Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Wedding Guide

Just north of Acapulco, this quaint hideaway of 100,000 inhabitants is nestled between the Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo offer a tropical ambience without the busyness of the bigger tourist centers like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. Although two distinct towns, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are in such close proximity that they are often referred to as one - Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. Despite the proximity, however, these two towns are worlds apart in flavor and vacation experience.

Ixtapa is a Fonatur contemporary tourist resort town that features a densely-packed hotel strip along a two-mile stretch of beach. Here you’ll find all-inclusive beach resorts, restaurants, bars and nightclubs including the popular Señor Frog’s Disco, retail stores, and two golf courses.

Zihuatanejo is more of a traditional Mexican town, free from large resort complexes and high-rise buildings. It is still an active fishing village and if you stroll down Paseo del Pescador ("the Fisherman’s Walk") you will see fishermen hard at work. Zihuatanejo's specialty is its beautiful boutique hotels and villas. In fact, it can boast home to some of the world's best hotels, including La Casa Que Canta and The Tides Zihuatanejo. La Casa Que Canta has repeatedly been named among the top 100 hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, and was recently awarded #1 in Mexico by both publications. The Tides Zihuatanejo was awarded #5 for the Top 15 Resorts in Mexico by Condé Nast Traveler's 2006 Reader’s Choice Awards.

Among the many attractions to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo are its pristine beaches. Playa la Ropa is perhaps the area’s best beach, and here you'll find Zihuatanejo's most luxurious properties. Beyond the beach, tourists can also enjoy activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, deep sea fishing, parasailing, whale watching, golf and horseback riding. And for an exciting day trip, the bustling city of Acapulco is only three hours away.

Weddings in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo is a picturesque backdrop for a quiet and relaxed seaside wedding, and makes an excellent destination for a romantic honeymoon escape. Some of the best properties for weddings in the area include:

• La Casa Que Canta
  Zihuatanejo's most prestigious hotel. Located on the end of Playa la Ropa beach. Stunning ceremony sites overlooking the Zihuatanejo bay. You'll spend your whole vacation relaxing at the hotel because you'll never want to leave! $$$$

• The Tides Zihuatanejo
  A casual, luxury hotel with the best beachfront on Playa la Ropa beach. Larger and more relaxed than La Casa Que Canta, but still maintains an upscale atmosphere with excellent service. Try the guanabana daiquiri! $$$$

• Hotel Las Palmas
  This small bed & breakfast (6 rooms) is located south of Zihuatanejo near the airport. Right on the beach, this remote property is an ideal place for an intimate wedding. Romantic accommodations and reasonably priced. $$

• Las Brisas Ixtapa
  Large resort with a private beach near Ixtapa, with both European Plan and All-Inclusive rates available. All rooms come with a full ocean view and a large terrace complete with a hammock. Great place for a beach wedding. $$

• Meliá Azul Ixtapa
  Located north of Ixtapa, this large all-inclusive resort is great for families. Beautiful ceremony site on the private pier. The most popular wedding hotel in Ixtapa. $$

More Romantic Hotels in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
If you are looking for some additional lodging to host your guests, or for a romantic honeymoon, these hotels in Zihuatanejo are excellent choices:

• Amuleto
  This luxury boutique hotel is set high on the hill a few minutes from Playa la Ropa beach. This peaceful retreat features gorgeous rooms, romantic dining, and fantastic views of the Zihuatanejo Bay. An excellent choice for an unforgettable honeymoon. $$$
  

• Club Intrawest Zihuatanejo
  A new addition to Playa la Ropa beach. This small hotel of approx. 80 rooms is wonderfully located just down the beach from La Casa Que Canta. The hotel's "Zi Restaurant" is a popular choice for reception dinners (max. 60 guests). $$$
  

• Hotel Tentaciones
  Tiny hotel located up the hill from Playa la Ropa beach. The house features three luxurious suites with fabulous bathrooms, a spacious open-air living/dining area, and a pool surrounded by three ponds. The perfect spot for a romantic cocktail reception. $$$
  

• La Quinta Troppo
  Small bed & breakfast just a short stroll away from Playa la Ropa beach. Intimate and quaint, this boutique hotel features some very romantic, open-air suites. The best room is La Ropa. Great food, great service, great location. Excellent honeymoon spot. $$
  

• Villas del Palmar
  A quaint little villa just up the hill from Playa la Ropa beach with a casual and tropical atmosphere. Features six large villas in three palapa-roofed buildings, complete with kitchens. Very reasonably priced. $

Alternate Wedding Venues
If you would like to hold your wedding or reception outside of a hotel, here are some alternate wedding venues in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

• La Perla Restaurant
  Located directly on La Ropa beach this restaurant is a popular choice for reception dinners. Visit their website at www.laperlarestaurant.net
  

Hotel Map of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
To help you locate the wedding hotels in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, we have pinpointed them for you using Google Maps (Satellite Image). To browse the map, click on the link below:

• Hotel Map of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo

Church Weddings
There are no hotels with on-site chapels in either Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo, and it is difficult to hold a Catholic wedding at any of the hotels. If you are more traditional and prefer to get married in a church, you'll be happy to know that there is a quaint church downtown Zihuatanejo on Calle Pedro Ascencio, next to the markets.


Legal Requirements
View a summary of civil marriage requirements between foreigners in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico: Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

Local Wedding Photographers
Here are some of the most popular local wedding photographers. To find more photographers in Mexico see www.strayweddings.com/find_photographer.php.

• Hector Aranda - www.hectoraranda.com.mx
• Perfiles - www.soluciondigital.com.mx
• Edson - www.emartevisual.com

Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Major Attractions

• Campo de Golf Ixtapa
  Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
  18 holes, par 72
  6,898 yards
  Note: Water hazards have crocodiles!

• Marina Ixtapa Golf Club
  Designed by Robert Von Hagge
  18 holes, par 72
  6,781 yards

• Delfiniti - Swim with Dolphins
  For information visit their website at www.delfiniti.com

Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Local Weather

Average Temperatures by Month (ºF)


Average Temperatures by Month (ºC)


Average Number of Days Precipitation by Month (Days)

Source: www.ixtapa-zihuatanejo.com

Images in order of appearance: (1) Hotel Zone of Ixtapa © Mexico Tourism Board, photograph by Guillermo AldanaMap; (2) Map of Zihuatanejo © MapQuest - www.mapquest.com; (3) La Casa Que Canta © La Casa Que Canta; (4) Suite at The Tides Zihuatanejo © KOR Hotel Group; (5) Main building at Hotel Las Palmas © Hotel Las Palmas; (6) Exterior view of Las Brisas Ixtapa © Brisas Hotels & Resorts; (7) Exterior view of Meliá Azul Ixtapa © Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts; (8) View from Amuleto © StrayWeddings.com; (9) Pool at Club Intrawest Zihuatanejo © StrayWeddings.com; (10) View from Hotel Tentaciones © Tentaciones Properties; (11) La Ropa Suite at La Quinta Troppo © StrayWeddings.com; (12) Villa exterior at Villas del Palmar © StrayWeddings.com, (13) Map of Zihuatanejo © Google Maps, (14) Zihuatanejo church exterior © StrayWeddings.com, (15) Zihuatanejo church interior © StrayWeddings.com.

Note: Maps are intended for illustrative purposes only. Stray Travel Publications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions that may be contained within the maps. If you spot any errors, please let us know!