Click images to see more on each area. Mexico Maps shows the geographical layout.
Mid-December, 2010 - We took four days to cover the 180 miles between Manzanillo and Isla Ixtapa
("Isla Grande") just outside of Zihuatanejo. It is a rugged, mountainous, remote coast, and we
reveled in seeing numerous sea turtles. Passing through oil industry related pollution and several
algae blooms was discouraging, but Isla Ixtapa turned out to be a little island paradise.
Late December, 2010 - After becoming a bit water logged from all the swimming and water play at
Isla Ixtapa, we were ready to spend time in a real town. Zihuatanejo is that and more, with an
upscale waterfront walking area near the beach and a large crowded public market filled to
overflowing with produce, meats and dry goods of all kinds. But perhaps best of all, Zihua gave us
friendships, the perfect gift for the holidays.
January, 2011 - Zihuatanejo was warm, sunny, pretty and just wouldn't let us go. Between "pool
parties" at Las Gatas beach, quirky tales of weird mansions built with escape in mind, archaeological
artifacts from thousands of years ago and crazy vacationers para-sailing all around us, we relished
every minute we spent in this lively town. Finally we returned up the coast to the Costa Alegre where
we stopped in Santiago Bay.
Christmas, 2011 - Almost a year later we returned to Zihuatanejo Bay from Las Hadas and enjoyed a
swimming and sunning filled Christmas day on Las Gatas beach. A tour of the mysterious castle on
the hill once owned by devil-incarnate Arturo Durazo proved to be a thrilling day. Nicknamed "The
Parthenon" by locals, this palace of Italian marble, Greek and Roman style sculptures and stunning
views is a monument to one man's absoslute evil and total corruption.
Early January, 2012 - Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa are so inviting, warm and friendly that we hung around for
several weeks. We visited old gringo friends we met in Ixtapa last year and met new gringo friends
staying in lovely beach villas in Zihuatanejo. Most fun of all, we discovered a terrific bike shop right in
town and spent some really good times with the owner's family. Swimming, chatting up parrots we met
here and there, and melting into the slow pace of life in Zihua, it was mid-January before we knew it.
Mid-January, 2012 - Acapulco is no longer the chic beauty she once was, but we found a lot to like in
this big handsome bay. A high end yacht race breezed past us while we were anchored in one
picturesque spot, and we enjoyed two sprightly daysails across the high-rise lined bay. The famous
Cliff Divers of La Quebrada soared over the rocks in an exhilarating display, and at night we settled into
the delightful anchorage in the outer bay of Puerto Marques.
Late January, 2012 - From wild parrots in the trees to a sea horse on the anchor chain, our stay in
Puerto Marques on the edge of Acapulco bay was full of nature. Heading south we were extremely
disturbed to discover a hapless snorkleler's dead body 10 miles from shore and probably a week or
more after his demise. Pulling into the Bays of Huatulco restored our good spirits as we found several
truly beautiful isolated beaches and bays.
Early February, 2012 - Huatulco offers a lot to do, and we tried to get it all done! Tangolunda Bay
gave us a taste of the resort life while the harbor town of Santa Cruz offered a more intimate brush
with humanity. Zapotecs were some of the earlier people of this area, and we saw their ancient ruins
at the Copalita Eco-Archaeology Park, heard a few of their words from a young Zapotec woman in
town, and watched a young Zapotec man weaving colorful rugs.