Yours
Truly catching & releasing a sailfish (pez vela).
Photo ©
1998 courtesy of Dan Leo!
Sightseeing
Besides beaching it, there are
numerous other activities for both the adventurous and the less energetic.
If you like diving, snorkeling, fishing, sightseeing, hiking, sailing,
water-skiing, swimming, surfing, bodysurfing, or simply watching nature's
marvels then Zihuatanejo will enchant you. We have all this and more,
including traditional vacation pastimes such as
golf and tennis.
One excursion that you can take
by yourself is to walk over to the lighthouse (El Faro)
from Las Gatas Beach. If you walk down to the far end of the beach you'll
find the Las Gatas Beach Club. Just ask at the restaurant for directions
and they'll show you the flagstone walkway leading to the lighthouse.
It's about a 15-minute walk to the lighthouse. Don't forget your camera!!
You'll want a few pictures of the breathtaking view from the cliffs of
our coast including the guano-covered islands in front of Ixtapa to the
northwest and the ones in front of Playa Blanca to the southeast (Los
Morros De Potosí). The small rock island about a mile out in front
of Zihuatanejo's bay is called La Piedra Solitaria. Its
beacon can also be seen after dark.
Another tour you can take by yourself is a trip
to Petatlan (pay taht LAHN), a colonial agricultural and ranching town
south of here on the coastal highway about 40 minutes by car or bus.
Petatlan is noted for its open-air gold market located in front of its
beautiful majestic church. Truly an enchanting town lost in times of
yore. Archaeological ruins are nearby, and several artifacts can be
seen on display at various locations throughout the town. The Féria
de Semana Santa
(Easter week fair) is well worth the trip. The "Omnibus de Petatlán"
busline located behind the restaurant "Jaiba Feliz" on Benito
Juarez street in Zihuatanejo makes regular runs there and back all day
& well into the evening. Just tell the driver to let you off at the
street that leads to the Zócalo (town plaza) from the highway
on the right-hand side just a little past the bridge which crosses
the Petatlan River. Walk up the side street over a small hill and
continue straight ahead downhill. From there it's an easy
three blocks to walk to the central town plaza by the church. You'll
catch the bus back at the same place you got off on the other side of
the highway.
La Barra de Potosí (poh toh SEE) is another
easy excursion you can take by yourself. If you have a rental car just
drive south from Zihuatanejo taking Highway 200 for about 25 minutes until
you reach the small town of Los Achotes. Right after the bridge there
turn right (there's a sign that says "Laguna de Potosí")
and when you reach the waterfront turn left. The road ends at Barra de
Potosí. There are numerous seafood restaurants there, and the surf
isn't quite so rough as the rest of the beach along Playa Larga/Playa
Blanca (the 9½ mile long beach in front of the airport). There
for a reasonable price you can take a boat tour of the large estuary.
You'll see how the fishermen have fished for hundreds of years, the salt-producing
flats, and many exotic forms of local wildlife including roseate spoonbills,
rare white pelicans, great blue herons, and maybe even a crocodile or
two. Be sure to take plenty of film!
Please see my LOCAL
INFO and BEACHES
pages for more ideas on what to do and where to go.
If you'd like to see a weekly fishing report for our
local waters click here. (Courtesy of Ixtapa
Sportfishing Charters)
*NOTE* To call here long-distance please see these
helpful tips.
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Activities,Tours
& Charters
Here are just a few of the many different
excursions and activities available in our town:
Adventours
- Ecological excursions with experienced and knowledgeable
guides. Featured tours are biking, kayaking, snorkeling, birdwatching
and nature observation walks. All equipment provided.
Black
Marlin - Take a sightseeing tour to
Playa Manzanillo or Isla Ixtapa for snorkeling. Fish for big or small
game fish. Capt. David Otero of Zihuatanejo is one of our area's best
charter captains! His covered panga is fully equipped for both fishing
and snorkeling. Tel. (office) 554-4162, (home) 554-5246.
Carlo
Scuba - Located at Las Gatas beach they offer
exciting guided tours of the best dive spots around. Fully PADI qualified!
Click on the link for more info & some great photos! Look for the
sign at Las Gatas or call 554-7003.
Champagne
Charters - Fish in comfort on a Bertram
31 with Capt. Raúl Gutierrez. Mailing address: Calle Antonio Nava
#8, Zihuatanejo, Gro. 40880. Tel. 554-2152.
Enlace
Terrestre Aeroportuario S.A. de C.V. (ETASA) -
Ground transportation services between the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa
International Airport and local communities. Also offer chauffeured
vehicles and buses for tours and large groups.
Gayna's
Yoga On La Ropa - One of North America's most
respected yoga experts gives classes here on La Ropa Beach. She's an inspiration
to all and one of our favorite "regulars". Sign up for her classes
for the ultimate in relaxation experiences and techniques.
Hector Olea's Snorkeling
Tours - Let Hector be your guide
for an unforgettable and relaxing day of snorkeling our local waters
and sightseeing along our coastline from his 22' open boat called a panga.
Watch Hector catch your lunch and prepare it on the beach. From Manzanillo
Beach to Isla Ixtapa he knows all the good spots! You couldn't be in
better hands! And he speaks excellent English! Tel. 554-4311.
Ixtapa
Aqua Paradise - Offering diving tours, instruction
and certification with divers certified by PADI. Visitors who are
non-certified divers are welcome. Diving equipment in excellent condition
available for rent. Located in Ixtapa.
Ixtapa
Sportfishing Charters - As showcased
on ESPN & ESPN2. Enjoy the thrill of a lifetime fishing our waters
with the experts. Experienced guides will take you to our hottest fishing
spots! Marlin, sailfish, tuna, roosterfish and many more are found
in our waters. They practice catch & release sportfishing
and they have captains who specialize in ocean fly fishing! See their
professionally detailed weekly fishing report here.
Tel. (in the U.S.) 1-717-688-9466; Fax 1-717-688-9554.
Nautilus
Divers - Diving tours, instruction and certification
by NAUI certified divers. Offering quick non-certificate courses
for first-timers and novices, perfect for tourists, with all gear provided,
as well as classes for beginners. Also featuring Referral and refresher
courses. 35 local dive sites to choose from. Completely professional and
safe, using a high-tech air compressor for the purest air, and new, well-maintained
equipment.
Picante
- Sail on a luxurious
75' ultramodern sailing catamaran. Snorkeling and sunset excursions offered
as well as spinnaker rides. Reservations required and private charters
available. Based in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Ramón
Olea's Sportfishing Charters - Hector's brother
Ramón knows all the local fishing secrets. This is what fishing
off our coast is all about! You won't come back disappointed! His
24' covered panga, "Oleaje", doesn't offer much luxury, but
his expertise in fishing is second to none! Ramón practices "Catch
and Release" fishing. I highly recommend fishing with Ramón!!!
Tel. 554-4311.
Servicios
Turísticos Acuáticos de Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa
- Deep sea & small game fishing boats. Fish in comfort on these full-size
fishing boats with all the amenities. Find their office across from the
Naval offices at Paseo del Pescador #6 near the pier. Tel. & FAX 554-4162.
Sylvia
Gotzeler's Blossom Yoga - Sylvia offers daily
morning Iyengar-style Hatha yoga classes for groups of all levels,
including beginners, on La Ropa
Beach at El Manglar Restaurant. Private one-on-one lessons are also
available.
Tours
with Moro (e-mail)
- Experienced licensed guide for fishing, snorkeling, bird watching,
and sightseeing the Mexican countryside. Of course he speaks English!
Tel. 554-5588, cellphone 755-559-5810.
Vargas
Sportfishing - Captain Alfredo Vargas offers
his fleet of well-equipped and well-maintained boats with experienced
captains and crews for sport fishing charters in the Pacific Ocean fronting
Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa. "Catch & Release" practiced.
Zoe
Kayak Tours - Offers small group kayak tours
to the beautiful lagoon at Barra de Potosí, a birdwatcher's delight,
and Laguna Valentín, a more remote adventure paddle. No previous
kayak experience necessary. Contact Brian at 553-0496 or via e-mail at
Zoe5@aol.com
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Golf
& Tennis
There are two golf courses
in Ixtapa: El Club de Golf Palma Real
& Marina Ixtapa Club de Golf.
You'll find tennis courts at just about all the hotels
in Ixtapa. There are no tennis courts in Zihuatanejo except at the Hotel
Villa del Sol.
Palma Real
not only has a beautiful ecologically designed golf course with plenty
of shade trees, but also tennis and "paddle" courts. This course
was designed by Robert Trent Jones. You'll find the Palma Real
at the southeastern part of Ixtapa very near the Hotel Barceló
on Ixtapa Boulevard. Some of their holes actually front the beach. They
claim that no tee times are required, but it behooves you to call them
in advance to make them during the high season at 553-1163 or 553-1062.
Club de Golf Palma Real
fees (in Mexican pesos) are as follows:
| |
High Season
Nov. 15 - April 30 |
Low Season
May 1 - Nov. 14 |
| GOLF* |
|
|
| 9 holes - visitor |
$500 |
$400 |
| 9 holes - resident |
$285 |
| 18 holes - visitor |
$800 |
$600 |
| 18 holes - residente |
$380 |
$300 |
| 3-day package |
$1,800 |
$1,200 |
| 5-day package |
$2,900 |
$2,000 |
| Cart 9 holes |
$250 |
$200 |
| Cart 18 holes |
$350 |
$300 |
| Caddy |
$200 + tip |
| Rental clubs |
$300 |
$250 |
| *you must use either a cart or a caddy |
| |
|
|
| TENNIS & PADDLE |
|
|
| Day per person - without lights |
$80 per hour |
$60 per hour |
| Night per person - with lights |
$130 per hour |
$100 per hour |
[Source: Fonatur]
All prices subject to change without notice.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- 18 holes, par 72, length 6898 yards
- Driving range, practice putting green
- Golf lessons available
- Pool, 4 tennis courts, 2 paddle courts
- Restaurant & bar including a mobile bar on the course
- Open year round 7 days a week
Marina
Ixtapa Club de Golf is built on an area of 108 acres and
has big sand traps. It is located at the northern end of Ixtapa Boulevard
by the marina. This course was designed by Robert Von Hagge, and there
are water hazards on 14 holes. Their Pro is Oscar Fernandez Cole. No tee
times are required. Their phone numbers are 553-1424 and 553-1410, fax:
553-0825, or contact them via their website.
Marina Ixtapa golfing
fees (in U.S. dollars) are as follows:
- Golf greens fees (18 holes, per
person) - HIGH SEASON:
$94, AFTER 1:30 PM: $80;
LOW SEASON: $59,
AFTER 1:30 PM: $50; GROUPS
OF MORE THAN 10 PERSONS (high season): $80,
(low season):
$50 , AFTER 2:00 PM:
$63
- Cart - included in price
- Caddy fee - $20
- Club rentals - $40
SPECIFICATIONS:
- 18 holes, par 72, length 6793 yards
- Driving range, practice putting green
- Golf lessons available
- 2 tennis courts
- Restaurant & bar including a mobile bar on the course
- Open year round 7 days a week
All prices subject to change without notice.
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visits since 16 OCT
1999 |
®