The Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo area boasts a host of beaches.
They range from the highrise resort hotel-lined beach in Ixtapa to the deserted Playa Sanctuario de Las Tortugas where you can spend a day and not see another person.
No matter what your preference, the area has a beach that will meet your needs.
Playa Sanctuario De Las Tortugas
No restaurants. No hotels. No beach vendors. No people!
That's what Playa Sanctuario De Las Tortugas offers. It is the perfect place to go if you want a day of total seclusion and relaxation. Nobody there but the pelicans.
First, to get there takes a little work. The beach is located about a mile and a half from the village of La Barra De PotosÃ. During part of the year it is separated from town by a lagoon that empties into the sea. When the lagoon is empting into the ocean a kayak can be rented.
Once across the lagoon it takes a half-hour walk through coastal scrub to reach the beach itself.
Playa Municipal
Playa Municipal, also known as Playa Principal, is located by the downtown area of Zihuatanejo. It runs from the Municipal Pier to the canal.
The end near the pier is home to the Naval Base. At the other end, by the canal, is the Museo Archeologico, the Archeological Museum. And there is so much more in between.
The zocalo, or town square, is near the midpoint of the beach. On Sunday evening this ishome to the weekly fiesta. Entertainment includes singing, dancing, clowns, and plays. And no fiesta would be complete without lots of good food!
Playa La Madera
Between Playa Municipal and Playa La Ropa is Playa La Madera. This beach is home to several mid-priced hotels and a few restaurants.
The beach is a good swimming beach, popular with locals and Mexican tourists. Nearly every afternoon the beach is home to a soccer game.
At one end is M.J. and Richie's, a great little restaurant serving breakfast and lunch. They have palapas to provide shade and great seafood.
Playa El Palmar
Playa el Palmar is Ixtapa's main beach, along which stretches Ixtapa's Hotel zone. Most of its major hotels are found in this area. Paseo Ixtapa, the resort's main, tree-lined boulevard, runs behind the first line of multi-storied hotels all the way to Marina Ixtapa. On the boulevard you can find a variety of excellent restaurants as well as stores selling beach clothing and accessories, souvenirs and arts and crafts.
There are many activities right on the beach, including banana-boat rides, para-sailing and wind-surfing. The waves are perfect for boogie boards.