Port of Zihuatanejo cruise port guide

Port of Zihuatanejo — Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Zihuatanejo is a relaxed fishing town on Mexico's Pacific coast, set on a beautiful sheltered bay. It has kept its small-town charm despite the neighbouring resort of Ixtapa, and it's famous as the dream destination in the film 'The Shawshank Redemption'.

Getting ashore

Where do cruise ships dock in Zihuatanejo?

Zihuatanejo has no cruise dock (one was planned but has been held up by environmental reviews), so ships anchor in the sheltered bay and tender passengers to the small town pier.

How do I get from the cruise port to town?

The shops of the town centre are about three minutes' walk away, and the town is easy to explore on foot. From the pier, open boats called lanchas cross the bay to Playa Las Gatas; buy a ticket at the counter and join the queue, which usually moves quickly. Ixtapa is about 5 km away, roughly 10 minutes by taxi or 20 minutes by local bus.

Getting around

The town centre is walkable. Water taxis run to Playa Las Gatas; taxis reach Playa La Ropa and Ixtapa (about 15 minutes).

Don't miss

• Playa La Ropa — a beautiful beach with calm water, a short taxi ride from town.
• Playa Las Gatas — reef-protected water for snorkelling, reached by water taxi.
• Paseo del Pescador — the waterfront promenade in town.
• Ixtapa — a nearby resort area with beaches and a marina.

Planning your day

Take a water taxi to Playa Las Gatas for snorkelling, then return to town for lunch and a walk along the waterfront.

Food & drink

Fresh seafood and Guerrero specialties.

Where to eat

• Town-centre seafood restaurants — Restaurants near the pier and along the waterfront.

Must try

• Tiritas de pescado — Zihuatanejo-style ceviche with strips of fish.
• Pescado a la talla — Grilled fish with chili sauce.
• Pozole — A traditional hominy soup, especially on Thursdays in Guerrero.

Know before you go

• 🗣️Language — Spanish; English is spoken in tourist areas.
• 📋Documents — Carry your passport or the ID your cruise line requires.
• 🛍️Shopping & hours — Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN); US dollars are often accepted.
• 🌤️Weather — Warm year-round; rainy season roughly June to October.
• 📶Connectivity — Good coverage in town.
• ♿Accessibility — Tendering may be difficult for limited mobility.
• ⏱️Getting back — Tender operations depend on weather.

Sources: visitmexico.com; wikivoyage.org/wiki/Zihuatanejo