From exhilarating water sports and scenic hikes to charming markets and rich cultural experiences, we’ve curated the best activities to make your stay unforgettable. Dive into the exciting opportunities awaiting you in the stunning Ixtapa region!
Among the kapoks, guanacastes and other tropical trees, there is a path where cyclists and colourful creatures meet. Jump on your bike and cycle along this trail through the trees. While you might begin your adventure alone, you'll soon be joined by companions en route, such as iguanas, crocodiles, raccoons and parrots.
The huge and welcoming city of Zihuatanejo has always been a treat for locals. The gentle coastal ambiance and tropical scenery have created a setting where tradition and culture can thrive. The Xihuacan archaeological site is an important part of Mexico's history as it contains the remnants of the first civilisation on the coast. Explore the ruins left behind by the Olmec people and immerse yourself in learning about how they lived.
This is a place of tradition, where the delicious flavours on offer remain unchanged. Follow the tempting smells emanating from Zihuatanejo market for a taste of the true Mexico. You'll love all the stalls selling fruit, crafts and local dishes. Stroll around this colourful maze and explore Mexico through its cuisine.
The lovely Barra de Potosi lagoon sits on the edge of the Pacific, surrounded by palm trees and mangroves. This is a peaceful spot that contrasts with the wild waves of the ocean. Climb into a kayak and paddle past the mangrove tree roots to where the land meets the sea as you explore some of the most beautiful Mexican scenery.
Playa Larga is a beach bathed by the ocean breeze and sunshine: a place where you can get away from it all. Under the palms and tropical trees, the shade creates a path along the sandy coast. You can travel the route on horseback. Lose yourself in the moment as you gallop along Playa Larga between the land and the ocean.
Travelers visiting Club Med’s Ixtapa resort will be awestruck by the historical sites they can discover in Guerrero. The area, which encompasses Acapulco, Ixtapa and Taxco, is known for its rich ancient history. Evidence of civilizations in Guerrero date back to 300 B.C., when the Olmeca people inhabited the region. In the 7th century, the Mezcala Indians introduced the area to traditional stone sculptures, ceramics and crafts. In the 10th Century, Teotihuacán groups built marvelous pyramids, and in the 11th, the Aztecs conquered central Mexico, leaving their cultural marks. Spanish conquistadors later assumed power and discovered silver, bringing an onslaught of Spanish settlers. Each layer of history can be spotted in the artifacts, architecture, art, ruins and historical sites that await curious travelers to Guerrero.
Club Med’s Ixtapa resort is a convenient launch point to go explore Xihuacan, more commonly called “La Chole.” This ancient archeological site is home to an enormous pyramid called the “Soledad de Maciel.” Surrounding the pyramid are temple ruins and rings that appear to have been a large ball court. A museum holds hundreds of artifacts, each clues to what cultures may have used, or re-used, this ceremonial center, including the Cuicatecos and the Tepoztecas. Archeologists have surmised that the site may actually extend several kilometers larger than what has currently been excavated. While experts work to uncover more information, visitors can delight in their discoveries.
Just North of Club Med’s Ixtapa resort is the scenic state of Michoacán. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, and densely forested mountains to the east, Michoacán boasts many natural wonders, including beaches, lakes, woodlands, waterfalls and volcanic peaks. The capital city, Morelia, features stunning Spanish colonial architecture and majestic cathedrals, while the surrounding mountain villages introduce travelers to indigenous cultures. Michoacán is perhaps most recognized, however, as a destination to witness the mass migration of Monarch butterflies between October and March. During the migration, an estimated 20 million Monarch butterflies flutter to the conifer forests. The normally green vegetation is obscured by the black-and-orange geometric patterns of Monarch wings. Visiting the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve is a fantastic day trip from Club Med’s Ixtapa resort.
Mexico is known for its colorful, charismatic and lively celebrations. Depending on the time of year, travelers can experience one of the many festive holidays when food, drink, costume, music and celebration erupt on the city streets, beaches and village squares of Mexico. On September 16, Mexico celebrates Diez y Seis, the nation’s Independence Day. The week before Ash Wednesday, locals celebrate Carnival with exuberant parades, dances, live music and food. Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, celebrated in the first days of November, brings elaborately costumed individuals to the streets with their faces painted like skulls. Ornate altars of marigolds, flowers and trinkets are erected throughout the city. Visitors to Club Med’s Mexico resorts will delight in these vibrant cultural festivities.
A short drive from Club Med’s Ixtapa Resort, Barra de Potosí is a small beachside fishing village nestled at the southern end of Playa Larga Beach (Long Beach). The charming village is known for its open-air, fresh seafood restaurants, unspoiled beach and wild flora and fauna. A bird and wildlife sanctuary welcomes visitors to a 4.5 mile saltwater lagoon, where small boats are available for sightseeing. Or, rent a kayak to explore the Mangrove islands on your own. Abundant species of butterflies, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and plants live in this biodiverse ecosystem. Barra de Potosí is a fantastic place to take a day trip, eat some fresh fish, kick back under some palm trees or explore nature.
