Foreign Guide to Buying Coastal Property in Mexico

With a little over 2 million tourists per year and just under 130,000 locals, Zihua is a quiet coastal city with breathtaking beaches, tropical trees and fauna, a thriving restaurant scene, and several little shops full of handmade items. Like many beach towns, it offers a laid back lifestyle with no traffic and friendly locals aka "Zankas".

The ocean is warm enough to swim in every day of the year. You can wear shorts all Winter and sandals all Summer.

Safely walk through downtown Zihua to several popular bars and restaurants and take in the ocean air or rent a bike and cycle along the 10 mile bike path aka "ciclopista" that stretches from central Zihua all the way to Ixtapa. Stand up paddle boards, surfing, windsurfing, sail boats, kayaks, boogie boards, and parasailing are all available along the beaches. Jet skis and 4-wheeler ATVs are also available.

Charter a deep sea fishing boat and take your catch to local restaurants along the beach that are happy to filet and serve up your fresh fish. Boats are also available for snorkeling, SCUBA, and whale watching adventures.

For the golf enthusiasts, there are a couple great choices including a course that spans 55 acres.

Fly directly to ZIH (Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport) from several popular airports like Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, Mexico City, and more. A 20min cab ride and you're right in the middle of central Zihua.

Sam's Club, Sorianas, and Chedraui (opening 2025) are the best supermarkets for for all your food, beer, and wine needs. There are also smaller options like Bodega, Merza, and local shops for smaller or more convenient runs. If you need a pharmacy or convenient store like Oxxo, you'll find one every couple of blocks. 

Don't miss out on local pesticide free fruits and veggies from the downtown market. Spanning several blocks, you'll find fresh locally grown options, including fresh seafood and meats, and made to order tortillas. There are also several local bakeries "panaderias" offering a variety of pan dulces.

The cost savings at the local stores extends to the restaurants. Eating out is very affordable and there are several breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. From the seafood at Madera's Restaurante, to the tacos at Tacos Mi Barrio downtown, or the wings and burgers at Hija del Capitan, you're never short on great options for dining out. Check out Google Maps, Trip Advisor, and Facebook groups for more recommendations.