|
|
Ixtapa-ZihuatanejoThe Other Mexican GetawayStory and Photos by Naeem Randhawa
The contrast between Ixtapa (is-tap-pa) and Zihuatanejo (zee-wat-en-ay-ho) provides for an experience in two worlds. Ixtapa is an exclusive ocean-side resort town with sunny beaches, a multitude of restaurants and tourist fares, while Zihuatanejo is a hustling-bustling center of commerce where the locals live and sell original artisan silver, hand-crafts, and local gourmet foods. When you visit, plan to spend time in both places for the sun, surf, and sand, along with the local flavor, shopping, eating, and sight-seeing. The two towns are a little over three miles apart, a short taxi ride, from one another, located on Mexico's Pacific Coast. A new highway connects the two towns with Morelia — a three-hour drive north, and Acapulco 150 miles down the coast. Due to the towns' geographic locations, and proximity to the equator, the weather is pleasantly consistent throughout the year, with an average temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The variation between summer and winter temperatures is about 10 to 15 degrees, and evening to day temperatures will vary by about 10 degrees, keeping it sunny during the day, balmy and breezy in the evening. Bring your sandals, shades, plenty of sun-tan and evening wear to go out. Playa (beach) Del Palmar is the main beach-front, 2 miles of ocean-side hotel-zone suited for many water-sports including parasailing, banana-boats, and body-surfing. There are a half-dozen other beaches where you can find plenty to do, from scuba-diving and snorkeling to quiet walks, and horse-back riding. I had a chance to do some snorkeling for the first time with a local company, "Ixtapa Aqua Paradise". We took a boat ½ hour from the marina in Zihuatanejo to a semi-isolated cove, where we spent an hour diving and looking at fish in one of the protected local coral reefs. It is an exhaustive exercise, if you've not gone snorkeling before, a breathing lung (an inflated life vest that helps keep you afloat), may help you get familiar with the pace of floating and diving.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is family friendly, and offers plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, rollerblading or biking (can be rented) along the "Cyclopista," spending the day at the Magic World Aquatic Park — a water theme park, or swimming with dolphins at the Delfiniti dolphinarium. Delfiniti gives you the chance to swim and interact with these aquatic mammals up close for 45 minutes, including the opportunity to have the dolphins give you a kiss, which is photographed, and makes for a great souvenir on the way out.
When you're shopping, it's recommended you use pesos, unless you plan on only shopping at the higher end boutiques. If you want to buy handicrafts and shop at the local markets, carry a calculator to make sure you convert your money correctly, I nearly made the mistake of paying 30 dollars for a 3 dollar item! There's plenty to buy, including handmade Guerrero ceramics, hand-embroidered clothing, leather articles, hammocks, handcrafted rugs, and original silver items. Exchange your dollars to pesos at the local bank, not at your hotel, you'll get more for your dollar.
For more information: Mexico Tourism Board
Hotel Las Brisas Ixtapa
Hotel Dorado Pacifico
Ixtapa Delfiniti Ixtapa Scuba Diving, Turtles
and Crocodiles program Ixtapa Aqua Paradise Vltava Sailboat
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JustSayGO Travel Show
A great way to relax
after the day's activities is to take a sunset cruise on a yacht. For
a fairly cheap ticket, you can board the Vltava Sailboat, an 80-foot
yacht charters in the marina, and plan on a two and a half hour relaxed,
breezy, gently rolling tour out to the water to watch the sun set. On
the cruise, the crew will keep your glasses filled, with an open-bar
included in the ticket price, and a light supper. Bring along your camera
for unforgettable pictures and memories, and of course, you inevitably
at some point will find yourself winding your way to the front of the
boat, to step onto the outcropping standing platform, with the water
whipping past you below your feet, to exclaim, "I'm King of the World!"
Golfers will enjoy the
two 18-hole golf courses, Palma Real Golf Course and Marina Ixtapa Club
de Golf. Flamingos, grullas, guacamayas, cardinals, "pescadors" (local
eagle species), giant rabbits, and crocodiles are native to the surrounding
lagoons, so keep an eye and ear out for wildlife. Needless to say, golfers
don't retrieve lost balls from the water hazards, where a crocodile
may be wading and sunning. Inquire about golf packages when making reservations,
as many properties offer them in their itinerary. There is a strong
conservation effort in the area by folks like Juan Barnard who volunteer
much of their time and work with the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo CVB and area
hotels to plan and educate tourists and locals on the importance of
saving local habitats, and wildlife. Along with leading the local wildlife
rescue squad, Juan has also established a local turtle hatchery, and
organizes the turtle hatchling releases back to the ocean. 
You can find hotels in
both towns, and in a wide variety of accommodation types and price range,
from exclusive resorts to budget hotels, condos and villas. I stayed
at the Las Brisas Hotel (rates start at about $99/night), and the hotel
has some unique features, including fine-dining restaurants, local fashioned
upscale rooms, each with its own veranda and a gorgeous ocean view.
Las Brisas was strategically built in front of a private cove, not easily
accessed by other properties, giving guests plenty of privacy and solitude.
I also visited the Hotel Dorado Pacifico. All the hotels in the "Hotel
Zone" are beach-front properties with access to great shopping nearby,
two golf courses, and other activities mentioned in this article. From
exclusive upscale seeker to budget traveler, you should not have any
problems in finding and staying at the type of accommodation you are
looking for. 
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is
a growing destination, there's new construction everywhere, and it's
not as mainstream or as heavily trafficked as some of Mexico's other
destinations. Take advantage of this quieter destination, for a romantic
couples getaway or family excursion — you'll enjoy everything it
has to offer!
|
||||||||
|