Ixtapa

Pros: Very clean, modern, well maintained beach resort: perfect resort for many Americans
Cons: Almost antisepticly American feeling: but nearby Zihuatenejo is very Mexican

Late winter is the perfect time to pack up and head to Mexico, where the weather is warm and the hammocks are waiting! I was lucky to be able to spend most of early February this year in Mexico, including a glorious week of rest and relaxation in Ixtapa...

Pros: Jungle luxury, beach close, beautiful house & grounds, fully equipped house, inexpensive
Cons: Bugs in summer, no A/C (if you need that sort of thing)

(Author's note: Ixtapa is an artifical beach resort created by the government. If you're looking for ...

Pros: Clean, economical, above average restaurant, ideal location, friendly and competent staff.
Cons: Hard beds (typical of many Mexican hotels), some rooms do not have balconies.

The Villa Mexicana hotel is located on Playa La Ropa just south of Zihuatanejo. It is a smaller, two-story hotel right on the beach. I have stayed there two years in a row, giving up a very good hotel in Ixtapa (the Posada Real) for this one. The owner ...

Pros: Riviera Beach Hotel/beach, Swimming with Dolphins, Deep Sea Fishing, 90 degrees in January
Cons: Sunburn, Zihua didn't impress us

THE RIVIERA BEACH HOTEL IS A GREAT CHOICE. Our family includes a 14 & 17 year old. We were quoted the SAME total price for either ONE room at the Krystal or TWO rooms at the Riviera. We definitely liked the privacy offered by the two-room option! We ...

Pros: Relaxing, inexpensive, and a fascinating sample of what Mexico is all about
Cons: I had to come home :^(

And yet they are worlds apart.

If high-rise, luxury resort hotel complexes are your thing, Ixtapa is right up your alley. But if you're like me and want to experience the real Mexico, after you land at the airport don't go any further...

Pros: Great hotel, good location, reasonable price.
Cons: Expect rain in the summer.

The Krystal is a five star property located on the beach, and one of the original hotels to first develop Ixtapa, so it's a little older. I vacationed there with my husband and another couple, in July during a hurricane, for 10 days. Were it not for...

Pros: Excellent beach, large, comfortable accommodations and easy access to town via inexpensive public transportation
Cons: Friday check-in

As an RCI Gold Crown Resort, the Azul Ixtapa offers a great location, large accommodations and a beautiful beach. We vacationed here as a family, with my husband and 4 year old son. We came in late spring and experienced good weather. The resort was...

Pros: Location in Troncones. Grounds are relaxing. Hammocks work well for siesta. Mexican staff work hard & try to accomodate guests.
Cons: On site owner gossips about staff, guests. Price is a little high compared to other Troncones lodging.

Review Topic:  Accommodations

When we tried to get reservations in Troncones at one of our favorite places -- Eden Hacienda -- they were full. So we took a chance and reserved 4 nights at La Posada de los Raqueros. We will not...

Pros: Clean, beautiful weather, unthreatening
Cons: Too "resorty," not Mexican enough

Review Topic:  Accommodations

We traveled to Ixtapa last April, and there are several reasons we will never go back. First of all, our hotel, the Doubletree (which has since changed to a Radisson) was a nightmare. We paid for...

Pros: Great beaches, sun and surf
Cons: you eventually have to go home

Ixtapa is a great place to go because you can have the upscale 5 star hotel experience and yet less than 5 miles away is Zihuatenajo, a several hundred year old Mexican fishing village.

My wife and I honeymooned there and while we stayed in...

Pros: Price. Relaxing location. Clean. Friendly.
Cons: You have to eventually leave.

12/26/00 Update -- The article below was written some time ago, & I have had a chance to return to Eden Hacienda this past November, 2000. This Update is added to offer current information.

In November, 2000 I was back at Eden Hacienda...

Pros: Sun, Mountains and the beach
Cons: As everyone else says: having to leave

We visited Ixtapa last year June 28 - July 2. It was wonderful. We took along friends that had never traveled outside of the U.S. and this was a wonderful experience for all of us. We did and always will use an all-inclusive package. Why? Because...

Pros: Beautiful place, good getaway
Cons: Humid in July

We flew To Zihuatanejo on the 12th of July, 2000, and took a taxi to Ixtapa, which is about 4 miles away. We got to see the real Mexico on our way to the hotel. There where a lot of shacks that made us appreciate our house. There was a beautiful...

Pros: Breathtaking scenery, great food
Cons: none

My husband and I picked Ixtapa as our honeymoon destination in 1995. At that time it was fairly new as a resort town, and was just starting to become a tourist location. We were looking for something serene and romantic without all the tourist "stuff"....

Pros: Beauty is in the "eye" of the reader
Cons: Painful and disdainful "ugly Americanisms"

As we pen these passions regarding sites, sounds and other sensorial infusions, please be careful with the manner in which you state the name and/or any other [non-Anglicism]!! Countries, cities, and attractions take considerable offense as we...