The Norm

Guido, we spent the last two winters in Zihua and most of the one before that too. The month of November was spent in Akumal three years back and the rest of that winter in Zihua. Before that we Christmased in Zihua and spring breaked in Q ROO for many years while still working. We feel like we know both places well and keep up on news from both places.

The long standing gang related crime has ramped up a small amount near Zihua and exploded in Quintana Roo as I'm sure you know. It feels like a terrible loss of innocence in Quintana Roo and only a small notch higher near Zihua if any.

I feel that both places are equally safe and/or dangerous as a person chooses to view them.

There is ONE government FILTRO with uniformed soldiers between the airport and Zihua much like the permanent filtros heading in and out of Playa Del Carmen and otherwise we see no others because we travel very little away from town, by choice.

We always rented a car in Q Roo and never feel the need in the more compact area near Zihua.

The scale of most everything is smaller and closer with mountain barriers versus the flat plains of Q Roo.

Something that we had trouble with in Q Roo at first was the real lack of beach restaurants to sit at and trade consumption for your seating. There are many opportunities at all beaches to do this and explore at will near Zihua by bus or taxi or water taxi and combinations of these.

Welcome and enjoy your research.

A planning tip in Q Roo terms is that Ixtapa itself is a one mile hotel zone somewhat like Playacar with predominantly All Inclusive Hotels but with more a la carte dining and beach seating options but still limited choices for both.