Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Two destinations in one: the modernity and luxury of Ixtapa and the charm of quiet and traditional Zihuatanejo. Ixtapa features grand-tourism class hotels along three kilometers of soft sand beaches. Across from the hotel zone are shops selling a wide range of souvenirs, designer clothes and beach items, as well as great restaurants, bars and cafes. At just ten minutes from Ixtapa, life in Zihuatanejo remains centered around the town s main beach, where the local fisherman come in with the day s catch. There are a number of excellent hotels in Zihuatanejo, from the most exclusive small luxury hotels to charming owner-operated inns or bungalows where the attention is personal and the service excellent. This Mexican Pacific town combines romance, glamour, simplicity and intensity. In its charming downtown, visitors will find many things to see and do, like a little shopping in the craft market, dancing to salsa and trova rhythms, or going to a cafe or one of many fine restaurants, which run the gamut from haute cuisine to the delicious traditional fare. Where is it? Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is located 225 km (139 mi) northwest of Acapulco on the Federal Highway 200 on the Mexican Pacific coast, 667 km (413 mi) from Mexico City and 365 km (226 mi) from Morelia on the Maxipista Siglo XXI highway. This destination forms part of Costa Grande, in the western región of the State of Guerrero. Tourist Institutions Tourism Promotion Bureau of Guerrero in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Phone: (755) 544-8361 www.guerrero.gob.mx Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Convention and Visitors Bureau Office info@travelixtapazihuatanejo.com DMC s Ixzi Tours imcleon@prodigy.net.mx www.ixzitours.com Phone: (755) 553 5751 Sunny Side Phone: (755) 553-3790 oliverio@sunnyside.com.mx www.sunnyside.com.mx Zihuatanejo Mio Site Member Plaza Ixpamar #8 Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Guerrero. México 40880, Phone & fax: (52) 755 553-0509 cristina@zihuatanejomio.com www.zihuatanejomio.com (52) (755) 553-1270 www.travelixtapazihuatanejo.com Country Code/ Area Code Weather Precipitation Rainy Days Winter (Jan-Mar) 25º C 70º F 25 mm - 0.9 in 2 out of 90 Spring (Apr-Jun) 28º C 82º F 201 mm - 7.8 in 13 out of 91 Summer (Jul-Sep) 30º C 86º F 585 mm - 22.8 in 41 out of 92 Autumn (Oct-Dec) 27º C 80º F 111 mm - 4.3 in 11 out of 92 93
Arriving by plane Ixtapa Zihuatanejo International Airport Distance to downtown: 13Km (8mi) southeast Zihuatanejo and 19 Km (12mi) southeast Ixtapa. Code: ZIH Airlines with direct flights to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo From Code Airlines Flight Time Houston, U.S.A IAH United Airlines, Continental 2:20 Los Ángeles, U.S.A LAX Alaska Airlines 3:21 Mexico City, Mex. MEX Aeroméxico, Aeromar Interjet 1:00 Toluca, Mex. IJ Interjet 0:50 Phoenix, U.S.A PHX US Airways 3:00 Calgary, CAN. YYC West Jet, Air Canadá 5:18 Attractions Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Beaches Characteristics: The main attraction here are the beaches because besides enchanting spots to enjoy the sun and the sea, visitors will also find several miles of soft sand. Water sports can be enjoyed on almost every beach and there are also many seafood restaurants. Delfinity Dolphinarium Characteristics: The Delfinity dolphinarium is a revolutionary concept where visitors will learn more about these animals and their relationship with humans, as well as swimming with the dolphins. Opening hours are 10:00 A.M.-12:00 noon and 4:00-7:00 P.M. Location: Lote anexo 6-B Hotel zone, No. 1 Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo, Guerrero. 94
Ixtapa Arriving by land Central Bus Terminal Phone: (755) 5446-991 Zihuatanejo-Acapulco Highway. Bus lines that offer direct connections (first class, plus, executive or luxury) to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo from the following locations: From Bus Lines Travel Time Number of Departures Acapulco Estrella de Oro, 4:30 hrs. 10 Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo at dusk Mexico City Estrella de Oro, 9 hrs. 4 Morelia Parhikuni 4 hrs. 4 Distance and price chart From Km Distance Mi Average Fare pesos * Acapulco 250 155 163 Mexico City 636 394 640 Morelia 381 236 450 Marina at dusk *First class, executive and luxury service. Prices are subject to change. The peso/dollar, peso/euro exchange rate is variable. At press time, the exchange rate was 1 USD = 13.40 pesos, 1 = 18.90 pesos. Archeological Museum of Costa Grande Characteristics: This museum provides the most significant information about the 54 archeological sites discovered in the areas surrounding Zihuatanejo and other spots of the Costa Grande where traces of Olmec, Teotihuacan, Tarascan and Mexica influences have been found, which reflect the trade and cultural exchange in the area. Passing through its 6 halls, visitors take a journey from the times of the first settlers to the colonial period. The entry cost is $12.00 MXP per person and visiting hours are 8:00 A.M.-18:00 P.M. Location: Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman s Walk) in front of the Playa Principal (the main beach) of Zihuatanejo. Refugio de Potosí Ecological Park Is an oasis of nature where visitors can admire the great variety of birds of the region, enjoy sweeping views of the ocean, mountains and jungles from the observation tower, or take walks along a network of trails that provide the opportunity to discover the region s vegetation. Visitors can also visit the butterfly garden, which is home to native species, as well as the areas set aside for macaws, hummingbirds and iguanas. El Palmar Ixtapa beach Golf Location: 5 km far from the tourist resort of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, on the road to Acapulco. 95
Actividades Golf Ixtapa has two fabulous golf courses. See page 39. Sport fishing The Mexican Pacific has become one of the most popular places in the world for sport fishing, in particular Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo. Specimens of sailfish, blue marlin, yellow fin tuna, dory, grouper or dolphin fish have been caught in these waters. It was rated as the second most popular fishing destination by Saltwater Sport-fishing magazine. Conventions For hosting conventions, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has hotels with facilities capable of accommodating up to one thousand persons comfortably. Each hotel has staff expert in managing groups and conventions. They take care of all details in order to assure that every convention, congress or gathering is a real success. It must be remembered that in some venues of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo the zero tax rate* is applicable to congresses and conventions. *The 0% VAT rate for congresses, conventions, expositions and fairs is used throughout the country in accordance with the Treasury Department Law. For more information, please visit page www.shcp.gob.mx. Gastronomy Sport Fishing Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo s tables are graced with fresh and exotic dishes of lobster, clams, oysters, octopus and huachinango (red snapper). The menu includes ceviche (marinated fish) cocktail, and tiritas of Zihuatanejo, fish marinated with onion and chili, both ideal for replenishing your energy. If visitors are not seafood fans or crave something different, they can explore the Cosmopolitan menus from international-food restaurants, particularly French and Italian cuisine. Restaurant Specialty Phone El Faro International (755) 553-1884 El Mediterráneo International (755) 553-8042 La Gaviota Beccofino Garrobos Emilios La Sirena Gorda Kau Kan Coconuts Villa de la Selva Casa Morelos El Amuleto Casa Elvira Bistro del Mar Seafood (755) 554-3816 Italian (755) 553-1770 International/Seafood (755) 554-6706 Italian (755) 5531585 Seafood (755) 554 2687 International (755) 554 8446 International (755) 554 2518 International (755) 553 0462 Mexican (755) 553 0578 International (755) 544 6222 Seafood/Mexican (755) 554 2061 International (755) 554 8333 Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo delicious seafood 96