Zihuatanejo (“Zihua” to most) is not your run-of-the-mill Mexican resort strip. It’s a working fishing town curled around a calm, horseshoe bay, and it runs on a rhythm you’ll fall into fast: fishing boats heading out from Playa Principal in the morning, long swims at La Ropa in the afternoon, incredible sunsets to close the day, and then dinner — some of the best Mexican and international food you’ll find anywhere.
This site is your one link for everything: how to get here, where to sleep, what to eat, and what’s happening each day. Save it on your phone. You’ll use it in town. We’ll continue to update it with additional information and recommendations as the wedding gets closer!
Playa Principal & the bay: fishing boats come in early, the water stays glassy all morning.
A week full of fun with family and friends, with lots of beach time in between. We hope you can stay for more than just the wedding. There’s so much to see and explore in Zihua. We understand everyone has different schedules, but if you can, we recommend arriving by Friday or Saturday and, if possible, staying through the following Wednesday or Saturday. We’ll be in Zihua a week before and a week after the wedding, so come when works best for you. See below for tentative events. We’ll finalize them as the wedding gets closer.
Sunset drinks to kick off the week together. Come as you are: a relaxed first night for everyone to meet before the big day.
Location TBAA sunset ceremony overlooking the bay, truly one of the best views in Zihua. Light drinks will be available prior to the ceremony. Shuttle transportation will be provided to and from the ceremony for all guests.
Dinner and dancing right on Playa La Madera, a short trip from the church. Details on menu, end time, and transport from the ceremony will be posted here once confirmed.
Playa La MaderaA relaxed fiesta at Casa Susana, with a gorgeous view over Zihua. A fun, easy night to keep the celebration going after the wedding.
Various events will be planned based on availability, think group beach days, boat trips, and dinners at our favorite spots. Stay tuned, and consider adding a few days after the wedding if you can.
The airport is just 8 miles from town, about 15–20 minutes by taxi. Seasonal nonstops run from several U.S. hubs (typically Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Dallas), and Saturday and Wednesday are popular days to fly, with easy connections available. You can also fly through Mexico City, with numerous daily nonstop flights onward to Zihua.
Outside the terminal you’ll find drivers who can take you to town for a reasonable price. Agree on the fare before you go. Negotiate outside the terminal and you’ll be on your way in minutes.
Centro, La Madera and La Ropa are all walkable or a short taxi ride apart. If you stay in those three areas, skip the rental car and use taxis and your feet.
Left to right: Centro’s papel-picado streets · Playa La Ropa at sunset · Playa Las Gatas, reachable by boat from the pier.
All three areas are close. You can’t really go wrong. Tap an area to see who it suits and what’s nearby.
We recommend exploring both hotels and Airbnbs, as Zihua has a great range of options at every price point, from budget friendly to luxury. This flexibility is also why we've decided not to arrange a hotel block. In fact, Airbnbs are a fantastic option in Zihua and one of our top recommendations!
While we haven't personally stayed at the hotels listed below, there are plenty of great options to choose from. We've highlighted a few of our recommendations, but don't feel limited to this list. There are many other wonderful places to stay.
If you have any questions or need help finding the right spot, feel free to reach out to Tim or Megan anytime. We're happy to help!
Tap an area below
The three neighborhoods around the bay, all just minutes apart by taxi or on foot.
These are our go-to spots in Zihua, the places we eat at again and again. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.
Italian-inspired cuisine with clifftop tables overlooking the bay. Small and intimate, an incredible option for a sunset dinner, with a generous wine list.
Recommended dishes: Linguine con Vongole, Rigatta alla Sarda, flamed Saganaki cheese.
A can’t-miss traditional Mexican breakfast stop, our favorite. Arrive hungry, and make sure you grab a pastry from the cart they bring table to table! Note: this restaurant is cash only.
Recommended dishes: Aguas Frescas, Costillas de Puerco, Chicken Chilaquiles, Requesón cheese.
A great lunch or dinner spot in the center of downtown. Fresh salsa made tableside, and the best margs in Zihua.
Recommended dishes: Chicken Molcajete (one is plenty to split between two people). This is our favorite dish in Zihua!
Our go-to spot for a casual, relaxed evening of delicious salad and pizza. Also wins the prize for the largest margs in Zihua.
Recommended dishes: Oaxaca Salad & create your own pizza.
A lovely, classic Mexican restaurant, with the added bonus of air conditioning on a warm Zihua day. Simple, delicious, and an easy favorite.
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Fish Tacos, Birria Quesadilla.
A can’t-miss, small, local restaurant. Everything on the menu is wonderfully thought out and delicious, with the warmest family running it.
Recommended dishes: Rainbow Shrimp, Stuffed Avocado, Banana Flambé.
Our favorite beach restaurant, where you can eat with your toes in the sand. Great for a long lunch full of margaritas, freshly caught seafood, and traditional Mexican fare.
Recommended dishes: Fresh-caught red snapper, Tiritas.
One of Zihua’s higher-end dining experiences. A set seasonal menu and creative cocktails in an intimate setting on the hillside overlooking the bay. Reservations recommended.
In the final site this becomes one Google My Map you can save to your phone. For this preview, each pin opens directly in Google Maps.
Bring pesos for taxis, beach spots, tips and small restaurants. Cards work at most locations, but many places in Zihua still prefer cash. There are multiple ATMs around town, including at the airport and in Centro. When withdrawing, reject the ATM’s foreign currency conversion and choose to be charged in pesos, so your own bank handles the exchange; it’s usually a much better rate! Tipping in cash is recommended.
Taxis are abundant in Zihua, and drivers are very friendly. Just note that taxis have no meters. Most in-town rides are short and inexpensive, usually no more than $5–7 around town. No Spanish, no problem: drivers are used to foreign tourists, and pulling out your phone calculator is an easy way to agree on a price. If you’d rather walk, the seaside walkway links La Madera to Centro, a lovely walk.
Dry season, warm and sunny: typically mid-80s to low-90s°F by day, low-70s at night, ocean breeze in the evening. Sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable bottle will be your best friends.
U.S. plans generally roam well here. A little Spanish goes a long way: gracias, buenas tardes, and a smile do most of the work. That said, plenty of English is spoken in Zihua, especially at hotels, restaurants, and shops, so you will get by just fine. Download offline maps before you fly.
We recommend arriving by Friday or Saturday, April 9–10. Most flights land in Zihua by early Saturday afternoon, so you’ll have plenty of time to check in and freshen up before the welcome party. Add time after the wedding as you can: we’ll be in town both the week before and the week after, and more events will be planned based on availability.
Megan will be in a dress and Tim in a suit, but honestly, wear whatever you feel comfortable in! The only ask is that you abstain from wearing white on the day of the wedding. It’s a warm evening by the sea; comfort for hills, heat, and dancing matters more than formality.
Plenty: sunset cruises on the bay, deep-sea fishing, whale watching, jet ski rentals, and horseback riding on Playa Blanca, plus boat trips to Playa Las Gatas for snorkeling and lunch, long swims at La Ropa, and the market and papel-picado streets in Centro. There’s more in the itinerary and Eat & Drink sections above, and we’ll keep adding recommendations as the week gets closer.
Nope, and that’s very much on purpose! You are making the trip all the way to Mexico to celebrate with us, and that means the world. Your presence truly is the present. We will not be putting together a registry. If you’re a card person, though, we do love cards, just no need to tuck a check inside; your words are more than enough.
The button below links to our Joy RSVP for the wedding, plus dietary needs. Please complete your RSVP by February 11, 2027. As the wedding gets closer, we’ll reach out to guests who RSVP’d ‘Yes’ to collect flight and lodging information. More on that to come!
If you have any questions about flights or lodging, don’t hesitate to reach out to Megan or Tim. We’re happy to help you figure out what works best for you.
This button opens the Joy RSVP for both events, one quick form for the welcome party and the wedding.
RSVP on Joy →Please RSVP by February 11, 2027 · Final link + QR code will go on the invitation