Central Pacific Coast
On Bahía Tenacatita, Manzanilla's calm water is ideal for swimming. You can spot good-sized crocs in the mangroved estuary; the beach itself provides a…
Must-see attractions in Central Pacific Coast
Manzanillo
True to its name (Big Waves Beach), this attractive stretch of sand has lovely surfable breakers and is backed by a handful of simple beach restaurants.
Puerto Vallarta
This beach, just beyond Las Ánimas, has a waterfall accessible by a half-hour hike or by hiring a horse (M$300) on the beach to take you up.
Acapulco
Sinfonía del Mar is an outdoor stepped plaza that occasionally hosts concerts, but mainly serves as an amazing place to view sunsets.
Ixtapa
Playa Escolleras, at the western end of Playa El Palmar near the entrance to the marina, has a decent break and attracts surfers.
Mazatlán
One of Mazatlán's better beaches, Playa Sábalo extends north of the Zona Dorada and is backed by several luxury hotels.
Acapulco
At the eastern end of the Acapulco strip, this lively beach is a good spot for summer sunsets.
Central Pacific Coast
On Bahía Tenacatita, the shore break here can be steep and fast, perfect for bodyboarding.
Mazatlán
North of town, this appealing beach has a cluster of seafood restaurants and decent surf.
Central Pacific Coast
The little-visited ruins at Los Toriles, on the outskirts of Ixtlán del Río, give a rare glimpse into the lives of Nayarit's pre-Hispanic inhabitants. The…
Acapulco
Playas Caleta and Caletilla are two small, protected beaches blending into each other in a cove on the south side of the Península de las Playas. They’re…
Mazatlán
One of Mexico’s largest aquariums has tanks with hundreds of species of freshwater, pelagic and reef fish, a display of skeletons, and birds and frogs in…
Central Pacific Coast
South of the Plaza Principal is the Palacio de Gobierno. Look inside to see some impressive and colorful murals. Painted by José Luis Soto and finished in…
Acapulco
This large shaded children’s park, between Morín and El Cano near Playa Hornitos, is popular with Mexican families. Attractions include a lake with…
Ixtapa
Playa Linda has a small cocodrilario (crocodile reserve) that is also home to fat iguanas and several bird species. You can watch the hulking crocs from…
Mazatlán
This is a small museum in a sprawling colonial courtyard complex, which makes a convincing case for the vitality and innovation of contemporary Mexican…
Acapulco
One of the beaches closest to Old Acapulco is Playa Tlacopanocha, directly across from the zócalo, noteworthy more as a departure point for bay cruises…
Manzanillo
Playa La Audiencia, lining a gorgeous cove on the west side of Península de Santiago, has tranquil water and is popular for waterskiing and other noisy…
Zihuatanejo
In front of downtown, this is Zihua's least appealing beach for bathing, since the water could be cleaner. But the water is calm and without strong…
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
Acapulco
The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, built in 1930, dominates the square and is unusual for its blue-domed, neo-Byzantine architecture.
Acapulco
This statue and roundabout marks the center of Acapulco's strip. Many hotels, restaurants and discos are within a few blocks of it.
Acapulco
One of Acapulco's busy beaches along the strip, this can smell a little fishy at its western end from the day's catch.
Acapulco
The central and busy Playa Hornitos is backed by numerous bars and restaurants. The high-rise hotel zone begins here.
Acapulco
Playa Manzanillo, a small crescent of sand handy for the center, is popular with locals but not especially clean.
Manzanillo
Around a kilometer from the main plaza, this is the closest beach to the old town, but also the dirtiest.
Central Pacific Coast
Celebrates the life of the preeminent 19th-century Mexican poet Amado Nervo, born here in 1870.
Puerto Vallarta
The handiest beach to the Zona Centro is Playa Olas Altas, just south of the Río Cuale.
