It’s no secret that many parents find themselves plotting strategically to squeeze in some warm weather as soon as their kids’ schools break for February and spring vacations. While tried-and-true destinations like Florida and the Caribbean always prove popular, the Pacific coast of Mexico offers a fresh destination for families seeking both adventure and relaxation, as well as cultural experiences and natural wonders: The city of Ixtapa and the adjacent fishing village of Zihuatanejo.
STAY
A property that not only accommodates families with kids of all ages (starting from as young as 4 months), but also makes entertainment and adventure part and parcel of the experience, Club Med Ixtapa Pacific is sure to deliver in terms of comfort, convenience, and fun. The dazzling 37-acre property—an “all-inclusive” resort—comprises 298 rooms, including club rooms, deluxe rooms, and 30 suites (15 of which are family suites)—plus, it offers children and teen clubs for all ages (Baby Club Med, for 4-23 months; Petit Club Med, for 2-3 years; Mini Club Med, for 4-10 years; and Juniors’ Club Med, for 11-17 years), easy beach access (think: Mere steps from the property to luxe lounge chairs, cabanas, and warm, azure-hued waves), pools, a variety of activities and lessons, a Club Med Spa by COMFORTZONE, and more. The ocean views and pristine beach speak for themselves while the concierge service offered in the suites makes you feel as if you’re in a true home away from home. Plus, the verdant grounds—where you can even spot a friendly iguana or two roaming about—let guests get a feel for the exotic natural beauty of the region from the comfort of a luxurious setting.
ENJOY
One of Club Med’s signature features that shines in full force at the Ixtapa Pacific resort is its offering of lessons, sports, and activities facilitated by expert staff instructors (who hail from all over the world). At Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, some of the must-do activities on the menu include flying trapeze lessons and sailing lessons; while soccer, tennis, archery, fitness classes, and paddle boarding are on offer as well. As a fun bonus, the resort staff also comes together to put on a nightly variety show that’s generally appropriate for all ages. Guests are sure to get a kick out of seeing their trapeze instructor from earlier in the day performing awe-inspiring stunts in the show later in the evening. Club Med also has a fun tradition of giving each evening a suggested dress theme (like black-and-denim or white-and-flashy), which the majority of the resort staff follow and encourage guests to engage in as well. This proves festive post-show, when guests are invited to join staff members out on the deck overlooking the beach for dancing and socializing (in fact, many of the staff members are well-versed in salsa dancing and are happy to share their wisdom with patience and good humor).
In terms of dining, Club Med Ixtapa Pacific includes four restaurants (their main restaurant, El Encanto, includes a special “baby corner” to offer suitable meals for little ones) and three bars (for mom and dad, of course). El Encanto offers a buffet-style dining experience with themed “lounges” and emits a family-friendly vibe; while the specialty restaurants (Miramar, Luna Azul, and Sirena) allow parents to switch things up for an evening sans kiddos, or for celebrating a special occasion with the whole family.
EXPLORE
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, situated between the jewel-toned Pacific Ocean and the lush Sierra Madre Mountains, are perfectly primed for family adventure. Ixtapa is known for a vibrant “hotel zone” along Palmar Beach while Zihuatanejo maintains an atmosphere of a traditional Mexican fishing village. The area offers opportunities for adventure parks, biking (Ixtapa boasts a newly remodeled bike path), birding, golf, and beach exploration (don’t miss Zihuatanejo’s Playa Las Gatos)—as well as breathtaking views of Zihuatanejo Bay and unique local cuisine (a notable example, La Katrina Mezcaleria in Zihuatanejo, is sure to please city fams accustomed to surprising and hip dining experiences, with plenty of artisanal Mezcal cocktails for the grown-ups and unique, authentic Mexican yummies sure to please palates of all ages). The array of organized activities and excursions (a boat ride to Ixtapa Island, a day at any number of the region’s eco theme parks) is rivaled only by the ease at which a less itinerary-inclined family can enjoy taking a walk along a bustling (yet not overly crowed) beach or meandering through Zihuatanejo to shop for souvenirs and take in the sight of the charming Old World-style fishing boats.
For more info on the region and accomodations, visit: clubmed.us and visitiz.travel!
Scroll through the slide show below for more images of Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Ixtapa, and Zihuatanejo!
