Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo? A Guide to Where Your Wedding Guests Should Stay

Two towns, one wedding

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo sit side by side on the Guerrero coast, yet they feel like different worlds. Ixtapa is a planned resort with large hotels, a marina and golf. Zihuatanejo is an old fishing town with a lively market, a central plaza and small hotels clinging to hillsides above the bay. Where your guests stay shapes how they experience the whole weekend.

The good news is that the two are only about fifteen minutes apart by taxi, so guests can stay in one and enjoy the other easily. The trick is to choose a base that suits the style of your wedding, then offer alternatives for different budgets and tastes.

Here is a guide to the main areas, along with the type of guest each one suits best.

Ixtapa hotel zone

The long, golden sweep of Playa del Palmar is lined with resorts, many of them all-inclusive. They offer large pools, kids' clubs, restaurants and easy access to the beach, which makes them ideal for families and for groups who prefer to have everything on site. Room rates are generally reasonable, and resorts can offer group discounts.

The waves on Playa del Palmar can be strong, so swimming is best near the hotel pools or at the calmer beaches nearby. Ixtapa also has a pleasant marina with restaurants and bars, plus a cycle path running through the mangroves, perfect for an early morning ride.

If your wedding is at one of the larger Ixtapa hotels, this is the obvious choice for most guests. Ask the resort about a dedicated group rate and a welcome desk in the lobby, which makes the arrival day far smoother for everyone.

Playa La Ropa, Zihuatanejo

Many visitors consider this the loveliest beach in the area. It is sheltered within Zihuatanejo Bay, so the water is calm and clear, and it is lined with boutique hotels, beach restaurants and a few elegant villas. Hillside hotels here offer spectacular views across the bay.

La Ropa suits couples, friends and guests who enjoy smaller hotels and a slower pace. Rooms tend to be more expensive than in Ixtapa and fewer in number, so encourage guests to book early. The beach restaurants are perfect for long, lazy lunches with a cold beer and grilled fish.

A practical note: some of the hillside properties above La Ropa are reached by steep steps, which can be tiring in the heat and awkward with luggage. For grandparents or anyone with limited mobility, ask for rooms near the entrance or choose a beach-level hotel where getting around is simple.

Playa La Madera and the town centre

Just a short walk from the centre of Zihuatanejo, Playa La Madera is a small, pretty beach with a cluster of mid-range hotels and apartments on the hillside. It offers good value and easy access to town, with its restaurants, bars and market.

Staying in the centre itself is ideal for guests who enjoy local life: morning coffee in the plaza, browsing the craft stalls and eating at small family-run restaurants. It is lively in the evenings and inexpensive, though rooms are simpler. Younger guests and those on a tighter budget often love it. The fish market by the pier, busy from early morning, is worth a visit for anyone curious about what ends up on the dinner menu.

Both areas are within a few minutes' taxi ride of Playa La Ropa and the main wedding venues, so getting to events is easy.

Troncones and the quieter coast

About 40 minutes north, Troncones is a small surfing village with a long, wild beach, guesthouses and a handful of good restaurants. It suits guests who want a few days of surfing or yoga before or after the wedding, and it has a relaxed, bohemian feel.

It is too far to use as a base for the main events, but it makes a lovely extension to the trip. Some couples choose it for their own honeymoon nights after the guests have gone.

Between Ixtapa and Troncones, the little beaches around Barra de Potosí, south of Zihuatanejo, are worth a mention too. A lagoon full of birdlife meets the open ocean there, and a handful of palapa restaurants serve fish so fresh it was swimming that morning. It makes a fine excursion for guests with a free afternoon.

Villas for the wedding party

Private villas in the hills above Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa are a wonderful option for the couple, close family or the wedding party. Many have pools, terraces and staff, and some can even host a welcome dinner or the getting-ready morning.

Villas give privacy and space, and they can be good value when shared by a group. Make sure the access road is suitable for guests and vehicles, especially at night, and check whether the property allows events if you plan to entertain.

Remember too that a villa needs managing. Someone must organise groceries, transport and any staff tips, and the hosts often end up acting as hotel managers for the week. A dedicated concierge, or a clear arrangement with the owner, lets you enjoy the house rather than run it.

Bringing it together

Our usual approach is to choose one main hotel for the wedding party and immediate family, ideally near the venue, and then suggest one or two alternatives at different prices. Clear information on a wedding website, with maps and transport times, helps guests decide.

On the wedding day, organise shuttles from the main hotels so nobody has to worry about taxis or getting home late. With a little planning, the split between Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo becomes an advantage, giving guests a richer experience of this beautiful stretch of the Pacific.

Finally, think about timing as well as place. Guests who arrive a couple of days early can settle into Zihuatanejo's rhythm, try a few restaurants and recover from the journey, while those staying on afterwards might move to a quieter beach. Suggesting a rough itinerary for each type of guest makes the whole trip feel thoughtfully hosted.