What if your next Mexican vacation didn’t require choosing between a beautiful resort and a more local experience? That was one of my biggest takeaways from my first visit to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. The Pacific coast destination in Mexico’s Guerrero state offers two very different experiences just minutes apart.
Ixtapa carries the ease and energy of a resort destination. Beaches, pools, golf, restaurants and plenty of opportunities to simply switch off. Zihuatanejo, affectionately known as “Zihua,” moves at a different pace. Its walkable streets, artisans, fish markets and local restaurants invite you to wander and linger. Together, these destinations create something that feels surprisingly versatile.
Perched above the Pacific
My introduction to Ixtapa was at Cala de Mar Resort & Spa, a cliffside boutique property where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. With just 59 suites, the resort has an intimate feel. I was blown away by how its architecture seems to embrace rather than compete with its surroundings. My suite opened onto an expansive view of the ocean, complete with a private terrace and pool.
Swimming in the infinity pool, enjoying fish tacos and fresh guacamole, getting lost in my book and dozing off to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks quickly became my definition of peace. Four restaurants, a spa and beautifully designed villas provide everything you need, but the real luxury is the privacy and the feeling of not having to do much of anything to truly enjoy yourself.
Two sides of the same coast
Eventually though, curiosity pulls you beyond the resort. This is where Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo becomes particularly interesting. Ixtapa is the more polished, resort-forward side of the destination, then just minutes away, Zihuatanejo feels like a different world.
The pace slows, streets become places to explore rather than simply pass through, markets bring colour and energy to the neighbourhoods and independent restaurants offer a taste of the region. Zihuatanejo has earned Mexico’s Pueblo Mágico designation, recognizing places with distinctive cultural, historical and natural character. Spending time here makes it easy to see why.
We wandered through local flea markets, discovering handmade tapestries and crafts from local artisans before continuing through town. There are unexpected discoveries, too. Perched above Zihuatanejo is the Parthenon, a sprawling Greek-inspired mansion with a complicated history connected to Mexico’s political past. It is certainly not what you expect to find overlooking a Mexican coastal town, which is precisely what makes it memorable.
What I loved most was that I didn’t have to choose between Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. I could have the resort experience and the local experience in one trip. The quiet morning and the lively evening. A day by the pool and an aimless afternoon wandering through town. It felt like two vacations in one.
Let your hunger guide you
If the coastline is what first catches your attention, the food is what gives you a deeper understanding of the destination. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo’s culinary scene was one of the highlights of my trip, and the food ranged from incredibly simple to sophisticated.
At Carmelita’s Cocina Mexicana in Zihuatanejo, I felt like I had been invited into a local grandmother’s home. Paco Gonzalez opened the restaurant in 2008, originally calling it “Paco’s Tacos.” Named after his mother, Carmelita’s has since grown into an award-winning family establishment. That family connection is evident the moment you walk through the doors. The open-air restaurant is filled with the smell of fresh tortillas and the warmth of a kitchen preparing traditional Guerrerense cuisine.
From there, dinner at Angustina Mezcal y Cocina offered a completely different culinary experience. Chef Felipe Meneses has been recognized in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of Guía México Gastronómico. It’s a prestigious guide highlighting 250 of Mexico’s notable restaurants. His approach brings ancestral techniques into a contemporary setting. We experienced this through a five-course tasting that included marlin tacos, octopus paella with chicharrón and a mezcal Old Fashioned. The meal culminated with a chocolate tart and mezcal cherry compote.
“Every dish I create is rooted in that legacy and heritage, honouring the ingredients and techniques passed down through generations,” chef Meneses explained. From fish tacos and guacamole overlooking the Pacific, to an elevated tasting menu inspired by generations of culinary tradition. The food tells the story of the region in its own way.
Beyond the beach
One cannot (or should not) stay poolside their entire trip. Not when Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has so much beautiful nature to explore. A sunrise kayak through the mangroves offered a peaceful introduction to the region’s natural environment. While a sunset catamaran ride provided a front-row seat to the Pacific as the sky changed colour.
At Playa La Ropa, I traded my lounge chair for a surfboard during a beginner surfing lesson. The instructors at Catcha L’Ola were incredibly encouraging and probably the main reason I managed to stand on my board for a mere few seconds. After a morning of wiping out in the ocean, I naturally had to fit a round of golf into my stay as well. Palma Real Golf Club is an 18-hole course surrounded by lush landscapes and unexpected wildlife that made the round particularly memorable. Crocodiles could be spotted throughout the course, adding an element of excitement I certainly would never encounter back home in Canada.
Discovering Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
For Canadians, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo may not be the first Mexican destination that comes to mind when planning a vacation. But it deserves a place in the conversation. During peak season, direct flights from Canada with Air Canada and WestJet make getting there especially convenient. I travelled in August with a connection, but the journey was still smooth and straightforward.
More importantly, once you arrive, you have options. Retreat to a cliffside suite and listen to the waves. Wander a market, take a surf lesson, play 18 holes, sit down to an exceptional meal or watch the sun disappear into the Pacific from the deck of a catamaran. You can make the vacation as slow, social, adventurous or indulgent as you want. And maybe that’s the beauty of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo: you simply don’t have to choose.
More inspiration from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo:
The Many Flavours of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo
Discover the Magic of Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
5 Days in Paradise: Ixtapa Zihuatanejo
Kayla-Marie Williams
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