Established in the 1970s as a tourist resort, Ixtapa is a lively seaside community on Mexico’s Pacific coastline. It was planned by the renowned Mexican architects Enrique and Agustin Landa Verdugo, with beautiful beaches, pro-designed golf courses and family-friendly attractions.
Things to do in Ixtapa
Spend your days relaxing on Playa El Palmar, a curving strip of sand where you can swim in the shallow waters of the Pacific Ocean. Backing the beach are plenty of bars and restaurants where you can dine throughout the day, including Viaje and Cinque Terre. At the western end of the beach is the Ixtapa Marina, from where fishing boats come and go.
Nestled behind the beach is the Marina Ixtapa Náutica Golf Course, which was designed by the celebrated American golf course architect Robert von Hagge. It features narrow fairways and undulating greens laid out between crocodile-inhabited saltwater inlets and bunkers that will challenge even the most experienced players. Non-golfing family members can stretch their legs on the nature trails of the adjacent Reserva De Agua Fonatur.
If you’ve ever wanted to swim with dolphins, head to Delfiniti, a dolphinarium and water park where you can get up close to these endearing marine creatures. You can observe them swimming underwater or take advantage of the park’s dolphin-assisted therapy sessions to aid in physical and emotional rehabilitation. Delfiniti is also home to an aviary filled with colourful birds.
Getting around Ixtapa
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport is around 25 minutes’ drive from the city centre and has flights to destinations across Mexico and North America. Long-distance buses connect to Ixtapa while renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the area. Ixtapa’s beachside district is ideally explored on foot.