How to Get to Zihuatanejo. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Major Airports and Airlines

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) serves the region, approximately 15 minutes north of Zihuatanejo town and a few minutes south of Ixtapa. It is a modern, compact airport that makes navigation easy.

International & Domestic Carriers

International Airlines: Air Canada, WestJet (Canada); Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines (USA) offer direct flights, especially in high season.
Domestic Airlines (within Mexico): Aeromexico (often via Mexico City), Volaris, and VivaAerobus offer domestic connections.
Direct flights to ZIH are mainly from North American cities. Travelers from other global regions typically connect through Mexico City (MEX) or a major US/Canadian hub.

Seasonal Availability & Airport Facilities

Flight availability and prices are heavily influenced by tourism seasons. ZIH offers basic but adequate facilities.

Flight Patterns & Airport Services

High Season (Dec-Apr): More frequent direct flights, highest airfares. Booking well in advance is recommended.
Low Season (Jun-Oct): Flight frequency decreases, lower prices. Shoulder Season (late Apr-May, Nov-mid-Dec): Balance of deals and availability.
ZIH Airport Facilities: Car rental agencies, authorized taxi stands, duty-free shops, souvenir stands, convenience stores, small eateries, ATMs, Wi-Fi.

Airport Transfers

Pre-booked private transfers, authorized airport taxis (colectivo or private), or local buses from the highway (for budget travelers) connect ZIH to accommodation.

Flight Deals

Utilize resources like Dollar Flight Club for discovering flight deals and Skyscanner for comparing flight options.

Travel Insurance and Support

Consider travel insurance from providers like World Nomads or SafetyWing. AirHelp assists with flight compensation.

Land Transportation

Long-Distance Buses

Mexico has a comprehensive and comfortable long-distance bus network.
Zihuatanejo has a central bus terminal (Central de Autobuses).
Leading companies: Estrella de Oro, Primera Plus. Offer modern buses with different classes of service (Primera Clase, Ejecutivo).
Routes connect to Mexico City, Acapulco, Morelia, Guadalajara, and other regional cities.

Self-Driving Considerations

Valid Driver's License and International Driving Permit (recommended).
Major credit card for rental deposit.
Mandatory Mexican Auto Insurance: Purchase third-party liability from a Mexican insurer; foreign policies are not sufficient.
Road Conditions: Main highways are good; secondary roads vary. Watch for unmarked "topes" (speed bumps).

Driving & Rental Car Resources

Rental Companies

Major international rental companies (Hertz, Avis, National, Budget, Alamo) have offices at ZIH airport. Book in advance, especially in high season.

Safety on the Road

Avoid driving outside urban areas at night due to poor lighting and potential for crime. Local driving habits vary; be cautious. Use toll roads ("cuotas") for better conditions.

Navigation Aid

A Physical Mexico road map assists in route planning and understanding distances, particularly where mobile data coverage is limited.

Sea and River Arrivals

Ferry Services & Cruise Ports

Zihuatanejo's role as a sea entry point for major passenger transport is limited.

Limited Sea Access

Zihuatanejo has a small cruise ship pier, but it is not a major cruise port like Cozumel. Cruise ship calls are infrequent, usually for smaller, boutique cruises.
No regular ferry services for passenger transport to other major coastal towns along the Pacific.
Local boats, called "lanchas," provide short-distance water taxi services within the bay (e.g., to Playa Las Gatas) or to nearby islands (e.g., Isla Ixtapa from Playa Linda).

River Transportation & Procedures

River transportation is not a relevant mode for reaching Zihuatanejo.

Arrival Details

River transportation is not applicable for Zihuatanejo, as it is a coastal destination.
Immigration procedures for cruise ship arrivals are typically handled onboard or via a simplified process at the port terminal. Your passport is still required.
For cruise passengers, local taxis are readily available at the pier upon disembarkation for travel into Zihuatanejo Centro, various beaches, or Ixtapa.

Departure Information: Exit Fees

Departure Tax TUA

For international flights departing from Mexico, the Departure Tax (TUA - Tarifa de Uso de Aeropuerto) is typically included in your airfare. Verify this with your airline.
If you entered Mexico by land and did not pay the FMM fee, you might need to pay it upon departure at the airport before checking in for your international flight.
Keep your FMM slip and be prepared for this fee if your entry method requires it.

Departure Procedures & Facilities

Allow sufficient time for check-in and security at the airport or bus terminal.

Recommended Timing

International Flights: Arrive at ZIH airport at least 2 to 3 hours before scheduled departure.
Domestic Flights: Arrive 1.5 to 2 hours before departure.
Bus Departures: Arrive at Central de Autobuses at least 30-45 minutes before departure.

Airport/Station Facilities for Departing Travelers

ZIH Airport: Standard facilities for departing travelers, including check-in counters, security screening, and departure gates.
A few shops for last-minute souvenirs and duty-free items, along with food vendors for snacks and beverages.
Ensure all necessary immigration procedures (e.g., surrendering FMM slip) are completed before security.
Allow ample time, especially during peak travel periods, to navigate the airport processes comfortably.

Bus Terminal: The Zihuatanejo bus terminal (Central de Autobuses) has waiting areas, ticket counters for various bus companies, restrooms.
Often includes small shops selling snacks and drinks for your journey.
It is advisable to confirm your ticket details or purchase tickets if not pre-booked upon arrival.
Ease of access to taxis outside the terminal for onward travel after your bus journey.

Departure Reminder

Confirm your FMM status and departure tax inclusion with your airline or travel agent well before your departure date to avoid any last-minute surprises at the airport.

How to Get to Zihuatanejo