are on vacation!
Spend a day in a small mexican fishing village. Rent a boat in the morning to bird watch in the lagoon or simply lounge at one of Barra's many beachfront enramadas, swimming, eating and relaxing.
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Barra de Potosí
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Spend a day in a small mexican fishing village. Rent a boat in the morning to bird watch in the lagoon or simply lounge at one of Barra's many beachfront enramadas, swimming, eating and relaxing.
A great place to dine on local food, (muy economico), shop and people watch! Find that coconut grater or mortar & pestle that you've always wanted and have a quesadilla while you browse!
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Mercado Municipal
Mangos
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A great place to dine on local food, (muy economico), shop and people watch! Find that coconut grater or mortar & pestle that you've always wanted and have a quesadilla while you browse!
La Madera neighborhood is one of the oldest in Zihuatanejo. Narrow streets curve up the hillside and are lined with many local restaurants. A beachside walkway connects with the town.
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Playa la Madera
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La Madera neighborhood is one of the oldest in Zihuatanejo. Narrow streets curve up the hillside and are lined with many local restaurants. A beachside walkway connects with the town.
A must do! The Picante offers fun daytime snorkel cruises as well as more sophisticated sunset sails. An open bar and tapas will keep you content while viewing Zihuatanejo from the sea.
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Picante Catamaran
5 Paseo del Morro
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A must do! The Picante offers fun daytime snorkel cruises as well as more sophisticated sunset sails. An open bar and tapas will keep you content while viewing Zihuatanejo from the sea.
Arrive by small boat and spend the day snorkeling and dining on fresh fish. Don't forget the piña coladas served in a pineapple!
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Ixtapa Island
60 lokalkjente anbefaler
Arrive by small boat and spend the day snorkeling and dining on fresh fish. Don't forget the piña coladas served in a pineapple!
Non-profit turtle hatchery that offers turtle releases in the evenings in season.
Campamento Tortuguero Ayotlcalli
Non-profit turtle hatchery that offers turtle releases in the evenings in season.

Everything Else

Las Gatas surf break is popular with the Zihua locals during the summer season. Check it out if you surf! Or spend some time snorkeling in clear waters and sipping a drink under a beachside umbrella.
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Las Gatas surf break
10 lokalkjente anbefaler
Las Gatas surf break is popular with the Zihua locals during the summer season. Check it out if you surf! Or spend some time snorkeling in clear waters and sipping a drink under a beachside umbrella.
Great manicures, pedicures, massages and haircuts at a reasonable price. Located just off Fisherman's walk in downtown Zihuatanejo. Appointments preferred.
Khushi Manos y Pies Spa
Juan N. Álvarez
Great manicures, pedicures, massages and haircuts at a reasonable price. Located just off Fisherman's walk in downtown Zihuatanejo. Appointments preferred.
A great place to purchase groceries as well as a few clothes, housewares & alcohol, Mega Soriana is a large grocery chain located near the bus station in Zihuatanejo.
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MEGA Soriana
Calle del Cocotero
28 lokalkjente anbefaler
A great place to purchase groceries as well as a few clothes, housewares & alcohol, Mega Soriana is a large grocery chain located near the bus station in Zihuatanejo.

Neighborhoods

Spend the day lounging at the best swimmer's beach in Zihuatanejo. Small restaurants line the beach and for a small fee or the price of food and beverages you can enjoy their umbrellas and lounge chairs.
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Playa La Ropa
La Ropa
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Spend the day lounging at the best swimmer's beach in Zihuatanejo. Small restaurants line the beach and for a small fee or the price of food and beverages you can enjoy their umbrellas and lounge chairs.
The town of Zihuatanejo is a picturesque town which still retains its fishing village charm. Restaurants, markets & souvenir stores abound downtown. It's a great place to amble, shop and have a margarita or some traditional mexican food.
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Zihuatanejo
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The town of Zihuatanejo is a picturesque town which still retains its fishing village charm. Restaurants, markets & souvenir stores abound downtown. It's a great place to amble, shop and have a margarita or some traditional mexican food.
La Madera was the original hotel zone of Zihuatanejo. Although the town has grown since then it still retains a historic charm with winding streets leading to some of the most authentic restaurants Zihuatanejo offers. Find a spot that offers grilled seafood, vegetables and rice with tortillas. Oh, and, don't forget the salsa...
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Playa la Madera
50 lokalkjente anbefaler
La Madera was the original hotel zone of Zihuatanejo. Although the town has grown since then it still retains a historic charm with winding streets leading to some of the most authentic restaurants Zihuatanejo offers. Find a spot that offers grilled seafood, vegetables and rice with tortillas. Oh, and, don't forget the salsa...
Take a side trip to Playa Larga for the day. A long stretch of white sand beach lined by open air enramada type restaurants where the fish and guacamole are fresh and the margaritas tart. Horseback riding is available for those that are activity inclined. A small sweat lodge also hosts a pre-hispanic temezcal ceremony certain days. Reservations are required. Please remember that Playa Larga has rip tides and strong ocean currents. We suggest to not swim in the ocean there.
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Playa Linda
Playa Linda
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Take a side trip to Playa Larga for the day. A long stretch of white sand beach lined by open air enramada type restaurants where the fish and guacamole are fresh and the margaritas tart. Horseback riding is available for those that are activity inclined. A small sweat lodge also hosts a pre-hispanic temezcal ceremony certain days. Reservations are required. Please remember that Playa Larga has rip tides and strong ocean currents. We suggest to not swim in the ocean there.
Ixtapa is the sister city to Zihuatanejo. It is only a 15 minute drive from Zihuatanejo but world's apart in appearance & vibe. High rise hotels and malls line the main boulevard. A cinema, shops and various restaurants can be found. There is even a small marina with high end yachts available for lease. One gem that can be found near Ixtapa is Ixtapa Island, a great place to hang out for the day; snack on fresh seafood and snorkle in the sheltered waters of the of the island. A short boat trip is required to get you to the island but, don't worry, assistance is available to help you on and off the small boat.
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Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
20 lokalkjente anbefaler
Ixtapa is the sister city to Zihuatanejo. It is only a 15 minute drive from Zihuatanejo but world's apart in appearance & vibe. High rise hotels and malls line the main boulevard. A cinema, shops and various restaurants can be found. There is even a small marina with high end yachts available for lease. One gem that can be found near Ixtapa is Ixtapa Island, a great place to hang out for the day; snack on fresh seafood and snorkle in the sheltered waters of the of the island. A short boat trip is required to get you to the island but, don't worry, assistance is available to help you on and off the small boat.
Playa Blanca makes a great day trip. We like to head to Restaurant Chula Vida. Centered on the miles long beach, it is an excellent relaxation spot. Walk a bit, scan the horizon for whales and chill. While Playa Blanca is a beautiful spot, it is extremely dangerous to swim so take care near the waves and enjoy siesta Costeño style (in a hammock!)
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Playa Blanca
13 lokalkjente anbefaler
Playa Blanca makes a great day trip. We like to head to Restaurant Chula Vida. Centered on the miles long beach, it is an excellent relaxation spot. Walk a bit, scan the horizon for whales and chill. While Playa Blanca is a beautiful spot, it is extremely dangerous to swim so take care near the waves and enjoy siesta Costeño style (in a hammock!)

Råd om byen

Dette bør du pakke

Zihuatanejo is a casual place with shorts and sandals being the norm

You also want to pack a swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, a cover up, aloe vera gel for burns & mosquito repellent in the summer season. To swim at Las Gatas beach you should pack water shoes and decent sneakers for the trail down.
Nyttige setninger

Locals, whether Mexican or Expat are very friendly but a few spanish phrases will ease your trip

Cerveza is beer, baño is bathroom, cuanto cuesta is how much is (an item or thing), la cuenta is the bill at a restaurant, la cancha is the basketball court at the center of town where everyone gathers in the evening and el mercado is the market. Taxi is taxi and la combi is the minibus that runs from the center of town to La Ropa beach
Måter å spare på

Zihuatanejo is an inexpensive town but there are a few tricks that will save you money and headache

Always ask how much a taxi charges before agreeing to the ride. Inquire about the cost of a restaurant's ''specials'' before ordering especially if the restaurant is beachside. Be sure that the menu lists prices. Bargain a bit with the streetside vendors. Use the ATM's at the airport to withdraw money upon arrival since many places do not accept foreign currency or credit cards and often the exchange rate given is poor. Just a note* It is very difficult to exchange foreign currency for Mexican pesos in Zihuatanejo these days.
Reiser alene

Solo travelers will find Zihuatanejo to be a comfortable place

Generally speaking Zihuatanejo is a very safe place for solo travelers including women traveling alone. Local people are normally helpful and friendly. Follow the usual precautions, don't wear flashy jewelry, don't flaunt your money, take care with your wallet, purse & cell phone. Some bars are perfectly safe for solo travelers, some bars (cantina style) not so much. Just ask us and we can point you in the right direction. As usual it's best not to stay out after 11:00pm if you are traveling solo.
Kultur og skikker

Tipping in Zihuatanejo

Tipping for good service is a way of life in Zihuatanejo. 5-10% is adequate at hole-in-the-wall restaurants but at nicer restaurant 15% is recommended. If you choose a high-end restaurant 20% is expected. Taxis don't necessarily expect tips but if your taxi ride includes waiting, luggage handling or a tour, a tip is suggested. Hotel staff expect tips for good service, bellboys, waiters, maids & spa staff. The tip should take into account the duration of your stay. As in most countries around the world, tipping for good service encourages good service and helps to improve lives.