Activities, Charters & Tours
in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, Troncones & Barra de Potosi, Mexico
sport fishing, fly fishing, diving, surfing, sailing, biking, golf, tennis, countryside tours

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Yours Truly catching & releasing a sailfish (pez vela).
Photo © 1998 courtesy of Dan Leo!

Sightseeing

Besides beaching it, there are numerous other activities for both the adventurous and the less energetic. If you like diving, snorkeling, fishing, sightseeing, hiking, sailing, water-skiing, swimming, surfing, bodysurfing, or simply watching nature's marvels then Zihuatanejo will enchant you. We have all this and more, including traditional vacation pastimes such as golf and tennis.

One excursion that you can take by yourself is to walk over to the lighthouse (El Faro) from Las Gatas Beach. If you walk down to the far end of the beach you'll find the Las Gatas Beach Club. Just ask at the restaurant for directions and they'll show you the flagstone walkway leading to the lighthouse. It's about a 15-minute walk to the lighthouse. Don't forget your camera!! You'll want a few pictures of the breathtaking view from the cliffs of our coast including the guano-covered islands in front of Ixtapa to the northwest and the ones in front of Playa Blanca to the southeast (Los Morros De Potosí). The small rock island about a mile out in front of Zihuatanejo's bay is called La Piedra Solitaria. Its beacon can also be seen after dark.

Another tour you can take by yourself is a trip to Petatlán (pay taht LAHN), a colonial agricultural and ranching town south of here on the coastal highway about 40 minutes by car or bus. Petatlán is noted for its open-air gold market located in front of its beautiful majestic church known for its miracles. Truly an enchanting town lost in times of yore. Archaeological ruins are nearby, and several artifacts can be seen on display at various locations throughout the town. The Féria de Semana Santa (Easter week fair) is well worth the trip. The "Omnibus de Petatlán" busline located behind the restaurant "Jaiba Feliz" on Benito Juarez street in Zihuatanejo makes regular runs there and back all day & well into the evening. Just tell the driver to let you off at the street that leads to the Zócalo (town plaza) from the highway on the right-hand side just a little past the bridge which crosses the Petatlán River. Walk up the side street over a small hill and continue straight ahead downhill. From there it's an easy three blocks to walk to the central town plaza by the church. You'll catch the bus back at the same place you got off on the other side of the highway.

Ancient petroglyph at church in La Chole
(click to enlarge)

On the way to or back from Petatlán you might enjoy visiting the village called La Soledad de Maciel, known more affectionately as La Chole, an ancient village and archaeological site reputedly over 4,000 years old with possibly the largest pelota court yet discovered and a very unique pyramid as well as other constructions that are currently being excavated and studied as well as several petroglyphs and many artifacts. At La Chole there is also a museum as well as tour guides available.

La Barra de Potosí (poh toh SEE) is another easy excursion you can take by yourself. If you have a rental car just drive south from Zihuatanejo taking Highway 200 for about 25 minutes until you reach the small town of Los Achotes. Right after the bridge there turn right (there's a sign that says "Laguna de Potosí") and when you reach the waterfront turn left. The road ends at Barra de Potosí. There are numerous seafood restaurants there, and the surf isn't quite so rough as the rest of the beach along Playa Larga/Playa Blanca (the 9½ mile long beach in front of the airport). There for a reasonable price you can take a boat tour of the large estuary. You'll see how the fishermen have fished for hundreds of years, the salt-producing flats, and many exotic forms of local wildlife including roseate spoonbills, rare white pelicans, great blue herons, and maybe even a crocodile or two. Be sure to take plenty of film!

Museo Regional de la Costa Grande
(click to enlarge)

You'll find the Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande on the downtown waterfront at the eastern part of the beach called Playa Principal next to the pluvial canal known as "La Boquita". They have centuries of artifacts dating as far back as pre-Columbian times on display. A visit is well worth the price of admission. It is time and money well spent!

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is 10 pesos for adults, and free for children up to 12 years old.

To help you get your bearings, here is a 360° panorama I made on the beach in front of the museum.

Please see my LOCAL INFO and BEACHES pages for more ideas on what to do and where to go. Please see my DIRECTORY OF ACTIVITIES page for more complete internet listings.

*NOTE* To call here long-distance please see these helpful tips.

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Activities &Tours

   Here are a few recommendations of the many different excursions and activities available in our region:

  Adventours - Ecological excursions with experienced and knowledgeable guides. Featured tours are biking, kayaking, snorkeling, birdwatching and nature observation walks. All equipment provided.

  Bi-Zihuanas - Guided and personalized mountain bike tours as well as sales and service of mountain bikes. Calle Cuauhtémoc No. 39, Centro, Zihuatanejo. E-mail: bizihuanas@yahoo.com.mx . Tel. 544-6495, cell. 755-10-3558

  Black Marlin - Take a sightseeing tour to Playa Manzanillo or Isla Ixtapa for snorkeling. Fish for big or small game fish. Capt. David Otero of Zihuatanejo is one of our area's best charter captains! His covered panga is fully equipped for both fishing and snorkeling. Tel. (office) 554-4162, (home) 554-5246

  Carlo Scuba - Located at Las Gatas beach they offer exciting guided tours of the best dive spots around. Fully PADI qualified! Click on the link for more info & some great photos! Look for the sign at Playa Las Gatas or call 554-7003.

 Catcha L'Ola - Surf shop in the Centro Comercial "El Kiosko" in Ixtapa. They offer surfing lessons, trips to local surf spots, rentals and sales of surfboards, and surfing accessories.

  El Refugio de Potosí - A center for wildlife conservation and environmental education. Features an observation tower, a wheelchair accessible footpath for observing local flora and fauna, and a butterfly pavilion. Located near the beach on the road to Barra de Potosí. Perfect for the entire family.

 Enlace Terrestre Aeroportuario S.A. de C.V. (ETASA) - Ground transportation services between the Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport and local communities. Also offer chauffeured vehicles and buses for tours and large groups.

  Gayna's Yoga On La Ropa - One of North America's most respected yoga experts gives classes here on La Ropa Beach. She's an inspiration to all and one of our favorite "regulars". Sign up for her classes for the ultimate in relaxation experiences and techniques.

 Hector Olea's Snorkeling Tours - Let Hector be your guide for an unforgettable and relaxing day of snorkeling our local waters and sightseeing along our coastline from his 22' open boat called a panga. Watch Hector catch your lunch and prepare it on the beach. From Manzanillo Beach to Isla Ixtapa he knows all the good spots! You couldn't be in better hands! And he speaks excellent English! Tel. 554 4311, cell. 755-111-2843

  Ixtapa Aqua Paradise - Offering diving tours, instruction and certification with divers certified by PADI. Visitors who are non-certified divers are welcome. Diving equipment in excellent condition available for rent. Located in Ixtapa.

  Ketavi Tours - Choose from a variety of interesting local and regional tours with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable bilingual local guide.

  Parque Aventura Ixtapa - Zip-line tours through the tropical treetops. Also offer equipment and area for playing "Paintball" or "Gotcha". Located on the federal highway 200 between the Mirador de Ixtapa and the turnoff to the village El Posquelite.

 Patio Mexica Cooking School - Learn local and regional dishes with Monica at her popular cooking school in Colonia La Madera in Zihuatanejo.

  Picante - Sail on a luxurious 75' ultramodern sailing catamaran. Snorkeling and sunset excursions offered as well as spinnaker rides. Reservations required and private charters available. Based in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

 SharkBoy Tours - Avimael "SharkBoy" Cadena offers fascinating tours of the lagoon at Barra de Potosí where he grew up and still lives. Avi is bilingual and highly knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, and his passion for where he lives and what he does is evident. E-mail: avi-bp-@hotmail.com , cel. 755-102-6509

  Tours with Moro (e-mail) - Experienced licensed guide for fishing, snorkeling, bird watching, and sightseeing the Mexican countryside. Of course he speaks English! Tel. 554-5588, cell. 755-559-5810.

  Zihua Aquadivers - Diving tours, instruction and certification by NAUI certified divers. Offering quick non-certificate courses for first-timers and novices, perfect for tourists, with all gear provided, as well as classes for beginners. Also featuring Referral and Refresher courses. 35 local dive sites to choose from. Completely professional and safe, using a high-tech air compressor for the purest air, and new, well-maintained equipment.

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Sportfishing Charters

  Black Marlin - Take a sightseeing tour to Playa Manzanillo or Isla Ixtapa for snorkeling. Fish for big or small game fish. Capt. David Otero of Zihuatanejo is one of our area's best charter captains! His covered panga is fully equipped for both fishing and snorkeling. Tel. (office) 554-4162, (home) 554-5246

  Champagne Charters - Fish in comfort on a Bertram 31 with Capt. Raúl Gutierrez. Mailing address: Calle Antonia Nava #8, Zihuatanejo, Gro. 40880. Tel. 554-2152

  Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters - As showcased on ESPN & ESPN2. Enjoy the thrill of a lifetime fishing our waters with the experts. Experienced guides will take you to our hottest fishing spots! Marlin, sailfish, tuna, roosterfish and many more are found in our waters. They practice catch & release sportfishing and they have captains who specialize in ocean fly fishing!

  Ramón Olea's Sportfishing Charters - Hector's brother Ramón knows all the local fishing secrets. This is what fishing off our coast is all about! You won't come back disappointed! His 24' covered panga, "Oleaje", doesn't offer much luxury, but his expertise in fishing is second to none! Ramón practices "Catch and Release" fishing. I highly recommend fishing with Ramón!!! Tel. 554-4311

  Servicios Turísticos Acuáticos de Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa - Deep sea & small game fishing boats. Fish in comfort on these full-size fishing boats with all the amenities. Find their office across from the Naval offices at Paseo del Pescador #6 near the pier. Tel. & FAX 554-4162.

  Tours with Moro (e-mail) - Experienced licensed guide for fishing, snorkeling, bird watching, and sightseeing the Mexican countryside. Of course he speaks English! Tel. 554-5588, cell. 755-559-5810.

  Vargas Sportfishing - Captain Alfredo Vargas offers his fleet of well-equipped and well-maintained boats with experienced captains and crews for sport fishing charters in the Pacific Ocean fronting Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa. "Catch & Release" practiced.

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Golf & Tennis

   There are two golf courses in Ixtapa: El Club de Golf Palma Real & Marina Ixtapa Club de Golf.
   You'll find tennis courts at just about all the hotels in Ixtapa. There are no tennis courts in Zihuatanejo except at the Hotel Villa del Sol.

    Palma Real not only has a beautiful ecologically designed golf course with plenty of shade trees, but also tennis and "paddle" courts. This course was designed by Robert Trent Jones. You'll find the Palma Real at the southeastern part of Ixtapa very near the Hotel Barceló on Ixtapa Boulevard. Some of their holes actually front the beach. They claim that no tee times are required, but it behooves you to call them in advance to make them during the high season at 553-1163 and 553-1062, fax 553-1703.
E-mail: teetimepalmareal@fonatur.gob.mx

    Club de Golf Palma Real fees (in Mexican pesos) are as follows:

All prices subject to change without notice.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• 18 holes, par 72, length 6898 yards
• Driving range, practice putting green
• Golf lessons available
• Pool, 4 tennis courts, 2 paddle courts
• Restaurant & bar including a mobile bar on the course
• Open year round 7 days a week

   Marina Ixtapa Club de Golf is built on an area of 108 acres and has big sand traps. It is located at the northern end of Ixtapa Boulevard by the marina. This 18-hole par 72 course was designed by Robert Von Hagge. There are water hazards on 14 holes. Their Pro is Oscar Fernandez Cole. No tee times are required. Tel. 553-1410

    Marina Ixtapa high season golfing fees are as follows:

All prices subject to change without notice.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• 18 holes; par 72; length 6,772 yards
• Driving range, practice putting green
• Golf lessons available
• 2 tennis courts
• Restaurant & bar including a mobile bar on the course
• Open year round 7 days a week
• Morning tee times from 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM
• Afternoon tee times - 18 holes from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 9 holes from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Pros and Instructors

  Rory Federico - USPTA Certified Tennis Pro offering tennis lessons in Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa for all age levels and abilities. Cell. 755-114-1562. E-mail: rpfederico@yahoo.com

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visits since 16 OCT 1999