Travel guide
Things to do near La Ropa Beach, Zihuatanejo
Short answer: near La Ropa Beach you can swim and watch the sunset on the beach itself; take a boat from the downtown pier to Las Gatas Beach (about 100 pesos per person, round trip) to snorkel in calm water; walk the Paseo del Pescador and visit the Costa Grande Archaeological Museum; and, from December to March, go whale watching. For birding, the Barra de Potosí lagoon is about 30 minutes south.
1. La Ropa Beach
From Hotel Bonito: a 5-minute walk. It's the longest beach on Zihuatanejo Bay, about a kilometer long, with usually gentle to moderate waves, beachfront restaurants and one of the best sunset views. Waves can get bigger in the rainy season. Legend says its name ("clothes beach") comes from a galleon whose cargo of fabric washed ashore.
From roughly July to March there are sea turtle releases in the area: ask on the beach for times.
2. Las Gatas Beach by boat
From Hotel Bonito: 11 minutes by car to the pier, then about 10 minutes by boat. Boats leave from the pier at Playa Principal, downtown, and cost about 100 pesos per person, round trip. They run roughly from 8:00 to 17:00; confirm when the last boat back leaves and keep your ticket.
Las Gatas is sheltered by a natural rock breakwater: the water is shallow and clear, good for kids and for snorkeling. Visibility is usually better in the dry season.
3. The Paseo del Pescador and downtown
The seaside walkway runs from Playa Principal to Playa La Madera. There's little shade, so go early or around sunset; it's lovely at night when it's lit up. Downtown you'll find the market, restaurants and the boat pier.
4. Costa Grande Archaeological Museum
A small museum on the Paseo del Pescador about the ancient history of Guerrero's Costa Grande region. It's a short visit that pairs well with a walk downtown.
5. Whale watching (December to March)
From roughly December to March, humpback whales pass along the coast and tours leave from the pier. Dates vary every year: confirm them with the operator before booking.
6. Barra de Potosí
About 30 minutes south by car. A lagoon that's great for birding, with guided kayak tours.
A day in Zihuatanejo if you stay at La Ropa
- Morning: taxi downtown and boat to Las Gatas to swim and snorkel.
- Midday: back downtown for lunch and a stroll through the market.
- Afternoon: the Paseo del Pescador and the archaeology museum.
- Sunset: back at La Ropa Beach, a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
FAQ
How much is the boat to Las Gatas Beach?
About 100 pesos per person, round trip, from the pier at Playa Principal. The ride takes about 10 minutes.
Can you walk from La Ropa Beach to downtown?
Yes, along the Carretera Escénica. From the hotel it's about a 30-minute walk to Playa La Madera and a bit more to downtown. By taxi it's about 11 minutes.
Is La Ropa Beach good for swimming?
Yes, waves are usually gentle to moderate. They can get bigger in the rainy season, so check the day's conditions.
Sources checked in October 2026: Lo de Hoy (Las Gatas), boat fares, Zona Turística, Lonely Planet, Frommer's and Goats On The Road. Prices and times are approximate.