Ixtapa

Be sure to pack your sun essentials like a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen with a sun-protection factor of at least 30. Make sure the kids wear sandals of some sort, as the sand can become quite hot, especially for little feet.

The rainy season generally occurs from May to October, with short late-afternoon and evening showers and more humid conditions, providing a break from the normal sunny routine.

Ixtapa has its geography to thank for its attractive climate. The Sierra Madre del Sur mountains and the Zihuatanejo Bay provide natural shelters from the Pacific Ocean and its storms, resulting in calmer waters and a reduced risk of hurricanes.

What makes it different con't

Though these locations have distinct identities, you get a kind of two-for-the-price-of-one experience wherever you stay. Whether you decide on Ixtapa, the modern resort area, or on Zihuatanejo, the old-Mexican fishing village-turned-charming seaside town, the locals say your holiday will be twice as nice.

In the mid-1970s, the Mexican government stepped up efforts to promote and encourage tourism in the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo area. One of the first pieces of major infrastructure built to this end was an international airport. Even with these efforts, the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo region remains a relatively small and comfortable destination with more than 6,000 hotel rooms.

Pirates once roamed this part of the coast, using Zihuatanejo Bay as a refuge. In 1572, a commercial galleon coming from the Philippines shipwrecked here and its fine oriental silks were washed ashore. This incident inspired the name for one of the area's most popular beaches, Playa La Ropa (Clothes Beach).

Both Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo have excellent beaches that are the top draw for many visitors. Most of the resorts are on the beachfront. You can walk out of your hotel and onto the beach, stroll for kilometres along a shoreline of uninterrupted white-sand beaches, enjoying waters that are warm year-round.

Ixtapa's main beach is El Palmar Beach, a soft and sandy stretch about 2.4 km long where most of the resorts are located. Facing a semi-open bay, this beach alone is the reason many resort goers stay here. El Palmar Beach is the largest recreational beach certified as a clean beach by Mexico's National Ministry of the Environment.

Another popular Ixtapa beach is Playa Quieta, home to three major beachfront hotels and an excellent place to swim, kayak and windsurf.

Zihuatanejo's beaches on Zihuatanejo Bay include the soft and sandy one km-long La Ropa along the bay's east side. You can find beachfront hotels here, as well as seafood restaurants. It is a favourite among visitors and locals for a leisurely stroll.

Las Gatas Beach is on a cove on the bay's south side and is great for both swimming and snorkelling.

The 17-km Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo coastline is part of the area commonly referred to as the Mexican Riviera. The section of the coastline stretching down to Acapulco is called La Costa Grande – the Big Coast.

Zihuatanejo's location at the tip of Zihuatanejo Bay makes it more protected than much of the coastline, resulting in calmer waters that are safer for swimming.

Separated by less than six km, the vastly different, yet equally appealing Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo grace the southwestern coast of Mexico. Despite their close proximity, the two locations are worlds apart in style and experience.

The modern Ixtapa was developed specifically to serve as a full-featured tourist resort, while Zihuatanejo, a former fishing village, offers a chance to experience authentic Mexican culture.

What the two locations share includes access to white sandy beaches, a full range of water sports, breathtaking views and tropical adventures.

Culture con't

You can mix Zihuatanejo's laid-back fishing-village attitude with Ixtapa's more tourist-influenced beach culture. And you can also get a feel for the nearby ranches and farmlands, where fare such as coconuts and bananas are grown and available at the local downtown markets.

In Zihuatanejo, you can browse the market stalls, purchase your own fish for dinner, or go sport fishing in the Pacific with local captains who’ll help you land sailfish, marlin, dorado and tuna.

You'll also find high-end restaurants like Zi at Club Intrawest, and nightlife that includes discos, clubs and live music. Local galleries and shops showcase Mexican artwork, including colourful wooden boxes and lacquer work from Olinala artisans.

Enjoy Zihuatanejo's proud Mexican sense of community and family, celebrated on festive Sunday nights at the downtown oceanfront plaza and basketball court. Buy a Michamoy (beer and spices with a tamarind lollipop) at Carlo's bar, overlooking the plaza and watch the parade of people below.

The flea market at the Zihuatanejo waterfront is open at night. Food stands offer hamburgers – Mexican-style – complete with chilies. Sample a local favourite like pozole (a seafood soup with hominy), or try the tiritas (thin strips of raw fish marinated with onions and green chilies). Live salsa music from Bandidos, just across from the flea market, pours out onto the street.

In Ixtapa, check out Fiesta Night at several of the major hotels where, over the course of several hours, you enjoy local foods, folk dancing performances, and shop for local jewelry amid the stalls. Enjoy the comedians who urge audience members to practice Mexican sayings.

Drop in for a beer at one of the many clubs and restaurants along Boulevard Ixtapa. On this boulevard, you'll find plenty of nightlife options, and shops galore for local knick-knacks and everything you'll need for the beach.

In larger tourist destinations such as downtown Ixtapa, Ixtapa Island and Playa Linda, getting around is easy. Walk the boardwalks or stroll the streets and browse the shops, restaurants and bars.

If you're heading to Zihuatanejo for a night out on the town, minibuses are an inexpensive option. At only 50 cents or so a person, these budget-friendly vans run every 10-15 minutes until 10 p.m. between Ixtapa resorts and downtown Zihuatanejo. For the return trip home, unmetered cabs are readily available and cost around $5 to get you back to Ixtapa.

Currency con't

To exchange your Canadian cash or travellers cheques, stop by one of the many banks, exchange kiosks or your hotel front desk. Just don't forget your passport – it's required to cash your travellers cheques. You can also withdraw cash from ATMs found in banks, grocery stores and hotels.

Although American money is widely accepted, regulations are now in place to limit the amount of U.S. cash both residents and visitors can exchange in Mexico.

By regulation, the maximum visitors can exchange per month is US$1,500. Many financial institutions have imposed additional rules, limiting this amount further to US$300 per transaction.

As for using American money for purchases, local businesses will only accept a maximum of US$100 per transaction; however, there is no limit on the maximum number of transactions per customer. You should also keep in mind that many businesses in Mexico have chosen to forgo accepting U.S. money altogether. The best way to pay is therefore with Mexican pesos or credit card.

Travel requirements con't

In Mexico, there is a tourism tax of US$20 per person. For your convenience, when you fly WestJet, this tax is included in the price of your airfare

Upon arrival in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, a Mexican immigration officer will ask you for your passport and photo ID and for your FMM. The immigration officer may ask you a few questions as to the purpose of your trip, how long you will be staying and if this is your first time in Mexico. The officer will then stamp the card and return a portion of it to you.

Keep your FMM in a safe place – you will be asked for this document when you depart Mexico.

After passing through immigration, you will collect your bags and proceed to customs. A customs agent will ask you for your Customs Declaration Form and ask you to press a button on a device that looks like a traffic light. A green light means "pass through without inspection" and a red light means "your baggage will be inspected." If you get the red light, you will have to open your bags for a quick inspection.

Once you depart customs, you'll see representatives from various travel companies. Look for a representative from Turismo Intl Pacifico Airport Transfers holding a WestJet Vacations sign. Identify yourself as a WestJet Vacations guest and you'll be on your way.

Departure

When departing Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, you'll need to provide officials with your signed FMM card. Lost FMMs can be replaced at the airport or at the immigration office before you check in for your return flight. However, there is a fee to obtain a replacement card.

Vaccinations

Be sure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, typhoid and tetanus are commonly recommended. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that all travellers to Mexico get vaccinated for the H1N1 flu virus before leaving Canada.