I am planning to go to Ixtapa at the end of August and I am wondering how you get to the lighthouse there.
I think the name is El Faro.

I have searched a few Mexico forums but could not find any directions to this place.

There is however other El Faro places in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.
Percy I was told you gave some excellent directions on how to get to the lighthouse(about 2 years ago).

I hope you are the same Percy that was on the Mexican Board two years ago.
If not has anyone else been there recently and visited the lighthouse.!??I have been told the view from the lighthouse is spectacular.
Thank You
jmvp

Yes I can see why you are confused about El Faro in Ixtapa/ZihuAtanejo!

I will review my Ixtapa notes and get back to you.

In the meantime maybe someone else can help you out also.

And Yes, I am the Percy that wrote the directions to the lighthouse 2 years ago.

By the way I read your excellent report on Playa Del Carmen and your visit to the ruins of Tulum, Chichen Itze and Koba last Christmas, on one of the Mexican Forums (there are several of them).

If no one else helps you I will get back to you.

Percy

The reason people get a little confused about El Faro is because,there are three places called El Faro.

1. There is the Marina at the end of the main strip , of Ixtapa Avenue, it is only a short walk along all the resorts in Ixtapa.
This a lounge and you can go to the second floor and have a drink.

2. Next there is a very nice restaurant called El Faro and I would highly recommend that you visit this place, for a nice meal and absolutely super views of all of Ixtapa Bay.

This place is perched up on a high hillside.

I would go around 5 to 5:30 PM ,sit outside on the terrace and have a light lunch or have dinner .
It is a very classy place.

But let me just say that this lovely El Faro Restaurant is located in the Hotel Pacifica Ixtapa.

It is on the same road as going to Las Brisas Resort .
There is a golf course immediately to your right as you enter.

Taxi's are all cheap and any taxi driver would be happy to take you there.

It is in downtown Ixtapa , I do not want you to think it is way out somewhere, okay!!

And now finally for the El Faro Lighthouse:

I knew that I wanted to go to this place before I left on my trip as I saw pictures of the beautiful views from the cliffside lighthouse.

However, once I got to Ixtapa/ Zihautanejo , I had a heck of a time trying to get the locals to tell me how you get there.

So when I fiiiinally found my way there through trial and error, I and said to myself, this is silly, no one should have to go through this confusion.

So when I got back I wrote the complete direction in point step form on a Mexican Forum website and received nothing but raves about the report , which only meant that many other had similar problems.

The lighthouse is not that far away. you do NOT needs a car to get there.

It is only a 20 minute walk up the hill from Las Gatas Beach..BUT first you have to find the path leading to the lighthouse.... and this is where my problem began, as each Mexican I asked gave me a different direction !!!! and some never even heard of it ...amazing !!

Okay you know that Las Gatas beach is in Zihautanejo, so if you are staying in Ixtapa, it is a 60 cent (US$) bus ride to Zihuatanejo which take about 24 minutes maximum.

Okay jmvp, I gave you this brief explantion...now for the full complete step by step ( foolproof ) directions of how to get there,you can e-mail me at [email protected]

and I will type out all the steps for you .

I can assure you that you will absolutely love this place.
Just the water slapping against the rocks below, the whole Pacific Ocean ahead of you , and the Bay of Ixtapa to your right hand side....no you cannot see the town of Ixtapa from here.

I was there twice and each time , not a single person was there,so you can just sit on a rock and look and admire and dream away.!!!

Percy

Hi :
First let me wish everybody a Merry Christmas.

I received 3 e-mails this week asking about the directions to the El Faro Lighthouse....

so I thought I would place it on this message board in case others were planning to go to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

For right now this is for Debbie B.
Margo R and Debbie D.

First let me say that the boat(water taxi) leaves for Las Gatas beach from downtown Zihuatanejo beach area ...called Playa Municipal.

You have to take the boat to get to Playa Las Gatas which is just across the Zihuatanejo Bay...about a 15 minutes ride.

Take some bottled water with you.

Okay here is how you get there:

1. When you come to Las Gatas, get off the boat and walk to your right about a block...you are walking on the beach.

2.You will then come to an Eatery (on your left hand side)called Amados.

3.Walk behind Amados and you will see mens/ladies outside toilets..very clean I might add.

4.Okay, now walk past the toilets about 1/4 block, and you will see this shanty shack to your left.

5. You will see a path beside the shack and you will think you are walking into someone's yard.

6.TAKE this path,it is just a twig and dirt path.

7.Okay ,now don't fret, just keep on walking along this path,that is leading you to the bush, for another block.

8. You will come to a Cobblestone walkway( path)...THIS is it !!...you are on your way.

9.The bushes are cleared about 3 feet on either side, so there is no obstruction to your walk.

10.Now start walking..,pause of you must, have a sip of water,it willbe hot ,over 90F, you have about a 15 minute walk(okay 18 minutes !!).
This walk is about 90% uphill....
BUT
It willbe nice coming back,as it is all down hill!

11.About a block from the lighthouse ( you can see it now) ,there is a chain link fence across the pathway...but that is okay ,as there is a short path to your left that circles the chain link fence, so just walk around the fence.

12. Once you circle the chain link fence and you are back on the path.... you have a very short downhill walk and then up the little hill and HERE YOU ARE.!!

13.As you approache the lighthouse..yell out, something like, "Hello the Lighthouse"...this is in case the caretaker is there...he never is !!!

14. Now walk around the lighthouse ,see the lovely Ocean Views and steepcliffs.... Ixtapa Island is to your right.
Careful don't fall over !!!

15.Now you trip back is all downhill, stop at Amados for a cold beer , you have earned it.

Take Care and have a nice hike.

Percy

ttt

Margo and /or Debbie

Would you please let me know that you have received this information,as I still have your e-mails addresses.

Thank You

Percy