Here is a lovely video about Zihuatanejo that will give you a great introduction to the town and flavor of our little piece of paradise. This video, accompanied by music by Zihuatanejo’s own Jose Luis Cobo, a well-loved and widely-enjoyed local songwriter and musician, presents downtown Zihuatanejo and the four main beaches within the confines of Zihuatanejo Bay, and was posted to YouTube.com by TuristeroTV.
For those who don´t speak Spanish, below is a translation of the transcript of the video. The headings correspond to those that appear in the video.
Translation of the Turistero Zihuatanejo video transcript
ZIHUATANEJO, MAGICO PUEBLO DE PESCADORES (ZIHUATANEJO, A MAGICAL FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE)
Zihuatanejo springs up along the shores of beautiful Zihuatanejo Bay, a place where the Pacific Ocean pushes its way into the Sierra Madre del Sur (coastal mountain range) to create a marvelous natural landscape.
Zihuatanejo is located in the State of Guerrero, Mexico.
BAHIA DE ZIHUATANEJO (ZIHUATANEJO BAY)
The bay holds four beaches: Principal, La Madera, La Ropa and Las Gatas.
PUEBLO DE PESCADORES (FISHING VILLAGE)
Playa Principal is the busiest because it is here that the Municipal Pier and the Maritime authorities are located.
Playa Principal is the place where, early every morning, the magical fisherman’s village is reborn.
CENTRO DE ZIHUATANEJO (DOWNTOWN ZIHUATANEJO)
(images of the town square, cultural activities and townspeople)
It is also the beach that is closest to the center of town, the heart of Zihuatanejo, its streets finished with stamped paving stones and lined with arcaded walkways.
PLAYA LA MADERA (LA MADERA BEACH)
Playa La Madera is about 200 meters long. It is said that it received its name because it was the embarkation point for fine tropical hardwoods. Low rocky hills run right behind the beach, along which small but modern and luxurious hotels have been erected. Its sands are soft and fine.
PLAYA LA ROPA (LA ROPA BEACH)
This is the longest of all the beaches within Zihuatanejo Bay. measuring approximately one kilometer .
It is a popular beach for those who enjoy watersports. Around its shores are found a proliferation of small hotels, some of which are extremely luxurious.
It is said that many years ago a large galleon laden with merchandise from the Far East was shipwrecked here. Textiles in its cargo holds were strewn along the beach, and for that reason it is called Playa La Ropa or “Cloth Beach”.
PLAYA LAS GATAS (LAS GATAS BEACH)
This is a small cove in the southern tip of the bay. It is protected by a rocky breakwater that provides a calm pool of water for the enjoyment of the whole family.
The legend says that the breakwater was built by the Purhepecha king Caltzonzin so that his family could have a safe bathing haven.
This beach is not accessible by land even though it is located within Zihuatanejo Bay. To reach Las Gatas, water taxis leave from the Municipal Pier, taking no more than 10 minutes to cross the bay.