Zihuatanejo Tours: The 11 We Would Rebook

1.Private Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $59Our pick

Spend about four hours touring Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup. Guides such as Luis, Francisco, Pablo, and Tony explain local history, politics, food, beaches, and daily life. See Playa Linda’s wildlife, shop at a farmers market, visit the marina, and tailor the route to your group.

“A tour with Luis is the perfect start to a trip in Zihua. He knows the right restaurant(s) to eat at, where to shop and what beaches are best for your needs. Had the best taco ever, sipped a perfect margarita at La Ropa, saw the waves in Ixtapa, and even made friends with a few iguanas. If you are traveling to Zihuatanejo, Luis should be your first point of contact. He will tailor your time with him to be just what you want/need.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Ixtapa Island Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 134 reviews · from $44Best value

Leave your Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo hotel for a guided day at Ixtapa Island. Walk between three beaches, watch lagoon wildlife at Playa Linda, swim, rent snorkel gear, and enjoy a choice of chicken, fish, or shrimp with lunch. Guides such as Luis, Pablo, Francisco, and Axel add local insight and practical help.

“The Ixtapa Island tour was a fantastic addition to our family vacation to Mexico. After getting picked up from your hotel in a van, we were ferried across to the island (very short boat ride). The island is very small but unique in that it has a reef with surprisingly great snorkeling on the ocean side and a beautiful white sand beach for swimming on the other side (literally less than 100 steps). You’re provided with a great meal choice and drink but can easily upgrade to amazing coconut shrimp and fancy drinks if desired. Luis (our guide in two trips in this area) was phenomenal and helped our family…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Xihuacan Culture and Archaeology Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa to Xihuacan with a local English-speaking guide such as Pablo, Francisco, Antonio, or Paco. Visit the site museum, ball court, Edificio B pyramid, and Soledad de Maciel, then eat a traditional seafood or Mexican lunch with handmade tortillas. Small groups reach a maximum of 14.

“Pablo was very friendly and knowledgeable about the history and ancient cultures of the region. We learned a lot and had a fun time. My spouse and I were the only ones on the tour so we had a personal experience. In other areas in the past, we have had tours canceled because there weren't enough people signed up. This company goes on their scheduled tours even with few people. It was nice to get out of Zihua and see some of the countryside on our drive to and from the ruins. On the way back, Pablo told us lunch was included and we would stop at a nice roadside…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Baby Sea Turtle Releasing Sightseeing Tour with Luis de la Maza

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 111 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Luis de la Maza takes you from your Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa hotel to Juluchuca, a rural coastal community about 40 to 60 minutes away. You’ll learn about three local sea turtle species, see a nest hatching, and release baby turtles from the wet sand. Guides may include Luis, Francisco, Juan, Pablo, or Paco, with local turtle caretakers leading the beach work.

“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this tour with Luis. He drove the two of us south to a small town in his car, then we transferred to an ATV for a bumpy trip about a mile to the beach and turtle nursery. Along with another small group we learned about the three turtle types on this beach. We then transferred our 65 or so newborns to baskets, then after some frigate birds finally left, carried them just above the surf and released them. It was quite exciting to help them start their journey. We highly recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Las Gatas Kayaking and Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $101

Paddle from La Ropa Beach across Zihuatanejo Bay with guides such as Luis, Pablo, or Axel, then snorkel Las Gatas seawall and the King of Kings statue. A beach lunch, hotel transfers, gear, and time to swim are included. The five-hour outing suits families and beginners, though strong snorkelers may want more time in the water.

“Pablo was amazing and we had a great tour and meal! It was such a fun time and I would do it again!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Transportation from the Zihuatanejo Airport to your hotel in Ixtapa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · 30 to 40 minutes (approx.)

Meet your driver at the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport, then ride directly to your Ixtapa hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Luis and his team, including Victor, Francisco, Guillermo, and Frank, help with luggage, offer bottled water, and may share useful local advice. The service carries groups of up to nine people.

“We were on a girls trip. Luis picked us up. He was amazing and very helpful. We would recommend him everytime. Very knowledgeable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Zihuatanejo Food -Tasting and Walking Tour (Not for vegetarian)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $77

Walk Zihuatanejo’s central farmers market and visit about five or six family-run food stalls and small restaurants with guide Francisco. Expect traditional meat-based dishes, Mexican food history, a mix of walking and driving, and plenty to eat. Hotel pickup is available from Ixtapa, with the tour ending at Plaza Kioto.

“Francisco was an amazing host on this food extravaganza. We went to 5 different restaurants, sampling different types of fare all delish. Francisco is very knowledgeable and defiantly a foodie. He provided lots of interesting information and anecdotes about the food. We ended the tour with a special treat to a Mezcal tasting. I could not eat for a day after this tour, so much good food!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Horseback Riding on the Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 54 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $77

Ride a calm, well-trained horse from Playa Larga through a local community, mangrove lagoon, and coconut plantation, then along the beach where waves reach your horse’s feet. Guides such as Ramon, Pablo, and Luis provide help and local insight. Hotel or cruise-terminal pickup, water, and several departure times are included.

“We were picked up as promised outside of our hotel. The ride from Embarc to Playa Larga was scenic and enjoyable. The horses appeared to be well-treated. They were also docile and easy to manage. Although our young guide spoke little English, he was charming and helpful (carried a phone to translate when necessary). The beach is beautiful and we rode up to a salt water lagoon where a crocodile decided to make an appearance. For some reason, we did not ride through the coconut plantation - just alongside of it on the beach. Our driver, Pablo, spoke excellent English and was full of interesting facts. We were most interested…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Mexican Cooking Class in Zihuatanejo de Azueta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Start with hotel pickup and a market visit led by Carlos, then cook with Elsa in a welcoming local home or garden setting. You’ll prepare Mexican favorites such as chiles rellenos, tamales, enchiladas, sopes, salsas, and guacamole before sitting down to eat. The small-group class runs about four hours and is offered in English.

“The kindness and hospitality of Carlos and Elsa was amazing, matched only by the delicious food Everything was done in a participative manner with excellent explanations from Elsa”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.City and Country Side Tour with Luis

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $107

Join Luis, Francisco, Paco, or Pablo for a five-hour small-group tour through Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa, and the nearby countryside. You’ll visit local neighborhoods, a bay lookout, the market, a tropical fruit farm, a handmade brick workshop, and Barra Potosí for a beachside meal. Hotel pickup, transport, lunch, and a drink are included.

“Luis is a very knowledgeable local man. We saw how the poor, the rich and in between lived. Very interesting”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Turtle Release Playa Blanca

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Travel from Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo to a turtle camp at Playa Troncones, Playa Blanca, Juluchuca, or Playa Icacos. Guides such as Mariana, Paco, and local camp staff explain the work before you place hatchlings in baskets and release them into the ocean. The trip lasts about 3.5 hours, includes pickup, and accepts up to 15 people.

“We loved the turtle release!! Mariana and Paco were amazing guides. Very friendly and laid back. We got the whole experience to ourselves, and got to release about 10 baby turtles. Magical! Would 10/10 recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review