IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION

Time Zone

Ixtapa is on Central Standard time

Transportation

Visitors can choose from many forms of transportation including car rentals and leasing. However, unless you plan to travel great distances or to remote locations, taxis and buses are plentiful and the best way to get around.

Currency

The peso is the Mexican form of currency. It is suggested that you exchange small amounts of U.S. dollars for pesos. Major credit cards are also widely accepted. A pocket calculator can also be helpful when you shop to help convert U. S. dollars to pesos. Bartering when shopping outside of the resort areas is practiced. U.S. dollars are accepted in the resort areas but keep in mind any change that is due back will be in pesos. One recommendation is to use a credit card which will present the daily currency exchange on your next billing statement.

Language

Spanish is the official language. English is also widely spoken in the hotel areas.

Proof of Citizenship

Acceptable forms of proof of citizenship for U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and our International Destinations are a valid passport, OR a certified , state issued birth certificate with raised seal AND a valid government photo ID, a naturalization/citizenship certificate, Armed Forces' ID or discharge papers stating place of birth. It is the traveler's responsibility to provide proper documentation. Married women traveling with any documentation in their maiden name must supply a marriage license (a copy is acceptable).

Tours

You may wish to arrange for tours during your stay. The helpful staff at Turismo Internacional are available to assist you in planning and booking these tours.

Resort Tour
See Ixtapa’s colorful resort and residential areas, as well as its gorgeous beaches.

Countryside Tour
Visit fruit plantations and Barra de Potosi Lagoon on this nature excursion.

Historic Petalan Tour
Visit Zihuatanejo Anthropology Museum, historic Petalan and its sites of interest.

Acapulco Tour
Take a day trip up to Acapulco for sightseeing at the area’s most interesting sites.

Horseback Riding Tour
See the rustic countryside in all its splendor by horseback.

Ixtapa Island Tour
Depart from Playa Quieta on a boat ride for snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing on the island’s beautiful beaches.

Trimaran Tri-Star Tours
Tours along the scenic coastline available aboard this luxurious 65-foot trimaran.

Attractions

Marina Ixtapa
A collection of canals, islands, shops, villas and restaurants

Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande
Almost 1,000 Mexican art and artifacts in Zihuatanejo

Barra de Potosi
This small seaside fishing settlement is a 19 km jaunt from Ixtapa. This is also the locale of Playa Blanca, a 16 km-long stretch of beach and waters that provide great swimming. Along the way is the Shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe, a marshy lake surrounding a church.

Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman’s Walk)
Quaint town with a plaza where you can leisurely stroll by cafes and shops

Isla Ixtapa
A small, wooded island off the mainland with a peaceful setting where people can sun, snorkel and swim in calm waters. Excursions to the island depart daily from Ixtapa.

Playa Larga
Horse and moped rentals available

Playa Quieta
A good place to people-watch, sail or windsurf. Boats depart from the beach daily to Isla Ixtapa.

Playa Coral
A great beach for snorkeling

Palapa (thatched-roof) restaurants
Sprinkled along the coast, most palapas are small, casual and serve wonderful seafood fare

Recreation

Shopping

La Puerta

Las Fuentes

Los Patios

Ixpamar

El Portal

Ixtapa Plaza

Plaza Bugambilias

Shops are also scattered throughout Zihuatanejo along Paseo del Pescador (the main beach promenade), Calle Augustin Ramirez, Calle Cuauhtemoc or along Calle 5 de Mayo at the Mercado de Artesanias. El Mercado Municipal (municipal market) is also available in the center of town and La Casa de Artesanias in Ziuhuatanejo.

Nightlife

• Carlos ‘n Charlie’s Fiesta atmosphere with dancing on the beach
• Christine Disco at the Krystal Hotel
• El Faro - Live music and dancing atop a 85-foot lighthouse
• Euforia Disco -An extravagant club with an erupting volcano
• Magic Circus Disco
• Sanca Bar - Live tropical music
• Señor Frog’s

IXTAPA-ZIHUATANEJO USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION