Playa Las Gatas has no road access, so the only way in is by small boat from the pier near Paseo del Pescador. Water taxis run frequently and the crossing takes just a few minutes, making it an easy add-on if you want quieter water and better snorkeling than the town beaches offer.
Half a day covers the essentials comfortably. Walk the Paseo del Pescador, browse the market stalls, and settle in at one beach for a swim or fresh seafood. Travelers who want to add a second beach or a boat ride to Playa Las Gatas should plan for closer to a full day.
No. Ixtapa is a purpose-built resort strip of hotels and golf courses developed in the 1970s, while Zihuatanejo is the original fishing village it grew up beside. The two sit about 6 km (4 miles) apart, close enough to experience both the modern resort scene and the older town's cobblestone streets and harbor in a single day.
This waterfront path connects the town beach to the harbor and is where Zihuatanejo's daily life plays out: fishermen unloading their catch, open-air seafood stalls, and handicraft vendors. It's a short, flat walk best paired with a stop at the municipal market and a seafood lunch by the water.
Because the town, Ixtapa, and the beaches are spread across different points on the bay, a private transfer lets you set your own order and pace rather than following a fixed bus schedule. Your driver waits while you explore, so you can linger at a beach or cut a stop short without losing the rest of the day.
Playa La Madera sits closest to town, with calm water and a relaxed, local feel. Playa La Ropa is the longest stretch of sand, lined with palapa restaurants and popular for swimming. Playa Las Gatas is reachable only by boat and offers the calmest water and best snorkeling, thanks to a rock breakwater said to have been built for an ancient king's daughter.
