Acapulco
This island offers a popular (crowded) beach, and snorkeling and diving possibilities on the far side. You can rent snorkeling gear, kayaks and more. From…
Must-see attractions in Central Pacific Coast
Central Pacific Coast
The cliff-hugging road south of San Juan de Alima climbs above the coast, offering gorgeous views of desolate sandy beaches below. The tiny white strand…
Ixtapa
Ixtapa's longest (2.5km) and broadest stretch of blond sand is overrun by parasailing and jet-skiing concessions. The sea takes on an aquamarine sheen in…
Zihuatanejo
About 12km south of Zihuatanejo, just before the airport, Playa Larga has big surf, beachfront restaurants and horseback riding. This is where Andy…
Acapulco
Perched on a hilltop high above Acapulco is this quiet spot for reflection, an airy '70s A-frame chapel surrounded by lovely gardens and providing…
Acapulco
This beautifully restored pentagonal fort was built in 1616 atop a hill east of the zócalo. Its mission was to protect the Spanish naos (galleons)…
Acapulco
Located on the campus of a Jesuit university, these botanical gardens house an impressive collection of flora and fauna. The well-marked footpath climbs…
Acapulco
A dying Diego Rivera spent the final two years of his life at this villa with his muse and lover, Mexican art collector Dolores 'Lola' Olmedo. Rivera…
Central Pacific Coast
Accessible only via guided tour, this botanic garden is home to a staggering 300 types of butterflies, abundant birdlife and equally abundant insect life …
Mazatlán
This tiny distillery is the only one of its kind, specializing in brewing up mango liquors, which can be sampled here in their pure form or as part of a…
Central Pacific Coast
This small museum on the plaza focuses on pre-Hispanic civilizations that once inhabited the region, such as the Aztátlan, and there's a modest collection…
Acapulco
The beaches on Bahía Puerto Marqués, about 18km southeast of the zócalo, are very popular, and its calm waters are good for waterskiing and sailing. You…
Central Pacific Coast
Near the archaeological site of Xihuacan, a museum houses three rooms full of Spanish-language displays, which place the local archaeological finds in a…
Barra de Potosí
This nature center rehabilitates injured wildlife, breeds butterflies and parrots, and contributes to environmental education in the area. The grounds are…
Mazatlán
At the Mazatlán peninsula’s southern end, a prominent rocky outcrop is the base for this lighthouse, which is 135m above sea level. Join the locals either…
Acapulco
Beyond the Puerto Marqués turnoff and before the airport, Playa Revolcadero is a long, straight beach that has seen a recent explosion in luxury tourism…
Central Pacific Coast
On the palm-fringed Bahía Tenacatita, Playa Tenacatita has clear snorkeling waters and a large mangrove lagoon with good bird-watching. There is a land…
Central Pacific Coast
On the river, this crocodile nursery rears toothy reptiles that later get released into the wild as part of a repopulation program. There are also some…
Mazatlán
Although not as famous nor as spectacular as Acapulco's cliff divers, local clavadistas cast their bodies from a couple of platforms at the eponymous…
Ixtapa
A long stretch of greyish sand, Playa Linda is popular with locals, though the water towards the north end can be murky thanks to the nearby rivers and…
Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande
Zihuatanejo
This small museum houses six rooms with exhibits on the history, archaeology and culture of the Guerrero coast. It displays feature jewelry, stone tools,…
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción
Mazatlán
At the center of the old town is this striking 19th-century Romanesque and neo-Gothic melange of a cathedral with yellow twin towers. The dramatic…
Acapulco
Playa La Angosta is in a tiny, protected cove on the west side of the peninsula. From the zócalo it takes about 20 minutes to walk here. Or you can take…
Central Pacific Coast
This museum displays contemporary popular art of Nayarit’s Huichol, Cora, Tepehuano, Mexicanero and mestizo peoples, including clothing, yarn art, weaving…
Puerto Vallarta
A trip to Vallarta wouldn't be complete without lingering on Isla Río Cuale, a sand island that appeared in the river mouth in the 1920s and was then…
Mazatlán
In Old Mazatlán, the crescent-shaped Playa Olas Altas is where tourism first flourished from the 1920s onwards, although the rocky beach is buffeted by…
Puerto Vallarta
Playa de las Ánimas is a long, sandy beach with a small fishing village and some palapa (thatched-roof) restaurants offering fresh seafood. It's also a…
Manzanillo
Boasting the best surfing and bodysurfing waves in the area, the long and beautiful Playa Miramar is an ideal place to take the plunge and rent a…
Manzanillo
This 6km-long, curving strip of sand is rather steep and buffeted by Pacific surf, so it's better for sunbathing and walking than swimming. It stretches…
Sayulita
One popular destination near central Sayulita is Playa Los Muertos, where picnics and bodyboarding top the action. It’s a 15-minute walk south along the…
Puerto Vallarta
Despite its name, Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) is a lively beach which is handy for downtown. At the southern end of the beach, a stretch of…
Mazatlán
Flanked by a broad malecón (beach promenade) popular with joggers and strollers, the golden sands of Playa Norte begin just north of Old Mazatlán. Fishing…
Manzanillo
Just across the harbor from the old town, this long stretch of sand is backed by a fast-growing zone of hotels, restaurants and bars. Buses marked 'Las…
Central Pacific Coast
At Bahía de Chamela, Playa El Negrito is an isolated, relaxing beach with a couple of restaurants but no hotels. The nine islands in the expansive bay are…
Zihuatanejo
Shallow-watered Playa Madera is good for swimming. It's a pleasant five-minute walk east from downtown along a concrete walkway (popular with young…
Ixtapa
On the other side of Punta Ixtapa from the main resort area, Playa Quieta is popular with spring breakers staying at the Club Med, the biggest hotel on…
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Puerto Vallarta
The crown-topped steeple of the Parish Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the town's central cathedral, is a Vallarta icon, and the hand-ringing of the…
Manzanillo
On the far side of the Península de Santiago from town, this is one of Manzanillo's cleaner beaches and part of the 8km-long Santiago Bay. Buses marked …
Central Pacific Coast
This museum, located in an old salt-storage barn a block behind the main plaza, traces the history of the region’s sea salt extraction and economy. All…
Mazatlán
Many of Mazatlán's hotels are on this long strip of sand. Sheltered by picturesque islands, the waters here are generally calm and ideal for swimming and…
