Ixtapa is located on the central Pacific coast of Mexico, about 150 miles north of Acapulco in the state of Guerrero. The town was built in the 1970s by the Mexican government as a tourist destination. Here you’ll find beautiful beaches, soft sand, clear seas and varied marine life.

While Ixtapa is one of Mexico’s newest west-coast resort destinations, its sister town, Zihuatanejo, traces its roots back centuries. Framed by five beaches, Zihuatanejo (population 60,000) is an authentic, charming Mexican fishing village — and a perfect compliment to beach-centric Ixtapa. Ixtapa is easily accessed via a modern airport, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International (ZIH). Many U.S. cities offer direct flights to this airport.