The weather will be about the same ,I'm just wondering about the overall feel ..?

Ixtapa is a bit more commercialized than Huatulco - you'll find Subway and Senor Frogs in the commercial zones. Zihuatanejo has that more laid back Huatulco feel to it, still a Mexican town vs tourist destination. And in my opnion Playa Ropa is a nicer beach. There are several smaller hotels along Playa Ropa that offer nice accomodation and it's still easy to get around and go to Ixtapa, etc.

Maggie knows more about the similarities and differences, she'll probably add more info....either way, can you go wrong with a holiday somewhere along the southern Pacific stretch of Mexico? I don't think so....

Rau, Been to Ixtapa once, Huatulco 20+ times. IMO I would not go back to Ixtapa. Check out the forum for Ixtapa and see if it sounds like it's for you!!

After sixteen inches of snow yesterday, I am counting the days until I return to Paradise!!!

KT pretty much nailed it.

We do like both Zihua and Huatulco, for different reasons.

Weather- both great, reliably sunny and hot all winter, Huatulco is a bit hotter on average.

Beaches/snorkeling/diving- all better around Huatulco. But Zihua has VERY good fishing.

Restaurant selection/nightlife- better in Ixtapa/Zihuantanejo, simply because it is a much more populous and larger area.

Safety- it is safer around Huatulco. Guerrero is on the list of states with a lot of drug cartel activity. My husband was just in Zihua in November though and as a tourist you are still very safe. But he did see some things.

Huatulco is our favourite, it is quieter, more of a laid back and relaxed beach holiday destination.

Ixtapa is basically a much larger and busier Tangolunda Bay with a strip of high rise hotels- but it is a beautiful wide golden sand beach with crashing surf (not really swimmable unless you are a very strong swimmer). There are also houses and condos in Ixtapa, population is about 7,000.

We do love Zihuatanejo, the bay is very scenic and there are some lovely cheap boutique hotels with amazing bay views- we will stay there next time and not Ixtapa, which is a Fonatur designed resort area like Huatulco, manicured and a bit contrived.

Zihua is a real Mexican city, of about 100,000 people, yet still retains it's small fishing town feel. There is lots to see and do there- and there are some nice beaches, like Las Gatas and La Ropa in the bay and Isla Ixtapa. Some nice day trips in the area, to surf beach Troncones or to Barra de Potosi. There are some great bars there.

So it just depends what you want!

Great Feedback guys Thx.. I was already sold on Huatulco again,Doubt it will take much to push her that way again.. About a month to go..

cant say much more about ixt/z than what has already been said. other than - if you do go to ixtapa, dont stay at the resortsin ixtapa proper....you will miss one of the most beautiful hidden gems.....especially if you enjoy the feel of hutaulco, you would love troncones, its about 45 minutes away. small b and b's, guest houses, spas and un real beaches, all around there. beautiful high end cabana style micro resorts with 5 star chefs as well. loved it, been back a few times - although we are going back to huatulco this year..lol...good luck have fun

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