Two worlds in one port day: Zihuatanejo is the bohemian fishing village Andy Dufresne escaped to at the end of Shawshank Redemption; Ixtapa is the polished resort zone three miles down the road. Your tender drops you right in the middle of the real thing.
Zihuatanejo has no cruise pier — all ships tender in to the Muelle Municipal in the heart of town.
💡 Pro move: Allow at least 45 minutes to return to the tender pier before all-aboard. Lines can build at the end of the day.
Ships anchor in Zihuatanejo Bay and tender passengers ashore to the downtown municipal pier.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Princess, Holland America, Norwegian | Anchor in Bahía de Zihuatanejo; tender to Muelle Municipal📍 | Tendered |
| Carnival, Oceania, Crystal | Anchor in Bahía de Zihuatanejo; tender to Muelle Municipal📍 | Tendered |
From snorkeling at a pre-Hispanic reef to exploring a pyramid ruin or sailing the bay, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has more depth than a typical beach stop.
The bay's best swimming beach — a mile of palm-shaded sand with calm water, palapas, and open-air restaurants serving fresh fish. Taxi or short uphill walk from the pier.
Find La Ropa beach tours →A short water-taxi hop from the pier ($5–8 USD round-trip) reaches a sheltered cove with a pre-Hispanic stone reef barrier that keeps waves out. Best snorkeling in the bay.
Find snorkeling tours →About 45 minutes south, Xihuacan holds a clay-brick pyramid, ancient ball court, and museum of Cuitlateca artifacts — a seldom-visited site far from the cruise-ship crowds.
Find Xihuacan excursions →Cycle Ixtapa's 5-mile jungle path (rental bikes ~$5), then visit the Aztlán Park sanctuary at Playa Linda where wild crocs, iguanas, and roseate spoonbills live behind a viewing bridge.
Find Ixtapa nature tours →Catamarans depart from the Zihuatanejo pier for half-day sails around the bay with snorkeling stops at secluded coves including Playa Manzanillo.
Find catamaran tours →Stroll the Mercado de Artesanías and Mercado Municipal, then try tiritas de pescado (raw fish in lime and habanero) — Zihua's signature dish — at a streetside spot on Calle Adelita.
Find food tours in Zihuatanejo →The tender pier drops you directly into Zihuatanejo's walkable waterfront — Paseo del Pescador and El Centro are all on foot.
Start at the Muelle Municipal tender pier and follow the pedestrian boardwalk past morning fish markets, beach volleyball courts, and the basketball court (a local social hub). End at Playa La Madera for a swim or a snack.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From the pier, duck into the Mercado de Artesanías for silver jewelry, ceramics, and woven goods, then loop through the cobblestone streets of El Centro. Ideal for the first hour ashore while tender lines are short.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85°F / 29°C | 72°F / 22°C | 1 | 7:20 AM | 6:31 PM |
| Feb | 85°F / 29°C | 71°F / 22°C | 0 | 7:13 AM | 6:47 PM |
| Mar | 85°F / 29°C | 72°F / 22°C | 0 | 6:54 AM | 6:56 PM |
| Apr | 86°F / 30°C | 73°F / 23°C | 0 | 6:29 AM | 7:02 PM |
| May | 88°F / 31°C | 76°F / 24°C | 4 | 6:13 AM | 7:11 PM |
| Jun | 87°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 16 | 6:11 AM | 7:22 PM |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 16 | 6:19 AM | 7:24 PM |
| Aug | 87°F / 31°C | 78°F / 26°C | 19 | 6:29 AM | 7:11 PM |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 21 | 6:34 AM | 6:47 PM |
| Oct | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 19 | 6:39 AM | 6:23 PM |
| Nov | 85°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 6 | 6:51 AM | 6:09 PM |
| Dec | 85°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 1 | 7:09 AM | 6:13 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Ships anchor in Bahia de Zihuatanejo; tender boats bring passengers directly to El Malecon waterfront promenade, already in the heart of downtown Zihuatanejo.
Fixed-rate taxis (no meters) are plentiful. Confirm the fare before getting in. Rides to Playa La Ropa or other beaches are in this range.
A 15–20 minute taxi ride connects Zihuatanejo with the resort strip of Ixtapa. Negotiate the fixed fare before departing.
Cheap shared minibuses run frequently between Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, departing near the Mercado. Very economical but can be crowded.
Guided 3–4 hour private tours cover Playa Linda, Marina Ixtapa, viewpoints, and markets with A/C vehicle and bilingual guide; return to ship included.
Upcoming cruises that call at Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.