5 Night Coastal Getaway to Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Advisor - Lisa Roah
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Lisa Roah

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  • Mexico

  • Couples Travel

  • Tropical Vacations

  • Arts & Culture

  • Family Travel

  • Beach Town

  • Laidback

  • Local Food

small boat cruising through clear blue waters with island scene in the background
Curator’s statement

Zihuatanejo is a charming coastal Mexican town with many different beaches and a lovely old town with narrow streets, shops and restaurants. I loved that we were able to fly direct from Los Angeles, hop in a taxi and be at our hotel within twenty minutes, toes in the sand, already ordering tacos and margaritas. It is a perfect five-day vacation, as you don't want to leave the beach for at least three days, which leaves one to go out fishing and snorkeling with one of the local boat captains and another to stroll along the beach walk with dozens of cafés and bars, followed by a massage and dinner overlooking the ocean. Ixtapa is a quick drive if you want to check out a nearby town, but we felt no need to do so as Zihuatanejo was perfect.

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Where to stay in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

Thompson Zihuatanejo, A Beach Resort

Sleek property along La Ropa Beach with chic rooms and suites offering direct beach access.

Fora Perks
  • ★

    $100 hotel / resort credit.

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    Breakfast daily.

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    Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

La Casa Que Canta

Just a 3-minute walk from the nearest beach, this upscale hotel on the Pacific coast is a relaxed hideaway with ocean views for lounging and dining.

Tentaciones Hotel & Restaurant

Set on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this upscale all-suite hotel is just 1 km from the heart of Zihuatanejo and the pristine La Ropa Beach.

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Things to do in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

clear blue water in a harbor dotted by moored boats and rolling hills in the background

  • Work on your tan at Playa La Ropa, a perfect swimming beach with gentle waves. Beach bars, massages, banana boat rides, jet skis are also an option here ... this beach is wonderful.

  • Relax. This is not a party town, and nobody seemed to be out late. This vacation is all about the beach, swimming and good food.

  • Hike to Las Gatas beach. It is an easy walk, but don't go without sneakers as you have to scramble over quite a few rocks. You can take a water taxi, but we loved walking along the shore at the end of Playa la Ropa. Go early! It is a popular locals beach, and fills up quickly. There are tons of beach shacks serving ice cold coronitas in buckets.

  • See Jesus. Snorkel out to see the Jesus statue anchored just outside the breakwater at Playa Las Gatas about 20 meters down.

  • Watch fishermen bringing in the daily catch at El Centro.

  • Walk the Malecon. This is a paved path along the beautiful Zihuatanejo Bay.

  • Eat pozole. Not to be missed. Pozole is a soup of hominy and pork, famous in Mexico. Every region has its own variation, and in Zihuatanejo, it is eaten only on Thursdays.

  • Go out boating with Pedro at Zihua Tours. Tell him Lisa and Mark sent you!

  • Take a day trip to Troncones - a surf spot nearby.

Places to eat & drink in Zihuatanejo, Mexico

a hand holds a cocktail over a sandy sunny beach view

Dining in Zihuatanejo fell into four categories: casual beach shacks with plastic tables and chairs in the sand, fancy cliffside options with amazing views and higher prices, roadside family cafes or fun bars/restaurants in the center of town. Try them all.

  • Las Adelitas: We stumbled across this gem for dinner our first night there. Fresh quality food and drinks, cheap prices, and great staff! Not a fancy place at all, but it was some of the best Mexican food we had.

  • Tentaciones Restaurant: Great for your last night in town to enjoy the view and dress up for dinner. It is a five course price fixe tasting menu that we really enjoyed. The view from this location is spectacular. Expensive, but worth it.

  • La Gaviota and El Vigía Restaurant: Both are great options on La Ropa beach with excellent seafood.

  • Papa Loca: We didn't make it here, but it was recommended by many! Cheap eats and a local favorite. Very casual.

  • Hao (at The Thompson): Great tacos and pina coladas for lunch - we ate at a table pulled up to our beach loungers. Loved the vibe of this location - right on the beach.

  • Have dessert and a drink at Casa Que Canta and enjoy the incredible view. This is the hotel featured in the movie A Man Loves a Woman with Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia.

Need to Know

Advisor - Lisa Roah

Travel Advisor

Lisa Roah

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Mexico.