Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Spending a day in Ixtapa recommendations

Hello, we have been to Zihua several times, but never made the trip to Ixtapa. This time around our trip to Zihua is longer than usual so we might want to go spend a day in Ixtapa just for a change.
I envision we'd go to a beachfront restaurant, eat and hang out for a few hours, but that's as far as I get.
My questions are:

Where should we get off the bus to be closer to a beach?
Do you have any favorite restaurant that we should try while there, preferably one on the beach, since I think we'd only have one meal there.
Are there any beaches or places where we are not allowed to be because we're not staying at any of those hotels?

Thank you, any insights appreciated.

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2265 views

Get off the bus at Barceló. On the south side of Barceló there is a path to the beach. Enjoy the walk up the beach until you get to a couple of bars on the beach. About 15 mins. Cant say anything about the food there. We just get together there on Friday evenings. Our favorite restaurant in Ixtapa is La Malinche across from the Holiday Inn behind Rubys.
We are on the beach past the bars, and love it , one of our favorite walking beaches.
Also from the bar you can go back out to the Blvd and catch the bus back.

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I had heard Julio might be the restauranteur at Charlies on the beach?

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I have been going to Zihuatanejo since 1972. Since the inception of the all inclusives in Ixtapa the wonderful beach of Playa Palmar has become, almost, only accessable to the hotel guests. I only know of two public accesses to the beach and there are only two beach bars/restaurants ( near the captured dolphins) and across from the Palmas Golf course, on the entire beach. This is supposedly a " eco beach' but it is not tourist friendly unless you stay at beach hotel. Really, have you ever visited a 'national Mexican' beach where you can't buy a beer or have bite to eat with out walking 600 meters? Don't get me wrong. It's a great beach, you should have seen it in the 70's. But it has been Shangaied by the hotels and FOUNTOR.

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2030 views

There are more of us in condos than hotels. The hotels do not control the beach

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1923 views

Karral,no,no,and then no B-)

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Wait! I thought we were going to Ixtapa Island together!!!!

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Tally,will definitely drop everybody off,,,but walking Playa Palmar without a wrist band,give me a break.. :kingtut:

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We put bands on to go to Zihua, then the punks know you are not carrying money.
Ja ja ja

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2031 views

:megusta:

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Ixtapa Island!!!!!

We are in Zihuatanejo at least 5 months a year now, and at least once have to ride the Ixtapa bus to the end, walk past the crocodiles and spoonbills to the jetty, and ride the boat to the island.

Find a restaurant that looks like fun, snorkel, eat, drink, take crackers or whatever to feed the fish in knee deep water and carrots for the little deer. It's touristy, SO Mexico, and uniquely fun.

The return bus leaves where you got off of it every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour.

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Our family favorite is gelato at Fragolino. I recommend the coconut gelato.

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1841 views

Also bring Temptations for the cat at Fragalino

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1877 views

Thank you everyone!

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If you are planing to go to Ixtapa Island, make sure the bus says Ixtapa Island not Ixtapa. If you take the bus just to Ixtapa, the bus turns around at the Marina. There are a lot of restaurants along the Marina.