Zihuatanejo Ixtapa cruise port guide

Arrival & Getting Ashore

Getting to the centre: Muelle Principal, also mapped as Muelle Municipal, to the Playa Principal waterfront.

• Walk: realistic for exploring the central waterfront after leaving the pier. The landing is beside the beach in the heart of Zihuatanejo; this assessment does not cover the journey to Ixtapa. Sources: official tourism board, municipal arrival report.

Orientation, not a walking route

Ocean ships anchor and transfer passengers ashore by tender. Phoenix Reisen's January 2026 Amadea programme describes ship-operated boats and an approximately 15-minute crossing each way; that is a documented example, not a fixed duration for every anchorage. The municipality records passengers being received at Muelle Principal. The waterfront route above applies to this landing; follow your ship's instructions if it assigns a different pier.

Follow your ship's tender boarding arrangements. Excursion groups may have priority during their meeting periods. Wear secure shoes and keep your hands available for the handrails: Phoenix specifically describes steps at the tender gangway. Discuss any mobility assistance with your cruise line before booking an independent outing.

About this port

Zihuatanejo gives you a town day almost as soon as you step off the tender: fishing boats, waterfront restaurants and streets with small shops surround Playa Principal. Ixtapa is the separate resort area, where El Palmar beach fronts the hotels. Choose between them deliberately; the combined name on your itinerary does not mean you land beside an Ixtapa resort.

For a short call, stay around Zihuatanejo's waterfront. With longer ashore, choose a beach boat trip or a cultural visit, leaving space for the return tender rather than trying to combine every attraction.

Getting Around

The waterfront and central streets make a manageable outing on foot. Use Playa Principal as your orientation point, then explore the Paseo del Pescador and town streets. The tourism board also describes a seafront walking connection towards Playa La Madera; turn back when you have used the time available for your outward walk.

For Ixtapa or the Partenón cultural centre, arrange a taxi or an organised excursion with an explicit return pickup. Agree the destination, total price and currency before setting off. Save the name Muelle Principal in your phone for the return, and distinguish it from a hotel or marina in Ixtapa.

For Las Gatas, take a separate excursion boat from Playa Principal. The tourism board gives approximately 10 minutes for this crossing. It is additional to your ship's tender journey.

Things to Do

Town and waterfront: combine the Paseo del Pescador with the municipal market, where the tourism board highlights woven baskets, hats and other palm crafts. This is the most flexible choice: you can shorten the walk, stop for lunch and remain near the landing. The working fishing waterfront is part of the visit, rather than simply a departure point for somewhere else.

Las Gatas: choose this for a beach outing with snorkelling and a meal at one of the beach restaurants. Settle the return boat arrangement before leaving the main pier. Make the beach the main activity of the day, allowing for both boat connections back to the ship.

Partenón: this cultural centre on Carretera Escénica a Playa La Ropa combines architecture, exhibitions and views over the bay. It offers a different outing from the beaches. Municipal general admission is MXN 100, checked 2026-10-02; special events may have different prices. Arrange transport for the visit and return together. The visitor rules exclude swimwear, wet clothing and backpacks, so plan what to wear and carry before leaving the ship.

Getting back to your ship

Return to the tender landing using the ship's last-tender time, which is distinct from sailing time. Allow for boarding queues as well as the crossing. From Las Gatas, your first boat must get you back to Playa Principal before you can join the ship's tender queue. From Ixtapa or Partenón, build the road journey into your return plan. Keep the ship's local contact details available if transport is delayed.

Practical Information

Carry Mexican pesos, your ship card and the identification specified by your cruise line. Keep return transport money separate. Take water and sun protection, and use a bag that leaves your hands free during boat boarding.

Read the FCDO's Guerrero advice before travelling: on 2026-10-02 it advises against all but essential travel to Guerrero, with an exception for Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa accessed by air. That wording does not extend the exception to cruise arrivals; discuss its implications with your insurer and cruise line.