"Zihuatanejo is  a little place in Mexico on the Pacific Ocean... They say it has no memory. That's where I want to live the rest of my life - a warm place with no memory." -Red (Morgan Freeman) 

-Welcome to ZIHUATANEJo-

A place that got its five minutes of fame when mentioned in the film, Shawshank Redemption, and then was almost forgotten about... almost. 

 What we love most about Zihua (affectionate short), is that it blends together a bustling centre, authentic cuisine, and an enjoyable evening nightlife for everyone. It truly is one of our favourite places in the world, and we feel very fortunate to call it a part of our home. 

 In Zihua, you will find getting around easy.  Most taxi drivers speak English, and are very kind. You can take a bus, or "Combi", to most areas the same way you would in any Americanized centre. Don't be afraid to ask locals for directions and guidance - we have never been turned away without receiving help. 

 In our experience, the community of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo are both safe and a pleasure to navigate. If you have the chance, spend an evening at the "Playa Principal" on a Friday or Saturday evening, where you will find local families enjoying activities together. 

There is a certain cultural charm to be found amongst the markets, the mariachi bands, and the basketball tournaments on the beach. Walk away from the beach, and inward toward the town centre to find more authentic cuisine and shopping experiences. Coffee, vanilla and mezcal are best found on side streets and away form the tourist markets. If you haven't tried it before, mezcal paired with citrus is something to add to your bucket list ... it is like tequila has a rebel cousin, called Mezcal!

Zihua is also home to the pier where you will meet your fishing or boat tour guides. It is easy to find by taxi or on foot, and if you would like instructions on how to arrange tours or transportation, don't hesitate to ask us!

Also in Zihuatanejo, you'll find our favourite humane society, where we found our pup ... aptly named "Zihua". If you are an animal lover who is perhaps missing your own critters while you travel, we can give you directions on how to find this amazing place, where you can volunteer to walk, or cuddle with the little ones for an afternoon. The society is now run by Christine and Enrique, who are the children of Helena Krebs. Helena once visited Zihuatanejo from Germany for a vacation, but fell in love with both the street animals and a Mexican man so she never left. Helena began the humane society that still serves the state of Guerrero, and the difference they have made in the community is palpable. 

As a word of caution -  don't go cuddling puppies after margaritas like we did... you might end up taking home a  furry carry-on!