This dissimilar vacation duo delivers modern comforts, tropical beauty, and village charm better than any resort area in Mexico better than any resort area in Mexico. Best of all, these two delightfully different cities area friendly neighbors, just seven kilometers apart.

Set against the lush green backdrop of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo area runs along 26 kilometers of hilly tropical coastline with dozens of sandy beaches and scalloped coves. Located in the State of Guerrero, just 230 kilometers up the coast from Acapulco, the area enjoys and average temperature of 78.8 degrees with brief afternoon showers during the rainy season, from June through September. The sun shines an average of 340 days a year, and sea breezes keep the climate agreeable year-‘round.

Ixtapa, conceived and developed by the Mexican government, is arguably the most modern resort on Mexico’s west coast. Born in the 1970’s, Ixtapa has an ecology minded master plan that requires the allotment of half the land as ecological reserve. Hotels and residences are limited in size in relation to their land area. Ixtapa stretches along Playa Palmar, a three kilometer stretch of soft golden sand lapped by Pacific surf. Development is concentrated along the southern end of the beach, leaving much of the area free from construction.

Ixtapa’s offering of hotels includes one of Mexico’s most consistently fine collections of deluxe properties, each one distinct in architecture and atmosphere. While not bustling with things to see and do, Ixtapa keeps active guests on the go with its world-class golf (two of Mexico’s finest facilities), outstanding deep sea fishing, and excellent tennis facilities. Water sports area strong attribute, with some of Mexico’s Pacific Coast diving, fishing and ocean swimming. The restaurant, shopping and nightlife scenes area a bit subdued compared to other Pacific resorts, yet there’s still enough diversity for enjoyable outings.

Marina Ixtapa is a new 450-acre mega project just up the beach from the Ixtapa hotel zone. This upscale complex has invigorated Ixtapa’s recently dormant resort development. It is comprised of nautical facilities with 622 yacht slips, private villas, restaurants, shops, a beach a club (Club Playa), and a tennis center. An 18 hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge is crisscrossed by recreational canals.

Nearby Zihuatanejo, on the other hand, is a classic Mexican pueblo. The village has an unpretentious, informal attitude and a serene setting of tropical beauty. Its lovely sheltered harbor, with three palm fringed beaches, is backed by jungle-clad hills., A pleasant contrast to the glitter of Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo has comfortable, family-run inns, reasonably priced hotels and bungalows, and three very special deluxe properties. With its seaside cafes, intriguing native markets, a pleasant malecon (seaside promenade), and centuries of tradition, Zihuatanejo is great fun to explore. At this is tucked around one of Mexico’s most picturesque bays.

While Ixtapa sprang to life in the 1970’s, Zihuatanejo traces its past back hundreds of years. Prior to the Spaniards’ first encounter with the village in 1527, Zihuanatejo had been occupied since the dawn of civilization in Mexico. Known as Cihuatlan (meaning "place of beautiful women"), the village is believed to have had contact with Mexico’s Olmec civilizations and may have been a matriarchal society.

Visitors often split their leisure time between Ixtapa and nearby Zihuatanejo. A typical day might begin with breakfast and a market stroll in Zihuatanejo, followed by lunch, pool lounging and a round of golf in Ixtapa. A leisurely dinner back in Zihuatanejo caps off a perfect day in "the one place that’s two places at once."

Fort hose wanting day trip outings, there are two fun beach excursions (both via short boat rides) and a couple of excursions to nearby villages, lagoons, fruit plantations, and jungle-skirted beaches.

Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo’s development as a major Pacific Coast resort has been some what stymied by a lack of year-‘round scheduled air service. Yet, during the last two years, air service to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo has improved thanks to daily Alaska Airlines service, America West flights from Phoenix, non-stops from Houston via Continental Airlines, more charters, and better connections via MEX/GLD. Though it has been attracting visitors for nearly two decades, the area has remained somewhat "undiscovered" by Mexico’s 20 million plus annual international visitors. This, along with its improving air service, gives travel agents a potentially profitable sales angle for new Mexico leisure business.