Once again the rain predicted for overnight and for this Tuesday didn't appear. But the temperature seemed milder, at least during the morning. And this evening there was a slight breeze coming from the east along our part of the coast. It could still rain this evening. And it looks like we'll probably get a rain or two this Wednesday as a tropical wave passes by. But there just ain't no reason with the hurricane season, and anything could happen.

Zihuatanejo didn't hardly see any tourists today. Though tourists can be seen on the beachcams for Playa El Palmar in Ixtapa, the all-included hotels of Ixtapa's Zona Hotelera I no longer represent the benefit to the community that they used to before all the hotels went all-included. They can be full and we still receive almost no benefit from them. Few are their hotel guests who spend any money outside the hotel. A problem unattended to by our local authorities for over two decades now.

Come see the Danzón dancers this Wednesday evening at 6:30 in Plaza del Artista!

And this Saturday and Sunday enjoy the surfing competition at Las Escolleras in Ixtapa by the entrance to the marina.
Community Notices & Events

If you enjoy learning about and experiencing some of our local flora and fauna, El Refugio de Potosí is a center for wildlife conservation and environmental education. Among its attractions, it 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. (click to enlarge image)
Guide to Activities, Charters & Tours in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa

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Pescadores y pangas en Playa Principal durante el amanecer en la bahía de Zihuatanejo.

Waking up Monday morning was fine until I moved around outside where there was no breeze and plenty of heat and humidity. I was all nice and comfy in bed with the window open and a fan on. But after returning from an easy morning walk to the bakery I was soaked. But my cold strawberry licuado along with some delicious pan dulce made everything all right again. And Monday morning turned out mighty fine!

There's a small chance of rain for this Monday evening and a good chance of rain for both Tuesday and Wednesday. We need it!

Tides have been extreme lately, worsening the effects of the mar de fondo, but the tides will be diminishing in the coming days until barely being noticeable by this Saturday, after which they'll start to increase again. Waves are expected to increase in size this Wednesday, peaking out this Thursday. And surfing conditions look good through Saturday.

Tourism is pretty much nil right now. Lots of businesses didn't even bother to open today. Las Gatas was quiet. This is the time of year when hotels, restaurants and shops lay off workers. It's also a time when we typically see an increase in crime, more people fishing for their meal, and even some people eating from garbage cans. It's a rough season for many people here. We look after each other as best we can, but so many new people show up each year looking for work that doesn't exist. So the elderly person makes ends meet by selling aluminum cans or recyclable plastic they find in the trash all of a sudden has competition they didn't have before. It's heartbreaking, but that's what happens when a local economy becomes 100% dependent upon tourism instead of diversifying and providing alternative opportunities for employment.

Penthouse Suite 612 is a 2-bedroom beachfront condominium for sale on Playa El Palmar in Ixtapa at the Tesoro Ixtapa Hotel & Condos. Near shopping centers, golf courses, banks, and restaurants. The condo comes fully furnished. Owners and their guests have access to the resort hotel's facilities including pool, beach, bars, and restaurants. (click to enlarge image)
Real Estate Properties and Services in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa and Troncones

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La playa Principal vacía de turistas, y la vista de nuestro hermoso árbol de amate sin obstrucción por parte de las tontas decoraciones que suele poner el gobierno municipal. Aún dejan demasiadas luces colgadas en el árbol y Plaza del Artista.

This Sunday is a day of some of my favorite sports. F1 Gran Premio D'Italia, IndyCar racing at Laguna Seca, SailGP in Valencia, and the Concacaf League's Cup Final this evening. Yeah!

The waves calmed down this Sunday, and it was another absolutely picture-postcard-perfect day in paradise. Some visitors showed up, but the beaches and their restaurants didn't look very busy. This Sunday evening there were a few people at La Cancha and along the waterfront, but they looked like mostly locals. There was some decent music for Domingos Culturales, but the sound was too loud so we didn't hang around. I've been to Rolling Stones concerts that weren't this loud. I feel sorry for the little children subjected to such ear-splitting volumes.

There's a chance of rain tonight and tomorrow. We haven't been getting much, and we sure could use it.

The water temperature is still around 31°C. Bathtub warm. But fishermen are still enjoying decent catches, though I haven't seen much tuna recently.

Surfing remains decent with waves from a meter to a meter and a half throughout this coming week. Saw some surfers a few days ago at Las Gatas, and some beginners were practicing at La Madera this past week. Now's a good time to hit the favorite local spots.

Every day I thank my lucky stars to be right here where I am. Whatever problems we may have locally seem to pale in comparison to anywhere else. According to popular search engines, I'm still the luckiest Gringo in México.

If you enjoy spectacular views and balmy breezes, you'll LOVE La Casa Roja on Cerro El Almacén with two comfortable suites. The upstairs has 2 bedrooms with a king-size and twin beds, full kitchen, private bath, and 2 terraces. The lower level also has 2 bedrooms with a king-size and twin beds, full kitchen, 2 baths, and a terrace. A peaceful place within easy walking distance of downtown and nearby restaurants. (click to enlarge image)
Zihuatanejo Vacation Rentals

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Las olas rompen sobre el Paseo del Pescador en Playa La Madera durante el amanecer en Zihuatanejo.

Saturday morning was quite comfortable under a bright and sunny sky. The sun is noticeably moving towards the south on the horizon as the end of summer nears, and it will soon be shining into southern-facing windows instead of northern-facing ones. We had some sprinkles late this afternoon, and rain is currently falling, though probably not for long, according to the satellite map.

Did anyone feel the temblor around noon this Saturday? A 4.2 just off our coast. It was a rather quick jolt. Though I shouted ¡TEMBLOR! and ran outside, apparently no one else in our home felt it. If you felt it, what was your reaction?

The current mar de fondo along with some extreme high tides has caused some of our beaches to be quite narrow, if even usable. Waves were crashing over parts of the walkway at Playa La Madera yesterday and today.

According to a local chismoso "news" source, we may soon be getting an UBER-like taxi service in Zihuatanejo called PRONTO. It's probably just chisme, but it's certainly a service that would go over well here, especially with the recent taxi rate hikes. However, I have no doubt that local taxi unions, especially UTAAZ since they have a history of it, would resort to violence to try to stop any encroachment on "their turf" by any app-based taxi services. It's long been a popular discussion among locals.

This Sunday evening at 8:15 PM local time, Toluca and Monterrey face off in the Concacaf League's Cup Final. The first time two Mexican teams have dominated the series, if I'm not mistaken. So expect locals to be tuned in and hopefully lots of joyful shouts of ¡GOOOOOOL!

For a peaceful and stress-free vacation getaway take a look at Casa Delfín Sonriente. A spacious and verdant 6-bedroom private beachfront villa with a pool on Playa Troncones that can be rented in its entirety or as individual suites and bungalows by the day or by the week. There's an outdoor BBQ area and areas for various outdoor activities. Any closer to paradise would be hard to get. (click to enlarge image)
Luxury Vacation Rentals in Troncones

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Una paloma sale volando mientras unos pescadores y sus familiares platican en Playa Principal durante el amanecer en la bahía de Zihuatanejo.

Though a large storm passed over us, it barely sprinkled overnight, and this Friday morning was bright, sunny and already quite warm, though not as bad as Thursday morning. A light sprinkle fell in the late afternoon, but again, barely enough to matter.

The mango licuado my saint of a wife made for me this morning hit the spot along with some delicious pan dulce from Panadería El Buen Gusto. Fresh locally grown coffee made it a perfect morning. This must be paradise!

The waves from the mar de fondo kept a lot of people out of the water, but from what I could tell there were hardly any people at most of our beaches. The downtown beach, Playa Principal, was much calmer than La Ropa. Yesterday I could see surfers at Las Gatas, but I didn't see any today. Las Gatas looked quite empty.

Downtown is noticeably much quieter since the summer vacation season ended. No thumping bars at night in my part of town, thank goodness. But the downtown businesses can't survive without customers, and all those delicious restaurants and cute family-owned shops are having a rough time.

Don't miss the Eco-Tianguis "Sanka" that happens every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 1:40 p.m. in the small plaza in front of the Vicente Guerrero school, across the street from the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande in downtown Zihuatanejo by the waterfront where La Boquita canal runs into the bay. Besides wonderful handcrafts, they feature a variety of homegrown produce, fresh foods including pastries, breads and tamales, fresh coffee, juices and mezcal.
https://www.facebook.com/ecotianguissanka

Zihuatanejo Ixtapa Charters offers a wide variety of beautiful luxury yachts, party boats, and sport fishing boats large and small 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. (click to enlarge image)
Activities, Charters and Tours in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa

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El andador de La Boquita cerca de Plaza Kioto durante el amanecer en Zihuatanejo.

Thanks!

Another warm and humid night quickly became a hot and humid morning. Cloud cover helped a little, but not much, and after taking a stroll this morning we both returned soaking with perspiration. Though my dear grandmother, a sweet Southern Belle, always said, "Horses sweat, men perspire, and women glow." So I guess Lupita was glowing quite brightly.

The clouds kept getting denser and darker, and by siesta time it was quite dark out and it started to sprinkle. Of course there were a couple of small groups of tourists on the beach. A small family sheltering under their umbrella, and a couple sheltering under a palm tree. They weren't going to let a little rain ruin their day. Good attitude, because the rain helped bring the heat down and made the afternoon more comfortable.

The municipal government FINALLY removed the very odd decorations for summer vacation they'd placed in Plaza del Artista today. Over a week after they'd removed them from everywhere else, but they never seem to remove all the lights and junk they hang in our poor abused amate tree. They've begun to put decorations at the Cancha Municipal for Mes de la Patria, which mostly culminates in the Grito de la Independencia on the night of Sept. 15 and the parade the following morning. All of Mexico proudly turns green, white and red at this time of year. ¡Viva México!

Hotel Quinta Camelinas is one of Zihuatanejo's hidden gems. A truly lovely and extremely comfortable colonial-style boutique hotel with a pool offering different sized rooms and suites, perfect for couples, all with air-conditioning, cable TV and wi-fi internet access. Conveniently located in a quiet neighborhood two blocks from La Madera Beach in the Darío Galeana neighborhood near the fire department. (click to enlarge photo)
Hotels in Zihuatanejo

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La calle Juan N. Álvarez en el centro de Zihuatanejo luce vacío durante un amanecer nublado.

Thunderstorms once again teased us Tuesday night as they passed by our coast outside Zihuatanejo's bay. But no rain fell in the downtown region. ¡Seguimos sala'o!

Overnight temperatures were mild enough to sleep with the windows open listening to the sound of the surf in the bay. My favorite sound to sleep by. Towards dawn it got so cool I had to pull the sheets up over me, though the official low temperature was only 26°C.

The sun was out this morning as we walked to one of our favorite nearby bakeries for some morning treats to go with our licuados de platano. Along with some fresh locally grown coffee, it made for a perfect morning in our home.

So it looks like the mayor has given control of the now destroyed pier and its facilities to the branch of the Secretaría de la Marina that administers Acapulco's pier and bay. Goodbye to more of Zihuatanejo's character and culture, and hello to a lot more cement along the waterfront. This is a huge loss for the community, but I suspect it's a big win for a certain cement company. Her administration's ineptitude to attract cruise ships is one thing, but giving away control of our bay and port facilities is another entirely. The great majority of comments I've seen on the subject by locals express feelings similar to mine: incredulous, disgusted, betrayed.

The Hotel Thompson has a new owner: Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe. I've lost count of how many times it's changed hands since Helmut sold the Villa del Sol, which is what most older locals will always call it. I can't wait to see if they give it another silly name.

The two turtles that had been stuck together copulating for the past week were found dead at Playa La Madera this morning. Apparently a shark or something ate their legs and tails, I suspect after they were already dead. I reported them to the authorities, who had to have already known about them since they made the news and everyone, including local lancheros, saw them day after day, but no one helped them. A damn shame.

Location is everything, and located front and center on El Palmar Beach in Ixtapa with all the amenities of a resort hotel you'll find Tesoro Ixtapa Condos. One- and 2BR furnished vacation rental condos with use of pool, restaurants and beach services. One on the 2nd floor, the other on the 6th. Spectacular views! (click to enlarge image)
Ixtapa Vacation Rentals

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Un amanecer nublado en el área de los pescadores en Playa Principal de Zihuatanejo.

Lightning could be seen on the southern horizon outside Zihuatanejo Bay last night, but it never rained, at least not downtown.

We awoke to a refreshing morning of around 25°C with a light breeze and overcast skies. It made our morning chores and stroll much more pleasant.

No tourists around. It wasn't even worth opening today for a lot of businesses. The only people we saw out'n'about this morning and this evening were locals, mostly neighbors.

The stores that sell school supplies are saying even their sales were slow. Further evidence that the cifras alegres proferred by municipal and state authorities are pure BS. We'd had to have something like 70 full plane flights and around 80 packed tour buses daily to come up with the numbers being reported. Totally absurd. But folks who don't think critically will swallow whatever they're fed and thank the so-called authorities for it.

Presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo gave her second annual Informe Presidencial de Gobierno this morning. An excellent and inspiring speech that stuck much closer to reality than anything our local politicians are offering. The country is doing well and things are getting better, but there's still a lot of corruption to root out. Of course, one of our festering problems is due to having a neighbor who bans popular substances used by over 70 million of its citizens, creating a multi-billion-dollar-a-year black market controlled by violent criminals who, in turn, obtain their firearms, money and power from the same neighbor. Maybe banning those substances isn't such a good idea after all unless the purpose is to legitimize multi-million dollar budgets for their police forces and to create chaos for us.

We didn't see the copulating sea turtles today, so hopefully they finally separated, and they both lived and went on their merry ways, albeit a bit sore in their tender places.

We're expecting more rain from the huge storm that's moving away from our coast, drawing lots of moisture up behind it from our direction. We really need the rain.

If you're looking to pamper yourself, Casa Mi Corazón is a luxurious 3-bedroom 3-story vacation rental home located atop the small hill at La Madera just steps from the beach with a panoramic view of Zihuatanejo Bay and the downtown area. Within easy walking distance to downtown restaurants and shopping. Amenities include a rooftop palapa living and dining area with a pool, air-conditioned bedrooms, and wireless internet. (click to enlarge image)
Zihuatanejo Vacation Rentals

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Un pintor pinta un pez dorado en su lienzo mientras observan unas personas sentadas en los columpios durante la mañana en Playa Principal de Zihuatanejo.

What a delicious comida Lupita and I enjoyed this Sunday afternoon at La Porteña on the downtown waterfront in Zihuatanejo. A restaurant where the service is always excellent and the fare is always delicious. And they always spoil us rotten, especially Gabriel the waiter! We'd intended to order pizza, and they make some of the best in town, but they also prepare the best fish, and the temptation was too great to pass up, so fresh fish it was. A couple of beers and a couple of mezcals (not for the faint of heart) always add to the good cheer. It's also a good place to people-watch, but with the lack of tourists it was slim pickin's, especially for a Sunday.

We had a nice little thunderstorm overnight that put on a great light show, but then the electricity went off for about an hour. So most of us lost a bit of sleep, and for parents with kids starting school this Monday morning it probably added to the stress. When we stepped outside this morning there were parents and students on their way to school. Some more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than others. But for working parents it has to be a relief to have their kids back in school.

Saw the copulating sea turtles again this morning in front of Playa Principal. That makes about a week since they were first spotted stuck together. Usually around 24 hours is the maximum time for them to do so, and I alerted local authorities so that they might try to look after them and get them safely separated if possible.

As predicted by me and others, the state's tourism authorities are all gushing about what a wonderful summer tourist season it was and how much money the tourists spent, better than last year's (well yeah, since there were fewer hotels operating in Acapulco because of the previous year's hurricane damage). The numbers they give are simply unbelievable for Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa. But apparently, in the interest of job security, they shamelessly come up with magical numbers that must surely impress their bosses, though local businesses all know they're simply not an accurate reflection of the reality we live. I don't blame the political party of Morena in Guerrero, because Guerrero's caciques didn't just disappear overnight when their traditional PRI party lost the governorship, and much of what goes on in the state is beyond their control. But I don't believe the government at the state or national level has any business having a branch dedicated to tourism beyond welcome stations and general promotion. Tourism is always local, and it's always different from one community to the next. We are not a "triángulo del sol," and we don't want the entire coast to look like Acapulco. Now they're starting on Troncones, and locals there are upset to see large hotel and condo projects sprouting up that don't blend in at all with the low-key eco-tourism environment they've worked so long and hard to develop. I tried to warn them not to seek help from politicians, but now they're getting what they unintentionally asked for, and of course lots of local politicians and their pals want to launder their ill-gotten wealth in real estate.

There's a new webcam in Troncones that shows their beautiful sunsets every day. Let's see how long it stays up.
https://www.zihuatanejo.net/beaches.html#troncones

A local boutique hotel that certainly is romantic is Tentaciones Hotel & Restaurante. An inviting place that will leave you wanting more of what they have to offer: a luxury bed-and-breakfast boutique hotel in a private villa overlooking La Ropa Beach with only four suites, a restaurant and a unique pool bar lounge offering a panoramic view of Zihuatanejo Bay and its beaches. They also have two gourmet open-air restaurants that will transport you to a magical place full of temptations. (click to enlarge image)
Zihuatanejo Hotels, Inns & B&Bs

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Una pareja baila alegremente en Plaza del Pescador frente a la bahía de Zihuatanejo.

After a typical noisy Saturday night, we awoke to a beautiful Sunday morning of mild temperatures, a light breeze, partial cloud cover that helped keep the temperature down, and streets empty of tourists. Though we did see a few arrive later dragging their suitcases towards the beach. Must've been new arrivals who'd just gotten off the bus.

Hardly a tourist to be seen today. All the beaches in Zihuatanejo were mostly empty. Same as the downtown waterfront. Restaurants were mostly empty. Taxis were circling like vultures. It's always a little sad to see the last day of summer vacation end with such a fizzle, but frankly it's something we've had to get used to since our local politicians started putting their unbridled greed and ambitions over the best interests of the community. Our golden age was back when they only took a little off the top. Now they want the whole damn pie and then spit in our faces and call it sharing. Let's see if they can buy the next local election after the damage they've done.

The waves have picked up, and they seem to be entering the bay at an angle that makes them bigger on the eastern side of the bay so that they haven't made swimming at the downtown beach as much of a challenge as at La Ropa. There were some beginner surfers at La Madera this morning, but I forgot to check the point at Las Gatas.

Most of the small restaurants of Zihuatanejo's Mercado Municipal are back in their area again. Amazingly, even though they were in the street for seven long months, after being promised it would only be a couple of months, most of the work done was only cosmetic. Painting and throwing patches of new cement onto the same old rusted rebar. The restaurant operators are not impressed. Fortunately, we cast our votes in secret at election time. *wink wink*

A pair of sea turtles has apparently spent about 5 days hooked together in the northern section of Zihuatanejo's bay, and I and others saw them again today. I've never seen them copulate for this long before, and I wonder if something isn't wrong and they need assistance.

Storms keep forming off our coast and heading out to sea. We're getting some of the clouds that accompany them, but somehow the rain keeps mostly missing us. There was a huge beautiful storm to our east this afternoon that looked like it was coming our way, but then it petered out. ¡Tamos sala'o!

Villas Los Arcos at Playa La Ropa is a wonderful lodging I truly enjoy being able to recommend. As if La Ropa isn't beautiful enough, this exquisitely designed and decorated lodging is a place one feels instantly at home in. I wish visitors would simply spend more time in lodgings like this instead of cutting down more of our trees and clearing more land to build more vacation and retirement homes. (click to enlarge photo)
Zihuatanejo Vacation Rentals

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Pangas de pesca en Playa Principal de Zihuatanejo durante la mañana de otro día hermoso en el paraíso.

Downtown Zihuatanejo received a brief but refreshing overnight rain. Not quite enough to wash the sidewalks or streets clean, but enough to leave puddles and wash garbage into the bay where, of course, there were tourists swimming at sunup. There was a lovely refreshing, almost cool breeze this Saturday morning. Quite a change from the mornings of the past few weeks.

The very few visitors we saw arriving this morning looked quite disappointed to see the cloudy skies, though it didn't rain for the rest of this Saturday in Zihuatanejo Bay. The beaches weren't very busy nor were the beachfront restaurants downtown. This Sunday is the last day of Mexico's summer vacation season. This Monday millions of students across the country will be back in school, much to the relief of millions of parents.

Just a heads up to those of you who live or reside here during the slow season. This is a time of increased crime. Break-ins and holdups become more common, and I expect more activity after the disappointing tourist season.

The obscenity at the pier continues with no public renderings of the final outcome, much less what's being spent on it. Never mind the rest of the long list of irregularities. The people who seem to support it are mostly people who almost never go to the pier and/or who tend to always kiss up to the politicians in power. None of my neighbors have anything good to say about it, but after what happened to Alex Serna, people are afraid to speak up or to speak openly.

The mar de fondo continues, and swimming was mostly impossible for most visitors at beaches outside Zihuatanejo Bay. Even within our sheltered bay, the waves can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Never turn your back to the waves when you're in the ocean. Watch out for strong currents, undertows and riptides.

If you're looking for an affordable vacation rental with a great location, take a look at Casa Contenta at La Ceiba complex. A comfortable vacation lodging located a block from the beach in Colonia La Madera and near many excellent restaurants. Enjoy your vacation in this 2-bedroom condo with a spacious living/dining area and a balcony overlooking a garden and pool.
Zihuatanejo Vacation Rentals

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Un cielo con los colores del atardecer y una luna llena en Playa Principal de Zihuatanejo.

The clouds broke up for the lunar eclipse last Thursday night, then they closed right back in. And that's pretty much the way it's been all day and into the evening. Little glimpses of the sky appeared here and there through the steam, I mean water vapor.

Whoa, what a steamer this Friday morning was! No breeze, but we could see rainshowers passing by right outside the bay. Frustrating! And it stayed that way throughout the day. But the rain never appeared. The weather maps kept us thinking it was coming, then nothing. Very frustrating!

Visitors, fishermen and other early risers got a treat this morning on the Paseo de Pescador between the canal and Playa La Madera when a pair of sea turtles swam past while pairing.

Mango licuado for breakfast with some kind of apple-bread pastry from Pastelería El Buen Gusto sure was a nice way to start off the morning along with some fresh aromatic locally grown coffee.

The waves in the bay never picked up much, not enough to affect swimmers, but the favorite surf spots were a-rockin' and a-rollin' today, and they'll continue doing so all weekend.

A few visitors showed up today, but not many. Let's see what tomorrow brings.

Don't miss the Eco-Tianguis "Sanka" that happens every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 1:40 p.m. in the small plaza in front of the Vicente Guerrero school, across the street from the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande in downtown Zihuatanejo by the waterfront where La Boquita canal runs into the bay. If it looks like rain, then they'll set up in the Cancha Solidaridad two blocks to the east just off Avenida La Boquita. Besides wonderful handcrafts, they feature a variety of homegrown produce, fresh foods including pastries, breads and tamales, fresh coffee, juices and mezcal.
https://www.facebook.com/ecotianguissanka

One of the nicest lodgings at Troncones that seems to have something for everyone is Casa de La Sirena. A luxurious private beachfront compound in Troncones featuring a 3-bedroom villa with a private pool, three 1-bedroom MiniVillas, and two side-by-side 2-story 1-bedroom bungalows that share a pool. Truly an oasis in paradise! (click to enlarge photo)
Vacation Rental Lodgings in Troncones

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Un pescador lleva sus pescados amarrados en su cintura en Playa La Madera mientras unas tormentas con lluvia pasan justo afuera de la bahía de Zihuatanejo durante el amanecer.

Wednesday night saw a beautiful full moon visible through the clouds over Zihuatanejo, but Thursday night's cloud cover will prevent us from enjoying the lunar eclipse.

The high heat and humidity along with a total absence of any semblance of a breeze made for a stuffy and uncomfortable day this Thursday along our part of the Costa Grande. The air felt so thick you could practically swim through it. There's a chance of rain in the forecast for this Thursday night and throughout the weekend.

Thanks to all the storms off our coast, we're also expecting another mar de fondo event to arrive sometime this Friday with waves from 6 to 8 ft (2 to 2.6 m). Local surfers are in for a good time!

Our tourism has really died off, though there were a few people at La Ropa, La Madera and El Palmar beaches. Sales were extremely slow, and the downtown restaurants along the waterfront were all empty, even La Porteña, a very bad sign. This weekend is the last hurrah until November. The downtown beach was mostly dead until late in the day when all of a sudden it seemed like everyone was in the water looking like bait for the toothy critters that feed after dusk. They looked so relaxed bobbing around I didn't have the heart to warn them. But at 32°C and no breeze, the water isn't offering much relief.

Villas Troncones on Troncones Beach is a lovely lodging away from the crowds with the beach out your front door and where the night sky can still be appreciated. Ten villas featuring from 1 to 5 bedrooms surrounding a pool. All villas have ceiling fans, A/C and kitchens. Meals are available prepared on property. Located within easy walking distance of other restaurants, convenience stores and the village. They still have availability for the upcoming Christmas vacation season! (click to enlarge photo)
Vacation Lodgings in Troncones

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Una luna llena sale entre las nubes sobre la bahía de Zihuatanejo.

Our mild weather continued through this Wednesday morning, an absolutely beautiful morning. Clouds kept the morning quite comfortable, and like most locals, we took advantage of it to do morning chores. But once the sun came out so did the heat, and it was rough for folks who had to walk anywhere during the middle of the day.

There were almost no visitors to be seen downtown this Wednesday. Restaurants remained mostly empty, and shops made very few sales. Local businesses have been struggling all year, and a disappointing summer vacation season after a disappointing Semana Santa vacation period hasn't helped at all. Some businesses are already closing up, and it's likely many won't last until the winter season.

But the mayor continues planning her parties and special events as if that's supposed to make up for our failing tourist seasons. Wasting millions of our tax money on the escena del crimen at the pier, not doing anything to get Zihuatanejo a new hospital, and the murder of Alex Serna have all hurt her image. Our regidores have apparently forsaken their duties and are simply collecting their inflated paychecks, and we see no oversight from them or any explanation for the goings-on that have the community quite angry and disappointed in our municipal government.

While Zihuatanejo Bay remains almost as calm as glass, at our local surfing spots things are picking up, and Friday and Saturday are looking like some excellent days to be riding waves or just to be enjoying watching the surfers. But we do have some rainy days coming, and the hot ocean seems to be churning out one storm after another right in front of our coast. So we gotta keep a close eye on things.

Located on the hillside between Playa La Ropa and Playa Las Gatas, Casa Westie offers a relaxing and stress-free comfort zone for your vacation. Rent this two-bedroom top-floor apartment with a large open-air living-area terrace with stunning views surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Located in the Cerro del Vigía gated community with 24-hour security. (click to enlarge image)
Zihuatanejo Vacation Rentals

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Un pescador y su amigo sacan fotos de un pez que sacó durante el amanecer en Playa Principal de Zihuatanejo.

A mango licuado with breakfast is a delicious way to start the day. Absolutely sublime!

No overnight rain in our part of town, but the temperatures remained mild and refreshing. Sheets were again optional, but I used mine. We awoke to another overcast morning, and it pretty much stayed that way throughout the day.

The bay was so calm this morning it seemed there were no waves at all. Amazing for such an immense ocean, but that's why it's called the Pacific.

Adiós a Dolly Parton. Having been born in Louisville, Kentucky I have childhood memories of seeing her at the Kentucky State Fair back in the 60's and on programs like Grand Ole Opry, The Porter Wagoner Show and Hee Haw back when Louisville only had 4 TV channels. She could play just about any stringed instrument well, and her voice gave people goosebumps. She was ALWAYS humble, polite and gracious. Not just after she became famous. A very Southern gal. She was a famous star in the South before the rest of the world had ever heard of her. QEPD

As the end of the summer vacation season draws nigh, locals from all parts of the local economy are mostly in agreement that this season was worse than last year. We keep attracting visitors with less purchasing power while running off our traditional visitors with higher purchasing power. Flights aren't as plentiful and affordable as they need to be. Targeted advertising by our so-called tourism authorities is absent. It's fine to attract some sporting events and have travel agents visit, but we can't live off of them or the people they send, and the travel agents don't really advertise us. We still have no one working to get cruise ships to return, no one resolving the problem of all-included hotels in Ixtapa's Zona Hotelera I, no one making cruisers (people who arrive by sea) feel welcome. The place is looking more and more like a cheap Disneyland attraction than the low-key laid-back community it used to be. We've lost most of our beautiful green hills that not that long ago were protected from development. Of course, phuqing up the world's climate isn't helping things either. Now our coral is dying, just when it had been making a comeback.

Casa Tropicana is a nice little hideaway in Troncones located on the street across from the beach within easy walking of the village shops and restaurants. They offer a lovely 2-story vacation home made up of two spacious 1-BR modern apartments with fully equipped kitchens and a pool. Rent the bottom apartment individually or the entire home. (click to enlarge image)
Luxury Vacation Rentals in Troncones

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Según las huellas visibles esta mañana, parece que una tortuga empezó a anidarse en Playa Principal de Zihuatanejo cuando fue interrumpida, posiblemente por un perro, y en su salida sin terminar su nido, pasó entre los postes de un letrero que pide ayuda para proteger las tortugas del mar. ¡Cuánta ironía!

IF your property is held in a trust, you were given the opportunity to name who should get your property when you die. Bet most people skipped that part. We did.

If you don't have a trust, there is not, near as we can tell, any place in the deed to specify who gets the property when you die.

Time for will writing. We think that Rob had mentioned in the past that September was will writing month, but we could be mistaken. Also seem to remember him recommending someone that was easy to work with.

Suggestions please? We don't want the property to just sit here and rot away.

No rain Sunday night, but it sure got cool. Had to sleep under the sheets and turn the fan down. Brrrr!

Monday morning was another beautiful and refreshing morning. The clouds kept the temperature down most of the day. It almost rained this afternoon. Heard some thunder, but no wet stuff downtown.

One storm after another keeps forming off our coast. So far they all keep heading westward, but there's no reason with the hurricane season, and it's always possible one will head our way. At least we're finally getting some precipitation, and the temperatures aren't as high as they were. But the rains mean the ocean is getting runoff, and we still have thousands of people living in the region with no plumbing. Most communities still have no wastewater treatment plants. So swimming is not recommended after a rainstorm, though apparently no one bothers to inform our visitors of the health risk since they're out there swimming every morning after each rain we've had.

Surfing remains decent with waves around a meter or so, expected to get bigger during the week. The ocean remains bathwater warm at just under 32°C in Zihuatanejo Bay.

Hardly any tourism around today. The last week of summer vacation.

A perfect lodging for enjoying a relaxing vacation in Troncones is Casa de la Luna. A luxurious 2BR 2-story main house and a 1BR guesthouse, both with A/C, that together can accommodate up to 8 persons, located on the beach with a large sundeck upstairs and a refreshing pool in front of the living and dining area.
Luxury Vacation Rentals in Troncones

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#JusticiaParaAlexSerna
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoBlueFlag
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#DenunciaElEcocidio

Yo creo que la temporada de lluvias es la parte más hermosa del año en Zihuatanejo.

This Sunday is Día Nacional del Cocodrilo when we celebrate their contribution to the health of estuaries where so much life begins and thrives, including the very mangroves that protect our coasts and build islands. This Monday at 11:00 A.M. at the Cocodrilario Tamakún at Playa Linda there's going to be a special event led by local biologist Claudia Yakuta where the public can learn about our crocodiles and why they are important to a healthy coastal ecosystem. I highly recommend this event.

It didn't rain Saturday night in downtown Zihuatanejo, but the temperature was extremely comfortable for sleeping. Sheets optional. We awoke to a cloudy morning, but it didn't rain until around 1PM. A brief hard rain with lots of wind. It sent people scurrying from the beaches and the waterfront (see photo below). We might get more rain this Sunday night or early Monday.

The rain turned the path to the pier into a mudpit, and it still remains without lights after dark. La escena del crimen remains an insult to the community.

Good job Canada turning down the horrible trade demands the Mad Pedo tried to impose upon you! And congratulations on coming in 2nd place at the SailGP in Sassnitz, Germany today. Mexico looks forward to receiving more Canadian visitors while you boycott the USA. You are more than welcome here!

Enjoy spectacular views from almost every part of this comfortable and spacious 1-bedroom multilevel condominium, Villa Vista. Located at the Punta Peñasco complex on a small hill overlooking La Ropa Beach and Zihuatanejo's bay. The condo features 2 full bathrooms, a modern fully equipped kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, a Smart TV, laundry service, a reserved covered parking space, and a pool.
Zihuatanejo Vacation Rentals

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#JusticiaParaAlexSerna
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#NoBlueFlag
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#DenunciaElEcocidio

Turistas se preparan para salir de Playa Principal en Zihuatanejo cuando caen las primeras gotas de una lluvia durante el mediodía.

We enjoyed another overnight rain Friday night that again brought down temperatures and once again made sleeping under a sheet feel comfortable with the windows open and a fan on low. But the clouds remained all day this Saturday, so beachgoers didn't exactly get what they came for. It was at least a pleasant day, albeit overcast, but I hate to see people risking illness swimming in muddy coastal waters after a rain. This from someone who grew up swimming in the Ohio River.

While it appears we got a late rush of day trippers this weekend, they were mostly people who arrive on buses who tend not to spend much. Maybe they go to a restaurant at Las Gatas, Isla Ixtapa, Playa Linda, Playa Blanca, or Barra de Potosí, but they don't spend much anywhere else, so it was a slow day for downtown merchants and vendors. Even La Porteña was slow, and they're usually ALWAYS busy.

We expect the coming week, the last week of the summer vacation season, to be slow. Families usually spend the last week of our summer vacation season getting their children ready to return to school.

We have quite a large area of disturbed tropical weather off our coast. Three separate storms are likely to develop from it, and hopefully they will all head westward. But due to a low-pressure trough running from north to south, much of the country is likely to see rain. This evening we're expecting more rain coming out of the north along the coast. Hopefully it won't be too windy or a torrential downpour. And Sunday is looking like a day similar to Saturday with clouds and a chance of rain.

Whether you want to go sportfishing, whale watching, sightseeing or snorkeling, my friend Capitán Ramón Olea of the panga Oleaje offers an affordable adventure waiting to be enjoyed. Ramón knows all the local fishing and snorkeling spots as well as what else is worth seeing. His 24' covered panga doesn't offer much luxury, but his expertise in fishing and his local knowledge of our coast and its marine life is second to none! Ramón practices "catch and release" fishing when possible. (click to enlarge image)
Activities, Charters & Tours in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa

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Mirando hacia el oriente de Calle Nicolás Bravo durante el amanecer en el centro de Zihuatanejo.

An overnight rain brought temperatures down this Friday morning, and a nice breeze from the east made for a beautiful morning in Zihuatanejo. So refreshing from what we've had for the past few weeks!

Unfortunately, there were visitors swimming in the bay before the sun even rose. A shame they don't know better, and there should be signs on our beaches warning NOT to swim immediately after rains or during the twilight hours when large-toothed critters are seeking a meal.

Now if only we could cool down the ocean, still around 32°C or more in Zihuatanejo's bay, but that's what big hurricanes do, and we're NOT looking forward to those. Local coral is suffering from the hot water and undergoing a bleaching effect that kills it.

The cifras alegres reported by state tourism officials show Ixtapa at over 80% occupancy and Zihuatanejo just over 36%, but Ixtapa tourists don't spend hardly anything outside their all-included hotels, and the day-trippers in Zihuatanejo spend mostly at Oxxo and maybe at a beachfront restaurant. Today was an extremely slow day for Zihuatanejo's merchants, and the beach was not very busy. Such a shame to see us go through another bad tourist season while all our mayor seems interested in are celebrations and pouring cement.

Speaking of cement, citizens of Morelia are furious with their city and state governments for allowing the cutting down of over 200 trees in order to build another elevated road. They were out last night in the rain trying to protect the trees, but the police kept overwhelming them. A real shame and a tragedy for all the wildlife that lives in the trees being cut down, any of them over a hundred years old. Sound familiar?

More rain is in our forecast for this evening and this weekend. Hope they're gentle rains like we had last night.

The folkloric musicians and dancers are putting on a wonderful event in Plaza del Artista this evening. I believe the musicians will be at the Cancha this Sunday.

For a totally relaxing Bed & Breakfast lodging overlooking the remaining jungle in La Ropa, I highly recommend a hidden gem called Casa Arcoíris. The view of the sunset over the treetops from their pool is breathtaking, and the peace and quiet will relieve you of any stress. Five comfortable suites with air conditioning, TV, two pools, and Wi-Fi access at this LGBTQ-friendly lodging make it somewhat exclusive and definitely enchanting. Mention ZihuaRob's and get a discount. (click to enlarge photo)
Bed & Breakfast Lodgings in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, Troncones & Barra de Potosí

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Unos visitantes se relajan durante el mediodía en Playa Principal frente a la bahía de Zihuatanejo.

What a delicious rain fell last night! So heavy at times that it blocked out the lights from across the bay and caused some minor flooding downtown. It also washed a lot of debris and mud into the bay, so I don't recommend swimming until 3 days after it stops raining. And it looks like we might get more rain tonight.

The rain kept Thursday's temperatures mildish, but it pushed the humidity up so there was still little relief from the heat. By the time I swept my azotea dry this morning I was drenched in sweat.

We were surprised to see what had been described as a cistern at the pier's entrance filled with dirt today. I guess it was always just an expensive bit of cement work to pad the bill, since it appears to serve no purpose now. La escena del crimen.

Speaking of crime, our beloved murdered ecologist made the national news again last night on Televisa's news program "En Punto," the nation's most-watched news program. I bet it gave his murderers a good scare to see that note, even if it was only a brief mention. Good!

There were hardly any visitors around today. Except for La Porteña, the waterfront restaurants were mostly empty this evening as were the bars and restaurants in the first block. The summer vacation season is almost over, and it's been highly disappointing in spite of what the government's so-called tourist authorities say. They're simply trying to remain relevant.

This coming week is when parents across the country buy school supplies and uniforms, so we aren't expecting any last-minute rush of visitors. And then it's slim pickin's and a lot of belt-tightening until November, hoping our visitors from up north will return.

The dollar is at $16.94 pesos to the U.S. dollar this evening, and the peso is holding strong. I've actually seen some local lodgings lower their rates, I guess to compensate for Canadians and people from the USA.

Playa Blanca is a place that still enjoys much peace and tranquility, a place where the stars still shine clearly in the evening skies and where whales and dolphins can be seen spouting and breaching from the shore. El Manantial is an affordable vacation lodging located right on the beach at Playa Blanca offering two one-bedroom bungalows and two houses, one with three bedrooms and the other with six, each with A/C and wi-fi internet, and access to a common pool and a beachfront lounge area. (click to enlarge image)
Vacation Rentals in Zihuatanejo

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#JusticiaParaAlexSerna
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoBlueFlag
#PreservemosPlayaManzanillo
#DenunciaElEcocidio

Zihuatanejo luce hermoso aun durante un amanecer nublado.