Destination
In an unusually beautiful site, in the heart of the Mexican Pacific, surrounded by mountains covered with tropical forest that come down to the coast, lies the peaceful, picturesque fishing village of Zihuatanejo with its wonderful combination of tranquility, exuberant surroundings and affordable tourist facilities. Its superb semi-tropical climate, with temperatures oscillating between 82° and 90°F and its nearly three kilometers of beach have made this one of Mexico’s most popular resorts.
What was formerly known as Cihuatlán (meaning “Place of Women” in Náhuatl) was the Tarascan monarch’s favorite place of retreat. It was there that in October 1527 the first galleon, captained by Alvaro de Saavedra y Cerón, set sail in search of a route that would link America to the Phillipines. Legend has its famous pirates such as Francis Drake used to lie in wait off the coast of this attractive port.
Although it has been modernized, Zihuatanejo still retains the village atmosphere that has made it famous throughout the world.
Although its main attraction is the golden beaches that surround its gorgeous bay, wandering round the cobbled streets in the town center is also extremely pleasant. There you will find restaurants serving national and international cuisine, picturesque shops and typical markets carrying everything from traditional handicrafts to the latest international fashions.
Seven kilometers outside Zihuatanejo lies the modern tourist complex of Ixtapa (meaning "Place of White Sands" in Háhuatl), which together with Zihuatanejo, forms what is know as the "Dorado Pacífic" – Golden Pacific.
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo has managed to preserve all attractions that have made it so highly sought after; virtually unspoiled beaches, year-round sun, a calm, clean sea, exuberant vegetation and exotic birds. It also has a first-rate infrastructure, hotels and restaurants to suite every budget, golf course and above all, facilities for water sports, excursions and walks.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is 448 km southeast of Mexico City and 268 km away from the port of Acapulco by Highway 200. It is served by an international airport.
The beautiful Mexican Riviera offers the visitor the opportunity to experience a not completely discovered vacational place. Ixtapa is a small and exclusive hotel zone, located in the Mexican pacific coast, to the north of Acapulco and 40 minutes of flight from Mexico City.
Ixtapa presumes of a marina of $550 million and 450 acres, two world-wide class golf courses of 18 holes. Through the hotel zone are wonderful commercial centers, craft stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
Zihuatanejo, located about 6 kilometers away from Ixtapa, is the oldest of the two cities, and offers to the visitors the opportunity to experience a classic Mexican town, charming markets that captivate, and an idyllic port.
Whether in the luxury of Ixtapa or the Mexican enchantment of Zihuatanejo, both offer a perfect vacational destination.
FAST FACTS
Zihuatanejo is the fourth-largest city in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Politically it belongs to the municipality of José Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, on the Pacific Coast, about 240 km (approximately 145 miles) northwest of Acapulco. The modern tourist resort of Ixtapa is 5 km away.
Zihuatanejo is the seat of government for the municipality and the principal community in the region. Ixtapa is a government-planned tourist resort that was begun in the early 1970s and constructed on what was once a coconut plantation and mangrove estuary. Zihuatanejo reported a population of 62,367 in the 2005 Mexican census, whereas the population of Ixtapa was 6,406 persons. The municipality of José Azueta had a population of 104,609 and encompasses an area of 1,921.5 km² (741.89 sq mi) (source: National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Data Processing, INEGI).
Zihuatanejo
The name Zihuatanejo is from the Nahuatl "Cihuatlán", meaning "the place of women" because it was a matriarchal society. In pre-Columbian times, the Tarascan leader Calzonzin frequented the area from the modern day Lake Pátzcuaro region. Legend has it that he constructed the rock barrier on Playa Las Gatas (named for the harmless whiskered sharks that used to be found there) to provide a sheltered swimming area and harbor for the women and children, though the town's official historian says this is a myth. Nevertheless, that barrier, whether man-made or natural, continues to protect the beach to this day. With the arrival of the Spanish, the name Cihuatlan was transformed first into Cihuatlán and then into Ciguatanejo. Zihuatanejo’s current name form has only been in use for the past couple of centuries.
The Spanish Conquistadores believed Cihuatlán to be a land to the northwest with beautiful Amazon women, gold, and precious gems, and perhaps another name for the Seven Cities of Cibola.
Air Transportation
Zihuatanejo can be reached by sky, bus and highway and has its own airport, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International. Flights are available from Mexico City and various places in the United States and Canada.
Zihuatanejo In Popular Culture
Zihuatanejo plays an important role in movie The Shawshank Redemption, where the main character dreams about one day being able to own a small hotel on the beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Sister Cities
- Los Gatos, California United States
- Collingwood, Ontario Canada.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Convention and Visitors Bureau Official website
