AIRPORT: It’s a fairly simple process getting through customs. If you need money, use the ATM’s at the airport. The currency exchange booths are way more expensive. For first time visitors we recommend a taxi to Zihuatanejo will cost 550 pesos. Or you can take a shuttle for about 175 pesos per person. You can easily book either of these at the taxi stand near the exit of the airport, or outside the airport. Because we are thrifty, we walk to the entrance of the airport. It’s only a couple minutes walk from when you exit the airport. There’s a market with a giant “Tecate” sign above it. Taxis will take you into Zihuatanejo for 250 to 350 pesos. You can take a Volkswagen “Combi” mini-bus for 19 pesos per person. However, the mini-bus may not allow large luggage. You shouldn’t have to wait more than 5 minutes for a bus to come by and pick you up. It will drop you off in Centro Zihua. From there it’s a 50 to 60 peso taxi ride to pretty much anywhere in Zihua.
ATM’S: Most small businesses won’t accept credit cards, or at least prefer cash. Inbursa in Centro has the lowest charge to use their ATM (17 pesos). Santander at the Mercado or in MEGA Soriana charges 27 pesos, and Citibanamex is next lowest at 31 pesos. Or you can also use the HSBC ATM in MEGA Soriana at a fee of 33 pesos. Do not have the bank ATM convert the pesos to your home country’s currency for you. If you do this then you will get a much worse conversion rate. Scotiabank generally charges the highest fees.
TAXI’S: You will never have a difficult time finding a taxi if you need one. They will be at every restaurant, grocery store, and tourist attraction. Most fares within town cost 40 to 60 pesos. A taxi to Ixtapa is around 100 pesos, and a taxi to Playa Linda is about 180 pesos. A taxi to the airport shouldn’t cost more than 350 pesos from Zihuatanejo.
BUSES: To get to Centro Zihua or the Mercado from anywhere on the road that leads to Playa La Ropa (or vice versa) jump on the Volkswagen Combi Bus with “Playa La Ropa” and “Centro” on the front. Cost is 10 pesos per person.
From the Mercado in Centro you can take a 30 peso bus to Petatlán, or stop midway and hop on another bus to Barra de Potosi. Just look for the bus with “Petatlán” on the front or the guy yelling out the window, “PETA PETA PETA!”
If you want to take the bus to Ixtapa, walk past the Mercado on Av. Benito Juarez for about 100 yards. The road merges into Av Jose Mario Morelos y Pavon. From here you will be able to jump onto a bus for Ixtapa for 12 pesos per person. It’s way easier than it may appear. People are friendly and will always help point you towards the right bus.
PURCHASING FOOD AND DRINKS: The Mercado near Centro is best for fruits, vegetables, as well as fish and meat. MEGA Soriana will offer the most convenience for food and drinks, as well as anything else you may need. You can’t walk 10 steps without passing a restaurant or bar. Sam’s Club (you do need the membership) is good for some alcohol, snacks, and items for stays of two weeks or longer.
Beers will generally cost 30 to 40 pesos at bars and restaurants. Margaritas are around 100 pesos. Good street breakfast sandwiches will cost 25 pesos. Hamburgers are 60 pesos on the street, and around 100 to 150 pesos at restaurants. Pizza for two people is about 150 pesos. 3 to 5 Pastor or Barbeque Tacos are 30 to 40 pesos total. A large Mexican plate of food is generally 150 to 250 pesos. An average meal with a drink will cost 125 to 250 pesos per person.
Victoria and Corona Beers have a 4 to 5 peso bottle deposit, so if you have a bottle drop it off at the store when you pick up your beer and you’ll save about $3USD per 12 pack of recycled bottles!
For Vegans there are at least two restaurants that caters to you. One is called Casita Eco-vegana Cooperativa de Zihua and it’s located on Mar Mediterráneo on the way to MEGA Soriana / Comercial. Their menu includes ensaladas, jugos verdas, gorditas, tacos, tamales, and more. The other is in Centro.
TIPPING: Taxi fares are usually worked out in advance of your ride, so there is no need to tip. At restaurants a tip of 10% to 15% is standard, and 20% is not unusual. Many workers earn no salary, only a 10% commission of what you purchase. So if you spend 250 pesos on dinner, then they earn 25 pesos. An additional 25 or 30 pesos goes a long way! You should also tip your tour guide. And just like in the States, it’s customary to tip after getting a hair cut, your nails done, or a massage. Baggers at grocery stores are generally unpaid, so a few pesos in exchange for bagging your groceries is acceptable and welcomed. Pretty much everyone will gladly accept a tip. But 5 pesos tip here and there can often makes a big difference in the life of a local.
BEACHES: Playa La Ropa is considered the best beach. The water is calm, there is lots of space to spread out, and plenty of restaurants and bars. You can also rent jet skis or paddle boards, or go parasailing. You can walk or take a water taxi to Playa Las Gatas. The beach is generally very crowded, but this is the nearest beach for snorkeling. Playa La Madera has good waves for boogie boarding and small waves that are perfect for someone learning to surf. Head to the beaches of Troncones if you really want to surf. Playa Principal is the beach in Centro. It’s the only beach that I never really see people swimming. Playa Manzanillo is a remote beach that is best accessed by hiring a boat at the pier. It’s a great beach for snorkeling. Playa Larga and Playa Blanca are the side-by-side beaches closest to the airport. There are a few small restaurants there, but not much else. We went horseback riding on Playa Larga, and there is a sea turtle rescue and conservation center on Playa Blanca. Both are great, wide-open beaches for running around or relaxing, but the waves crash hard into the beach. Swimming there is not recommended.
WHAT TO DO HERE: Most people come here for the ocean, relaxing at the pool, shopping, fishing, the happy hours on the beach, and eating at a lot of good and inexpensive restaurants. When shopping, keep in mind that the listed price of those sunglasses you are trying on may be 150 to 180 pesos, but you shouldn’t pay more than 60 to 100 pesos. Here are some other activities you can easily do: fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, sunset cruises, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, ATV tours, sea turtle hatchling release, watch the crocs and other wildlife at the estuaries on Playa La Ropa and Playa Linda, swim with dolphins in Ixtapa, golf, and my favorite activity, pickleball. Also, most nights in Centro there is music and jewelry vendors and entertainers and other fun stuff for adults and families. We also love going to the Cinemex. They play new movies for about 60 pesos per person, and in English! Bicycyling is becoming more and more popular. There are now 23km of paved bike paths from Centro Zihua through Ixtapa and all the way out to Playa Linda. There are also good offroad biking and hiking trails between Ixtapa and Playa Linda. Plenty of places will rent you a bike.
There are constant events in Zihua, here are some that we’ve attended: Mezcal Festival, Dia de Muertos, Festival de Cerveza Artesanal y Gastronomia, Buen Fin, Dia de Revolucion, Zihua Sailfest, The Carnival Fair, Festival de Tiritas, Barra de Potosi Spring Fair, and Guitar Fest
Hopefully this answers some of the questions you have or hadn’t thought of yet. If I’m missing anything then please let me know!