Everyone knows of the United States’ Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, but Mexico has its own twins: Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. However, while they’re closely connected by geography (just about four miles apart), the two couldn’t be more different. For travelers to the region, that means that it’s easy to get a taste of two unique towns without wasting hours or days traveling between them.
Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa vacations combine the sleek and modern with the rustic and traditional. Ixtapa, which was developed by the Mexican government on the site of a former farm, is an excellent choice for people looking for all-inclusive resorts where they can relax without a care in the world. Zihuatanejo, while equally relaxing, doesn’t have the resorts, but draws visitors in with its laid-back, small town feel.
No matter where you stay, you’ll be treated to beautiful Mexican beaches, wonderful hospitality and a variety of activities. Ixtapa vacations might include activities right at the hotel site, but it’s easy to combine those with visits to sites within the town and next door in Zihuatanejo. Here are some favorite activities among travelers who have discovered the area as a perfect Mexican getaway.
* Get under the waves. You’ll have plenty of great choices for snorkeling and diving, thanks to the beautiful beaches and plentiful sea life in the area. Isla Ixtapa is a good choice, but you can check with the plentiful snorkel and scuba tours about where they go – they’ll certainly have the inside scoop on the most beautiful spots. Some also provide instruction for novice divers.
* Hook, line and sinker. If you’d rather stay atop the water and still come face to face with the creatures of the ocean, you’ll love a day out on a fishing charter. You could find yourself with anything from bonito to tuna to spectacular sailfish tugging on the line. Going as a group is often a good way to cut costs, so if you’re not traveling with others, see if anyone you meet at your resort is interested in hitting the high seas.
* Go into town. If you’ve gotten a bit too much sun out on the beach, you may want to switch up your vacation schedule and see what Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo have to offer beyond the shore. Delve into local culture at Zihuatanejo’s Mercado Central, where you can find just about everything: luscious tropical fruit to nibble on, authentic food stalls, local handmade crafts and fun interactions with the locals. Also in town is the Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande, which has exhibits detailing the ancient culture of the area with artifacts from the numerous archaeological sites in the area.
The Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo area has a lot to offer, yet somehow still retains a sense of calm, not being overrun with people. An added attraction is that it’s a budget-friendly destination, with the combination of cheap hotels, low-cost meals and activities and good availability of reasonable airline ticket prices. Sites like Travelocity.com can help you search out the very best deals so that your dollars – or pesos – will stretch even further.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
