Zihuatenejo, Mexico - Beach Guide:

~ Playa Las Gatas, Zihuatenejo, Mexico ~

Playa Las Gatas is reached via a water taxi from the municipal pier in Zihuatenejo. It is about a 10 minute ride and costs about USD 3 round trip (cheap). The beach is not a great swimming beach, but has excellent snorkeling along the rocks near where the boats enter. It is shallow and rocky, with many fish. Since it is somewhat sheltered the water stays fairly clear. In comparison, Playa La Ropa is often murky and the fish density is much lower on La Ropa. Playa Manzanillo is a live coral reef with high fish density, but requires a boat rental and can be murky as it is much less protected. There are restaurants and beach chairs along Las Gatas.

Spend a day at Playa Las Gatas, a very special beach on Zihuatanejo Bay. Rumored to be the playground of ancient royalty, we believe the legend that the man-made reef was created to provide a safe place to swim for an Indian princess. Take a water taxi across the bay to a beach with no roads or high rise hotels. The protected waters are excellent for children with almost no wave action inside the reef.

Water taxis run all day from the Municipal Pier in downtown Zihuatanejo. Round trip is about $3 US. Be sure to check the schedule, the last taxi home is posted as being at about 5:00 pm. A number of organized tours are available, check at your hotel desk or with a local travel agent. There is also a walking path to Las Gatas from Playa la Ropa, just a 10 minute walk over the rocks along the shore of the bay.

Las Gatas is the most popular snorkeling beach in Zihuatanejo. Jean Claude rents snorkel as well as scuba gear on the beach. Wave runners are also available for rent, banana boat rides, massages and even fishing charters can be found here. Surfing is popular at the far end of the beach near Owen's Beach Club. There is also a walking path to the lighthouse on the point of the bay, enjoy the natural beauty as you head for a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean.

Playa Municipal, also known as Playa Principal, is located by the downtown area of Zihuatanejo. It runs from the Municipal Pier to the canal.

The end near the pier is home to the Naval Base. At the other end, by the canal, is the Museo Archeologico, the Archeological Museum. And there is so much more in between.

The zocalo, or town square, is near the midpoint of the beach. On Sunday evening this ishome to the weekly fiesta. Entertainment includes singing, dancing, clowns, and plays. And no fiesta would be complete without lots of good food!

Playa Municipal is where the local fleet of fishing boats departs each evening. They return in the morning with their catch of fresh fish. The area then turns into a hub of activity. Impromptu restaurants feed the fishermen. Children play while their mothers sell the fish their fathers have caught. Buyers look for the best fish to serve in their restaurants.

Playa Municipal is home to a variety of restaurants, mostly specializing in seafood.

Playa La Madera (Wood Beach), a small stretch of sand between the Municipal beach and the promontory over which the road to La Ropa passes, offers occasional waves for the surfer as well as a number of sea-view restaurants, bungalows, condominiums and hotels.

There is now a beachfront walkway affording a pleasant stroll and view of Zihatanejo bay, that takes one over the rocky outcroppings between La Madera and town. It only takes a few minutes to traverse. Although lighting is provided along the path, It is suggested that you always walk it accompanied rather than alone, especially at night.

The walkway begins at the northern end of Playa Madera and winds along the shoreline. Looking back you can see La Casa Que Canta and Villa de la Roca perched on the rocks on the way to La Ropa. Halfway along the walk is a small pebble beach and a view towards Puerto Mio, the boat moorings and the entrance to Zihuatanejo bay. Waves wash up along the walkway in a refreshing spray.... watch out, though. Sometimes they're strong enough to really soak you!

You can often see whales and dolphins swimming and jumping along the coast. Sea turtles also frequent our beaches to lay their eggs which are usually placed in protected areas to incubate until they hatch. The hatchlings are sometimes raised in small tubs for a few weeks to give them a better survival rate before being released.