When you’re uninterested in combating your strategy to swim-up bars in Cancun and Los Cabos, there’s one other resort-laden paradise with quite a few direct flights from the U.S. ready to be found.
Whereas many Canadians benefit from flocking right here to flee the blistering chilly, People are nonetheless behind the curve, seeming to present an excessive amount of credence to journey advisories in favor of the same old protected havens, Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta.
Make no mistake, these are People’ favourite go-to’s for a cause, however even Cancun, as standard as it could be, has seen random violent crime sprees in touristy areas.
I simply obtained again house from Ixtapa, a sunkissed resort city within the state of Guerrero boasting year-round 90-degree days surrounded by staggering inexperienced mountains and swaying palm bushes over crystal clear waters and spotless seashores.
Imagine it or not, I’m laying my journey repute on the road as a former Cabo Sun journalist to let you know it’s prettier than Los Cabos and a lot much less of a burden in your pockets.
Regardless of Degree 4: Do Not Journey designation from the U.S. State Division, Ixtapa is Guerrero’s lone brilliant spot that couldn’t really feel any safer, extra luxurious or genuine, particularly in terms of the area’s sinfully scrumptious coastal delicacies.
Zihuatanejo Might Be Stylish, However Don’t Sleep On Ixtapa
“Zihua”, as locals say, has develop into a stylish vacation spot on many journey lists over the previous yr or so, largely partially because of the lavish Thompson Lodge opening doorways.
However, typically vacationers make the error of getting too comfy sticking to the resort grounds with out stepping foot within the metropolis, and the temptation is knowing with such posh facilities being thrown at you left and proper.
Even in the event you keep in Zihua, the up-and-coming smaller sister metropolis of Ixtapa is value venturing over for the seashores alone, and well-equipped for a surge in vacationers with such high-end resorts comparable to:
- Vacation Inn Resort Ixtapa
- Lodge Fontan Ixtapa
- Membership Med Ixtapa Pacific
- Sunscape Dorado Pacifico
- Barcelo Ixtapa
Ixtapa is just a 20-minute cab trip from the airport (ZIH), and no, there’s no Uber right here, however don’t fear about scammy taxi drivers, as charges are clearly revealed beforehand.
When you arrive, you’ll uncover postcard-worthy seashores, together with a licensed Blue Flag seashore that’s actually flawless. There wasn’t a speck of trash in sight strolling up and down Playa El Palmar.
Whereas uncommon, the one concern to maintain a watchful eye on are crocodiles and occasional sturdy currents represented by the colour of the flag posted every day.
The small city heart could be very walkable via the resort space, together with a Senor Frogs Cantina. Each resort city has to have one, proper?
My Keep At Barcelo Ixtapa
I stayed at 5-star Barcelo Ixtapa, “splurging” on the all-inclusive bundle for simply $170 per night time complete for two individuals.
Strive that in Cabo….
Of the resorts lined alongside the aforementioned Playa El Palmar, Barcelo gave the impression to be essentially the most luxurious and undoubtedly provided the most effective swimming pools, particularly the center pool of the resort’s trio overlooking the Pacific and safety guards blocking pestering distributors.
Shamelessly in “Trip Mode” for 4 days, I misplaced rely of the Pina Coladas and Cuba Libres I indulged in at each swim-up bars, however my advice is to choose your poison slightly than house-brand, watered-down slushies.
When you can swing it, reserving a nook ‘Oceanview’ room is the way in which to go, in my view, however the mountain views on the alternative facet are equally gorgeous to get up to.
Treating your self to ‘Premium’ upgrades isn’t value it because the buffets are nicely stocked with a wide range of delicacies starting from an omelet station at breakfast to a seafood lover’s dream on Saturdays with a sprawling feast of grilled lobster tails, spicy octopus, and shrimp paella.
When you ebook the usual all-inclusive bundle, simply know you’re restricted to a single specialty restaurant each 3 days, however a number of buffets and the Caracol Snack Bar greater than make up for it.
$5 Properly Spent: Take A Day Journey To Isla Ixtapa
The great thing about all-inclusives is you solely have to fret about tipping, however in the event you’ve obtained an additional Abe Lincoln to spare, then it’s a must to take a look at Isla Ixtapa through water taxi for under $5 round-trip.
You possibly can ebook a tour right here, nevertheless it’s simple to succeed in by yourself and extra enjoyable to discover with out the language barrier.
To get right here, take a cab to Playa Linda and stroll by the Crocodile Lagoon, via the memento outlets to the Embarcadero.
Right here is the place you’ll purchase tickets and board the water taxi. The trip itself is a sight to behold, however I like to recommend getting off at Playa Verdero as an alternative of Playa Coral because it’s extra of a hideaway from fisherman bringing in your soon-to-be offered “catch of the day”.
Selecting a spot to eat lunch can be your solely headache right here, however I recommend El Indio. Ask for Carlos, who was sort sufficient to offer free sunscreen after my boneheaded mistake of leaving it in my room.
You’ll have a ton of choices, however the servers recommend the Mahi Mahi and Ceviche. I had the latter, and it exceeded the hype, together with ice-cold cervezas and a Pina Colada served inside a pineapple.
Snorkeling gear is just $10 to hire and nicely value swimming within the calm waters.
It really felt like we have been inside an aquarium with what number of vibrant species of fish we noticed.
Ixtapa’s Prime Hidden Gem: Ruins But To Be Undiscovered
As locations comparable to Tulum have sky-rocketed in reputation, a key issue of their newfound fame has been how cool it’s to deep-dive into former worlds, in contrast to something we expertise in at this time’s screen-addicted society.
Whereas Ixtapa doesn’t supply staggering ruins to the degrees of like Teotihicuan or Chichen Itza, simply 40 minutes away is Xihuacan (a.ok.a. “La chole”), a smaller web site accessible by guided excursions for a surcharge or free to enter by yourself.
Courting again 3000 years, the well-preserved ruins of Xihuacan are nonetheless being unearthed to today.
You’ll discover a museum of artifacts utilized by numerous cultures over time amongst clay pyramids and a Mesoamerican ball court docket.
TripAdvisor ranks the Xihuacan Tradition and Archaeology Tour as the highest information for exploring this hidden world of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo’s previous.
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Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the submit.
