Ixtapa

Ixtapa is a government-planned tourist resort that began in the early 1970s, and constructed on what was once a coconut plantation and mangrove estuary. Ixtapa is a word of Náhuatl origin that comes from the Iztal roots meaning “salt” or “white” and “pa” that means “in”. Together this translates to “has white in”, which references the bird cliffs of the region that has colored the tops white with sea bird excrement.  

The Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo touristic project was the first one of its type to be financed by the World Bank, along with Cancún, to create a new tourist destination on the country’s coastline. While Cancún went on to explode into a full-blown touristic zone internationally, Ixtapa grew slowly, and was more known to be a holiday destination for the rich and famous. This slow growth made Ixtapa a hidden gem that has since held onto its Mexican roots. 

Although rustic in comparison to Cancún or Puerto Vallarta, it is still a touristic zone, so you can expect high-rise hotels, private condos, luxurious bars and a variety of eatiers that overlook the bay.  There are plenty of water activities like jet skiing, parasailing and surfing to be done in Ixtapa as well as other sports like cycling or golfing. 

There are two golf courses: A superb original copy of Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s designs in Palma Real and the Marina Golf Club Ixtapa, which is famous for being created by Robert von Hagge. He  designed this field of 6793 yards and par 72 with undulating canals, 12 bridges and a dune-evocative topography. 

The course at Palma Real features a  6,898-yard, par 72 course that harmonizes with its surroundings. The terrain maintains its natural lagoons and lush tropical vegetation to one side of the scenic Pacific coast and the Sierra Madre del Sur on the other side.