Why we decided NOT to move to Zihuatanejo, Mexico
After living in Oaxaca de Juarez for a few months, we thought we would explore life in a different environment within Mexico. In mining the travel blogs, we noticed a lot of rave reviews about Zihuatanejo. So we took a long weekend to check it out in January.
THE PROS:
Small Town Vibe
Located on the Pacific coast, about halfway between Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco, and affectionately nicknamed "Zihua", this beach destination is known for maintaining is small town fishing village identity. Just a few kilometers to the north lies its sister city of Ixtapa, which is more of a typical tourist destination populated with several large resorts. People enjoy the more authentic feel of Zihua, which has more of a real town to spend time in.
Large Beaches and Calm Waters
Zihua is situated on a circular bay that is well-protected on two sides, which makes the water relatively calm for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Two large stretches of sandy beach (Playa la Madera and Playa la Ropa) offer plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a beach day.
Walkability
Despite some steep hills in la Madera and la Ropa areas, the Centro downtown region is flat, and has a long bike/pedestrian path connecting the main grocery store area with the shops, market, and cafes downtown. There is also a really nice paved Malecon, or beach boardwalk that extends for about .75 miles, and connects areas of the beach that would otherwise be separated by rocky outposts.
THE CONS
First, I want to acknowledge that some individuals might not view the items below as disadvantages. Everyone has their own preferences and comfort zones, and personal impressions are inherently subjective. Therefore, this list is only intended to express our personal opinions and undoubtedly reflects our own biases.
Humidity
We have spent the past 4 months living Oaxaca de Juarez during the dry season. Oaxaca City sits at a high elevation (5,102 ft) and humidity is minimal here at this time of year, with high temps around 75-85F and humidity around 40%. So when we stepped off the airplane in Zihua, the humidity was more than palpable -- it felt all encompassing. It was mid-January and the temperatures during our 5 days there were about 90F degrees with 67-80% humidity. January is supposed to be a relatively mild weather season in Zihua, so I was not expecting the humidity to feel so strong. It would probably be just fine if all you wanted to do was relax by the pool or get a suntan and cool off in the ocean. But for me, it was too much, and this was only January. We were thinking of moving there for a period between March-May, which would only increase in humidity over time.
Mosquitos
These little buggers obviously go hand-in-hand with humidity. I seem to have a highly attractive blood type for mosquitos, and they certainly found both me and my husband appetizing. It was not so bad near the ocean with a strong breeze, but a few meters inland they were ever-present. The brand new bottle of bug spray we bought there did an average job, but when my husband was working outside on this laptop in the mornings, he was eaten alive. I also found them swarming around me after a quick dip in the pool, which was not exactly the relaxing experience I had in mind. Again, bug season is relative and this was probably a low-average time, but it's still a nuisance I don't want to have to get used to, given the choice.
The Town Lacks Charm
As I said in the beginning, Zihua is a fishing town. While Ixtapa was intentionally built up as a tourist destination by the Mexican government in the 1970's, Zihua was not planned in the same manner. I cannot speak to what Zihua looked like before, or even in recent history. I can only comment on what I saw in the present day of January 2025. Centro is designed with terracotta colored pillars and covered sidewalks, which are great for creating shade. But they also give a rather dark view of the street and make it hard to see the storefronts. I'm sure many people will have a different impression and that's ok. But personally I just did not find the downtown an especially attractive place to hang out or explore.
I Prefer Clear Ocean Water
The Pacific coast of Mexico has darker blue waters than the gulf of Mexico side, and lacks the pristine white sand beaches of the Yucatan. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, which shares the same attributes, I have never really enjoyed swimming in waters where I can't see what's lurking beneath me. Whether it's an innocent fish, a slimy eel, or just a bundle of seaweed, I'd just like to know what I'm getting myself into and that's hard to do in the Pacific. To me, the most attractive water to swim in is clear enough to see my toes and what lies beyond.
CONCLUSION
In the end, the cons we observed outweighed the pros of moving to Zihuatanejo. So for now, we've decided to stay put in Oaxaca de Juarez. Others might read this list and see the photos and decide that Zihua looks like the paradise of their dreams. And if that's you, I'd say go for it! I believe there is a place in this world for everyone- just not every place is right for everyone.
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