How to Spend A Perfect Beach Day at La Isla Ixtapa, Zihuatenejo, Mexico
Dig your toes in La Isla Ixtapa island’s white, sandy beaches as clear waters crash against your shins. Be pampered with a Chamoy drink in hand and a pineapple fried rice in the other. Snorkel the coral reef and feed crackers to marine life.
If you happen to find yourself in the charming fishing village Zihuatenejo – Ixtapa in the Mexican State of Guerrero, I recommend carving out time for a day trip to La Isla Ixtapa (Ixtapa Island). Ixtapa Island itself is a pretty small island, but what is its main draw? It houses three white-sand beaches and an escape from the mainland.
How to Get to Isla Ixtapa Island
You can take the bus from one of the main roads in Zihuatenejo (We did so from GPS Location: 17.644254, -101.556661). The bus costs 15 pesos and 40 minutes to get to Playa Linda, a nearby popular beach worth visiting as well. You will get dropped off in front of the Cocodrilario, a free crocodile sanctuary, and a market.
Water taxi to Ixtapa Island
Beyond the market, you can pay for the 80 peso water taxi fare (roundtrip), then wait in line for the small boats. Each boat fits less than 10 people, so the line may look long. However, vessels are running back and forth all day, and the boat trip only takes 10 minutes to get to the pier.
There are two boat launches, so tell your driver if you want to go to Playa Cuachalate or Playa Varadero.
👉 Skip the line: Book a day in paradise snorkeling and exploring on this Isla Ixtapa tour
The Beaches of La Isla Ixtapa Island
Having developed rapidly in the last ten years, Ixtapa Island used to only see a few dozen visitors a day. From my experience, those days are long gone. (Although I went during the holidays in 2022, you may have a more secluded time to yourself another time of year.) The weather is pleasant almost all year round. Still, winter is the high season, so you can generally expect more people.
The island itself has 4 beautiful beaches: Playa Cuachalate, Playa Varadero, Playa Coral, and Playa Carey.
Playa Cuachalalate
Cuachalalate Beach is considered the main beach. This side of the island built the original boat launch and is still the most common landing point. Cuachalalate Beach sees the most significant number of visitors but is also the largest beach of them all. Many tourists who arrive at Ixtapa Island don’t venture far off Cuachalalate Beach to explore what else this beautiful island offers. Lucky for those who do.
Playa Varadero and Playa Coral
Before the new pier was constructed, Playa Varadero Beach and Playa Coral Beach used to be a lot more secluded and secretive. A cemented-constructed walkway now connects Cuachalalate Beach to the once-secretive beaches. Varadero Beach and Coral Beach sit on the thinnest part of the island. If you walk through the local restaurants, you can quickly go back and forth between the two sides.
Tip: Playa Coral has the best snorkeling on the island, hence the name.
Playa Carey
Only a tiny hidden hiking path through the trees leads to Playa Carey Beach. Only a short walk of 5-10 minutes later, and you are awarded a small, secluded paradise all to yourself. Soak in the silence here, a welcome change from the tourists on the rest of the island.
The beach is currently undergoing coral reef restorations, so it is officially forbidden to enter the water (Jan 2022). The starting point for hiking trail: here
Things to do in Isla Ixtapa Island
Best Place to Snorkel: Playa Coral
Make sure to bring some crackers to Ixtapa Island. Or, if you order a ceviche, I guarantee the restaurant will have you covered. Crush up the crackers into little bits, and see the fish nibble at your fingers. Play a game of who can attract the most fish.
The west side of Playa Coral is the best area to snorkel in, as it has the best “reefs” (Kind of dead). You will see other snorkelers in fluorescent life jackets, so follow them.
Note: If you don’t have your own, you can rent snorkel equipment on the island.
Hike Around Ixtapa Island
Although not particularly long, there are small hiking trails that go all along the island. Discover sheer rock plunges and open grassy areas; it’s lovely to get away and discover new sights.
Poking at Tide Tools: Playa Coral
Playa Coral has a great rocky, flat area perfect for forming small tide pools at low tide. Take a stick and poke around to see the crabs, hermits, and other sea life scurry away.
Beach Activities! (besides just relaxing)
What better to do at a beach than beach activities. Here are two maps of 2 of the beaches to see what activities and wildlife there are. Water sports and jet skis are available only on some of the beaches.
Fun Wildlife Encounter: I saw a cute wild bunny on the beach. That was a first for me.
Related Post: For another cool little island, Acapulco has its own little paradise, La Roqueta.
Where to Stay in Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa
Filled with less resorts and more budget-friendly options, the following recommendations are both stylish beach-front accommodations in Zihuatanejo. There are no accommodation options on La Isla Ixtapa itself. Zihuatanejo is better than Ixtapa in terms of culture and things to do, but Ixtapa is much closer in distance to La Isla Ixtapa.
HOTEL OVERLOOKING THE BEACH WITH TWO POOLS + JACUZZI – Hotel Irma
As a family trip to Zihuatanejo – Ixtapa, the travel style was unlike my usual backpacking style. However, I highly recommend Hotel Irma, which offers beach-front views of the Principal beach, stylish terracotta and floral designs, and multiple pools (infinity, secondary, and jacuzzi).
PRIVATE ROOM NEAR BEACH IN CENTRAL LOCATION – Hotel Del Pescador
For a budget-friendly option right on the beach, book a stay at Hotel Del Pescador. All rooms are fitted with a balcony with a sea view and minutes walk from the main street filled with restaurants and things to do.
More: Find Other Top Accommodation Deals in Zihuatanejo on Booking.com
Wrap-Up: A Perfect Beach Day at La Isla Ixtapa Island
Mexico may be full of beaches and islands, but if you are in the tourist destination of Zihuatanejo – Ixtapa, a day lounging and hiking La Isla Ixtapa is not to be missed. Aside from discovering new island beaches, renting a snorkel to watch and feed the local tropical fish was a highlight of this pacific coast gem.
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Going Elsewhere? Discover Other Mexico Adventures and Resources
- Best Things to Do in Tepoztlán, Mexico
- Fun Things to Do in Acapulco, Mexico
- Best Things to Do in Taxco, Mexico
- Best Things to Do in Zihuatanejo – Ixtapa, Mexico
- How to Visit Chacahua, Oaxaca – A Secret Mexican Beach Paradise
- Adventurous Things to Do in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
- Day Trip to the Magical Waterfalls of Copalitilla and Llano Grande
- Things to Do in Huatulco, Mexico and Why I Won’t Be Back
- Never Lost in Mexico: Transporation Guide to Getting Around Mexico
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Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.