On Mexico’s Pacific coastline, visit sun-drenched Ixtapa to experience a vibrant seaside town. Swim and snorkel in turquoise waters, laze on soft golden sand, play golf and relax poolside at a resort hotel.
Ixtapa was once a quiet fishing community set around a coconut plantation. In the 1970s it was turned into a government-planned resort. A string of attractive beaches and coves draw tourists to the town year round.
Busy Playa el Palmar fronts the town center and is home to varied bars, restaurants and hotels. Swim with dolphins at Delfiniti waterpark and organize on fishing trips at Marina Ixtapa. Find a quieter beach scene at nearby Playa Quieta and Playa Linda.
Catch a panga water taxi to Ixtapa Island for great scuba diving and snorkeling in crystal-clear Pacific waters. Watersport rentals and seafront dining are available at the beaches of Playa Cuachalalate, Playa Coral and Playa Varadero. Hike a trail to the island’s highest point for a spectacular bird’s-eye view. More fantastic diving awaits at the caves, tunnels and reefs of Los Morros de Potosi.
Back on the mainland, golf enthusiasts can play rounds at two challenging courses. Spot alligators in the ponds that line the fairways at Campo de Golf Ixtapa. The Robert Von Hagge-designed Marina Ixtapa Golf Club is notable for its narrow fairways and undulating greens.
Plan a daytrip to the sister resort of Zihuatanejo, famous for being mentioned in the movie Shawshank Redemption. Artist studios, galleries and seafood restaurants line the meandering streets of the Centro district. Learn about regional anthropology and history at the Archaeological Museum of the Costa Grande. Admire views of the bay while strolling along the scenic Paseo del Pescador esplanade.
Reach Ixtapa by flying to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International Airport, located about 11 miles (18 kilometers) to the south. Rent a car to reach your destination or stay at one of the hotels that offer complimentary airport shuttle transfers.
