¡Feliz Día de los Maestros!

We're enjoying a long weekend in Zihuatanejo thanks to the celebration of Día de los Maestros. Not exactly a great economic boon for local merchants, but restaurants have been busy and the beaches were full of teachers and their families enjoying themselves and relaxing.

It's been a sad day at our home because we had to have our one-eyed adopted poodle-looking street dog, Blue, put to sleep after he decided to stop eating several days ago, and analysis showed his organs were essentially collapsing. Something that we actually detected in his breath before the vet determined what it was. He was originally rescued by our daughter Valeria as a pet for her son Raulito, whom we lost 5 years ago to leukemia. He looked old when he was first adopted, and no one could've guessed he would look like a poodle after cutting all the mats of hair off. Though he was only with us for 8 years, it seemed a lot longer. It's never easy to say goodbye to our family members, furry or otherwise. He'll be sorely missed. ¡Adios, Blue! (Here's a photo of Raulito and Blue during better days.)

Today the heat made its presence strongly felt, though the weather apps say it only reached 35°C, it felt a lot hotter. Even though there was a good breeze most of the day, a hot breeze is hardly refreshing.

Waves will be about a meter and a half high along the open ocean this Saturday. Good for surfing enthusiasts. The rains have clouded up the water in places, but it's still a beautiful beach weather.

This Saturday is the 40th Triatlón Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo!
https://www.zihuatanejo.net/comunidad/

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

For traditional lodging with a distinct flavor of old Zihuatanejo, I highly recommend Bungalows Pacíficos. Comfortable, quiet and with a wonderful view, this small iconic Zihuatanejo bayfront vacation lodging is located in La Madera and features 6 suites and a small house, all with one bedroom with a king-size bed, air conditioning, kitchen, and terrace. The suites also have two single beds, and the small house has a twin-size bed for family or friends. They have direct access to the waterfront and are within easy walking distance of many excellent restaurants as well as downtown.
Hotels & Inns in Zihuatanejo

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
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La escalera del Puente Blanco de La Madera, lugar antiguamente conocido como El Vado, durante el amanecer en Zihuatanejo.

What a surprise the rain was during the wee hours of this Thursday morning. A vago who was sleeping on the cushions from the Feria del Libro in Plaza del Artista awoke soaked and I saw him wander off first from Plaza del Artista to a palapa on the beach, and later to the porch of a nearby hotel after the water flowed across the sand where he was sleeping under a palapa, carrying some of the cushions with him. Poor guy.

The warm and humid night quickly became cool and quite comfortable as the rain started to fall steady though not hard. Amazing how a little rain can change everything. The thunder and lightning remained in the distance and never got close to us, so the best of the rain fell somewhere else, but at least we got enough to wash away some of the accumulated dust and leave our part of town feeling considerably cleaner.

This Saturday morning is the 40th Annual Triatlón de Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. The streets will be closed early long before sunrise, and swimming event will start at Playa El Palmar in Ixtapa at 6:00 A.M. Experienced locals and taxi drivers know how to get close to the event even after the major roads are closed. An excellent place for coffee and breakfast and make your base for the day will be at Deborah's Restaurant right on Ixtapa Boulevard across from the Holiday Inn Presidente Hotel. You'll be in the middle of all the action there and just steps away from the events.
https://www.zihuatanejo.net/comunidad/

This Friday is the official beginning of the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season. Let's all keep our fingers crossed, stroke our lucky charms, pray to our invisible friends, and send strong vibes to keep the hurricanes away from our part of the coast.
https://www.zihuatanejo.net/html/weather.html

Tucked away amid the palm trees of La Ropa in Zihuatanejo within easy walking distance of the beach is Arecas Suites. A small affordable and comfortable hotel located in "the grove" near the beach. Features 8 air-conditioned suites with kitchenettes, a pool and plenty of tranquility. (click to enlarge image)
Zihuatanejo Hotels, Inns & B&Bs

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

Dos pescadores relajan en su panga en la sombra de las palmeras de Playa Principal durante el calor del mediodía en Zihuatanejo.

Another warm, humid and windless morning greeted Zihuatanejo and the region this Wednesday. The forecasted rain never materialized in downtown Zihuatanejo. It seemed to rain all around the region except for here. It's almost as if deforestation and too much cement affect the local weather, the urban climate effect. Something that unfortunately no local politician is showing any concern over whatsoever. It got uncomfortably hot today, and if it doesn't start raining soon, it's only going to continue. Be prepared for more hot weather.

Zihuatanejo continues to run out of water while also continuing to allow unfettered new construction including hillsides full of condo projects and luxury homes with pools. I've seen this movie before, and it does not end well for locals. Zihuatanejo needed a building moratorium years ago to get its infrastructure in shape and to decide how to develop going forward. High-rise condos on our hillsides should NEVER have been allowed! Very irresponsible on the part of our local so-called authorities. I know some of you don't like to hear this, but it's the truth.

There wasn't hardly a visitor around today in Zihuatanejo. Almost no one on the beaches or in the streets. Beachfront restaurants sat mostly empty. I stepped out to take a few photos on the beach and I was swarmed by newbie hawkers like vultures trying to sell me tours, drinks and meals. I'm used to it.

A world apart from most of Ixtapa, Ixtapa Iguana Condo 270 offers a comfortable and lovely two-bedroom low-rise condominium overlooking a pool right on El Palmar Beach in Ixtapa, available by week or month. Sleeps up to six and features a full kitchen, terrace, air conditioning, and TV. (click image to enlarge)
Ixtapa Vacation Rentals

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoBlueFlag
#PreservemosPlayaManzanillo
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Dos restaurantes casi vacías durante un mediodía bochornoso en Playa Principal frente a la bahía de Zihuatanejo.

Don´t Miss Out!

Address: El Leñador Restaurant. Av.Jose Maria Morelos Y Pavon 31, Centro, Zihuatanejo. Located right across from the Zihua Olympic swimming pool next to Pops Bubbles with walk-in front and rear entrances and plenty of parking in rear.

New trees ???? have been planted in Zih and Ixt. Based on the description, should provide shade and colorful flowers. Great feedback by Zankas on the various platforms. Let's hope the new the trees do well.

I saw where they started planting Majahuas in Ixtapa, but only because of the severe criticism for the unnecessary destruction of Ixtapa's main plaza including the demolition of its gazebo. Better late than never, but they continue destroying old and large trees for no apparent reason other than to lay cement.

I still miss these beautiful old trees the municipal government killed by the carelessly placed cement for the silly and totally unnecessary Ciclovía when Jorgito was the Director de Obras Públicas in the administration of Eriquín. They severely cut their roots and then didn't allow sufficient area for the water to filter down to what was left of their roots. The three stumps remain there to this day as a testament to the municipal government's disastrous reputation when it comes to its treatment of our most beautiful trees. And it still breaks my heart to see them. I appreciated these trees for decades.

Our cool mornings are over. The coolest it got overnight weas 26°C. For Lupita and me no big deal since we've been acclimating ourselves so that we remain comfortable sleeping with windows open listening to the sounds of the surf, but if you live in an air-conditioned environment you're probably going to have a miserable summer in our region.

The rains forecast for early this Tuesday morning were barely a sprinkle. Not even enough to wash the dust off the plants. But heavy rains remain in the forecast for the region, though I doubt we'll see anything more than sprinkles. My sister-in-law who lives on a hill just outside Mexico City said the sky fell today, and it rained extremely hard there, causing lots of flooding in low lying areas.

This Friday is the first day of the 2026 Hurricane Season for the eastern Pacific. Time to take stock of what preparations you need to make and how you'll ride out any big storms that may hit us. Don't wait until it's too late.

The ocean temperature has warmed up to 29°C. The surf has dropped down a bit from what it was to around a meter, but it's expected to pick up again to just under 2 meters this coming Friday and Saturday. Surfers should still find mostly rideable waves at favorite local spots for much of the week and through the weekend.

Imagine your vacation in this beautiful 3-bedroom oceanfront villa called Casa Kokopeli. This tropical-style beachfront home with a pool offers plenty of privacy and relaxation. Located right on Troncones Beach within easy walking distance of the village as well as several convenience stores and numerous restaurants. It can easily accommodate up to 8 people comfortably. (click to enlarge photo)
Vacation Rentals in Troncones

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoBlueFlag
#PreservemosPlayaManzanillo
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Huachinango en venta en el mercado de los pescadores durante el amanecer en Playa Principal en Zihuatanejo.

Thanks. Any idea when we can confirm the date, and/or make our volunteering known?? Like, what time does it start??

I'm going to guess it starts 7:00 A.M. before all the boats start crossing the bay accompanying the Marina to go to La Piedra Solitaria to lay a wreath. Everyone meets at the pier at 6:00 A.M. to go by boat to Las Gatas.

The overnight lows aren't so low anymore, but the daytime highs aren't as high as the weather folks have been reporting. This Monday was a mostly comfortable day, but the predicted rains still haven't shown up. It rained at Colonia El Aeropuerto, just a few kilometers from Zihuatanejo, but so far not a drop here in town. Rains are predicted for our part of the coast and much of the state for the next couple of days. Gotta turn the fans up a notch during the evenings to sleep comfortably. But at least were acclimating and getting ourselves ready for the months ahead of high temperatures and humidity.

Sanity prevailed, and the stupid proposal to shorten the school year by over a month was finally ruled out. Of course, local teachers are taking most of the week off because of Día del Maestro this coming May 15th. When I was a teacher here over 25 years ago we worked during Día del Maestro and celebrated afterwards. Things have not changed for the better for the students. But teachers get paid whether they work or not, and THAT is part of the problem.

Surprisingly, there were people on our beaches today, but I suspect it has something to do with classes being canceled for the week because of the upcoming Día del Maestro.

The waves have been high, as predicted. Over a meter in Zihuatanejo at Playa Principal. The currents that accompany the surges in water can suck people away from the beach and get them trapped in the breakers if you aren't careful and if you aren't a strong swimmers. I saw the waves beat up a few swimmers at Playa Principal today, but it didn't look like anyone got hurt. Never turn your back on the waves!

Tucked away on a quiet street in La Madera neighborhood is the lovely vacation inn, Villa Cruz del Mar. A colonial-style home converted into a small family-run vacation inn featuring 12 comfortable air-conditioned rooms, some with kitchenettes, all with cable TV, surrounding an enclosed garden courtyard with a pool. Free wireless internet access and secure parking. Located less than 100 yards from the beach.
Zihuatanejo Hotels, Inns & B&Bs

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoBlueFlag
#PreservemosPlayaManzanillo
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Un pescador con su atarraya frente a Playa Principal busca su suerte durante el amanecer.

When is the swim from Las Gatas to the pier? If we don't swim it, we want to accompany them on our boards. We miss it every year!!!

It's called the Travesía de la Bahía. Usually held on June 1st, Día de la Marina.

https://youtu.be/qFv38gUOTRw

https://youtu.be/OusADDs_3ps

https://youtu.be/pyKD42lPQaY

¡Feliz Día de las Madres!

The daytime temperatures have been reaching the mid-30's Celsius almost daily the past week. Hopefully the rains expected this coming week will "break the fever" and stabilize temperatures. Today was another mostly overcast day, and rains have been reported not far away, but we seem to have something driving them away. Probably from all the cement and the loss of trees causing urban heat that wards off the rain. Keeping fingers crossed that the predicted rains reach us this week.

So the mayor held a party for mothers at the Unidad Deportiva that turned into a drunken brawl. Nice.

Hardly a tourist around today. The downtown beach was mostly empty. The only action was at the pier for the final day of the kill tournament.

Surf's up! The water is up to 28.6°C, and the mar de fondo effect is bringing in some nice swells up to a meter and a half for the next several days, continuing around a meter high for the rest of the week.

Speaking of good surf, some of the finest lodgings in Troncones can be found at Inn at Manzanillo Bay. A laid-back luxury inn located on the beach at Playa Manzanillo with 10 individual air-conditioned tropical bungalow suites in a serene tropical setting around a pool and excellent restaurant serving some of the most incredible dishes in the region. A perfect location for surfers and those who like to watch them. (click to enlarge image)
Vacation Rentals & Bungalows in Troncones

¡Cuidemos nuestro patrimonio!
#MásSeguridadPúblicaMenosCemento
#NoBlueFlag
#PreservemosPlayaManzanillo
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Los pescadores venden el producto de sus labores nocturnos al amanecer en Playa Principal en la bahía de Zihuatanejo.

There was nothing coolish about this Saturday morning. It was warm and humid before the sun even rose. Fortunately, it was also overcast, so it kept the temperatures mild for most of the day. I keep seeing rain in the forecast for the first few days of the coming week.

Plenty of visitors who arrived on buses showed up today. The downtown beach and Playa Las Gatas were busy from early on, but sales were scarce for local merchants. Although visitors filled beachfront restaurants, many also had their own coolers of food and drinks, so even restaurant sales were minimal in many instances.

The party continues at the pier with dancing, food, drinks, and t-shirts for sale. Come join in the party while it lasts. Plenty of good vibes.

I was confused by the starting time of the Torneo because in past years we would be on Horario de Verano, and the first day of the tournament they always left a half hour later than the other days, but this morning they left at the same time as yesterday. A shame that catch-and-release is only a minor category instead of the entire tournament.

Flowers are for sale all over town along with all kinds of gifts for Día de las Madres, which this year just happens to coincide with Mother's Day in the States. Restaurants will enjoy one of their busiest days of the year this Sunday, so expect there to be wait times if you're eating out.

The swells along our coast are expected to pick up this evening with the arrival of a mar de fondo event, and they'll continue for about 3 days, so be careful of strong currents if you go swimming at the beach.

Imagine waking up here in the mornings at one of the bungalows at Casa Ki on the beach in Troncones, a peaceful remote tropical village on the warm and friendly southern coast of Mexico: a place where natural beauty still rules and time seems to slow down and stretch out at the same time. A place where stress simply doesn't factor into one's daily routine.
Troncones Guest Inns & B&Bs

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

Un cielo color de rosa ilumina la bahía de Zihuatanejo durante el atardecer.

Owen was a lovely person. All these years later his book remains displayed on my living room credenza.

This was taken as we were returning from a party at his home at Punta del Rey at Playa Las Gatas.