Located on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico, Zihuatanejo, (or "Zihua" in local parlance), is the quintessential beach village where fishing is both pastime and industry, people are friendly, and rustic is undeniably charming. Unlike its sister beach Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo is the antithesis of resort—you won't find towering hotels or landscaped promenades here, but rather a paradise as it has always existed, in its natural condition. Indeed, both the locals and the handful of European expatriates who call Zihua home embrace the inherently simple life in this pueblo by the sea. With great restaurants serving fresh seafood, a wealth of marine life, and plenty of outoor activities to keep one busy, coupled with a host of outstanding beaches, it's the kind of place you visit once and then make immediate plans to return to again.
History
Zihuatanejo's existence dates back to the period of the Olmecs in 3000 B.C. Its name comes from the Nahuatl Cihuatlán, which means "place of women," likely referring to the predominately female society that inhabited the area here, where weaving was the main industry. Later, when the Spanish arrived, a scout sent by Cortés reported back that the site wasn't of interest, adding the diminutive suffix "nejo" to the Nahuatl name. It thus came to be what we now know as Zihuatanejo. The Spaniards didn't colonize here, but there was a trade route set up in 1527 between Zihuatanejo Bay and the Orient, which brought silk, spices, and supposedly the first coconut palms in America, brought from the Philippines.
The Beaches
Most of the beaches in Zihuatanejo are relatively safe, with less undertow and calmer waves than those found in Ixtapa. Zihuatanejo lies on the Zihuatanejo Bay, and all the beaches boast calm waters and delicate sands. Additionally there is a wealth of marine life to be found here—shellfish, starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, coral and other marine life in their natural habitat.
Playa Municipal
This principal beach is the town beach, frequented most by the fishermen who dock their boats here and create a colorful backdrop along the main promenade, called Fisherman's Walk (El Andador de los Pescadores). Various shops and restaurants line the beachfront, which is protected from the Pacific ocean by the bay. Fisherman's Walk runs the length of the beach from the Archeological Museum to the Municipal Pier, from which you can take a water taxi to Playa Las Gatas. Most of the restaurants here offer great seafood specials at reasonable prices, and offer a nice ambience from which you can watch the passersby as you look out onto the seashore.
Due to the wealth of boats here the Playa Municipal isn't ideal for swimming, but it affords the dual atmosphere of both the city and the beach—great for strolling, dining, shopping or enjoying a drink at sunset.
Playa Madera
This beach occupies a small stretch of shore east of the Municipal Beach. It's named for the hills which surround the beach, which once formed a forest comprised of various types of precious woods that were shipped to Europe during colonial times.
While Playa Madera is open to the surf of the Pacific ocean, it remains generally peaceful. In fact, you can wade out quite a distance before reaching the point where the waves break. Playa Madera offers a wealth of seaside restaurants as well as comfortable accommodations—beach bungalows, condominiums and hotels.
Playa La Ropa
Playa La Ropa is known for being the nicest beach with a long, sweeping shore. It is located in the south of the bay, and measures one kilometer and features reefs and rocky crags. It's a primary beach for swimming in Zihuatenejo, and is also great for seafood fanatics as the restaurants here abound. And visitors won't want to miss the sunset from La Ropa, as it affords the best view.
Playa La Ropa's name (Beach of Clothes) comes from a legend of a shipwrecked galleon coming in from the Philippines loaded with silks, which resulted in clothes strewn all over the shore.
Playa Las Gatas
With a coral reef located off the shore of Playa Las Gatas, this is by far the best beach on Zihutanejo for snorkeling. The beach can be seen across the bay from Playa Ropa and Zihuatanejo. Las Gatas gets its name from the time of the reign of the Tarascan tribe emperor, Caltzoncin, who ordered that a barricade of rocks be built to protect the women from being attacked by nurse sharks (referred to as gatas.) Legend has it that this is how the coral reef was formed.
Playa Las Gatas is accessible only by boat, and boasts clear waters, open-air seafood restaurants on the beach, and the feeling of seclusion. As there's no undertow or big waves, it's best for children. Boats to and from Las Gatas run all day until about 6:30 p.m.
Playa Larga
Quieter than the rest, Playa Larga is a beautiful, uncrowded beach that is accessible by water taxi from the pier or by walking on a footpath from Playa La Ropa. It's between Zihuatanejo and the airport, and features various beachside palapa restaurants, as well as hammocks and small wading pools for children, since the waves are too big for swimming in the ocean. There's also a well-known beach club with all the necessary beach facilities: bathrooms, showers, bar and a delicious restaurant serving up fresh specialties. Be sure to ask about the paved walkway to the lighthouse (El Faro)—it's a good walk that offers an incredible view from the cliffs of the entire coastline stretching from Ixtapa to Los Morros De Potosí.
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