Isla Ixtapa

We live here part time, have never been. Have guests coming to visit for a week. We'll do the ruins, Gatas, and Zihua, of course. Possibly a Picante ride, of course, pozole. Should we do Isla Ixtapa? If so, best/most fun way to get there what to do, or not do. I've read a lot about it on line, and don't have a clue, really. We have a vehicle, and love great food, and will be doing a lot of cooking ourselves.
We'll be on and in the water daily at La Ropa, would we hate Isla Ixtapa?

If you get there ona day that when the ocean is calm and the beach uncrowded, you should love it. Even if you don't snorkel, there is a beautiful little beach with clear, calm water on the inland side; we actually prefer it to the coral beach on the other side. We were there last November and had some fresh lobster for lunch -- it was alive when they showed it to us. And the price was very reasonable! Don't recall the name of the restaurant, but I believe it was the last one along the beach, coming from the pier. We always take the city bus to Playa Linda; stopping off to visit the crocodiles is a bonus. Then the water taxi to the island.

In my opinion, Isla Ixtapa is similar to Las Gatas. I like Gatas better, and it is closer to La Ropa, so I would just go to Las Gatas unless I were staying for more than 10 days.

I certainly agree.

I agree and even though I am not a fan of Ixtapa I like Isla Ixtapa better than Gates. The negative is the longer trip from Zihua but like you take the bus and water taxi.

If I had only 10 days I might not get all the way to Isla Ixtapa; but the beach experience there is actually much different from Las Gatas. If you are a person who enjoys getting in the water, you will know what I mean. Plus there is the bonus of a visit to the nature preserve at Playa Linda. And, most days the "pole flyers" are performing there -- always a treat to see. Have not been to Las Gatas recently since I have heard/read that construction on the hillside is making the water quality less than ideal.

We do Isla Ixtapa at least once during our 2 week stay: we sign up with Guillermo Arciniega (cell: 044-755-108-9380) for an in-shore fishing trip. After a few hours of fishing we stop at the island where one of the restaurants cooks some of our catch while we snorkel at Playa Coral. After lunch we take some of our left over tortillas into ankle-deep water and hand feed the fish in the surf. If the wave action is too great on the Playa Coral side for snorkeling, it's less than a 2 minute walk to the other side of the island where the water is calm.

We live here part time, have never been. Have guests coming to visit for a week. We'll do the ruins, Gatas, and Zihua, of course. Possibly a Picante ride, of course, pozole. Should we do Isla Ixtapa? If so, best/most fun way to get there what to do, or not do. I've read a lot about it on line, and don't have a clue, really. We have a vehicle, and love great food, and will be doing a lot of cooking ourselves.
We'll be on and in the water daily at La Ropa, would we hate Isla Ixtapa?

Of COURSE you should visit Isla Ixtapa. I highly recommend the restaurant Katherine recommended. It is called "Paraíso Escondido" and it is located on Playa Varadero, the best beach for swimming. If you want to snorkel just walk behind the restaurant and you'll see Playa Coral just a few steps in front of you, which I find too crowded to enjoy since so many restaurants invaded there about 15 years ago taking up what little level beach area there is.

Playa Varadero

The path behind Paraíso Escondido to Playa Coral

Playa Coral

On your say so, we definitely will visit. What method of transportation do you recommend? The water taxi's? Where do they leave from?
Any other suggestions on what to do?

On your say so, we definitely will visit. What method of transportation do you recommend? The water taxi's? Where do they leave from?
Any other suggestions on what to do?

There's the one weak link. From Zihuatanejo the bus is a looooong tedious affair, and the taxis IMHO are simply ripping people off with the prices they charge. It's almost worth it to rent a car for a day. But if you go by bus try to go early, before 9:00AM to get a bus ride that isn't rush hour packed, and then take a taxi back at the end of the day when you'll be worn out and anxious to get home to shower and rest. Otherwise just take a taxi both ways.

The pier in Ixtapa is in deplorable condition and frankly is a bit dangerous, so watch your step. It is embarrassing that our municipal governments don't take care of details such as this but they simply don't, and short of starting another revolution they won't change even though everyone has been complaining for years about it.

Avoid all the hawkers trying to get you to buy their products or to steer you to other restaurants. It's a bit like running a gauntlet, but a day at Paraíso Escondido is worth it.

If you get there early enough, 8:00AM or so, you can enjoy a delicious Mexican breakfast with them, one of my favorite things. Usually by noon or 1:00PM I'm ready to leave, just as it starts getting crowded.

¡ también!

Our first trip to the island was many years ago and there was a little make-shift restaurant that had no plumbing. Snorkeling equipment was shared by those on the tour and we did not see much sanitation or disinfectant be used, Gross. We sailed there from Zihuat, on the old sailing rig that was replaced by the Current Picante and a fish lunch was provided. That was back in 1992 or 1993!

We have a car for that week. It was cheaper to rent a car for a week than get a guide to the ruins for the day!
Yes, we are very accustomed to driving in Mexico.....

I would not think of not going to Ixtapa Island during my stay.Bring saltine crackers and aqua sox .Best snorkling is close to shore.I actually enjoy the crowds that show up in the afternoons and weekends.I also like both beach areas,Coral for all the people enjoying the water and Varandaro for the beautiful and tranquille view of Playa Linda.(saltines are for the fish,last year gave bunch of saltines to some kids on the beach and they ate them)

We want to go here. Do you know if El Paraiso Escondido will be open the first week of August? It's low season, so will there be services available on Isla?

August is not the "Low Season"... It is the peak of the high season for Mexican Nationals. You will find the island full of people enjoying their natural wonders. I am quite sure all the restaurants will be open.

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www.williammertz.photography

On FB yesterday I saw a pic of the long, long line at the pier to go to La Isla.

It was anticipated that 9000 people had visited there since Wednesday with 100% tables full at all restaurants. Definitely not the low season.

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The only time it is more busy is maybe over Semana Santa. This year was the odd year.