Introducing Ixtapa
At first glance, Ixtapa is a model of perfection. The beaches are spotless. The glitzy hotels are modern and luxurious. Not a palm tree or blade of grass out of place. But dig deeper and you’ll soon realize it’s all a mirage. Ixtapa was a huge coconut plantation until the late 1970s when Fonatur (the Mexican government’s tourism development group) decided that the Pacific coast needed a Cancún-like resort. The result was Ixtapa, a soulless, sterile collection of concrete high-rises and chain restaurants. Locals have attempted to repair that image by opening traditional restaurants and focusing on the area’s natural beauty. But Ixtapa remains a Disneyfied resort that will never be able to manufacture the charm or character of its sister city, Zihuatanejo.
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Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Ixtapa to San Cristobal in January
by mclarjh 08 September 2011
Check some other guidebooks, such as The Rough Guide, and Footprint, for cheaper accomodation listings than our beloved lonelyplanet guide.…
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RE: Ixtapa to San Cristobal in January
by heyduke 08 September 2011
San cris is worth the visit. The sun makes it warm during the day but cold at night. 7200 ft altitude is why its cold.
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Re: Ixtapa to San Cristobal in January
by vancouvert 08 September 2011
Cold hey? Ugh, not what I had in mind. I guess I was in Xela (GUA) last Feb and it was freezing. Is it cold in Oaxaca too? I really…
