Ixtapa

The questions people ask first about Ixtapa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
• SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
• Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
• TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
• SafetyThe resort corridor is calm and heavily patrolled; the real risks are surf and lagoon wildlife, unmarked taxi fares…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeCoffee or a beer at a beach barM$50–120
• Street or quick mealTaco or seafood plate at a taqueria in ZihuatanejoM$100–250
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, hotel zone to ZihuatanejoM$150–250
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$300–600
• Budget bedBudget room in Zihuatanejo (5 km (3.1 mi) away), a night, per roomBudget room in Zihuatanejo (3.1 mi (5 km) away), a night, per roomMX$700 (≈ US$40)
• Mid-range bedBudget room in Zihuatanejo (5 km (3.1 mi) away), a night, per roomBudget room in Zihuatanejo (3.1 mi (5 km) away), a night, per roomMX$1,200 (≈ US$65)
• High-end bedBudget room in Zihuatanejo (5 km (3.1 mi) away), a night, per roomBudget room in Zihuatanejo (3.1 mi (5 km) away), a night, per roomMX$2,200 (≈ US$120)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$900 (≈ US$50) · Mid MX$2,000 (≈ US$110) · High MX$4,000 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

ZIH Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International (About 20 km (12 mi) from the Ixtapa hotel zone; taxi or pre-booked transfer, roughly 20–30 min. Direct domestic flights from Mexico City and international flights from Toronto and Los Angeles (check current schedules).)ZIH Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International (About 12 mi (20 km) from the Ixtapa hotel zone; taxi or pre-booked transfer, roughly 20–30 min. Direct domestic flights from Mexico City and international flights from Toronto and Los Angeles (check current schedules).)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

M$700–1,200 excl. bed (eat in Zihuatanejo, buses and shared boats)

Mid

M$1,500–2,500 excl. bed (taxi hops, one tour, mixed restaurants)

High

M$3,000+ excl. bed (resort dining, golf, private boat)

• No hostels or budget hotels in Ixtapa: cheap beds are in Zihuatanejo.
• Agree taxi fares before departure; meters are not standard.
• September and October are the rainiest months and storm season — check forecasts before booking.
• Crocodiles live in the lagoons and golf-course water: keep to marked paths and do not swim in lagoons.
• Guerrero state roads outside the resort corridor need local advice; travel in daylight and prefer toll (cuota) highways.
• Swim with care at Playa Linda and Playa Coral: the open-Pacific side has rougher surf.