I've visited just under 20 destinations in Mexico, from inland charmers like Aguascalientes to the village of Tequila (for obvious reasons).
While I'm undeniably privileged with my job as a travel writer to be able to cover so much ground, I can't help but feel sorry for those scared of our southern neighbors simply because of often-misguided reports in mainstream news.
For example, our Safety Index reveals travelers largely feel safe in Mexico, scoring the country in its entirety as 79/100 — not too shabby for a place typically portrayed more as a crime-ridden no-go zone than a vibrant cultural dreamscape that just so happens to have beautiful beaches too.
My absolute favorite place to vacation in Mexico — I'm talking locking my laptop in my room's safe and spending a majority of the day sun-baking at the swim-up bar — is both a designated Pueblo Magico and Blue-Flag awarded paradise that I truly believe is way prettier and more authentic than Cabo, even during its current down-season.
I've vacationed in Mexico's big trio of Cabo, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta, but this two-for-one escape recently touted by Food and Travel is slowly but surely becoming one of Mexico's trendiest getaways.
At the same time, its iffy reputation as a diamond in the rough of Guerrero has helped it cling to its “hidden gem” status — even if only by a hair — making now the perfect time to plan a vacation in one of Mexico's sunniest hideaways.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Is A Mouthful In More Ways Than One
If you're the type to make full use of all-inclusive perks and geography when it comes to food, I can't think of a better place in Mexico to delight your taste buds.
Looking beyond the rows of resorts lining one of those Blue-Flag beaches, El Palmar, the town itself still feels like a classic fishing village where the clock stopped working at a certain point in time.
No, you don't have to eat seafood every meal, but you're doing yourself a disservice not indulging if you're a fan of fresh ceviche and grilled red snapper.
As seasoned travelers here at Travel Off Path, we realize some all-inclusive menus are sub-par at best, serving more as filler, with a quantity-over-quality approach to cuisine.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo never goes by that full name unless you're reading it. It's usually divvied up either between Ixtapa, a separate town home to aforementioned El Palmar, numerous resorts, and a secret island most travelers don't know about, and Zihuatanejo, often referred to as “Zihua” to save you some syllables.
This duo may be a mouthful, but in a good way as you'll be bragging about your new favorite getaway just like I've been since I last visited with memories of overloaded plates of food at resorts and freshly-caught, and generously priced fish on Isla Ixtapa.
Ixtapa's Cheap Must-Visit: Isla Ixtapa
Be sure to double-check Tourist Fees & Customs Rules before booking your trip!
Isla Ixtapa isn't just for foodies — it's a close-by escape to cut free from going stir crazy at a resort.
You gotta leave every now and then, right?
The island isn't very well known, to be honest. When I was mingling with fellow tourists, I mentioned going and they looked at me like I had just told them the winning lottery numbers.
“Ixtapa has an island?!”.
It sure does, and only costs a few bucks to board the “ferry” (ahem, a dingy little boat).
Don't expect resort-lined shores like El Palmar; expect a rustic vibe of thatched shacks serving hefty menus of coastal cuisine and fun activities like snorkeling.
The water was mostly clear, albeit rocky, so you'll want to wear totally-not-dorky flippers or pack some swim shoes just to get in.
It may sound strange, but fellas, if you do go swimming/snorkeling, you might want to shave your legs too.
I had a few small fish bites because I think they mistook my leg hair for algae. No trip goes perfectly…
You can't stay overnight, but it's an unforgettable day trip for a change of scenery when you need a break from the mundaneness of resorts after a few days.
Unpacking The Region's Top Resorts
I chose Barceló Ixtapa Beach Resort when I visited last year — still one of my faves for location alone.
They had a great food selection and even more stunning views from the pool overlooking a pristine shoreline that was never overly packed like that of Cancun.
Instead of tourists, it seemed more like locals enjoying their own hometown, which was refreshing considering how popular Mexico's usual resort towns have become.
Truth be told, as much as I loved it, I didn't appreciate the lack of details of their all-inclusive package — meaning they only allowed certain restaurants on certain nights with minimum stay requirements.
Along the same postcard shoreline, lies a handful of others, including one lesser-known brand I'm scoping out for my next trip: Hyatt's Sunscape Dorado Pacifico.
Here's why I'm leaning toward Sunscape being my next stay in Ixtapa
- Every room comes with El Palmar beach views, so there’s no guessing game when you check in
- The resort puts guests mere steps from the sand; front-row for Ixtapa’s gorgeous fiery sunsets
- The location is tough to beat: right in the heart of Ixtapa, about 20 minutes from the airport, and close to a water park, dolphin swims, and souvenir shops
- It's family-friendly but grown-ups aren’t left out either, with a spa, fitness classes, tennis courts, guided bike tours, and beachfront movies under the stars
- Best of all, it’s Ixtapa’s only Unlimited-Fun resort — without needing a wristband
See ya soon, Sunscape?
That said, I'm also tempted to check out the trendier side of this dual-paradise.
Zihua has been rising in the ranks lately, especially with the fairly new and unmistakably trendy Thompson Zihuatanejo Hotel, another Hyatt property.
But, they may lose me without the all-inclusive benefits, as cool as this side of the area may seem as a designated “magic town” with an old-school Mexico feel.
A Diamond In The Rough: How Safe Is Ixtapa?
The State Department's latest travel advisory doesn't exactly paint a pretty picture like Ixtapa's sunsets.
Last updated this week, actually, the state of Guerrero stills holds a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” designation.
That said, with so many resorts, both police and third-party security heavily patrol the region to keep tourists safe.
Many Americans are still in the early stages of discovering Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo as a legit vacation option when they’re tired of the Americanized, cookie-cutter feel of Cancun and want a more authentic beach getaway.
Canadians, however, have been flocking here for years.
Any way you slice it, both towns are Guerrero’s diamond in the rough, where travelers are better off sticking to the main tourist areas rather than venturing too far inland.
Currently, travelers are scoring Zihua's safety levels with 81/100 — pretty impressive for a ‘Level 4' destination:
