About Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo, also known as Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is the fourth largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It was known by 18th-century English mariners as Chequetan and/or Seguataneo. Politically the city belongs to the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, but both are commonly referred to as Zihuatanejo. It is on the Pacific Coast, about 240 km northwest of Acapulco. Zihuatanejo belongs to a section of the Mexican Pacific Coast known as the Costa Grande. This town has been developed as a tourist attraction along with the modern tourist resort of Ixtapa, 5 km (3.1 mi) away. However, Zihuatanejo has kept its traditional town feel. The town is located on a well-protected bay which is popular with private boat owners during the winter months.
Places to visit in Zihuatanejo
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Ixtapa
BeachA planned resort area just north of Zihuatanejo, with long beaches, large hotels, and a marina. Rent a bike to ride the paved coastal path, and look out for crocodiles in the lagoons.
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Isla Ixtapa
Beach · 7 mi from centreA small island off the coast with calm, clear coves and good snorkeling among tropical fish. Take the short boat ride from Playa Linda, and go on a weekday when it is quieter.
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Playa La Ropa
BeachZihuatanejo's most popular beach, a long curve of soft sand with calm water and seafood restaurants along its edge. Arrive early to claim a shady spot under a palapa before the day gets hot.
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Playa Las Gatas
BeachA sheltered beach on the bay where an old rock reef breaks the waves, creating calm water for snorkeling. Take a water taxi from the town pier, which is easier than the rough footpath around the bay.
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Xihuacan
Historic · 18 mi from centreAn archaeological site south of Zihuatanejo with pyramid mounds and a ball court from ancient Mesoamerican cultures, plus a small site museum. Go in the morning before the heat builds, and bring water.
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Troncones
Beach · 15 mi from centreA laid-back surf village north of Ixtapa with a long beach, small guesthouses, and good breaks for beginners. Take a surf lesson in the morning, when the waves and winds are usually calmer.
Things to do in Zihuatanejo by type
18 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 10 experiences ATV Jungle and Beach Adventure - Half-Day Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 5 experiences Beginner’s Dive: Your First Underwater Adventure -
Day Trips & Excursions 5 experiences Beneath the Blue: Dive into the Wild Pacific
- 3-6 hours 6
- 1-3 hours 5
- Small group 6
Top experiences in Zihuatanejo
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 18 available.
Eco-Adventure: Bike, Beach and Island Escape
From $125 per adult
Ixtapa Island: A Family Paradise
From $50 per adult
Las Gatas Beach - Small Group Tour
From $52 per adult
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Shopping and City Sightseeing Tour
From $50 per adult
ATV Jungle and Beach Adventure - Half-Day Tour
From $183 per adult
Sea Turtle Rescue Reserve
From $71 per adult
Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Acapulco and Barra de Potosí - Small Group Tour
From $96 per adult
Horseback Riding Tour
From $73 per adult
Ocean Giants and Coastal Gems: Your Ultimate Fishing Experience
From $379 per adult
Beneath the Blue: Dive into the Wild Pacific
From $150 per adult
Birdwatching and Wildlife Expedition - Half-Day Tour
From $105 per adult
Beginner’s Dive: Your First Underwater Adventure
From $150 per adult
Best time to visit Zihuatanejo
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Zihuatanejo is November to May, when average daytime highs are around 86–90°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Zihuatanejo weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 88° 78° 83%
- Thu 22 Oct 88° 77° 80%
- Fri 23 Oct 87° 75° 67%
- Sat 24 Oct 83° 76° 52%
- Sun 25 Oct 78° 73° 61%
- Mon 26 Oct 76° 71° 43%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Mexican peso (MXN)1 US dollar ≈ $18.4
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +52
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_CityUTC−6
- Capital
- Mexico City
Upcoming public holidays in Mexico
- Revolution DayDía de la Revolución
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Constitution DayDía de la Constitución
- Benito Juárez's birthdayNatalicio de Benito Juárez
- Labour DayDía del Trabajo
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Zihuatanejo
These are the airports closest to central Zihuatanejo. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ZIH Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
Getting around Zihuatanejo
Most of the transportation is done on foot. There are plenty of taxis to take you out to the airport or the bus station. At the muelle, dockside, there are lanchas, open boats, to various points along the coast, most notably the Playa Las Gatas across the bay. Getting to the flashy sister resort of Ixtapa can be done easily by bus.
Zihuatanejo travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Zihuatanejo?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Zihuatanejo is November to May, when average daytime highs are around 86–90°F and rain falls on about 2 days a month.
What is the weather like in Zihuatanejo?
May is usually the warmest month in Zihuatanejo, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). February is the coolest, with average lows of 73°F (23°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 396 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Zihuatanejo?
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Zihuatanejo.
What currency is used in Zihuatanejo?
Zihuatanejo uses the Mexican peso (MXN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $18.4.
What time zone is Zihuatanejo in?
Zihuatanejo uses the America/Mexico_City time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Zihuatanejo?
Most of the transportation is done on foot. There are plenty of taxis to take you out to the airport or the bus station. At the muelle, dockside, there are lanchas, open boats, to various points along the coast, most notably the Playa Las Gatas across the bay.
What are the best places to visit in Zihuatanejo?
Top sights in Zihuatanejo include Ixtapa, Isla Ixtapa, Playa La Ropa and Playa Las Gatas. A planned resort area just north of Zihuatanejo, with long beaches, large hotels, and a marina. Rent a bike to ride the paved coastal path, and look out for crocodiles in the lagoons.
What are the top things to do in Zihuatanejo?
Popular experiences you can book in Zihuatanejo include Eco-Adventure: Bike, Beach and Island Escape, Ixtapa Island: A Family Paradise and Las Gatas Beach - Small Group Tour. Destina Holidays offers 18 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Zihuatanejo?
The most popular types of experiences in Zihuatanejo are outdoor activities & adventure (10), cruise & water tours (5), day trips & excursions (5) and art & culture (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
