Ixtapa’s charming beaches, safer streets, and quaint neighboring towns make it a must-visit on this side of the country. As the Guerrero state’s answer to safe and enjoyable tourism, Ixtapa is worth the trip.
What State Is Ixtapa in Mexico?
Located on the west coast of Mexico, right at central Mexican state of Guerrero. Ixtapa is a slice of tropical paradise, fronting the mighty Pacific Ocean that provides a beautiful backdrop to Ixtapa’s idyllic beaches.
What Province Is Ixtapa in?
Ixtapa is located in the municipality Zihuatanejo de Azueta, in the state of Guerrero in central-western Mexico. Lying in the Pacific Coast, northwest of Acapulco, belonging to a section of coast called Costa Grande.
What Does Ixtapa Mean?
A Nahuatl or Aztec word that comes from the Iztal roots meaning “salt”, or “white” and “pa” meaning “in”. It can be translated as the “place that has white/salt in it” as the cliffs were used to be covered with white, allegedly due to sea birds’ excrements native to the area.
When Was Ixtapa Built?
Ixtapa, most commonly associated with the neighboring town of Zihuatanejo, is a government-planned beach resort town that was once a coconut plantation. In the late 1970s, when Fonatue – the Mexican government’s tourism development arm, decided to fashion it into something that resembles Cancun.
It is after then that the area saw a rapid rise in development, with high rises and luxury resort establishing around its beaches. However, this development left a small local community and is the only small taste of Mexican authentic culture in the area.
Is Ixtapa Safe for Tourists to Visit?
A government-planned resort town, Ixtapa was made to be safe and has kept its streets safe over the years. Primarily, made for tourism, it prioritizes the safety of the industry and the tourists that frequent the city.
Ixtapa is generally safe, despite it being in the Guerrero state which has a reputation of crime and violence. Tourists can still enjoy the beaches, and the city’s streets, but it’s best to be cautious and avoid anything that will get you closer to danger.
Are There Crocodiles in Ixtapa?
There are estuaries near Ixtapa and its beaches, and these are crocodiles’ natural habitat. Don’t wander away near the estuaries. Mexico’s wildlife is teeming with these reptiles as the lush vegetation and the myriad of bodies of water provide habitats for them.
Are There Sharks in Ixtapa?
Most of the reported shark attacks on the Guerrero state was outside of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. However, this tells visitors to be cautious when swimming in the deeper parts of the ocean, away from the shores.
Surfers and other swimmers were the victims of the recent attacks along the coasts of Guerrero. From 2008 to 2019, most of them were bitten, leaving long gashes, and wounds. These cases, however, were on certain seasons and isolated circumstances.
Is Ixtapa Dangerous in Any Way?
Just like any resort city or town in the world, Ixtapa is still infested with smaller, petty crimes like pickpocketing and robbery. It’s best to err on the side of caution whenever you’re in a resort city, as tourists tend to experience smaller crimes the most.
What Ocean Is Ixtapa on?
Situated at the western coasts of Mexico, in the state of Guerrero, Ixtapa is on the Pacific Ocean. This provides Ixtapa with its famous and stunning ocean views and temperate waters.
Can You Swim in the Ocean in Ixtapa?
Ixtapa’s beaches can be dangerous even for seasoned swimmers at times, as undertows are frequent. Playa Palmar, Ixtapa’s main beach is on the edge of the hotel zone that has white sand beaches and is good for surfing. However, check the colored flag waving on the beach, this tells whether or not the beach is safe for swimming at the moment.
What Are the Beaches Like in Ixtapa?
Beaches in Ixtapa are lovely, stretches of white sand, most of the best beaches aren’t free for the public, apart from the main beach of Playa Palmar. Playa Linda, in northern Ixtapa, is where the pier is and is mainly the beach for activities. Playa Quieta, also on the north, this beach has softer waves and is ideal for swimming, kayaking, and windsurfing.
How Long Is Ixtapa Beach?
With a total of 3.85 km or 2.39 miles of beach, has splendid white beaches, with sweeping ocean views fronting the Pacific Ocean.
