3 perfect days in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico

“I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.”

In the movie “Shawshank Redemption,” Red and Andy spend their time in prison dreaming about a beautiful spot—a warm place with no memory—on Mexico’s Pacific coast. That place is Zihuatanejo, and whether you’re a movie buff or not, you should add this laid-back, palm tree-laden beach town to your travel radar right away.

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Zihuatanejo

Fresh catch at the fish market on Playa Principal

Fresh ground coffee, art, surfwear and cool vibes at Loot

 

Views of the Pacific at Capella Ixtapa

Hand-made shoes at the local market

Guitarist on Playa La Ropa

Fishing boats on Playa Principal

Coastline between Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo

Sunset at the Viceroy Zihuatanejo

The two sister towns, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, may be close in proximity but, character-wise, they’re worlds apart. Ixtapa boasts a shoreline of tourist spots, with hotels ranging from the long-beloved Las Brisas Ixtapa to the newer cliffside luxury resort, Capella Ixtapa. Over in Zihuatanejo, you won’t find a single Starbucks or Domino’s Pizza. It still feels like a local’s fishing village and captures your heart with its charming, relaxed vibe.

Beautiful beaches, delicious food and a plethora of outdoor activities means Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has something for everyone. Escape with us, as we take you on a 3-day tour through Mexico’s Pacific paradise.

Carmelita – owner and chef at Carmelita’s Café

DAY 1

Meet Carmelita. If that smile isn’t enough to lure you in to her eponymous restaurant, Carmelita’s Café, then the smell of fresh tortillas cooking on the griddle will. The best breakfast spot in town, tales of her flavorful, authentic cooking have attracted locals, tourists and even celebrity chefs like Michael Symon and Marcus Samuelsson. Try her freshly baked sweet pastries, amazing tamales and savory Huevos a la Pasilla.

Now roll yourself on over to Playa Principal, the main beach in Zihuatanejo, for a little post-breakfast siesta and swim. Near many of the shops and market areas, this beach hums with activity. There are plenty of palms trees around, so plop yourself down in the shade and observe the beach-life in motion around you.

When you’re ready to get up and wander, head to the fish market on the section of the beach where all the white, wooden fishermen boats are pulled ashore. Here, the fisherman lay out their fresh catch on tarps across the sand and sell to everyone from restaurants chefs to residents looking for a nice tuna, dorado, or marlin (if you’re lucky!) for the night’s dinner.

You could spend all afternoon at Playa Principal, but come evening, stroll on over to Angustina’s, the coolest bar and kitchen in town. Mezcal is the focus here, and they infuse it into everything from fresh crudo dishes to their famous cocktails. On weekends, live music plays and the dancing, mezcal-filled crowd spills out onto the Zihuatanejo streets.

DAY 2

Get up early because you’re going to spend themorning loungingaround on the peaceful Playa Las Gatas. First though, swing by Loot for some fresh ground coffee. Exuding a part-hipster, part-surfer vibe, Loot is more than just a coffee shop. The creative, open-air space features a boutique and seating area on the first floor, an art gallery and barber shop on the second level, and chic new restaurant on the rooftop.

With iced coffee and maybe some new surf-wear in hand, you’re ready to hop on a quick boat ride over to Playa Las Gatas. The waters are calm at this more remote beach, with relatively no waves due to the positioning of a coral reef a few hundred feet offshore. Beyond serving as a great barrier, the vibrant reef allows for some awesome snorkeling or scuba diving.

Spa at Capella Ixtapa

Relaxation is the name of the game today. So, after a morning at the beach, you deserve to spend the afternoon at the spa. Take a quick cab ride over to one of the nicest luxury resorts in the whole area, Capella Ixtapa. This cliffside hotel is simply stunning, and the views of the Pacific from your indoor (or outdoor) treatment room will blow you away. You’ll find out why Condé Nast Traveler has awarded this place the “#1 Spa in Mexico and Central America” multiple times.

With the amazing views Capella has to offer,you might as well stick around for dinner. Dine outdoors at their terrace restaurant, Mares, where you can choose your own fish from fresh catch laid out on ice.

DAY 3

It’s time for a little shopping on your last day. Spend the morning perusing the local markets along the streets of Zihuatanejo. You’ll find an array of amazing artisan-made goods at attractive prices. Vibrant textiles, embroidered bags, and hand-woven shoes line the shelves of each stall. It’s easy to find something beautiful and unique to take back home with you.

Fresh marlin Tiritas at La Perla

Lunch time calls, and we’ve got the perfect place in mind. Over on La Ropa beach, snag a table in the sand at La Perla. Francisco and his family have been running the beachside cafe for decades, and it’s the best place to try the local dish, tiritas. Similar to ceviche, fresh marlin is marinated with lime juice and red onion, then seasoned and served.

La Ropa Beach is our favorite in all of Ixtapa-Zihuatanajo. While a couple of hotels are set along this shoreline, it’s not overly touristy and exudes a fun, relaxed vibe. The views of the surrounding town and rugged coastline are stunning, and the deep turquoise water is pretty unbeatable.

Since it’s your last day, treat yourself to a special dinner. Just steps down La Rope beach, you’ll find another favorite luxury hotel to the area, the Viceroy Zihuatanejo. At their beachfront restaurant, La Marea, dine on fresh seafood under the stars. Afterwords, swing away the last moments of vacation on their hand-woven hammock strung out between two palm trees above the sand.

Tagged: Mexico