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Besides beaching it, there are numerous other activities for both the adventurous and the less energetic. If you like diving, snorkeling, fishing, whale watching, sightseeing, hiking, sailing, water-skiing, swimming, surfing, bodysurfing, or simply watching nature's marvels then Zihuatanejo will enchant you. We have all this and more, including traditional vacation pastimes such as golf and tennis.
One excursion that you can take by yourself is to walk over to the lighthouse (El Faro) from Las Gatas Beach. If you walk down to the far end of the beach you'll find the Las Gatas Beach Club. Just ask at the restaurant for directions and they'll show you the flagstone walkway leading to the lighthouse. It's about a 15-minute walk to the lighthouse. Don't forget your camera!! You'll want a few pictures of the breathtaking view from the cliffs of our coast including the guano-covered islands in front of Ixtapa to the northwest and the ones in front of Playa Blanca to the southeast (Los Morros De Potosí). The small rock island about a mile out in front of Zihuatanejo's bay is called La Piedra Solitaria. Its beacon can also be seen after dark from the downtown beach.
Another tour you can take by yourself is a trip to Petatlán (pay taht LAHN), a colonial agricultural and ranching town south of here on the coastal highway about 40 minutes by car or bus. Petatlán is noted for its open-air gold market located in front of its beautiful majestic church known for its miracles. Truly an enchanting town lost in times of yore. Archaeological ruins are nearby, and several artifacts can be seen on display at various locations throughout the town. The Féria de Semana Santa (Easter week fair) is well worth the trip. The "Omnibus de Petatlán" busline located behind the restaurant "Jaiba Feliz" on Benito Juarez street in Zihuatanejo makes regular runs there and back all day & well into the evening. Just tell the driver to let you off at the street that leads to the Zócalo (town plaza) from the highway on the right-hand side just a little past the bridge which crosses the Petatlán River. Walk up the side street over a small hill and continue straight ahead downhill. From there it's an easy three blocks to walk to the central town plaza by the church. You'll catch the bus back at the same place you got off on the other side of the highway.
On the way to or back from Petatlán you
might enjoy visiting the village called La
Soledad de Maciel, known more affectionately
as La Chole, an ancient village with an archaeological site called Xihuacán reputedly over 4,000 years old with possibly the largest Pelota court yet discovered and a very unique pyramid as well as other constructions that are currently being
excavated and studied as well as several petroglyphs and many artifacts. At Xihuacán there is also a museum as well as tour guides available. Don't forget to visit the village of La Chole. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
[Official page of INAH: Zona Arqueológica Soledad de Maciel]
La Barra de Potosí (poh toh SEE) is anothereasy excursion you can take by yourself. If you have a rental car just drive south from Zihuatanejo taking Highway 200 for about 25 minutes until you reach the small town of Los Achotes. Right after the bridge there turn right (there's a sign that says "Laguna de Potosí") and when you reach the waterfront turn left. The road ends at Barra de Potosí. There are numerous seafood restaurants there, and the surf isn't quite so rough as the rest of the beach along Playa Larga/Playa Blanca (the 9½ mile long beach in front of the airport). There for a reasonable price you can take a boat tour of the large estuary. You'll see how the fishermen have fished for hundreds of years, the salt-producing flats, and many exotic forms of local wildlife including roseate spoonbills, great egrets, rare white pelicans, great blue herons, and maybe even a crocodile or two.
You'll find the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande on the downtown waterfront at the eastern part of the beach called Playa Principal next to the pluvial canal known as "La Boquita". They have centuries of artifacts dating as far back as pre-Columbian times on display. A visit is well worth the price of admission. It is time and money well spent!
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is 10 pesos for adults, and free for children up to 12 years old.
To help you get your bearings, here is a 360° panorama I made on the beach in front of the museum.
The Costa Grande of Guerrero is also a place where whales congregate from late fall to early spring to breed and to give birth. Whales of Guerrero is a local project helping to protect, raise awareness, study local whale populations, and teach local captains safe practices for whale watching tours.
Please see my LOCAL INFO and BEACHES pages for more ideas on what to do and where to go. See my DIRECTORY OF ACTIVITIES page for more complete internet listings. See my COMMUNITY NOTICES & EVENTS page for details of various events in the region.
*NOTE* To call here long-distance please see these helpful tips.
Here are a few recommendations of the many different excursions and activities available in our region:
 Alber.Tours - Beto Barbosa is a certified tour guide offering a variety of exciting experiencesin Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa and the region including surfing (and lessons), SUPing (and lessons), kayaking, ecological tours, archaeological tours, snorkeling, boat rides, city and countryside tours, and beach excursions. |
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Bi-Zihuanas - Guided and personalized mountain bike tours as well as sales and service of mountain bikes. Calle Cuauhtémoc No. 39, Centro, Zihuatanejo. E-mail: bizihuanas@yahoo.com.mx . Tel. 755-544-6495
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Black
Marlin - Take a sightseeing tour to
Playa Manzanillo or Isla Ixtapa for snorkeling. Fish for big or small
game fish. Capt. David Otero of Zihuatanejo is one of our area's best
charter captains! His covered panga is fully equipped for both fishing
and snorkeling. Tel. (office) 755-554-4162, (home) 755-554-5246
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Capitán Mantarraya Ocean Sports & Excursions - Accredited tour guides serving Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa and Troncones-Majahua. They offer surf lessons, board rentals, paddleboard tours, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, birdwatching, and archeaological tours.
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 Campamento Tortuguero Ayotlcalli - Take part in the preservation of sea turtles as well as witness the release of sea turtle hatchlings at Playa Blanca. They offer workshops about sea turtles as well as frequent releases of hatchlings throughout the year, especially from August through February. Your donations are extremely important for their continued operation. (Non-profit organization)
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 El
Refugio de Potosí - A center for wildlife
conservation and environmental education. Features a fully reconstructed sperm whale skeleton (the only one in Mexico), an observation tower,
a wheelchair accessible footpath for observing local flora and fauna,
and a butterfly pavilion. Located near the beach on the road to Barra de Potosí. Perfect
for the entire family.
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 Enlace
Terrestre Aeroportuario S.A. de C.V. (ETASA) -
Ground transportation services between the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa
International Airport and local communities. Also offer chauffeured
vehicles and buses for tours and large groups.
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| José's City Tour - José Manuel Guzmán offers a variety of local tours in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa and the region including to archaeological sites, outlying beach and countryside communities, trips to Pátzcuaro, and he can arrange fishing and horseback riding tours. José Manuel is bilingual and knows our region extremely well. You will be able to tell right away that he loves what he does and cares deeply about sharing the beauty of our region with its visitors. |
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Parque
Aventura Ixtapa - Zip-line tours through the
tropical treetops. Also offer equipment and area for playing "Paintball"
or "Gotcha". Located on the federal highway 200 between the
Mirador de Ixtapa and the turnoff to the village El Posquelite. Tours offered at 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Cel. & WhatsApp: 755-111-1503
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Patio Mexica Cooking School - Learn local and regional dishes with Monica at her popular cooking school in Colonia La Madera in Zihuatanejo.
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Zanka Adventures - Amazing guided tours along the Costa Grande of Guerrero from Papanóa to La Saladita. City, beach, ocean, and countryside tours. Specializing in ecotourism including rappelling, rock climbing, diving, snorkeling, cave exploration, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, whale watching, and turtle releases (the latter two depending upon the season). Located in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa. Cel. 755-102-7447
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Zanka Tours - Fishing, diving, snorkeling, cave exploring, whale watching, boat excursions, city and countryside tours. Based in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa. Cel. 755-129-1429
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Zihua Adventures - Sailing excursions, snorkeling, whale watching and sunset excursions for 2 to 14 passengers offered. Food and drinks provided. Reservations required and private charters available. Based in Zihuatanejo Bay, Mexico. WhatsApp: (+52) 755-140-6505
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 Zihuatanejo Ixtapa Charters -
A variety of beautiful luxury yachts available for private charters and personalized tours. Experienced and friendly captains and crews offering unforgettable adventures and experiences including dolphin and whale watching, sport fishing, snorkeling, sunsets, special events, weddings, and parties at sea. |
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Bi-Zihuanas - Bicycle rentals, sales, parts, repairs and mountain bike tours. Located in Plaza Comercial Ambiente (near Bistro Soleiado restaurant) and in Plaza Ixpamar in Ixtapa.
Open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Cell. & WhatsApp: 755-113-3228. bizihuanas@yahoo.com.mx
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Bici-Rent - Bicycle rentals, sales and repairs. Located in Centro Comercial Flamboyán in Ixtapa.
Open daily from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Cell. & WhatsApp: 755-108-9742.
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EZ Ride Scooter Rental - Offering rentals of late model well-maintained scooters for sightseeing. They also offer rentals of disability equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, disability scooters and bathroom chairs. Located in Ixtapa near Emilio's Pizza and Oxxo next to Alex's bar.
Tel. (755) 125-7164, Cell: 755-114-4060, 755-101-3520.
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| Zepeda's Bike - Rentals and sales of mountain bikes, including accessories and repairs. Located on Calle Salvador Díaz Mirón lote 7 manzana 6, Col. El Limón. Cel. 755-131-3655. omargzesr@gmail.com |
 Carlo
Scuba - Located at Las Gatas beach they offer
exciting guided tours of the best dive spots around as well as instruction and certification. Fully PADI qualified!
Click on the link for more info & some great photos! Look for
the sign at Playa Las Gatas or call 755-115-1779.
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Dive Zihua - Diving, snorkeling, whale-watching tours, instruction and certification by PADI certified divers, located in downtown Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Offering courses for first-timers and novices, perfect for tourists, with all gear provided, as well as certification classes for beginners and more advanced divers. Also offering safety and refresher courses. Over 30 local dive sites to choose from. Completely professional and safe, using a high-tech air compressor for the purest air, and new, well-maintained equipment.
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Mero Adventure - Snorkeling and diving tours as well as diving instruction and certification by PADI certified divers in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa. They also offer sales and maintenance of diving and snorkeling equipment. Office located at the Hotel Pacífica in Ixtapa.
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| Zihuatanejo Dive Center - Snorkeling and diving tours, PADI instruction and certification. They also offer e-bike rentals and lodging. Located on Calle La Noria #3, Zihuatanejo. |
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Black
Marlin - Take a sightseeing tour to
Playa Manzanillo or Isla Ixtapa for snorkeling. Fish for big or small
game fish. Capt. David Otero of Zihuatanejo is one of our area's best
charter captains! His covered panga is fully equipped for both fishing
and snorkeling. Tel. (office) 755-554-4162, (home) 755-554-5246
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Champagne Charters - Fish in comfort on a Bertram
31 with Capt. Raúl Gutierrez. Mailing address: Calle Antonia Nava #8, Zihuatanejo, Gro. 40880. Tel. 755-554-2152
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Dive Zihua - Diving, snorkeling, whale-watching tours, instruction and certification by PADI certified divers, located in downtown Zihuatanejo, Mexico . Offering courses for first-timers and novices, perfect for tourists, with all gear provided, as well as certification classes for beginners and more advanced divers. Also offering safety and refresher courses. Over 30 local dive sites to choose from. Completely professional and safe, using a high-tech air compressor for the purest air, and new, well-maintained equipment.
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Elva II Sport Fishing - Capt. Gabriel Torres and his son operate a roomy and well-equipped 36' custom sportfisher, and they also offer whale watching tours. Cels. 755-115-2255, 755-114-9655, 755-114-9146
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 Ramón Olea's Sport Fishing Charters - Ramón knows all the local fishing secrets. This is what fishing off our coast is all about! You won't come back disappointed! His 24' covered panga, "Oleaje", doesn't offer much luxury, but
his expertise in fishing is second to none! Ramón practices "catch
and release" fishing. I highly recommend fishing with Ramón!!!
Tel. 755-554-4311
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Servicios
Turísticos Acuáticos de Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa - Deep sea & small game fishing boats. Fish in comfort on these full-size fishing boats with all the amenities. Find their office across from the Naval offices at Paseo del Pescador #6 near the pier. Tel. & FAX 755-554-4162.
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| Zihuatanejo Ixtapa Charters -
A variety of beautiful luxury yachts available for private charters and personalized tours. Experienced and friendly captains and crews offering unforgettable adventures and experiences including dolphin and whale watching, sport fishing, snorkeling, sunsets, special events, weddings, and parties at sea. |
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Alber.Tours - Beto Barbosa is a certified tour guide offering a variety of exciting experiences in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa including surfing (and lessons), and SUPing (and lessons). |
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Capitán Mantarraya Ocean Sports & Excursions - Accredited tour guides serving Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa and Troncones-Majahua. They offer surf lessons, board rentals, paddleboard tours, and kayaking. |
There are two golf courses in Ixtapa: El Club de Golf Palma Real and Marina Ixtapa Club de Golf.
You'll find tennis courts at just about all the hotels in Ixtapa.
Club de Golf Palma Real
not only has a beautiful ecologically designed golf course with plenty
of shade trees, but also tennis and "paddle" courts. This
course was designed by Robert Trent Jones. You'll find the Palma
Real
at the southeastern part of Ixtapa very near the Hotel Barceló
on Ixtapa Boulevard. Some of their holes actually front the beach. They
claim that no tee times are required, but it behooves you to call them
in advance to make them during the high season at (755) 688-2268, (755) 553-1163 and (755) 553-1062.
E-mail: recepcion@golfpalmareal.mx
Club de Golf Palma Real fees (in Mexican pesos) are as follows:
| GOLF | Summer Rates | Rest of Year | |
| 18 holes (shared cart included, for everyone, before 2:00 PM) | $1,800 | $2,300 | |
| 18 holes (shared cart included, for everyone, after 2:00 PM) | $1,600 | $1,700 | |
| Cart | - for visitors | $500 | |
| - for members & locals | $250 | ||
| Companion (rider) | $350 | ||
| Rental clubs | $800 | ||
| Bucket of 50 practice balls | $100 | ||
| Caddy* | - 18 holes | $500 | |
| * mandatory for visitors by group | |||
| Annual membership | $60,000 + $250 p/round | ||
| Last tee time 4:00 PM | |||
| TENNIS & PADDLE (per hour) | All Year | ||
| Day: | - adult | $100 | |
| - minor | $50 | ||
| Night: | - adult | $160 | |
| - minor | $80 | ||
All prices subject to change without notice.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Marina
Ixtapa Club de Golf is built on an area of 108 acres and
has big sand traps. It is located at the northern end of Ixtapa
Boulevard by the marina. This 18-hole par 72 course was designed
by Robert Von Hagge. There are water hazards
on 14 holes. They say no tee times are
required, but I still recommend making them.
Pro-Shop: (755) 553-1410
Management: (755) 553-1400, (755) 553-1440, (755) 553-1500
E-mail: playgolfmarina912@gmail.com
Marina Ixtapa high season golfing fees are as follows:
| GREENS FEES PER PERSON | RATES |
| in Mexican Pesos | |
| 18 holes - Adults | $1,260 |
| 18 holes - Seniors (over 60) | $1,155 |
| 18 holes - Juniors (up to 14) | $455 |
| 9 holes - Adults | $975 |
| 9 holes - Seniors (over 60) | $890 |
| 9 holes - Juniors (up to 14) | $350 |
| MULTIPLE ROUND PACKAGES - 18 HOLES | |
| 4 rounds (individual use) | $3,240 |
| 6 rounds (shared use) | $5,880 |
| 25 rounds (shared use) | $22,500 |
| 50 rounds (shared use) | $35,000 |
| TWILIGHT GREENS FEES - per person after 2:00 PM | |
| 9-18 holes - Adults | $975 |
| 9-18 holes - Seniors (over 60) | $890 |
| 9-18 holes - Juniors (up to 14) | $350 |
| REPLAY | $520 |
| All fees include a shared cart. Groups of three or more must use a caddy. |
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| CART, EQUIPMENT, BALLS | |
| Golf cart per person | $200 |
| Set of rental clubs per person | $455 |
| Bucket of 50 practice balls | $65 |
| Bucket of 100 practice balls | $115 |
| Bag of 10 used golf balls | $130 |
| Extra rider on cart (non-golfer) | $325 |
| CADDY SERVICE - per person | |
| 18 holes | $300 |
| 9 holes | $250 |
All prices subject to change without notice.
SPECIFICATIONS: