Stay at Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo?
May 8th, 2006, 06:58 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Stay at Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo?
I've read that Z is more "Mexican" but since I'll probably be going solo, do you think I'd be better off in Ixtapa where it looks like there are more stores/restaurants, etc. I will probably be there for 4 or 5 days. What hotel would you recommend for being close and convenient to everything? Or should I stay at Z?
May 8th, 2006, 05:04 PM
#2
Dolores:
For 4-5 days any of the resorts along the beach in Ixtapa willbe just fine.
The shoppping and all eateries are right across the street.
So you can walk up and down the"Ixtapa Strip" and just enjoy the sights and the heat.
Anywhere along the main Ixtapa Strip you just hop the bus( 60 cents US) for a 25 minute ride to Zihuatanejo and walk around or shop or whatever to your hearts delight.
You can zip over to Zihuatanejo everyday if you want...it is only a short bus ride up the hill.
For 4-5 days any of the resorts along the beach in Ixtapa willbe just fine.
The shoppping and all eateries are right across the street.
So you can walk up and down the"Ixtapa Strip" and just enjoy the sights and the heat.
Anywhere along the main Ixtapa Strip you just hop the bus( 60 cents US) for a 25 minute ride to Zihuatanejo and walk around or shop or whatever to your hearts delight.
You can zip over to Zihuatanejo everyday if you want...it is only a short bus ride up the hill.
May 9th, 2006, 10:02 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Also be aware that Ixtapa is more like what Americans view as a "resort area", i.e., landscaped gardens, white high rise hotels, a full-service marina, golf courses, etc. If this is what you want, you won't like being in Zihua.
However, Zihua has a wider range of properties to choose from, including the highest-level boutique luxury properties (like Casa Que Canta and Villa Sol), Zihua has better shopping opportunities, and Zihua has the more interesting restaurants.
The beach is still better in Ixtapa, and it does feel more "like home" to American families...
Hope this helps,
Mark
www.tiogringo.com
However, Zihua has a wider range of properties to choose from, including the highest-level boutique luxury properties (like Casa Que Canta and Villa Sol), Zihua has better shopping opportunities, and Zihua has the more interesting restaurants.
The beach is still better in Ixtapa, and it does feel more "like home" to American families...
Hope this helps,
Mark
www.tiogringo.com
May 9th, 2006, 10:49 AM
#5
Well put Mark.
It is a matter of what Dolores wants to do for her 4-5 days.
If it is beach time and laying around and walking up and down the beach,then Ixtapa is the place for her.
I find that when I stay in Ixtapa I bus over to Zihuatanejo and when I stay in Zihuatanejo ,I bus over to Ixtapa...
But then I do not spend much time lying around the beach...but rather sight seeing all over.
Percy
It is a matter of what Dolores wants to do for her 4-5 days.
If it is beach time and laying around and walking up and down the beach,then Ixtapa is the place for her.
I find that when I stay in Ixtapa I bus over to Zihuatanejo and when I stay in Zihuatanejo ,I bus over to Ixtapa...
But then I do not spend much time lying around the beach...but rather sight seeing all over.
Percy
May 9th, 2006, 11:27 AM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sight See. Good Point.
Photography/Sightseeing would be my main interest. Are there enough places here to see to keep me occupied for 4 or 5 days? Seems hard to find any attraction list for this area of Mexico; what are your suggestions?
Heat. Sounds like it's best to visit here from November thru February? Does this place get the "Christmas Winds" like the St. Thomas area?
Photography/Sightseeing would be my main interest. Are there enough places here to see to keep me occupied for 4 or 5 days? Seems hard to find any attraction list for this area of Mexico; what are your suggestions?
Heat. Sounds like it's best to visit here from November thru February? Does this place get the "Christmas Winds" like the St. Thomas area?
May 10th, 2006, 12:41 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am going to have to vote strongly in favor of Zihuatenejo. I love it- very charming, picturesque, great views, lovely quite bay, great market for handicrafts and jewelry, and unique charming restauraunts.
On the other hand, I find Xtapa to be a totally unappealing uber Americanized tourista destination. Everyone is different, but I simply do not go to another countries in order to eat at all the chain restauraunts that we have here in the states and dance with a bunch of other drunken americans at some stupid loud disco joint like Senor Frogs. I mean, what's the point? Why not go to to Miami instead?
Go to Zihua- you won't regret it. Traveling solo shouldn't factor into your decision one way or another. I travel solo all the time, and it's not like you would have more things to do and more people to meet in Xtapa. You'll have plenty of things to do in Zihua and you'll probably meet more interesting people.
And in terms of the beach, I would have to respectfully disagree with a previous post- I find the beaches at Zihua- situated in a protected bay- to be much better (flat soft sand great for walking) and alot safer than those in Ixtapa which generally have rougher surf and a strong undertow.
Be sure to get over to Las Gatos, a beach with a protected jetty that is particularly good for snorkeling. Wherever you stay, also be sure to spend a day at Ixtapa Island, again for great snorkeling and a wonderful vibe.
On the other hand, I find Xtapa to be a totally unappealing uber Americanized tourista destination. Everyone is different, but I simply do not go to another countries in order to eat at all the chain restauraunts that we have here in the states and dance with a bunch of other drunken americans at some stupid loud disco joint like Senor Frogs. I mean, what's the point? Why not go to to Miami instead?
Go to Zihua- you won't regret it. Traveling solo shouldn't factor into your decision one way or another. I travel solo all the time, and it's not like you would have more things to do and more people to meet in Xtapa. You'll have plenty of things to do in Zihua and you'll probably meet more interesting people.
And in terms of the beach, I would have to respectfully disagree with a previous post- I find the beaches at Zihua- situated in a protected bay- to be much better (flat soft sand great for walking) and alot safer than those in Ixtapa which generally have rougher surf and a strong undertow.
Be sure to get over to Las Gatos, a beach with a protected jetty that is particularly good for snorkeling. Wherever you stay, also be sure to spend a day at Ixtapa Island, again for great snorkeling and a wonderful vibe.
May 10th, 2006, 04:35 PM
#11
I travel solo often, I hate resorts, and I love Mexican towns generally speaking, so my pick would be Zihuat, no question.
I have never been, but am guessing it might be similar to the layout of Puerto Vallarta around the Bay where there is the Old Town and then the new mega-resorts out in Nuevo Vallarta to the north?
I have never been, but am guessing it might be similar to the layout of Puerto Vallarta around the Bay where there is the Old Town and then the new mega-resorts out in Nuevo Vallarta to the north?
