The name Guerrero may not ring a bell for many US and Canadian tourists however it’s the home state for several much better-known vacation destinations: Acapulco and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. Not to mention other charming and historic towns and cities inland, such as Taxco, known for its silver mines and the jewelry made in the surrounding area. These three cities together are referred to as the Triangle of the Sun region, and while they may be close in proximity, each city is highly unique. Guerrero is located on the Pacific coast south of Mexico City and just north of Oaxaca state and it enjoys glorious weather year-round. Tourism numbers are rising throughout the state and in 2014, the Triangle of the Sun region registered its highest end-of-summer tourism activity numbers in the past 10 years.
Acapulco was one of the first big vacation destinations in Mexico for US tourists, from movie stars in the 1950s to its featured location on many a Love Boat episode. It still remains an important cruise stop but the majority of its tourism is made up of Mexican nationals these days. At only a three or four hour drive, it’s the closest beach resort to Mexico City. Acapulco is separated into zones. The three within which most tourists will stay are the Traditional Zone (the water’s edge of the city and older tourist area), the Dorado Zone (the beach area and older hotel district and where the nightclubs are) and the newer Diamond Zone. The Diamond Zone is very close to the airport, contains the new Mundo Imperial convention center and hotel as well as several new hotels and condos–and is growing rapidly. Hotel room occupancy rates in the Diamond Zone are generally higher and the hotels themselves skew more in the Luxury category.
But Acapulco isn’t just beaches and cocktails. There are a lot of other things to see and do, such as watching the famous cliff divers cut through the air or checking out some of the historical sights like the Fort of San Diego perched high above the city. The main tourist zone in downtown Acapulco has had renovations of over $20M US in the past few years, including improved infrastructure, new wider sidewalks, new walkways in the port, and a revitalized main square, or zocolo.
Located on the edge of the Diamond Zone is hotel mainstay the Fairmont Acapulco Princess. The original Aztec-inspired pyramid building was constructed in the early 1970s however recent upgrades, plus the newer hotel buildings and lush grounds, make it feel very modern. Spa, golf and breakfast-included deals are available, as are 25% room-only rates until the end of May 2015.
Three hundred miles north of Acapulco lay the twin cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo. Regional airline TAR now offers flights from Acapulco and other cities. Zihuatanejo is a small and charming seaside city of around 100,000 people. Ixtapa was built in the mid-1970s as a planned resort area. Because of that advanced planning, Ixtapa is more spread out, with wider tree-lined streets. It is in Ixtapa, at the larger beach-front resorts that most tourists will stay but Zihuatanejo, with its small Mexican fishing village feel, is not to be missed. Both locations have a more relaxed, less glitzy feel than Acapulco.
Much like the rest of Mexico, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo’s high season runs from early December through the end of March and is when most Americans and Canadians head south. Occupancy in Easter week and after consists mainly of national tourists. Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo has all the traditional beach activities available, from diving and snorkeling to stand-up paddleboarding and fishing but there are also other activities such as the Dolphinarium, where you can swim with dolphins, and even a dedicated bike path and easy bike rentals through individual resorts. The main bike path isn’t too hilly and makes a really nice morning’s outing, plus there are bike paths throughout Ixtapa, a nice addition that’s missing from too many tropical resorts.
Within Ixtapa there are many hotel and resort options, from family-oriented to high-end luxury. On the family side, there’s the all-inclusive Sunscape Dorado Ixtapa. It’s a more casual atmosphere with multiple pools and restaurants plus food and snacks available 24 hours a day. There’s both a kids’ club and a teens’ club and multiple scheduled activities for the under-18s. A nice touch is their lack of the dreaded wristbands and towel cards for their all-inclusive plans—they actually trust you! Lots of packages are available, from weddings to groups and can be booked directly or through Apple Vacations/AM Resorts.
For the ultra-high-end five-star experience, the Capella Ixtapa is not to be missed. The hotel itself is built into the side of a cliff and all 51 suites overlook the magnificent Pacific. The decor is an updated Mexican/southwest sensibility, with clean lines and artfully designed accessories. Even the elevator is extraordinary—in that it’s not actually an elevator but a funicular. Each suite has its own patio with plunge pool, giving the overall effect of having a private villa. There are two pools, a spa, two restaurants and a bar, all with world-class cuisine and amenities. Through Summer 2015, there are Third Night Free specials available.
Triangle of the Sun, www.triangulodelsol.travel
Visit Ixtapa/ZXihuatanejo, www.visitiz.com