Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, a delightful double act! Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Hotel Packages, Vacation All Inclusive, Last Minute Deals and Cheap Holidays
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are only four miles apart; enjoy the contrast of these two pleasingly different Mexican Pacific vacation resorts. Ixtapa has luxurious hotels, upscale ambience and beautiful beaches, while Zihuatanejo has the quaint charm of a traditional Mexican town combined with natural beauty and fabulous beaches. Two great tropical vacation destinations for the price of one! Up until about forty years ago Ixtapa was an enormous coconut plantation. Then the government realized its potential as a vacation destination and stepped in to create a wonderfully planned resort. Luxury hotels and condominiums were built and, later on, shopping centers, a marina, and golf courses were added. Playa del Palmar is now the center of the hotel zone and tourist activity, its elegant development running alongside two miles of beautiful beach. Some aspects of Ixtapa’s small-community charm were obviously lost in the midst of so many changes, while Zihuatanejo’s growth has been much more gradual. You may remember Zijuatanejo as the idyllic fishing village portrayed as the dream escape destination in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. Although there are more hotels and restaurants than before, Zihuatanejo has lost none of its small-town charm and warmth. The local focus is on the beach and the beachside walk called the Paseo del Pescador, from where you can watch the local fishermen setting out in the morning in their small boats and returning to sell the day’s catch right there on the beach later in the day. The local international airport is convenient for both Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. Getting around is easy enough by bus or taxi, while a car rental is ideal for further exploring. The area is warm and sunny all year long, making it the perfect option for an unforgettable Mexican beach vacation surrounded by lush tropical beauty.
