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Ixtapa and
Zihuatanejo travel information.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is a unique
world-class travel destination located in the North East area of
Guerrero, in Mexico. Gifted with the privilege of a consistent
weather along the year, it has attractions and services that
will make your visit an unforgettable experience.
Ixtapa's two world-class, 18-hole courses make this tropical
destinationa haven for golf enthusiasts. The courses are located
at opposite ends of Ixtapa's main hotel strip, just five minutes
apart by taxi. Zihuatanejo is just 10 minutes away.
Palma Real Golf Course (Campo de Golf Palma Real) was designed
by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 1977 as a key element in the Master
Plan of FONATUR (National Fund for Tourism Development) which
conceived and developed Ixtapa as a modern resort destination,
and created this golf course from a coconut plantation.
Marina Ixtapa Golf Club (Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa), designed
by Robert von Hagge, opened in January 1994 as part of the multi-million-dollar
Marina Ixtapa project.
The two courses are located at opposite ends of Ixtapa's main
hotel strip, just five minutes apart by taxi. (Zihuatanejo is
just 10 minutes away.)
Both are both known for their expert and personalized caddy
service which is also traditional throughout Mexico.
Palma Real Golf Course (Campo de Golf Palma Real) A superb
example of original Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, this par 72,
6,898-yard Palma Real Golf Course harmonizes with its
environment which, in fact, is a former coconut plantation that
retains its natural lakes, lagoons, and lush tropical vegetation
alongside the scenic Pacific coastline. The Sierra Madre Sur
provides a panoramic mountainous backdrop.
Players enjoy not only some of the world's best golfing, but
also a feeling of closeness to Nature. Surrounding the course
are coconut and other species of palms, and trees abundant with
mangoes, guavas, limes, oranges and almonds. Brilliantly-colored
flowers accent the verdant vegetation.
Mexican and international ecologists consider these grounds a
wildlife preserve. Golfers see and hear a variety of exotic
birds such as parrots,macaws, cardinals, and a rare and peculiar
species of eagle called pescador ("fisherman") because it feeds
exclusively on fish from the lakes. Seen but not heard are
rabbits and "giant" iguanas. Do not attempt to retrieve balls
from the water hazards because crocodiles live in some of them!
They usually repose submerged and out of sight, however they do
stroll around at dawn.
Marina Ixtapa Golf Club (Club de Golf Marina Ixtapa) Robert von
Hagge, famed for creating some of the world's most outstanding
courses, designed this par 72, 6793-yard course with meandering
canals, 12 bridges, and a dunes-style topography.
Rolling terrain covers 136 acres, with expansive sand traps and
water hazards guarding 14 of the 18 holes. No wonder Golf Digest
Magazine ranked it as one of Mexico's best.
The Clubhouse, in Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, features
and airy restaurant and lounge areas with picture windows and
balconies overlooking the yacht marina and golf course.
Facilities include a full-service pro-shop, men's and women's
locker rooms, tennis courts, swimming pool and, of course, the
"19th hole for that extra round".
Scuba Diving. Whether scuba diving through 100-foot canyons or
snorkeling at 10 feet, vacationers, professional divers and even
marine biologists are astonished by the underwater scenery and
wealth of sea life.
Because of the confluence of two currents here, the Humboldt and
the Equatorial Counter Current, marine biodiversity is thriving
and extraordinarily rich. Visibility reaches 70 and even 100
feet, the water is 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and, amazingly,
colorful coral reefs are still being discovered! Sea life ranges
from tiny seahorses to humpback whales.
There are brightly "decorated" nudibranches, queen angelfish,
Cortés angelfish, yellow barberfish,striped Mexican goatfish,
and a continuous flurry of brilliantly colored little tropical
fish darting around the corals.
The sandy bottom can reveal camouflaged crabs, starfish,
guitarfish, even a patchwork of graceful electric stingrays. You
can interact with an octopus that changes colors when it sees
you, and marvel at giant manta rays and whale sharks as well as
smaller eagle rays and guitarfish. During summer or early fall (June-October)
you may even see a big golfina sea turtle swimming by, returning
to her beach of birth lay her eggs. Compared to the Caribbean,
currents here are minimal.
There are dozens of underwater sites-- shallow corals for
snorkeling, jagged underwater canyons 100 feet deep, even sunken
ships.
Manzanillo Beach, just south of Zihuatanejo Bay and accessible
by boat, is great for snorkeling with vivid corals and abundant
sea life at 10 to 20 feet.
Caleta de Chon is a coral reef outside Zihuatanejo Bay, for
relatively shallow scuba.
Morros de Potosi, a 45-minutes boat ride down the coast off
Barra de Potosi, are huge offshore granite rock islets.
They rise from depths of over 100 feet up to 90 feet above the
sea, and there are underwater caverns, valleys and huge patches
of coral. These rocks are "painted white" with guano, and one is
nicknamed "the iceberg". (The Morros de Potosi are an impressive
sight from your airplane upon approach or after takeoff.)
Excellent NAUI and PADI dive shops in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo
offer tailor-made diving according to the skill level of the
participants. Safety takes top priority and equipment is
carefully maintained.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is not a typical party or spring breaker
destination, however, it does offer an assortment of nocturnal
entertainment options; the small and cozy bars you will find in
Zihuatanejo, the most sophisticated lounges with a view to the
bay or a romantic bar in the heart of Zihuatanejo where the
rhythms of trova, salsa and bolero will no doubt bring forth
memorable moments.
Ixtapa wakes up at the after hours bars, those who love the
intense nightlife will enjoy the various clubs and bars
scattered throughout the Boulevard.
In addition, you will find several spots that offer live music
to delight your ears or to dance until dawn.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is an attractive destination in many ways;
you can intensely enjoy its nightlife in a romantic or frenzied
fashion, but always with a touch of sophistication.
Getting married is a big step in the life of every couple. For
this unforgettable moment, there is no better option than to get
married surrounded by the abundant nature of the Pacific Coast,
with the beaches and the sceneries that only Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo
can offer.
Have you ever imagined getting married on the beach, caressed by
a tropical climate, while hearing with the sound of the waves
and watching a beautiful sunset? Then imagine enjoying an
unforgettable party with an exquisite banquet overlooking the
beautiful beaches of Zihuatanejo, or in an elegant reception in
Ixtapa in one of its magnificent seaside settings or elegant
saloons.
A wedding ceremony on the beach with the sunset as background,
followed by a romantic oceanfront dinner... or, maybe a walk
with your spouse through a tropical garden in the midst of a
magical atmosphere lit with torches and moonlight reflected on
the warm sand... or even better, ride a horse through the ocean
waves surrounded by palm trees and leaves moving with the soft
sea breezes. If you choose to have a very private event for just
the two of you, we can assure you that anything is possible.
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