When conversations turn to Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the spotlight usually falls on the heavy hitters: Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Riviera Nayarit. These destinations have earned their reputations for big-name hotels, nonstop development, and full calendars of new openings. But in the process, another beautiful coastal destination has quietly slipped into the background. Zihuatanejo, the once-simple fishing village paired with its resort sibling Ixtapa, remains one of the most well-maintained, low-key beach escapes in Mexico, and it should not be overlooked.
I was reminded of that on a recent visit, stepping onto the palm-lined Playa La Ropa one late afternoon. The beach was nearly empty, save for dog walkers, fishermen hauling nets from skiffs, and the warm, cinnamon-colored light spreading across Zihuatanejo Bay. It felt like stepping back into a Mexico beach town that’s harder to find these days — a Mexico with softer edges, where laid-back living is favored over over-development or high price tags. For travelers seeking quiet beach destinations in Mexico, Zihuatanejo is exactly that.
A Beachfront Mexico That’s Getting Harder to Find
For me, Zihuatanejo travel isn’t just another vacation. It’s the first place I ever visited in Mexico, nearly three decades ago — the place where I unknowingly planted the seed of a career and life that would eventually revolve around this country. I remember sleeping in a hammock on the porch of a tiny beachfront hotel, tasting Oaxacan cheese for the first time, and chasing birds across the waterline.
I returned years later in 2019, where I spent a month living and working remotely from a hillside apartment overlooking the bay. Every morning, with a soundtrack of barking dogs and crowing roosters, I watched fishermen push their pangas into the water below as the sun lit the hills in copper and gold.
This fall, I went back again and realized — with relief — that the essence of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, endures. It’s still a destination shaped by community rather than mass tourism, the kind of place people now call a hidden gem Mexico beach town, because of how rare it is.
How to Experience Zihuatanejo
The best way to explore is on foot. The Paseo del Pescador, a newly renovated pedestrian walkway that follows the curve of the bay, is the town’s main artery, connecting beaches, fishing boats, markets, and plazas. At sunset, locals and travelers meander the pathway while musicians tune guitars, fishermen clean their catch, vendors grill elotes, and kids play basketball on the beachfront court.
For nature lovers looking for things to do in Zihuatanejo, head south toward Playa Blanca and Barra de Potosí for a wildlife and mangrove tour. Barra de Potosí is a tiny fishing community 30 minutes away, perched at the mouth of a river spilling into the Pacific. Local operator Mellin Tours, run from the Enramada Margarita beachfront palapa, leads small-boat excursions focused on bird-watching and crocodile spotting. Tours cost around 300 pesos — an accessible way to see another side of Pacific Coast Mexico.
The Beaches
Most travelers in Zihuatanejo are enjoying the many beaches, which are among the best beaches in Mexico for their variety and character. Each shoreline has its own personality:
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Playa La Ropa — the widest, calmest swimming beach, ideal for families and long walks.
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Playa Principal — the working waterfront, full of local fishing boats and community energy.
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Playa Las Gatas — reachable by water taxi, protected by a natural reef, perfect for snorkeling.
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Playa Blanca — remote, windswept, and almost empty; stunning sunsets and great for solitude.
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Playa Larga — powerful Pacific surf, endless horizon, and a favorite among surfers.
A Taste of the Region
For dinner, I returned to Angustina Mezcal y Cocina, where Guerrero coastal cuisine comes to life. Helmed by native Chef Felipe Misael Meneses Pelayo, the menu highlights everything from wood-fired fish and smoked tuna tacos to grilled octopus and pineapple-stuffed chicken. I happened to visit during a mole celebration, where the chef prepared a rainbow of regional mole sauces paired with chicken, short rib, and fish. And don’t skip the house-made mezcal, a point of local pride.
Where to Stay in Zihuatanejo
One of the most defining characteristics of Zihuatanejo hotels is what the destination doesn’t have: rows of towering all-inclusive resorts or a parade of international chains. The Thompson Zihuatanejo — part of Hyatt — is the only major chain property here, and it’s one of the most beautiful hotels along the coast.
Everything else is intimate and independently owned. Personal favorites include:
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Hotel Catalina Beach Resort, the very first hotel I stayed at nearly 30 years ago — still thriving with hillside rooms cascading down toward the ocean. The best room to book is the Linda Oceanfront View, located on the top floor with a private terrace and king-sized bed.