sunbum1944

Scheduled to go to Zihuatanejo on Tues bur heat there is a level 4,safety warning for that area.
Have not been able to find much info.
Should we cancel trip or take a chance and go for it.
Advice appreciated please.

MichelleY

Hoping someone will comment. We are looking at Zihua for our timeshare next year.

sunbum1944

I called Alaska Airline. They don't have any info that there is a travel advisory. Hope they are right.

baldone

Go. I live in Mexico and drive 1000's of miles every year through the most God awful places (according to the state department) you can imagine, LOL. It's been a few months since our trip to the Guerrero and Michoacan coast, but it was terribly uneventful. You'll be whisked from the airport to your hotel without incident. Afterwards, you'll wonder what all the hand-wringing was about.
Here's the arbitrary and reactive advisory, which is not predictive in any way:
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-advisory.html
There is another frequent poster here on Fodor's that has more specific (though likely not recent) experience on Zihua than I, but his advice seems contradictory, as he'll on one hand advise against and then subsequently recommend. Tripadvisor has a pretty active Zihua forum where this subject has been discussed ad nauseum.

Stewbear

I guess Baldie is referring to me as reporting both the good and the bad of an area is not IMO contradictory.
Much of the violence is between drug gangs and possibly the most corrupt police force in Mexico. If you do not get drunk and wander the streets late at night, avoid the "red light" area North of downtown with lots of gunfire you should be fine.
Zihua has fine cafes, lovely beaches and great day trips such as Barra de Potosi with it's fab lagoon for kayaking and a mostly empty 7 plus miles of beach along with fresh sea food cafes. The Cayman preserve in Ixtapa and Las Gatas beach are great.
I lost several friends including my best Mexican friend to senseless violence making it less than desirable to me. But go, use common sense and you should be fine.

sunbum1944

Thanks for replies! We are going. I will report back. I don't think we will be out drinking late at night. Looking forward to the beautiful beaches.

MichelleY

Looking forward to your trip report!

Stewbear

Sad to announce there was a shoot out at El Manglar Restaurant next to the Cayman preserve on La Ropa beach. At least one employee wounded. According to local sources it was an attempt by a gang of bad guys who were demanding a payoff. This is one of the best restaurants in Zihua. So sad this fine fine place with an outstanding owner should suffer this attack!

sunbum1944

Day 2 in Zihuatenjo. So far so good. Walked around the village last night. Nice evening haven't seen anything too threatening yet. We were home by 9 though
We are staying at World Mark Resort on a hill looking over the bay. Beautiful views.

MichelleY

Sunburn- we have Worldmark also. Been thinking about this resort. What size unit do you have? Does it have a patio? Some do not.

Thanks for the info!

sunbum1944

We we are in what is called a studio but it has a king size bed, micro wave, small fridge. We had a large covered patio which is nice.
Pretty quiet resort. No one even at the pool right now. You can walk into town but you have to go down 150 stairs, part of which have no hand rail. We walked it last night, took a cab home.
Tonight taking a water taxi over to another beach for happy hour, dinner.

MichelleY

Thanks. Yes, I read about a ton of steps.

sunbum1944

Still feeling safe in Zihua. It's pretty quiet in town. We went on a catamaran Sat night which I enjoyed. Yesterday spent the the day at Las Gatas beach. The beach was very busy as it was Sunday and many families there. Went into town after for dinner, beer. Regretted having dinner as we later discovered many food carts in the plaza which had fabulous looking food but I was too full to try.
So far enjoying time here.

sunbum1944

End of seven days in Zihua without one concern for safety. Nothing but fun in the sun. Leave today for San Miguel de Allende for 4 nights.

MichelleY

Thanks for reporting back. Curious: which airline did you take down there and how were your connections?

sunbum1944

We flew Alaska airlines Portland to Zihua. Stopped in LA but did not have to change planes. Pretty easy.

Stewbear

More bad news in Zihua. The third candidate for mayor was assassinated this week. Also the mayor of Petalan nearby was killed. So Sad!

sunbum1944

Very bad news!

sunbum1944

More bad news for Zihua. Personally, I still think its safe as a tourist. Appears running for office in some of these areas is not a good career choice.

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/pol...-three-months/

nanabee

I just read a Iowan family of four (children ages 7 and 12) were found murdered in their condo while on vacation in Tulum, Mexico. The news story reported there was no foul play? Very strange.

https://nypost.com/2018/03/23/missing-american-family-found-dead-in-mexico/