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I’ve visited just under 20 destinations in Mexico, from inland charmers like Aguascalientes to the village of Tequila (for obvious reasons).
While my job as a travel writer gives me the undeniable privilege of being able to cover so much ground, I can’t help but feel sorry for those who fear our neighbors to the south simply because of the often misleading reports in the mainstream news.
For example, Our safety index shows that travelers largely feel safe in Mexicowith the country as a whole being rated 79/100 – not too shabby for a place that’s usually portrayed more as a crime-ridden no-go zone than a vibrant cultural dreamscape that also happens to have beautiful beaches.
My absolute favorite place to vacation in Mexico – I’m talking locking my laptop in my room safe and spending most of the day sunbathing at the swim-up bar – is both a assigned Pueblo Magico and Blue Flag promised paradise which I truly believe is much more beautiful and authentic than Cabo, even during the current low season.
I’ve vacationed in Mexico’s great trio of Cabo, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta, but this back-to-back escape recently touted by Food and travel is slowly but surely becoming one of Mexico’s trendiest holiday destinations.
At the same time, its dubious reputation as Guerrero’s diamond in the rough has helped the country cling to its ‘hidden gem’ status – if only by a hair – making now the perfect time to plan a holiday in one of Mexico’s sunniest hideaways.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is a mouthful in more ways than one
If you’re the type to take full advantage of all-inclusive benefits and geography when it comes to food, I can’t think of a better place in Mexico to surprise your taste buds.
Looking past the rows of resorts along one of those Blue Flag beaches, El Palmar, the town itself still feels like a classic fishing village where the clock stopped working at some point.
No, you don’t have to eat seafood every meal, but you’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re not a fan of fresh ceviche and grilled red snapper.
As seasoned travelers here at Travel Off Path, we realize that some all-inclusive menus are sub-par at best and serve more as fillers, with a quantity over quality approach to the cuisine.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo never goes by that full name unless you read it. It is mostly divided between Ixtapa, a separate town where the aforementioned El Palmar is located, numerous resorts and a secret island that most travelers don’t know aboutand Zihuatanejo, often called “Zihua” to save you some syllables.
This duo may be a mouthful, but in a good way, because you’ll be bragging about your new favorite outing, just as I have since my last visit, with memories of overflowing plates of food at resorts and freshly caught, and generously priced fish at Isla Ixtapa.
Ixtapa’s cheap must-visit: Isla Ixtapa
Isla Ixtapa is not just for foodies; it’s a nearby place to escape the hustle and bustle of a resort.
You have to go away sometimes, right?
To be honest, the island is not that well known. When interacting with fellow tourists, I told them I had to go and they looked at me as if I had just told them the winning lottery numbers.
“Ixtapa has an island?!”.
That is certainly true, and only costs a few bucks to board the “ferry” (ahem, a dirty little boat).
Don’t expect resort-lined coasts like El Palmar; expect a rustic atmosphere of thatched huts, serving extensive menus of coastal cuisine and fun activities like snorkeling.
The water was mostly clear, albeit rocky you’ll definitely want to wear non-dorky flippers or pack a pair of swim shoes to get in.
It may sound strange, but guys, if you’re going swimming/snorkeling, you might also want to shave your legs.
I’ve had a few small fish bites because I think they mistook my leg hair for algae. No journey is perfect…
You can’t stay overnight, but it’s an unforgettable day trip for a change of scenery if you want to escape the humdrum of the resorts after a few days.
Unpacking the region’s best resorts
I chose Barceló Ixtapa Beach Resort last year – still one of my favorites because of the location alone.
They had a great food selection and even more stunning views from the pool overlooking a pristine coastline that was never overly crowded like Cancun’s.
Instead of tourists, it seemed more like locals were enjoying their own hometown, which was refreshing considering how popular Mexico’s usual resorts have become.
Honestly, as much as I liked it, I didn’t appreciate the lack of detail of their all-inclusive package – meaning they only allowed certain restaurants on certain nights with minimum stay requirements.
Along the same picture-postcard coast are a handful of others, including a lesser-known brand that I’m checking out for my next trip: Hyatt’s Solar landscape Dorado Pacifico.
This is why I’m leaning towards Sunscape being my next stay in Ixtapa
- Each room has a view of El Palmar Beach, so there’s no guesswork involved when you check in
- The resort is just steps from the sand; a front row seat to Ixtapa’s beautiful fiery sunsets
- The location is hard to beat: right in the heart of Ixtapa, about 20 minutes from the airport, and close to a water park, dolphin swims, and souvenir shops
- It’s family-friendly, but adults aren’t left out either, with a spa, fitness classes, tennis courts, guided bike tours and beachside movies under the stars
- Best of all, it’s only Ixtapa Unlimited fun refuge — without the need for a wristband
See you soon, Solar Landscape?
That said, I’m also inclined to look at the trendy side of this double paradise.
Zihua has risen in the ranks lately, especially with it being quite new and undeniably trendy Thompson Zihuatanejo Hotelanother Hyatt property.
But they can lose me without the all-inclusive benefits, no matter how cool this side of the area seems as a designated “magic town” with an old-world Mexico feel.
A diamond in the rough: how safe is Ixtapa?
The latest travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not exactly paint a beautiful picture like the sunsets of Ixtapa.
Last updated this week, the state of Guerrero remains under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation.
That said, with so many resorts, both police and external security patrol the region heavily to protect tourists.
Many Americans are still in the early stages of discovering Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo as a legitimate vacation option if they are tired of the Americanized, cookie-cutter feel of Cancun and want a more authentic beach vacation.
However, Canadians have been coming here en masse for years.
Any way you look at it, both towns are Guerrero’s diamond in the rough, where travelers are better off sticking to the main tourist areas than venturing too far inland.
Currently, travelers score Zihua’s safety level at 81/100 – quite impressive for a ‘Level 4’ destination:
