Activities
So many exciting activities to choose from!
Fishing
Inshore fishing in the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo area offers an exciting array of species, including jack crevalle (locally known as “yellowtail jack”), roosterfish, ladyfish, various snappers, groupers, sierra, barracuda, and more. These fish are typically caught right off the local surf line or along various points on the nearby coast. Prime fishing spots include Isla Ixtapa, located right in front of the resorts, the local rocks off Zihuatanejo Bay, and areas extending from Troncones to the north, to Papanoa, Barra de Potosi, and Vicente Guerrero to the south.
Barra de Potosi is located just 22 miles from the San Andres fault, creating ideal conditions for deep blue water fishing just minutes from shore. Anglers can expect to catch Blue and Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, and Mahi-mahi regularly. The area’s mountainous landscape also offers a prime shoreline for some of the world’s best rooster fishing. Explore the rocks and beaches where Roosterfish, Wahoo, Yellowtail Jacks, Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel, Black Tuna, Grouper, and Snapper thrive. Whether you prefer deep-sea fishing or inshore action, Barra de Potosi and surrounding area has both options ready for your adventure. There are many fishing charters available for hire.
Zihuatanejo - Pueblos Magicos
Discover the vibrant allure of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, where pristine beaches, captivating activities, and a wealth of attractions await you. Unwind at our beach hotel, soaking up the sun on the golden shores and indulging in the ultimate seaside experience.
With its picturesque landscapes and abundant recreational opportunities, Zihuatanejo promises an unforgettable vacation filled with beachside bliss and endless adventures. Engage in a multitude of activities, from thrilling water sports like snorkeling and paddleboarding to exploring the charming local markets and art galleries.
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage by visiting historical landmarks such as the Church of Santa Maria de Guadalupe and the Archaeological Museum of the Costa Grande. Whether you seek relaxation or excitement, Zihuatanejo offers a perfect blend of both, ensuring a memorable and enriching stay.
Recently designated one of the 177 Magic Towns of Mexico, Zihuatanejo is the dream “getaway” famously mentioned in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” With no high rises, this charming town features incredible beaches nestled within a stunningly beautiful small bay.
Spend your days engaging in a variety of activities such as fishing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, biking, exploring, surfing, water-skiing, sailing, horseback riding, and adventure hiking. For those seeking tranquility, you can simply relax under a palm tree on one of our many pristine beaches.
The culinary scene in Zihuatanejo is equally impressive, offering a range of dining experiences from gourmet restaurants set in architectural wonders and tropical gardens to traditional thatched-roof eateries operated by local families right on the beach.
Jungle-covered hills surround Zihuatanejo, offering stupendous spots for scuba diving and boat rides. Visitors can embark on yachts and cruise ships to admire the breathtaking ocean views that Zihuatanejo is famous for. Its beaches, with fine sand and gentle waves of crystal-clear water, invite relaxation in a warm and wet climate.
La Principal is one of the most visited beaches, known for its pleasant corners where visitors can enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. The wide waterfront promenade is perfect for leisurely strolls while watching the fishing boats.
La Madera is a small haven embraced by lush vegetation, giving it a unique feel. This narrow strip of sand is guarded by massive rocks rising from the ocean, creating a serene spot for swimming and enjoying the natural surroundings.
La Ropa is one of the most famous and popular beaches in the area, known for its calm waves. It’s an ideal spot for windsurfing, boat rides, and parasailing, making it a favorite for water sports enthusiasts.
Las Gatas is set in a small cove, its splendor framed by enormous rock formations. The calm, shallow waters are perfect for families, offering excellent opportunities for snorkeling and diving. The underwater coral formations are home to multicolored fish, and the submerged bronze sculpture, Rey de Reyes (King of Kings), created by Guerrero sculptor Marco Antonio Rivero, adds to the beach’s unique allure. The unbeatable coastal scenery can be enjoyed from a boat ride across the bay or a stroll along the shore.
Manzanillo Beach is perfect for snorkeling and admiring the surrounding rock formations, offering a tranquil escape for nature lovers.
Larga Beach, also known as Blanca Beach, is Zihuatanejo’s last beach. This wide, sandy expanse faces the open ocean, providing ample space for swimming, running, or horseback riding.
Each of these beaches offers a unique experience, making Zihuatanejo a paradise for beach lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Troncones
Troncones is situated approximately 280 kilometers north of Acapulco and about 35 kilometers (roughly a 25-minute drive) north of the twin resorts of Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, as well as the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport. Transportation from the airport can be conveniently pre-arranged through various lodging establishments in Troncones.
Troncones features many activities, restaurants, and a popular surfing scene, including some of Mexico’s best kept “secret” surfing beaches. The area is renowned for its excellent surf spots, attracting surfers from around the world. The diverse surf conditions ensure that there is great surfing available along the coast in every season.
Troncones Beach spans approximately 219 to 328 yards in width and faces the open ocean, experiencing moderate to strong waves that make swimming inadvisable. However, it is ideal for strolling along the water’s edge or enjoying a horseback ride. On one side of the beach, small cliffs provide excellent spots for fishing and add to the scenic beauty of the area.
Internationally renowned as a fantastic surfing destination, Troncones Beach attracts surfers from around the globe. Visitors can also take advantage of the diverse activities available, including outings into the jungle or exploring nearby caves. Mountain biking and bird-watching offer additional opportunities to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the region.
Surfing
Barre de Potosi in West Guerrero is an exposed reef and point break Offshore winds are from the north northeast. Tends to receive distant groundswells and the ideal swell direction is from the southwest. A choice of left and right reefs. Surfable at all stages of the tide. It very rarely gets crowded here. Watch out for rips and rocks.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Surfing Spots:
Surfing, bodyboarding, and bodysurfing are activities that are usually enjoyed on many of the beaches of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, and the Riviera Dorada. There are many spots where you can enjoy surfing for fun and participate in tournaments. You could also take your first classes, since there are many, excellent, experienced instructors who will help you take your “first strokes”. Playa La Madera in Zihuatanejo and La Saladita in La Union are two of the preferred beaches for beginners, while La Escollera and Playa Linda are preferred by locals and experienced surfers. There are many surfers who travel here to participate in events such as Local Warm-Ups, State and National Tournaments, and the International Bodysurf Tournament. Would you like to try it?
Las Escolleras, Ixtapa
It is the top choice in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. It is very popular because of its waves and being home to different tournaments. During the day you’ll always find somebody surfing, for sure!
Playa Linda, Ixtapa
This beach is very popular because of it’s amenities, for example; the RV Trailer Park, the cycling course, commercial area, and of course amazing waves to enjoy almost all year. Peaceful walks and camping space make this spot perfect to enjoy with friends.
La Madera, Zihuatanejo
La Majahua, Zihuatanejo
Las Gatas, Zihuatanejo
Across the Zihuatanejo bay, right in front of La Principal beach, Las Gatas beach is becoming popular for surfing as well. Because of its gentle waves at the end of the beach, it is an excellent place to be introduced on this sport.
Playa Troncones, Riviera Dorada
Located about 25 minutes from Ixtapa, this is the true jewel on the coast of La Unión municipality. It is a laidback surfing paradise with small hotels and restaurants. It is a very popular break for both amateurs and professionals.
La Saladita, Riviera Dorada
This beautiful and isolated beach is a surf utopia, located about 25 minutes from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo in the La Union
Ixtapa & Ixtapa Island
Ixtapa, located in the state of Guerrero on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, lies in the region known as the Mexican Riviera. Situated 200 kilometers north of Acapulco, it is just a 5-minute drive from the charming fishing village of Zihuatanejo. The endless virgin beaches of Troncones are only 15 minutes away, while the fabulous beaches and wildlife preserve lagoons at Barra de Potosi are about a 30-minute drive from Ixtapa.
Along the coastline from El Faro Point to Ixtapa Point, a series of rock formations and bays shelter this vibrant tourist resort’s beaches. Known for its dramatic landscapes, where steep slopes formed by mountains plunge into the ocean, Ixtapa features valleys interspersed with looming cliffs and a scenic coastline that opens up to Palmar Bay, revealing several attractive beaches.
Linda Beach boasts fine sand and placid waves, making it ideal for swimming, horseback riding, or taking a boat to nearby Ixtapa Island.
Ixtapa Island is a rocky islet surrounded by spectacular beaches—Varadero, Coral, Cuachalalate, and Carey—all featuring warm, quiet waters. Each beach offers the perfect setting for basking in the sun and enjoying the serene surroundings. For those seeking underwater adventures, the northern part of the island, known as Morro Colorado, offers excellent scuba diving. The area is also suitable for windsurfing, water skiing, sport fishing, and sailing. Many vessels frequent this touristic spot, accessible by motorboat.
Among the beaches on Ixtapa Island, Carey Beach stands out as a more secluded and private retreat. Tucked among gigantic rocks, it is unique for being a topless and nudist beach, offering a more liberating beach experience.
El Palmar Beach is the emblem of Ixtapa, known for its great touristic importance and natural wonders. Located on the open ocean, its just over a mile of beach features big waves, perfect for windsurfing, parasailing, diving, fishing, and boat rides. Surfing is possible at Las Escolleras Point.
Quieta Beach offers calm waters that are fantastic for swimming or kayaking, providing a peaceful escape for water enthusiasts.
Each beach in Ixtapa has its own unique charm, ensuring a diverse and memorable experience for every visitor.
Museo del Coco
On a picturesque piece of land nestled among the streets of the Guerrero village of Coacoyul, adjacent to a sprawling 70-hectare coconut plantation, lies El Museo del Coco, or The Coconut Museum. This museum aims to educate both locals and visitors through informative posters that trace the history of coconuts in the region from their early years to the present day. The goal is to highlight the varied uses of this highly versatile fruit and emphasize the importance of coconut cultivation for the development of the state of Guerrero.
The exhibits showcase a wide range of products derived from a single coconut, including virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, yogurt, butter, and cottage cheese. The museum promotes the consumption of coconut and its derivatives by raising awareness of their health benefits. Additionally, there is a bar where visitors can purchase tequila or rum to enjoy with coconut, adding a delightful twist to the educational experience.
Turtle Release
Three types of turtles come to nest on the beaches of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo: leatherback, olive ridley and black; the females will remember the beach where they were born and on their way to the sea, they will always return to nest on the same beach where they were born after fifteen years of age.
Various locations in the area will have baby turtle releases.
Right here at Hotel Casa de la Luna, you can witness turtles making their way up the sand to lay their eggs.
Scuba Diving
Diving in Zihuatanejo is an exhilarating experience, offering a variety of sites with depths ranging from 5 meters (15 feet) to 30 meters (100 feet). Explore vibrant coral reefs, pelagic dive spots, and intriguing rock structures with swim-throughs. The Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa area boasts incredible biodiversity, featuring marine species such as eagle rays, octopuses, seahorses, moray eels, sea turtles, bioluminescent organisms, nudibranchs, stingrays, dolphins, and much more. Each dive promises a captivating underwater adventure.
Waterfalls
Cascada Ixtapa, Cascada El Salto waterfalls and freshwater rock pools.
Horseback Riding
Xihuacan Archaeological Site
The main ruins of the site are the pyramid called “Soledad de Marciel”. The museum houses relics and excavated objects such as vases, pots, axes, ceramics and more.
This ceremonial center, the largest in the state of Guerrero and locally known as La Chole, is situated 20 km from Casa de la Luna. It was historically occupied by the Tomil, Cuitlateco, and Tepozteca cultures. Visitors can explore a large mud pyramid, unique in Mexico with a one-hectare base, along with a ball game court and the Xihuacan Site Museum. It is one of the most visited pre-Hispanic centers by tourists and locals alike, who flock to this emblematic and ancestral site to recharge their bodies with positive energy during the spring equinox on March 21.
Site Museum of the Archaeological Zone of Soledad de Maciel-Xihuacan
Whale Watching
Humpback whales frequent the area from December to March, offering a spectacular opportunity for a Whale Watching Tour. In addition to these majestic creatures, you can often spot dolphins, sea turtles, mobula rays, cownose rays, black tuna, and various species of marine birds, making every tour a rich and diverse experience with marine wildlife.
Bioluminescence
If you’re seeking a magical natural phenomenon to witness in Mexico, bioluminescence should definitely be on your list.
Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms like plankton, fireflies, and jellyfish. This enchanting spectacle produces stunning displays of glowing blue or green light, visible only under specific conditions and in select locations including right here at Playa Blanca.
El Refugio de Potosí
Established in 2008, El Refugio de Potosí is a private, not for profit, 7-hectare ecological park located in the coastal tropical dry forest in the region of Barra de Potosí, Playa Blanca, Guerrero, Mexico.
Located one mile from Barra de Potosí in Playa Blanca.
El Refugio offers visitors an array of garden paths, botanical displays, an iguana habitat, macaw roosts, a 60-foot sperm whale skeleton, hummingbird feeding stations, a wild life pond, native wild birds, and an 18-meter high observation tower.
Barra de Potosi
It is an ideal destination for those seeking a rustic, adventurous, and nature-centric experience. Named for the strip of sand that separates the lagoon from the sea, this area is a bird lover’s paradise, hosting a sanctuary for over 270 species of migratory birds. It is considered one of the most diverse areas in the country. During the rainy season, the waters of the lagoon and the sea merge, transforming the mangroves into a habitat where hundreds of species feed, reproduce, and nest before returning to the sea. The area features three types of mangroves: red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) and buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus). More details here!
Mexican Riviera
Welcome to the paradise of the South Mexican Pacific, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, a destination that offers a wide range of tourist services at your fingertips. Spend your days relaxing on pristine beaches or explore the city with a comprehensive city tour. For the adventurous, there is an array of activities including rappelling, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking. If ecotourism is more your style, enjoy whale watching or participate in turtle release programs. No matter how you choose to spend your time, we are confident that the Mexican Riviera will captivate you, making you never want to leave.