Sleepy Zihuatanejo, or Zihua, as the locals and regulars call it, is a seaside paradise on Mexico’s Costa Grande, nestled into its own protected bay lined with a soft, white sandy beach. This is a classic spot for a beachside break, or a romantic escape, and some of the best places to stay in Zihuatanejo are perfectly geared up for honeymooners, and similar, with wonderful restaurants, cooking classes, excellent spas, and plenty of privacy. We've discovered a good range of properties from boutique boltholes to medium sized resorts that cater for all.
Zihuatanejo’s spot on a protected bay means the water, and weather, is fairly warm year-round. Around the bay are four wide white, sandy beaches, and all this has helped to make it a popular beach escape for those-in-the-know since the 1970s, when those-in-the-know included Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger and John Wayne. The town has always had a playful appeal too, centred around its boardwalk, the Paseo del Pescador, or Fishermen’s Passage, which is the town’s social hub, and where the fishermen still meet daily to sell their catch.
As well as romantic appeals, like intimate restaurants, cute boutiques, artist’s studios and bars with breathtaking sunset views, Zihuatanejo has much to offer keen deepsea fishermen who may be here for the sail-fish, marlin and tuna. It is also the perfect destination for snorkelling, sunset tours, dolphin and turtle spotting, and learning to sail, if you can tear yourself away from the chic beaches and historic downtown area of trendy bars and market shopping. Some of the best places to stay in Zihuatanejo line one of the four beaches of the pretty, cobbled town, but our Gurus have also discovered hotels on the cliffs and jungles surrounding town.
