Clean, Visually Striking, and People Friendly

I've been coming to Zihuatanejo since 2007. So, not a newbie. I just got an up close and personal look at the new walkway (Malecon?) at the end of Playa La Ropa starting by La Gaviota restaurant.

Bravo. Absolutely stunning! Contrary to Zihua Rob's opinion--and questions of Mayoral cement grift and complaints of "ecocide"--the once dusty, pothole-laden gravel road (that seemed like an afterthought from bygone years) with many cars parked "willy nilly" on either side of the road, has been turned into a visually stunning, palm tree laden pedestrian walkway with panoramic views of Zihuatanejo Bay complete with concrete benches to sit on and enjoy all Zihuatanejo has to offer. And, trash receptacles. And, it's a no car zone too! And, I love the lovely statue (Neptune?) that embraces the end of the walkway.

Now, I'm aware that a lot of locals and mom and pop businesses have been displaced by this new walkway. (A lot of families used to picnic at the beach under the trees behind La Gaviotta). But, like the the upgraded walkway from Playa Principal ending at Playa LaMadera, I think eventually that this new walkway at the end of Playa La Ropa will be viewed with pride as another "win" for beautiful Zihuatanejo! (Wanted to post a few pictures, but couldn't figure out how to do so on this site.)

Do you have any idea what an ecological diester that is??? 100's of tons of rocks were dumped going out 20 meters from the natural shoreline. The currents have changed dramatically. The critters have too. The new area is now covered with sea urchins, which heavily populate new areas, and were formerly in balance with the currents and other critters. The semi annual anchovy hatch and rejuvenation of the fish in the bay and into the ocean are all screwed up, just stand on the new area and watch.

Yes, we live here, are on the ocean at least 5 days a week in the bay.

It is a beautiful walkway, ecologically incorrect and just wrong.

No, I'm not up-to-speed with respect to the "ecological disaster" that the new walkway brought to the area. And, if true (and not overstated), that's really unfortunate. Hopefully, such issues will be addressed and dealth with in the future.

That said, I still see the walkway as a huge improvement, a complete transformation of a previously rundown, unattractive area, into a compelling new pedestrian public infrastructure that enhances the beauty and magic of Zihuatanejo and proudly moves it forward.

And, unfortunately makes it look just a little more like the typical touristy places that we come to Zihuatanejo to avoid. Zihuatanejo is slowly losing some of the charm it had years ago.

No, I'm not up-to-speed with respect to the "ecological disaster" that the new walkway brought to the area. And, if true (and not overstated), that's really unfortunate. Hopefully, such issues will be addressed and dealth with in the future.

That said, I still see the walkway as a huge improvement, a complete transformation of a previously rundown, unattractive area, into a compelling new pedestrian public infrastructure that enhances the beauty and magic of Zihuatanejo and proudly moves it forward.

I am with you 100% Ray. A vast improvement for everyone to enjoy.

No, I'm not up-to-speed with respect to the "ecological disaster" that the new walkway brought to the area. And, if true (and not overstated), that's really unfortunate. Hopefully, such issues will be addressed and dealth with in the future.

That said, I still see the walkway as a huge improvement, a complete transformation of a previously rundown, unattractive area, into a compelling new pedestrian public infrastructure that enhances the beauty and magic of Zihuatanejo and proudly moves it forward.

Besides the ecological disaster, IT'S AN EXPENSIVE HOT CEMENT "ROAD" TO NOWHERE!

One man's "rundown, unattractive area" is another man's natural paradise. With all due respect, tourists like you make me want to have nothing to do with the tourist industry, much less attract more people who think cement is more attractive than our natural unpaved beauty.

This will forever be more attractive to me than any cement structure. See the pink coral on the rocks? I think that's pretty, and it's CORAL, where marine life flourishes, including seahorses and other fragile creatures now displaced, dead and buried under tons of quarry rock. It was a coastal ecosystem in balance, now it's a dead zone. There was also a small beach just past the jetty where people could swim, now reduced to a patch of sand surrounded by sea urchins. Oh, and now fishermen who have fished there for generations can no longer fish there. If you want locals to hate tourists, this is the kind of crap that foments animosity. See those huge black lava boulders? They've been favorite gathering places for generations. Buried. Mangrove trees? Buried, cut back, doomed. I'll take nature over cement any friggin day.

No, I'm not up-to-speed with respect to the "ecological disaster" that the new walkway brought to the area. And, if true (and not overstated), that's really unfortunate. Hopefully, such issues will be addressed and dealth with in the future.

That said, I still see the walkway as a huge improvement, a complete transformation of a previously rundown, unattractive area, into a compelling new pedestrian public infrastructure that enhances the beauty and magic of Zihuatanejo and proudly moves it forward.

I am with you 100% Ray. A vast improvement for everyone to enjoy.

Says the condo commando who lives in the tourist development of Ixtapa.

I am with you 100% Ray. A vast improvement for everyone to enjoy.

Says the condo commando who lives in the tourist development of Ixtapa.

That would be Mr. Condo Commando

Maybe a Big Yellow Taxi parked on the walkway with the tune named the same, running on continuous loop and blaring out the windows, will remind all tourists that this was an extremely bad idea. Pave paradise and…well you know the rest. I always enjoyed the dirt road and navigating the rocks in flip flops to go and enjoy a day at Las Gatas, along with meeting the many wonderful families you mentioned who hung out under the trees.
Sad to hear and see that’s now a thing of the past, as this upcoming visit will be my first opportunity to set sore eyes on it.

With all due respect, please get over yourself Rob! When I strolled down that "cement road to nowhere" yesterday, I saw dozens of Mexican families enjoying the walkway, many heading to the pathway along the rocks to Playa Las Gatas. Many stopped to take photos of themselves in front of the statue.I saw "2" gringo tourists strolling by. Everyone else: locals!

I'm glad you're not the mayor of Zihuatanejo because you sound like you want everything left the way you found it some 30+ years ago when you arrived. Local graft and corruption aside, Zihuatanejo is NOT the sleepy fishing village that you apparently pine for. It's a thriving mini-metropolis that serves locals and tourists. As I said, I've been coming here since 2007 and it's hard to miss all the changes (good and bad) that have occurred over that time. I remember the decrepit walkway from Playa Principal to Playa LaMadera (upgraded). Or, when the road by La Rana Rene restaurant at Playa LaMadera used to allow cars to park there (Banned, upgraded). How about La Cancha? (Refurbished, Upgraded). Or, the completed "Parque Lineal" bike/pedestrian pathway from Zihuatanejo to Ixtapa?

My point: Infastructure improvements is the lifeline for thriving cities. But, the character of Zihuatanejo remains quintessential Mexico. Zihuatanejo Bay remains spectacular to view and sail on. Miles of unspoiled beaches are still here for everyone to enjoy. Friendly, cheerful people remain. But, changes are inevitable. Zihuatanejo is STILL authentic Mexico.
Admittedly, it IS slowly becoming more commercialized. Domino's yes...but still no McDonald's or Starbucks...yet. Go with the flow!

Hola
I'm thinking like Rob. Zihua is definitely paving, or should I say, cementing paradise. When I was a little more mobile, I enjoyed the hike along the rocks to Las Gatas, not to avoid the pittance that the water taxis charged, but to see whatever I could see among rocks and water along the way. The reason you don't see gringos there is probably because they too are probably pissed at this cash grab by the major. I only go to La Ropa now for the food, drink and music. If I want a restful beach, I go to the long beach area.

We first dropped anchor here in 1983 and have returned most every year since.
Even bought and sold a couple of properties so felt we were part of the community.
But don't fool yourselves.Zihuatanejo is not the "paradise" you want it to be that it was 30-40 years ago.
Heading into our seventies we are concerned with medical care that is not available here in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. Thus 2025 will probably be our last journey here.
Rather than pouring of monolithic yards of concrete or tearing the hills above los Gatas, hoping that the water lasts, money and ingenuity would be better spent towards health care. A better and bigger hospital for all with up to date modern equipment that would serve the visitor and locals that would save lives!

With all due respect, please get over yourself Rob! When I strolled down that "cement road to nowhere" yesterday, I saw dozens of Mexican families enjoying the walkway, many heading to the pathway along the rocks to Playa Las Gatas. Many stopped to take photos of themselves in front of the statue.I saw "2" gringo tourists strolling by. Everyone else: locals!

I'm glad you're not the mayor of Zihuatanejo because you sound like you want everything left the way you found it some 30+ years ago when you arrived. Local graft and corruption aside, Zihuatanejo is NOT the sleepy fishing village that you apparently pine for. It's a thriving mini-metropolis that serves locals and tourists. As I said, I've been coming here since 2007 and it's hard to miss all the changes (good and bad) that have occurred over that time. I remember the decrepit walkway from Playa Principal to Playa LaMadera (upgraded). Or, when the road by La Rana Rene restaurant at Playa LaMadera used to allow cars to park there (Banned, upgraded). How about La Cancha? (Refurbished, Upgraded). Or, the completed "Parque Lineal" bike/pedestrian pathway from Zihuatanejo to Ixtapa?

My point: Infastructure improvements is the lifeline for thriving cities. But, the character of Zihuatanejo remains quintessential Mexico. Zihuatanejo Bay remains spectacular to view and sail on. Miles of unspoiled beaches are still here for everyone to enjoy. Friendly, cheerful people remain. But, changes are inevitable. Zihuatanejo is STILL authentic Mexico.
Admittedly, it IS slowly becoming more commercialized. Domino's yes...but still no McDonald's or Starbucks...yet. Go with the flow!

You mean those tourists walking to save money because they're too poor to pay the water taxis? Those are the tourists driving Zihuatanejo into the ground. You really don't understand our tourism.

You like the new downtown walkway that paved over 3 to 4 meters of beach? Where the mayor also for the first time, against decades of tradition and civic agreement, built concrete structures on the beach, the palapas, so that now you can't tell the successful restaurants from the cheap ones since no restaurant has to pay for and maintain their own shaded areas on the beach like they used to. I prefer protecting our beaches and continuing to ban constructions on beaches, because allowing them opens up a Pandora's box and deteriorates the beaches for everyone.

As for the walkway to La Madera, after the majority of citizens let the former mayor know we just wanted the walkway maintained after he and other mayors simply allowed it to deteriorate, he abandoned plans for huge cement shaded structures and planters (that no one would've maintained) and gave us what we asked for, with some minor modifications. But then he ignored the citizens when it came to the downtown beach, cut down all the tall palm trees, put some short sickly palm trees, and turned our main plaza into a coconut grove so now it cannot be used as we had used it for the previous 50 years. The plants he planted along the Madera walkway all died the first year. You keep mistaking corruption for some kind of urban planning.

The "parque lineal" is one thing, converting popular walking paths to bike paths is another, and we're not happy about getting run over by bikes, especially electric ones that shouldn't be on any pathway, while strolling about, walking our dogs, or going to and from work as we now must contend with. Never mind all the beautiful trees that died after having the surrounding area of their root systems paved over. There are several stumps left you can see along Canal "La Boquita".

First and foremost, Zihuatanejo should be for the locals. But most locals no longer go to any of the Blue Flag beaches because we don't feel welcome there, we don't like being treated like criminals having our belongings searched, and we don't like being forced to use the services of the expensive tourist-trap restaurants. When locals can no longer continue enjoying their community as they have for generations, then something is wrong, I don't care WHAT tourists think. They can pose in front of all the cement letters and statues and take all the photos they want. All I see is the Disneyfication of what used to be a true paradise that we should've taken better care of instead of allowing it to become overbuilt and overpaved, something land speculators from other places understandably won't agree with.

Very well said. Thank you.

YOU SAID: "When locals can no longer continue enjoying their community as they have for generations, then something is wrong, I don't care WHAT tourists think."

You live here permanently; I don't. Your perspective may very well capture the essence of local issues, faults, and complaints about how Zihuatanejo is governed. We agree on the fact that Zihua should, first and foremost, serve the locals. But, where you and I part company is your apparent assertion that the "cementing" of Zihuatanejo is more for tourists than local citizens. I don't see it that way.

Am I the only one who thinks that most of the "cement projects" (excluding La Cancha--not a fan!) are not seen and used by Zihua locals with pride and admiration? ALL of the major (cement projects) improvements are extensively used by locals; NONE of those projects, in my opinion, were created specifically to jump start tourism in Zihuatanejo. Seems to me that changes initiated were likely based on a reevaluation of civic needs (with some graft and corruption).

At any rate, thanks for sharing your opinion on this topic, Rob. Old or new, upgraded or not, I love Zihuatanejo--the way it was, the way it is.

Now that we have permanent residency and live in Zihuatanejo much of the year, our perspective has changed a bit.

I don't care "what tourists think" either. I'd be delighted to see a fraction of the numbers of visitors, particularly ones like the loud, fat, foulmouthed drunken gringos holding court in a restaurant on Paseo del Pescador earlier this evening.

Then again, I don't depend on tourists to make my living. So there's that.

Yes, there has been an uptick over the years of such disrespectful visitors.

I don't care "what tourists think" either. I'd be delighted to see a fraction of the numbers of visitors, particularly ones like the loud, fat, foulmouthed drunken gringos holding court in a restaurant on Paseo del Pescador earlier this evening.

One of my favourites in Mexico was being on a micro to Petatlan many years ago, during the PRI hegemony. There were of course PRI symbols painted everywhere, including the side of a government building as we approached the highway to Acapulco.

There was a gringo leading a number of other gringos. He authoritatively explained to his congregation that PR1 was the main highway in Mexico, like I-5 is in California, Oregon, and Washington. So if they were ever driving and got lost, just follow the PR1 signs to get to the highway.

On of my favourites in Canada was being in a Thai restaurant. A Caucasian guy led a group into the restaurant and had them seated at a large table that had been set for them. He then stood up and explained to those who had not had Thai food before that, “Thai food is a lot like Chinese food. That’s because Taiwan used to be part of China.” I kid you not.

It has been said, “People who think they know it all are really irritating, especially to those of us who really do know it all.”

First and foremost, Zihuatanejo should be for the locals. But most locals no longer go to any of the Blue Flag beaches because we don't feel welcome there, we don't like being treated like criminals having our belongings searched, and we don't like being forced to use the services of the expensive tourist-trap restaurants. When locals can no longer continue enjoying their community as they have for generations, then something is wrong, I don't care WHAT tourists think. They can pose in front of all the cement letters and statues and take all the photos they want. All I see is the Disneyfication of what used to be a true paradise that we should've taken better care of instead of allowing it to become overbuilt and overpaved, something land speculators from other places understandably won't agree with.

I distinguish between what I think of as “tourists” and what I think of as “visitors”. During the decades I came to the Zihuatanejo area annually I wanted to experience the Zihuatanejo that the local population chose for itself. If I wanted a water slide or a dolphinarium (not that I ever went to either), there was the nearby tourist destination of Ixtapa. Staying at a little place like the Hotel Suzy, or the Posada Citlali, or the Hotel Posada Míchel put me into the visitor’s experience of Zihuatanejo.

Walking Playa Principal, Playa La Madera, Playa La Ropa allowed me to enjoy the same beach’s that local people enjoyed. Last year I had lunch at a restaurant on Playa Ka Madera with some friends and relatives who were staying in Zihuatanejo. They loved it. Although I enjoyed it elegant food in fancy surroundings, the beach itself seemed almost sterile. I harkened back to walking on a vibrant beach alive with children playing, adults in the shade of beach umbrellas, and local foods.

This is not to say that I was never a tourist but for that experience we went to Ixtapa, staying in the long-gone Aristos, then a variety of other hotels.

It used to be that Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo could legitimately advertise “One destination; two experiences”. I fear that the “two experiences” are being lost as Zihuatanejo tries to emulate Ixtapa being a place for “tourists” rather than “visitors”.

Very well said/explained. Agreed.

I agree totally, I am sure an maritime impact study wasn't performed. All said I guess what is done cannot be changed. However I really would like to see the LED lighting either toned down or at least turned off at night. This is really disruptive to the marine environment. If you have ever scuba dived at night with a light you can see how attracted fish are to brought light, scare the crap out me more than once.

Admittedly, it IS slowly becoming more commercialized. Domino's yes...but still no McDonald's or Starbucks...yet. Go with the flow!

“Go with the flow”

is a euphemism for,

“Let those with money and power control your life.”

No. It just means stay mellow. Pick your battles. Not everything or every decision is life or death.

Your opinion is worth exactly what it was before your permanent residence. Your opinion.