Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo stretches along Playa Palmar and is just 230 kilometers up the coast from Acapulco. 
   Ixtapa, is the most modern resort on Mexico's west coast. Hotel offerings include a fine collection of deluxe properties. While not bustling with things to see and do, Ixtapa keeps active guests on the go with its world-class golf, excellent tennis facilities, some of Mexico's best Pacific Coast diving, fishing and ocean swimming. The restaurant, shopping and nightlife scene are a bit subdued compared to other Pacific resorts, yet there is still enough diversity to make for enjoyable outings. 
   Marina Ixtapa is a new 440-acre mega-project just up the beach from the Ixtapa hotel zone. It is comprised of nautical facilities with 622 yacht slips, private villas, restaurants, shops, a beach club (Club Playa) and tennis center. An 18-hole golf course, designed by Robert Von Haggue is crisscrossed by recreational canals.
   Nearby Zihuatanejo, is a pleasant contrast to the glitz of Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo  has comfortable, family- run inns, modestly priced hotels and bungalows, and three very special deluxe properties. With its seaside cafes, intriguing native markets, a pleasant malecón (seaside promenade), and centuries of tradition, the city is one of Mexico's most fun to explore.

The Weather:
   With a year-round semi-tropical climate and average temperatures ranging from 23 to 33 degrees Celsius (73-93 degrees Fahrenheit), Zihuatanejo enjoys approximately 300 days of sun annually.
   The rainy season generally starts in late May or June and carries on through the end of September or into October. The rains usually fall in the late afternoons or evenings and infuse the region with an intense greenness. Historically, June and September are the rainiest months of the year. Storms off the Pacific can bring tremendous electrical activity and deluges of heavy, warm rain during the height of the rains.
   Light and casual clothing is recommended year-round - but remember to also bring a sweater or light jacket for evenings as the sea breeze at night can sometimes become unexpectedly chilly, particularly from late December through March.
   Even when the sky is overcast, the sun can be dangerously strong and visitors of all complexions should take care to use sun screen and protective clothing when spending long periods in the direct sunlight. If you're planning to go out fishing or boating, make sure you take a hat, sunscreen and some kind of cover-up for exposed skin, as the reflection off the water intensifies the effects of the sun.
   The water itself can be definitely balmy. The sea is generally at its coolest in March and April. Average annual water temperature: 79F (26C). Winter average: 70F-73F (21-23C), Summer average: 80F-82F (27C-28C).

A  Very Special Project:
   An important and special community project in Zihuatanejo is the Netzahualcoyotl Primary School & Kindergarten, which is receiving local and international support from local businesses and individuals, tourists, the boating community, and now Rotary International.
   Today, The Netza School Project (TNSP) is a U.S. 501-C3 non-profit organization promoting equal-access to education for indigenous and all children, and all people no matter their language, heritage or economic situation. TNSP works in Zihuatanejo with the Netza School itself, as well as with related local community organizations and projects that promote the same values of collaborative partnership for enhanced education and opportunity. We also collaborate with U.S., Canada and other schools, communities, workplaces, and organizations beyond Mexico to share this message of equal access to education and literacy. TNSP helps create cultural exchange, pen pal, engaged youth philanthropy and multi-cultural volunteer vacation experiences that bridge cultural barriers and create life-long learners and social change makers. Adult literacy, continuing education scholarships, social betterment, vocational enhancement, and vision and health programs that promote equality, stronger families and sustainable communities are all part of our initiatives in Zihuatanejo, and we trust, beyond. We welcome your involvement, and ideas.
   The Netza School Project is dedicated to providing equal access to quality education and literacy for indigenous children and, indeed, all children and all people, for all time, while honoring their native dialects and culture.
   For more information and to get involved, please visit: www.netzaproject.org.