Lisa & Brett's Fabulous Beach Vacation
Zihuatenaho, Mexico, Dec. 17-24, 2005
- Lodging: Bungalows Ley, Playa la Madera
- Favorite Beach Hangout: Casa Elvira, Playa la Ropa (great food, margaritas, buckets of beer and waitstaff - we were there most of the time)
- Favorite Beach: Playa la Ropa
- Best Snorkeling: Isla Ixtapa
- Best Tamales: Tamales y Atoles Any
- Favorite Breakfast: Bad Bird Cafe (next door to hotel - Elviras had a killer breakfast too - but it didn't have squawking parrots nor an "Ask Ignatio" information kiosk)
- Fanciest Restaurant: La Casa Que Canta (great food, very nice resort, on la Ropa, great view of the bay)
- Favorite Beach Silver Vendors: Israel and Iraq (yep, real names, as you might expect, they were not selling on the same beach)
- Most Unique Dining Experience: One night we ate next door at "Sydney" (we called it that since it looked a little like the Sydney Opera House) - during appetizers a sea turtle crawled up next to us and began digging a nest - the beach police quickly showed up and then the marinos (to protect the turtle and her eggs) - the sand was too shallow, so after many failed attempts the marinos coaxed her back into the sea
Tips
- Isla Ixtapa - don't bother with excursion tours to Isla Ixtapa - take a "ferry" from the dock in El Centro (downtown) - it's much cheaper, you're on your own timetable and you avoid the wasted time picking up other tourists scattered around Zihua/Ixtapa in a van
- Money - there are 5 or 6 major banks w/ ATMs in El Centro - i used the one across the street from Tamales y Atoles Any - there's also a money exchange a couple doors down from that ATM if you want to change your traveler's checks
- Beaches
- Playa Principal and Playa de Madera are not the prettiest beaches
- Playa la Ropa was my favorite - good sand - clear water
- Playa las Gatas was more private and had good sand - there is supposed to be good snorkeling - but, the shallow water is rocky, so you'll want to wear your sandals
- we were told the last day that Ixtapa has better beaches - but, Playa la Ropa was terrific
- Transportation - lots of cheap taxis - we walked to almost everything - taxi from airport was about $30 - taxi back to airport was much cheaper
- Lodging - Bungalows Ley was nice (nice room, big kinda private patio, kitchen, friendly/helpful staff) - we could walk to El Centro and Playa la Ropa (it's a little climb to Playa la Ropa) - next time i will probably stay on Playa la Ropa and take taxis into town
- here are a couple sites i found helpful Casa Mia & The Shroyer's Trip Reports
