Relax on the Cheap in Magical Zihuatanejo

Stunning, Inexpensive Beauty Makes for a Great Holiday

Jul 5, 2009

Many remember the name of this Mexican town from a popular movie called 'Shawshank Redemption'. See it up close and personal and realize why it is simply unforgettable.

About 145 miles north of Acapulco is the quiet, romantic bay town of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. This still, somewhat sleepy fishing village of about 60,000 locals charms and rewards those lucky enough to make the trek.

With soft, sand beaches and sparkling, blue water surrounded by steep, tropical inclines, this place resonates with an abundance of ways to leave behiind the hectic pace of everyday life.

Playa la Ropa is the most popular of the many small beaches and with good reason. The white sand is soft beneath your feet, the rolling waves are gentle and the scene before you is postcard perfect. Numerous restaurants dot the landscape complete with comfortable lounge chairs and brightly colored umbrellas.

The food and drink is very good and very cheap, a nice trade-off considering service is typically on the slow side. It is best to go with the Mexican flow and let things unfold in slow, unhurried time. Linger over a cold drink while enjoying the perfect view and feel the stress of a usually jam-packed life leave your body.

A plus for many is the lack of beach vendors. One or two can be found lazily hawking parasail rides or fishing. An occasional vendor selling boiled peanuts or shell necklaces my sporadically walk by, but they are politely quiet and never seem to intrude.

Walking from the beach to a hillside home-away-from-home is a surefire way to feel no guilt over the food and cocktails consumed from a lounge chair. A meal of fish tacos, nachos and two rounds of drinks can be had for a whopping fourteen dollars, an unheard of bargain these days. An additional bonus for the active tourist is this town is winding and steep close in to the bay and it makes for some calorie burning workouts. For those less inclined to break a physically induced sweat, taxis are plentiful and cheap.

Delicious, inexpensive meals are found everywhere. 30 dollars buys fresh tuna sashimi and al dente pasta alfredo, including drinks for two, at Porto di Mare on the boardwalk. Il Mare Restorante, found perched atop one of the steep streets leading into downtown, is a romantic spot affording amazing views of the marina and bay. Adding to the pleasure is dining on deliciously turned out food such as a goat cheese appetizer flambayed in brandy, extra large pork chops with fluffy mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables, fresh jumbo shrimp sauteed in butter, wine and garlic and plenty of wine and beer for a paltry 40 dollars, including tip.

When not busy eating on the cheap or napping under a palapa, it is well worth taking some time to explore this unassuming town and mingle with the locals. English is not widely spoken, but it does not seem to present a barrier. Downtown is easy to navigate and very safe.

Shopping is a pleasure with low cost finds such as leather bracelets with pretty stones for a few dollars, a delicate sterling silver necklace with a beautiful, semi-precious stone for 16 dollars, and a hand-tooled leather belt with multiple silver accents for 35 dollars. Several fresh-baked pastries sell for 10 pesos (less than a dollar).

When the time presents itself, investigate the laid-back jewel that is Zihuatanejo. A well deserved, inexpensive holiday in a stunning locale can be had for the taking.

The copyright of the article Relax on the Cheap in Magical Zihuatanejo in Mexican Travel is owned by Sandy Glenn. Permission to republish Relax on the Cheap in Magical Zihuatanejo in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.