Ixtapa City
Resort town in Guerrero, Mexico
Ixtapa at a Glance#
Costs: About $100-150 per day - typical tourist day: mid-range meals, beach activities, local transport.
Safety: Safe around resort zone, stay cautious elsewhere - resort areas are generally safe; avoid remote Guerrero roads at night.
Best Time: November to April - dry, sunny weather; calm seas for boating and snorkeling.
Why Visit Ixtapa?#
Sun-seekers and seafood lovers come for wide Pacific beaches and easy access to the fishing village of Zihuatanejo, where fresh ceviche and grilled fish are staples. Playa El Palmar and excursions to Isla Ixtapa offer clear water, snorkeling and sportfishing that draw anglers from afar. Nights mix relaxed beachfront bars with regional Guerrero cuisine, while the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo pair delivers a low-key contrast to Mexico’s bigger resort towns.
Ixtapa Bucket List#
Playa Linda (Ixtapa) - Long sandy beach with calm waters, beach clubs, and frequent boat departures.
Marina Ixtapa - Modern marina with restaurants, fishing charters, and evening promenades along waterfront.
Isla Ixtapa - Small offshore island reachable by water taxi, good snorkeling and local vendors.
El Faro (Punta Ixtapa lighthouse) - Walk to the lighthouse on Punta Ixtapa for panoramic coastal views at sunset.
Mercado Artesanal Ixtapa - Small handicraft market offering woven goods, silver jewelry, and friendly local vendors.
Playa El Palmar - Quiet beach favored by locals for evening walks and local food stalls.
Zihuatanejo - Neighboring fishing town with Playa La Ropa, seafood restaurants, and artisanal markets.
Parque Arqueológico de Xihuacan - Archaeological park with reconstructed pre-Hispanic structures and on-site museum exhibits.
Best Time to Visit Ixtapa#
Visit Ixtapa in the dry season (November-February) for sunny, lower-humidity beach weather and calm seas. Avoid the June-October rainy/hurricane window if you want reliable sun and boat excursions.
November - February
22 - 30°C (72 - 86°F)
Sunny, low humidity and calm seas - best time for beaches, snorkeling, and boat trips; evenings are breezy and pleasant with lower hotel rates outside December.
March - May
26 - 34°C (79 - 93°F)
Scorching afternoons and building humidity; beaches are lively but midday heat can be intense - bring sun protection and schedule outdoor activities early or late.
June - October
24 - 32°C (75 - 90°F)
Afternoon downpours and higher humidity; storms can shorten beach time but mornings are often clear - great bargains and lush scenery after rains.
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1013 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 21° - 31° | 26° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 70% | 2.5 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.1h |
| February | Ideal | 21° - 31° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 71% | 2.7 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.5h |
| March | Ideal | 20° - 31° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 72% | 3.0 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 21° - 32° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 73% | 3.1 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Excellent | 22° - 32° | 30° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 3.2 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| June | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 176 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.0h |
| July | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 185 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.6 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| August | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 190 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.6h |
| September | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 285 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.5 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.6h |
| November | Excellent | 23° - 32° | 30° | 13 mm | mostly sunny | 74% | 2.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 22° - 32° | 27° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 72% | 2.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.0h |
How to Get to Ixtapa#
Ixtapa is reached mainly via Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) or by intercity bus into Zihuatanejo’s bus terminal. Once you arrive, short taxis, shared vans (colectivos) and hotel shuttles are the standard ways to get into the resort area and between beaches.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH): The airport serves regular domestic flights (Mexico City, Guadalajara) and some seasonal international services. From ZIH you can take an ADO/airport shuttle or shared taxi to Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo; journey times are typically 20-35 minutes to Ixtapa and 25-45 minutes to Zihuatanejo centre. Taxis and private transfers are widely available at the terminal.
Manuel Ávila Camacho bus terminal (Zihuatanejo): While not an airport, the long‑distance ADO bus network connects Zihuatanejo with other Mexican cities; buses arrive at the central terminal in Zihuatanejo from where local taxis or colectivos serve Ixtapa (short transfer). Travel times depend on the incoming route.
Train: There is no passenger rail service directly to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo; the nearest rail passenger services terminate well away in larger cities.
Bus: Long‑distance buses (ADO and other intercity carriers) are the main overland option. Buses run to Zihuatanejo’s central bus terminal from major cities (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Acapulco); from the terminal it’s a short taxi or colectivo ride to Ixtapa (10-25 minutes depending on traffic). Local shuttle vans/colectivos connect beaches and hotels throughout the resort area.
How to Get Around Ixtapa#
Ixtapa is best navigated by short taxi rides, colectivos and hotel shuttles; renting a car is useful if you plan to explore the coast or nearby towns. There is no passenger rail, and intercity buses drop you into Zihuatanejo from where local transport completes most journeys.
- Taxi / private transfer (MXN 200-600) - Taxis and private transfers are the simplest door‑to‑door option from ZIH or the Zihuatanejo bus terminal; drivers operate from the airport forecourt and bus station. Agree the fare before departing or use a hotel transfer to avoid haggling. Useful for luggage or late arrivals.
- ADO & intercity buses (MXN 200-800 (depending on route)) - ADO and regional bus companies connect Zihuatanejo with Mexico City, Guadalajara and other regional hubs; buses arrive at the central terminal in Zihuatanejo. These buses are comfortable for longer journeys and are the main way most overland visitors arrive.
- Colectivo / shuttle vans (MXN 30-120) - Shared shuttles and colectivos run between the bus terminal, airport and the various beaches and hotels in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. They are inexpensive and frequent; expect stops along the route and limited luggage space.
- Car rental (MXN 500-1,200/day) - Car rental is available at the airport and in town and gives flexibility to explore nearby beaches and inland towns. Roads around Ixtapa are generally in good condition but expect occasional traffic during high season and limited parking in busy beach areas.
- Walking - Walking is practical within concentrated hotel zones and many beaches in Ixtapa, but distances between some beaches and Zihuatanejo centro can be several kilometres. Use walking for short beach promenades and around resort complexes.
Where to Stay in Ixtapa#
Ixtapa marina / beaches - $30-90/night
Ixtapa is a resort area with many budget-friendly hotels and hostels, especially around the marina and beachfront. Good value outside peak season.
Budget stays in Ixtapa (Booking) - Hostels and inexpensive hotels listed
Tripadvisor Ixtapa listings - Good for finding low-cost options
Playa el Palmar / Marina - $90-200/night
Mid-range hotels are abundant in Ixtapa - comfortable beachfront properties, chain resorts, and family-friendly hotels with pools and dining options.
Barceló Ixtapa - Resort-style mid-range beachfront hotel
Krystal Ixtapa - Well-known chain, good facilities and location
Ixtapa beachfront - $180+/night
Ixtapa has genuine luxury resort options along the beachfront, with full amenities, pools, and on-site dining - ideal for a high-comfort beach stay.
Tesoro Ixtapa - Upscale beachfront resort with full amenities
Hotel Emporio Ixtapa - Premium resort with sea views and services
Where to Eat in Ixtapa#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ixtapa’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Ixtapa#
Shopping in Ixtapa is mostly tourist-oriented: marina boutiques, beachwear shops and souvenir stalls line the waterfront. For a more local market experience head into nearby Zihuatanejo, where the municipal market and artisan stalls offer handicrafts, textiles and fresh seafood. You’ll also find a handful of small malls and convenience stores in the resort area for basics and gifts.
Nightlife in Ixtapa#
Ixtapa’s nightlife centers on the Marina and beachfront restaurants - casual bars and live-music nights are common, but the scene is relaxed rather than late-night club-focused. For more bars, live music and a livelier after-dark atmosphere, many visitors cross to Zihuatanejo. Expect most venues to be seasonal and busier in high season, so check opening hours before you go.
