Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

Mrs. G — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:02:16 +0000

This is one of the most "family oriented, friendly" places I have been! Have never had a problem and look forward each time to coming back!

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

Rick in Texas — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:24:27 +0000

I'm in total agreement, we have been to Z numerous times and have never had a problem or been overly concerned. We've always had a great time and can never wait to return.

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

Harry — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:13:51 +0000

Been to Z. 6X so far and the only brush I had with criminality was that some folks in the hotel where I was staying in Feb. 2011 had their room burgled during the daytime while they were out. Believed to have been a "walk through" on the upper floors of the hotel by someone pretending to be staff. A camera and some jewelery were taken.

This hotel had one entrance off Calle Adelita which is easy to supervise, but also has a gated set of stairs leading to the beach, which is unlocked during the daytime. It is believed that these stairs were used by the intruder to enter and leave.

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

Karen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:22:24 +0000

Can't be more true... I am a woman, here alone, for the past 3 weeks, and it has been peaceful, relaxing, and beautiful - as always. Zihuatanejo needs it's visitors, and the media has done great harm to Mexico with it's irresponsible reporting. There is violence - but, certainly not limited to Mexico. If one takes appropriate precautions, as they would anywhere - lock your doors, don't flash your wealth (and yes, almost 100% of us are blessed with wealth that many don't have - just being able to buy your food, or have a nice dinner at a restaurant, or just buy your ticket here, is a wealth that many Zihuatanejo residents cannot afford...), and also, don't engage in risky behaviors, tempting fate.
Life is good here. The merchants and the restaurants are more than ready to welcome you to Zihuatanejo...

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

bobbybend — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:24:23 +0000

Its been a year since our last trip but ours too was great expierance as usual. No violence no threats just good fun relaxing times. I like to veer of the main tracks at times and still never feel uneasy. Nights are for taxis just like most cities where ever you go.

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

Greg in Rocky Mountain House — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:20:23 +0000

A good post Curly.Great idea. In the 20 years we have been visiting Zihua and Ixtapa we have always felt exactly the way you describe - and I'm willing to bet this January/February we will feel it all over again!! Ahhhhh Zihua.

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

kate — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 02:02:51 +0000

Glad to hear all is well in Zihua and that you both had a great time!

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

Taylor1 — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:35:32 +0000

Good to hear. This just confirms all that we know of Zihua. Still wise to be vigilant though.

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

Catalina — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:37:41 +0000

I have only had good experiences the nine years my sister and I have traveled to Zihua. We also walk Playa del Ropa beach every evening.
This past year we went to town and my sister had to take a cab back to the hotel and I stayed in town by myself, walking around, hanging out at the town square etc. One person asked if I needed help (I had been walking down by the boats docked on Playa Madera). I think he wondered what a middle aged white woman was doing walking by herself and then he asked if I lived there, which cracked me up. I hung out on the wharf and felt totally safe. La gente (the people) are so friendly and warm and I have never felt
threatened. Zihua is one of my favorite places in the whole world. ....

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security (reply)

norton1961 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:36:05 +0000

I second that, we are on la ropa beach and will be for the next two weeks and I have no worries. Just be smart about what you are doing, and treat it just like you are at home and all will be good.

Feeling Safe in Zihuatanejo - Safety - Violence - Security

Curly! — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:31:46 +0000

I am putting this here in hopes that potential visitors will find it in the archives. That's the reason for the semi whacked subject line. If you have something to add, so much the better... I suppose.

Zihuatanejo trip 10/28/2011 to 11/7/2011. Just now starting to lose my tan. Dang!

In the ten days I recently spent in Zihuatanejo, not one thing put me on guard, when it comes to safety. No one threatened me (with the possible exception of my wife), no one harassed me, I never felt in danger or witnessed anything that could lead anyone to say they were either. We walked on Playa la Ropa after dark, numerous times. We walked and took the bus into town, but always taxied back to the Catalina, when out after dark. I felt comfortable with my wife walking into, and back from town alone. I put our passports in a lock box at the reception desk and kept my wallet with me at all times, but left an ipod, ipad, speaker system, camera, prescription drugs etc. in the room when it was time to hit the beach or the pool. I made a gizmo out of a plastic sleeve and a coat hanger to slip my ipad into, then hung a pair of pants and a shirt over it in the closet, just in case. My wife and I both left our big a$$ed diamond wedding rings at home and wore the ones we got married with (kinda neat, really). We didn't flash wads-o-dough around (like I have any), nor did we get drunk, loud or ornery in any public place. We stayed to the main streets after dark and checked our bill closely when we spent money.

In other words, we mostly did what we would do on any trip, to anywhere, and not once were we worried about anything. If you prepare and take a bit of caution, regarding your trip, the only thing you'll have to worry about is getting to hora feliz on time.