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Escape to divine Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
By Jody Reed, Destinations
Rose-hued sunsets meet azure waters in this sensory extravaganza…a rainbow tapestry of experiences and accommodations. For those with “champagne taste and beer money,” there are lovely, quaint resorts with all the amenities for less than $50 a night. For those travelers who can afford it, there are elegant accommodations where the sky’s the limit. But for everyone who visits this still-underdeveloped gem on Mexico’s western coast, it is a double paradise in other ways as well. The colorful fishing village of Zihuatanejo (“Place of Women”) oozes with tradition, heritage and déjà vu culture of the past, while Ixtapa sports the image of a young, new and contemporary tourist mecca. Old and new are blended like a fine tapestry offering something for every tourist in what’s termed the Costa Grande of Mexico.
Unique among Mexico’s alluring tropical beach destinations, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo offers the best of two paradise worlds: the sparkling modern luxury resort of Ixtapa and (just 3 scenic miles away) the charming historic fishing “pueblo” of Zihuatanejo.
The dissimilarity of this Pacific Coast duo adds up to a doubly appealing vacation choice. Some visitors seek luxury, glamour and pampering service; others yearn for a tranquil rustic retreat. Here you can have it all! The promotional slogans sum it up as “The one place that’s two places at once,” and therefore resulting in a vacation destination “Twice as Pleasing.”
Ixtapa’s fabulous, world-class courses make this tropical destination a utopia for golfers of all levels.
The Marina Ixtapa Club de Golf was designed by Robert von Hagge, completing the multi-million-dollar Marina Ixtapa project. The Campo de Golf Palma Real was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. in 1977. This course was a key element in the master plan of FONATUR ( the National Fund for Tourism Development) which originally developed Ixtapa as a resort destination. The courses are located at opposite ends of Ixtapa’s hotel strip and are either within walking distance of the hotels or at most a five-minute taxi ride. And for golfers staying in neighboring Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa is only 10 minutes away.
In addition to fabulous golf and tennis, sport fishing is a big attraction – trophy-size sailfish, blue and black marlin, yellow fin tuna and dorado are likely catches. In fact, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has been designated as the second most important sport fishing destination in the world and first in Mexco.
Over 30 fabulous scuba diving sites (some right inside Zihuatanejo Bay) include spectacular underwater canyons, shallow coral formations, and even sunken ships. The Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa Scuba Centers offer dive excursions and NAUI Certification courses. You can also enjoy yachting, water skiing, parachute gliding, windsurfing, horseback riding (along beaches and through coconut, mango and papaya plantations), birdwatching and excursions to nearby mountain and coastal villages. There is even more adventure with mountain biking tours, rappel, cave explorations and kayaking through the mangrove lagoons at Barra de Potosi and river rafting near the town of Petatlan just down the coast. The new ciclopista (bicycle path) that runs through Ixtapa, around the golf courses and all the way to Zihuatanejo is enjoyed by bicyclers and joggers, and you’ll always see plenty of energetic locals, as well as visitors, running several pleasant kilometers.
Just a short bit of my itinerary follows:
Day 1: Stop at a fruit plantation and tour the charming puebla of Petatlan. Top off this day with a sunset cruise on the Picante Catamaran or the Dancer, for stunning, panoramic views of the Bay.
Day II: Try a canopy tour or go deep sea fishing for cutting edge ecotourism. Bonita, yellow fin tuna and snapper abound. Go to the Dolphinarium for a unique encounter.
Day III: Following your divine biking and kayaking adventure, check out Mother Nature’s finest with some snorkeling you will long treasure. In the evening, hop an ATV tour for a rose-hued sunset.
Day IV: Just down the road… For those of us who cherish the colonial treasure of San Miguel de Allende, as well, a new tourism program combines shuttle buses and cooperative packages to showcase both stunning communities, only five hours apart. The harmonious marriage of these two gems makes you the traveler the winner. And if that is not enough, be a pseudo-archeologist for a day with the excavation (“DIGS”) at La Chole, a newly-discovered, massive pyramid complex nearby.
WHERE TO STAY:
For a more casual ambience, the Casa Sun and Moon in Zihuatanejo is the place to go. With genuine old-fashioned hospitality, this is Mexico at its finest. A déjà vu step-back-in-time atmosphere with some of the amenities you might expect greet you from the moment you arrive. This tranquil little piece of heaven is for families, honeymooners or singles.
The staff is as good as they come and the stunning nearby panoramas makes this a crown jewel not to be missed. Their sister property, La Casa Rosa is a great destination especially for the value-minded traveler. Quaint and rustic, this is another rainbow of opportunities.
REED’S RATINGS---IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO
** Tranquil environment with natural beauty and serenity.
**Ample water sports including excellent diving.
**A wide variety of accommodations, from bungalows to five-star properties to meet every budget and palette.
FOR MORE INFORMATION;
www.casasunandmoon.com
www.visitmexico.com
1-800-44MEXICO
www.info@visitixtapa-zihuatanejo.org
relacionespublicas@visit-ixtapa-zihuatanejo.org
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