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Zihuatanejo (aka: Zihuatanejo de Azueta) is the fourth-largest city in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Politically it belongs to the municipality of José Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, on the Pacific Coast, about 240 km (approximately 145 miles) northwest of Acapulco. The modern tourist resort of Ixtapa is 5 km away.
Zihuatanejo is the seat of government for the municipality and the principal community in the region. Ixtapa is a government-planned tourist resort that was begun in the early 1970s and constructed on what was once a coconut plantation and mangrove estuary. Zihuatanejo reported a population of 62,367 in the 2005 Mexican census, whereas the population of Ixtapa was 6,406 persons. The municipality of José Azueta had a population of 104,609 and encompasses an area of 1,921.5 km² (741.89 sq mi) (source: National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Data Processing, INEGI).
An old-world Mexican fishing village nestled around a small bay dotted with beautiful protected beaches and no high rises, residents of Zihuatanejo hope its location at the water's edge will not discourage tourists who fear the occurrence of tidal waves. (source: zihua.net) Zihuatanejo has the old-fashioned charm of traditional Mexican culture. It is a town that sprang up from a handful of families who were mostly fishermen. Fishing continues to be a way of life for a large number of families, and the increasing popularity of the area as a sportfishing destination has given new impetus to their livelihood. (source: zihuatanejo.net) Other activities are excellent surfing, snorkeling, diving, golf, birdwatching, riding, swimming in the calm beaches in the Bay of Zihuatanejo known as Playa Madera, Playa La Ropa, and Playa Las Gatas for which one takes a boat ride from the town pier; drinking margaritas during sunsets and eating at the innumerable excellent restaurants.
Zihuatanejo
The name Zihuatanejo is from the Nahuatl "Cihuatlán", meaning "the place of women" because it was a matriarchal society. In pre-Columbian times, the Tarascan leader Calzonzin settled in the area and constructed the rock barrier on Playa Las Gatas (named for the harmless whiskered sharks found there) to provide a sheltered swimming area and harbor for the women and children, and that barrier continues to protect the beach to this day. With the arrival of the Spanish, the name Cihuatlan was transformed first into Cihuatlán and then into Ciguatanejo. Zihuatanejo’s current name form has only been in use for the past couple of centuries.
The Spanish Conquistadores believed Cihuatlán to be a land to the northwest with beautiful Amazon women, gold, and precious gems, and perhaps another name for the Seven Cities of Cibola
Air Transportation
Zihuatanejo can be reached by sky, bus and highway and has its own airport, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International. Flights are available from Mexico City and various places in the United States and Canada.
The Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport is located about 15
minutes from town by car. It is possible to find direct flights
from Canada and the U.S.A., especially during the tourist season
between December and April.
Frontier Airlines, Continental Airlines, Mexicana de AviaciĂłn,
Aeroméxico, Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines, America West Airlines,
and Interjet are the principal carriers, and there are numerous
charter specials. You can check directly with the airport at
(country code 52) 755/554-2237 or 554-2227.
There are many flights with connections at the airport in Mexico
City, the only problem being that sometimes there is very little
time between landing, going through customs, and reaching a
connecting flight. From many places it may actually take two days
to get here if it isn't possible to time flights with about 2 to 3
hours between arrival and departure. Customs is usually no problem
but you never know when it might be your turn to get the red light,
which means a full search.
(source: Zihuatanejo.net)
Zihuatanejo In Popular Culture
Zihuatanejo plays an important role in movie The Shawshank Redemption, where the main character dreams about one day being able to own a small hotel on the beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Sister Cities
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