Zihuatanejo Travel Guide

Zihuatanejo (known locally as Zihua) is a Pacific fishing bay in Guerrero state, made famous internationally by its mention in The Shawshank Redemption. The town retains a genuine fishing village character alongside the tourist infrastructure — local fishing boats still work the bay, market vendors sell the morning catch, and the town centre feels lived-in.

The bay and beaches

The bay is sheltered, with calm water suitable for swimming year-round. The main beaches:

• Playa Municipal: the town beach, in front of the market — not for swimming but good for watching the fishing boats
• Playa La Madera: 10 minutes walk east from town — small cove, calm water, casual beach restaurants
• Playa La Ropa: the main swimming beach, 15 minutes from town — long, calm, turquoise water, the best beach in the bay
• Playa Las Gatas: reached by water taxi — calm, clear water popular with families and snorkellers

Ixtapa

5 km northwest, Ixtapa is the planned resort strip built in the 1970s — identical to dozens of other planned Mexican resort zones, with all-inclusive hotels facing a good beach. For families wanting resort infrastructure with easy access to Zihua’s charm, the combination works well.

Food

Zihuatanejo’s Mercado Municipal has one of the best fresh fish markets on the Pacific coast. The market fondas serve excellent, inexpensive seafood. For restaurants, the streets near Playa La Ropa have the best options: good ceviche, grilled whole fish, and aguachile.

Activities

Sport fishing charters operate from the dock — sailfish and marlin in season (November–May). Water taxis run to Playa Las Gatas and to La Isla, a small island in the bay with snorkelling. For diving, operators run trips to the outer bay reefs and nearby rock formations.

Getting there

Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) has connections to Mexico City and several US cities. Buses from Mexico City take 9–10 hours via Acapulco road; ETN buses are the most comfortable option.

When to go

November–April: dry season, calm seas. December–March is the fishing season peak. May–October: hotter and more humid, afternoon rains, occasional swell.