Zihuatanejo is an easy destination to navigate once you know the basics: which airport you are flying into, what a taxi should cost, how to pay, and whether the tap water is safe. These Zihuatanejo travel tips answer the practical questions in one place, with specific numbers so you do not overpay on the ground. For the full overview before you dig into the details, see the Zihuatanejo travel guide guide.
Zihuatanejo Travel Tips: Getting There and the Airport
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (code ZIH) sits about 11 km southeast of town, roughly a 15 to 20-minute drive to either Zihuatanejo centro or the Ixtapa hotel zone. Domestic flights connect through Mexico City with Aeroméxico and through several northern cities with Volaris, and seasonal flights from the US and Canada operate in winter. A prepaid taxi from the airport booth costs about MXN 350 to 500 to Zihuatanejo and MXN 450 to 600 to Ixtapa, depending on your hotel. Shared shuttle vans are cheaper, and there is no public bus into town from the terminal, so plan your first ride in advance, and if you are timing a festival, the Zihuatanejo events and festivals calendar lists the dates so you can book flights around them.
Zihuatanejo Travel Tips: Getting Around
Taxis in Zihuatanejo do not use meters, so agree on the fare before you get in. Short trips within town run about MXN 40 to 60, the ride between Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa costs around MXN 120 to 150, and trips to Troncones run MXN 400 to 500 each way. The cheapest option between the two zones is the local bus or combi, which runs about MXN 13 to 15 per person. Water taxis from the municipal pier to Playa La Ropa and Playa Las Gatas cost about MXN 40 to 60. If you want to explore on your own, rental cars are available at the airport, but most travelers get by fine with taxis and the occasional boat. The Zihuatanejo neighborhoods guide explains the districts these routes connect, and the things to do in Zihuatanejo guide lists what is worth reaching with them.
Zihuatanejo Travel Tips: Money and Costs
The currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). Cards are accepted at larger hotels, resorts, and restaurants, but cash is essential for the market, water taxis, beach vendors, and small fondas, so keep small bills on you. Bank ATMs in El Centro and Ixtapa give the best exchange rates, and you should decline the ATM’s own conversion rate and let your home bank handle it. Tipping runs 10 to 15 percent at sit-down restaurants, MXN 10 to 20 per bag for porters, and nothing extra for taxis. A budget traveler can get by on about MXN 1,000 to 1,500 a day, while a mid-range stay with meals and a boat trip runs closer to MXN 2,500 to 4,000, with the best time to visit Zihuatanejo guide covering the cheapest months and the where to stay in Zihuatanejo guide listing where to sleep for the money.
Zihuatanejo Travel Tips: Visas and Entry
Citizens of the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and many other countries do not need a visa for tourism and are typically admitted for up to 180 days. You will fill in a tourist card (FMM) on arrival, and you should keep the stamped portion with your passport for departure. Entry requirements can change, so confirm with Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de Migración or your airline before flying.
Zihuatanejo Travel Tips: Health, Safety and Tap Water
Do not drink the tap water. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing your teeth, and accept ice only where it is clearly made from purified water, which most restaurants and bars use. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue are present in the rainy season, so apply DEET repellent from June through October, especially at dawn and dusk. Zihuatanejo is generally safe for tourists, and the main risk is petty theft, so leave valuables in your hotel safe and do not leave phones or cash unattended on the beach. If you are weighing when to visit, the Zihuatanejo weather by month guide shows what each month delivers.
Zihuatanejo Travel Tips: What to Pack
- Sun and heat: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and light cotton clothes; the sun is strong year-round.
- Rainy season: a packable rain shell and quick-dry clothes if you visit June to October.
- Water: water shoes for the rocky entry at Playa Las Gatas and a dry bag for boat trips.
Suggested Hotels in Zihuatanejo
Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa
A cliffside luxury resort with three restaurants, a full-service spa, and rooms with private plunge pools and ocean views. Best for couples who want a secluded, top-tier stay. Check rates and availability
Hotel Aura del Mar
A full-service mid-range hotel on Playa La Madera with two pools, a spa, a gym, and an open-air restaurant. Best for travelers who want resort facilities without beachfront luxury prices. Check rates and availability
Villas Naomi
A small property with an outdoor pool and garden, about 200 metres from La Madera Beach. Best for budget travelers who want a quiet base near the calmest beach. Check rates and availability
