Located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast northwest of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo is known for its beaches including Playa La Ropa. But it might be most famous for its mention in the movie The Shawshank Redemption as the perfect place to escape to. Since then, it’s grown into a resort town with galleries, seafood restaurants, and plenty of things to do, but it still maintains its original off-the-beaten-path vibes. Offshore, explore the ocean via a sunset cruise or go snorkeling at Playa las Gatas.
The best time to visit Zihuatanejo is in January, February, and March, when the weather is warm and dry. Zihuatanejo can still get crowded in summer though. If you’re visiting in winter (mid-December to mid-March), you’ll have the chance to spot humpback whales. During this time, they travel to the warm waters of the Pacific to breed and give birth. Also, every Thursday afternoon, folks line up at the city’s pozolerias (restaurants serving bowls of green pozole, a type of soup with hominy and chicken.)
From the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo airport to Playa La Ropa, it’s a 20-minute drive; there are several car rental agencies at the airport. You can travel by bus from other Mexican cities such as Acapulco, Morella, and Mexico City, but the terminal is a few miles outside the center city, so you’ll need to grab a taxi if you’re headed toward the coast. Zihuatanejo is 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the busier resort town of Ixtapa, which you can reach by car or taxi.
Located across the bay, Playa Las Gatas’ waters are calm thanks to the rock jetty that shields the beach and coral reef from the waves. Explore Las Gatas by renting kayaking gear or join a boat tour instead. Paseo del Pescador, Zihuatanejo’s oceanfront boardwalk, is a well-maintained walkway that hugs the coastline from Playa Principal to the far end of Playa Madera. Travelers recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
