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Aparthotels & serviced apartments in Zihuatanejo

5 stays · 4 aparthotels and 1 serviced apartments

Zihuatanejo, also known as Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is a Pacific-coast city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Aparthotels and serviced apartments suit it well because most visitors come for a week or more of beach time, and a kitchen, a living area and a separate bedroom make it easier for families and groups to self-cater, store snorkelling gear and keep a routine. Longer-stay guests in particular can shop at local markets and supermarkets rather than eating out every day.

5 stays

Where to stay in Zihuatanejo

Zihuatanejo old town

  • first-time visitors
  • local feel
  • long stays

The town beside the bay is the traditional heart of the destination. The independent visit-mexico.mx guide describes Zihuatanejo as a former fishing village offering the more traditional side of Mexico, with cobblestone streets. Its municipal beach is next to the port, and Wikipedia says it is not recommended for swimming because of boat traffic, so most visitors head to the beaches described below.

Stays in or near Zihuatanejo old town

Playa La Ropa

  • beach
  • families
  • swimming

Playa La Ropa is described by Wikipedia as about 1.2 km long and considered the best for swimming because of little wave action. The independent visit-mexico.mx guide calls it the longest beach in the area, with mild conditions. It lies on the bay south-east of the old town, so it suits guests who want to be on the sand every day and are happy to travel into town for meals and shopping.

Stays in or near Playa La Ropa

Playa La Madera

  • walkable to town
  • beach
  • couples

Playa La Madera is a beach of around 2 km according to Wikipedia, with gentle waves and bay-view restaurants. It sits on the bay next to the old town, so it combines a beach stay with easy access to the shops and eating places in town.

Stays in or near Playa La Madera

Ixtapa

  • resort stays
  • golf
  • families

Ixtapa is a government-planned resort created in the early 1970s on what Wikipedia describes as a former coconut plantation and mangrove estuary, with a layout of super-blocks separated by high-speed streets. The independent visit-mexico.mx guide mentions a hotel zone along Playa El Palmar, a beach of 2.3 km, plus a marina and two golf courses. It suits visitors who want resort facilities and wider streets rather than a small-town atmosphere.

Getting around Zihuatanejo

The Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) is the main gateway. Wikipedia says it is operated by Grupo Aeroportuario Centro Norte (OMA), handles nonstop flights to major Mexican cities and mostly seasonal flights to the United States and Canada, and has taxi services and car rental on site. OMA's airport page lists taxis and car rental in its transport section. The independent visit-mexico.mx guide gives a flight time from Mexico City of 40 minutes.

By road, Wikipedia says the Autopista Siglo XXI links Zihuatanejo with Morelia and cuts the journey from Mexico City to about six hours. The independent visit-mexico.mx guide gives a three-hour drive from Acapulco. Wikipedia's Ixtapa article lists several long-distance bus lines serving the area. Between the old town and Ixtapa, which are 5 km apart, you will need a road vehicle. Playa Las Gatas is reached by boat from the town pier, according to the independent visit-mexico.mx guide.

Living in Zihuatanejo for longer

For a longer stay, the old town is the practical base for everyday life, since it is the traditional centre of the destination, with the town feel that Wikipedia says it has kept. Ixtapa is more spread out, so an apartment there suits guests who plan to use taxis or a hire car. Whichever you choose, look for a kitchen, laundry facilities and a good fan or air conditioning, as the climate is tropical.

If you are working remotely or relocating for a few months, read serviced apartments for relocation and the long-stay accommodation checklist for what to ask before you commit. Wikipedia notes the bay is popular with private boat owners during the winter months, so expect boats in the bay at that time of year.

When to visit Zihuatanejo

Wikipedia classes the climate as tropical savanna, with an average temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius and sea temperatures of 25 to 29 degrees through the year. The rainy season runs from June to September; the independent visit-mexico.mx guide says showers are usually brief and fall in the late afternoon or evening, and gives about 300 days of sunshine a year.

That means beach weather is available in most months, with the wettest period in the middle of the year. Wikipedia says the bay attracts yachts in the winter months. Check weather and any local advisories close to your dates.

Wikipedia says the city is about 240 km northwest of Acapulco on a section of coast known as the Costa Grande, and that the town sits on a well-protected bay. It has been developed as a tourist destination together with the purpose-built resort of Ixtapa, 5 km away, while keeping a traditional town feel. This guide covers the main places to stay, how to get around and when to travel. For other destinations in the country see Mexico, including Acapulco, and read what an aparthotel is if you are new to the format. Governments publish their own travel advice for Mexico, so read the current version from your own government before you plan a trip.

Long-stay tips for Zihuatanejo

Of the 5 properties here, 1 list a laptop-friendly workspace, 3 include some form of housekeeping and 1 have a 24-hour front desk. If you are staying more than a few nights, compare the facts box on each property page first.

5 properties list a full kitchen and 0 only a kitchenette, so check the room type if you plan to cook more than simple meals.

Where room sizes are published, the median apartment here is 220 m².

Moving for work? Our guide to serviced apartments for relocation explains what to look for.

Other cities in Mexico

Travelling further? See aparthotels in Mexico City, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, Isla Mujeres and Mérida.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay in Zihuatanejo?

The old town suits visitors who want a traditional centre and restaurants, Playa La Ropa suits families who want a swimming beach, and Ixtapa suits those who prefer a planned resort with a hotel zone and golf.

How far is Ixtapa from Zihuatanejo?

Wikipedia gives the distance as 5 km. Ixtapa is the purpose-built resort and Zihuatanejo is the older town on the bay.

How do I get to Zihuatanejo from Mexico City?

The independent visit-mexico.mx guide gives a flight time of 40 minutes, and Wikipedia says the Autopista Siglo XXI shortens the drive from Mexico City to about six hours.

When is the rainy season in Zihuatanejo?

Both Wikipedia and the independent visit-mexico.mx guide give June to September, with brief showers typically in the late afternoon or evening.

Which beach is best for swimming?

Wikipedia describes Playa La Ropa as considered the best for swimming because of little wave action, while the municipal beach beside the port is not recommended for swimming.

How many aparthotels are there in Zihuatanejo?

We currently list 5 aparthotel and serviced apartment properties in Zihuatanejo.

Do aparthotels in Zihuatanejo have kitchens?

5 of the 5 properties we list have a kitchen or kitchenette in at least one apartment type.

Sources

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