Ixtapa

Ixtapa has one of the best beaches in Mexico, a favourite for visitors looking for some well-deserved relaxation of the Pacific coast. Located in the state of Guerrero, Ixtapa is a tourist complex on El Palmar beach, a wide expanse of white sands stretching more than 10 km with large, modern hotels. Visitors can swim, sunbathe and enjoy sports including surfing, canoeing and water-skiing, all just a few steps from the beach. El Palmar beach is lined with old palm trees and is popular with runners due to the many miles of sands lapped by crystal-clear waters. In Ixtapa you can enjoy a long, happy holiday on the beach without leaving luxury and comfort behind.

There are plenty of options for visitors who want to find out more about the region. One such option is to visit Ixtapa Island or Isla Grande, which can be reached in just 10 minutes by ferry. The island has two beaches: one sandy beach with gentle waves, ideal for swimming, and another on the other side of the island with a shallow coral reef which is perfect for diving. This area is full of restaurants and food stalls, so you don't need to take anything with you. Some tours include the chance to sail to the nearby lagoon which is home to crocodiles, turtles, pelicans and other exotic local wildlife. Many experienced divers come to Ixtapa to explore Los Morros de Potosí, a place where granite rocks have formed caves, tunnels and channels that house an abundance of marine wildlife. Families can get up close and personal with dolphins at Delfiniti, a place where it is possible to swim with these friendly creatures. Children will love taking the opportunity to feed them and swim alongside them. You can also let the dolphins push you around in the pool, as if you were surfing.

Guests looking for more land-based entertainment will also find plenty of activities out of the water when they stay at the hotels in Ixtapa. One brilliant adventure is driving down the beach in a 4x4, visiting the small towns along the perimeter of the tropical rainforests. Some tours include a zip-line through the jungle and others provide food and drink. Visitors with an interest in history can opt for a cultural tour. The sites of interest include the coconut forests, as Ixtapa used to be a prosperous coconut plantation. Visitors will also find a brick factory, an archaeological museum, a fruit plantation and an animal rehabilitation centre, all with the food and drink stops throughout the tour. There is another tour lasting between three and four hours to the neighbouring state of Michoacán. It takes visitors to Tzintzuntzan (the former capital of the Purépecha kingdom) and to Pátzcuaro, a fantastically well-preserved colonial city.