Honeymoons in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

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• Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo •

Twice as Nice

Views of both Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

A honeymoon in the side-by-side Pacific coastal resort towns of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo offers the best of two very different worlds. Ranked among Mexico’s most beautiful beach destinations and backdropped by the intensely green Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, this compelling getaway is located on the famed Mexican Riviera, about 150 miles northwest of Acapulco.

Also See: Mexico Index | Acapulco | Cancun | Cozumel | Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo | Los Cabos | Yucatan Peninsula

Built from the ground up in 1972, Ixtapa is an up-to-the-minute resort town whose luxury high-rise hotels front beautiful Zihuatanejo Bay. It offers all the modern amenities you could want, including a vibrant nightlife and shopping galore. You’ll spend days lolling on the beach beneath a grass palapa, serenaded by strolling mariachis and visited by Mayan peddlers, and your nights at cutting-edge restaurants and discos. ~ A mere five miles away, the fishing village of Zihuatanejo is the essence of tranquility and ancient charm. Walk the cobbled streets, browse the old-fashioned outdoor market, linger in thatch-covered patios over the world’s freshest seafood meals while gazing across those legendary turquoise waters.

Why honeymoon here? Great beaches, terrific weather, reasonable nightlife, cost-saving packages. The difference between these two towns lets you go back and forth between the present and the past. The surrounding countryside is dreamy and worth exploring. Cons: Don't expect Zihuatanejo to be a small, charming fishing village. Charming it is; small it ain't.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Honeymoon Ideas

Mercado de Artesians: Stretched behind Ixtapa’s hotel strip, the market is a great way to peruse handcrafted wares from hundreds of top regional artisans: polished granite bowls, woven hammocks, jewelry made from semi-precious stones, and quality silver (those in the know say you can get better deals on silver here than you can in the renowned "silver town" of Taxco). Later, if you've go any shopping left in you, hit the boutiques in surrounding malls, where you'll find bargains on more upscale clothing and jewelry. ~ In Zihuatanejo, for blocks along Calle Cinco de Mayo, you'll find tourist stalls brimming with crafts brought to town from throughout the Pacific Coast region by the people who made them: laquerware from Michoacan, leatherwork from Guadalajara, Guerrero masks, Taxco silver, and much more.

Isla Ixtapa: You'll find four exceptional beaches on small and woodsy Ixtapa Island, a tranquil 15-minute panga ride from Playa Linda. Cuachalalate Beach—lined with thatch-roofed restaurants (palapas) and sports-rental places—tends to be busy. It's a good place to go reef snorkeling or to try something new (perhaps parasailing?). This is also a great place to tuck into fresh grilled fish or a dish of clams—or to kick back, share a pina colada served in a coconut, and contemplate the mountains rising majestically behind the white shores of the mainland beaches. ~ For the island's quieter aspect, head to Carey and Varadero Beaches (follow the path to the west when you arrive). Much quieter, far more relaxed, and the snorkeling is terrific.

Celebrity Notes: In the award-winning The Shawshank Redemption, prisoners Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins dreamed about living the good life in Zihuatanejo (and eventually succeeded).

Paseo del Pescador: Take a relaxing stroll along Zihuatanejo's Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman's Walk), a tree-shaded, flower-lined pedestrian walkway that runs along the picturesque waterfront and Playa Municipal. Stop off at a small beachfront bar for an icy margarita, or enjoy a just-caught seafood lunch beneath a colorful restaurant umbrella.

Beachin' It: Everyone loves ultra-beautiful Playa la Ropa, the long and white sandy beach poised halfway around Zihuatanejo Bay. A soft sandy bottom and calm surf make it ideal for swimming, but it's also a great place to sunbathe, people-watch, or observe turtles and other critters who live in the nearby mangrove estuary. If you're here on the right day, you can watch the sun set and the full moon rise simultaneously. Head to serene Playa las Gatas, at the bay’s southern end, if you're in the mood to snorkel. The clear, shallow water results from the nearby submerged breakwater of sunken boulders. ~ In Ixtapa the main beach is crescent-shaped Playa del Palmar, about 1.5 miles long—most of the hotels are here, facing the sea. When the tramway is running at the south end of the beach, ride it to the top for an overview of Ixtrapa's bay, beaches, and beyond. Or try Playa Quieta; as its name implies, it's quiet (well, quieter than Palmar, anyway).

The Sporting Life: Ixtapa has two upscale, 18-hole courses—one at either end of the main hotel strip. The par 72, 6900-yard Campo de Golf Palma Real, designed in 1977 by Robert Trent Jones Jr., occupies the site of a former coconut plantation; natural lakes and lagoons were left intact, along with the lush vegetation—palms, lime and mango trees, bright-colored flowers. Ecologists consider these grounds a wildlife preserve, as they're home to numerous exotic bird species. The par 72, 6800-yard Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa, designed by Robert von Hagge, offers great views, meandering canals, a dozen bridges, and dune-style play. »»More about Golf in Mexico ~ The surrounding waters offer fantastic angling, with sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, and dorado offshore; and roosterfish, grouper, mackerel, bonito, barracuda, and wahoo closer in. Local restaurants are happy to prepare and serve your catch.

Local Comfort Food: You must try the irresistible Tiritas de Pescado. The local version of ceviche, it consists of lime-marinated strips of white fish (rather than the usual chunks), along with onion, chiles, coriander, and spices. It can be served with tortilla chips, or in an avocado, or nestled atop lettuce—whatever sounds good to you probably is good! »»Recipe for Tiritas de Pescado ~ Check out other comfort foods in the USA and around the world

Archeological Museum of la Costa Grande: The surrounding area is rich with archeological digs, and finds from more than 50 sites are on display in six rooms of this archeological museum, located in Zihuatanejo. You'll find rare pottery and sculpture with Olmec, Teotihuacan, Tarasca and Mexica influences, as well as utensils, stone carvings, and figurines made from everything from ceramic and clay to seashells and obsidian. Be sure to check out artifacts from Zihuatanejo’s Colonial era, when it was a rich port for galleons from the Orient crammed with silks and spices.

Barra de Potosi: About 20 miles south of Zihuatanejo, at the southern tip of Potosi Bay, this simple village is where the ocean meets a large lagoon and wildlife sanctuary. You’ll kayak, walk, or ride horses past vibrant flowers and soaring palms, catching glimpses of iguanas and bright-colored birds. Hungry? Dine on just-caught lobster or the freshest fish you've ever experienced at an enramada, a very simple seafood eatery.

More Info: Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Convention & VIsitors Bureau

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All written material ©WGH ~ Photos: Uillermo Aldana (Zihuatanejo Bay): Nadine Markova (Ixtapa sunset, mariachis, hammock seller); Monica and Joe (Tiritas de Pescado)