Zihuatanejo (Ixtapa) Cruise Port
Zihuatanejo, Mexico · Pacific
Cruise ships anchor offshore in Zihuatanejo — tenders ferry passengers to the port.
Tender port. You land at the Muelle Municipal at the end of Paseo del Pescador; the town, the museum and Playa La Madera are a few minutes' walk, and taxis reach Playa La Ropa or Ixtapa in 10–20 minutes.
At a glance
Port summary
Zihuatanejo, or Zihua, is a fishing town that grew into a low-key resort without losing its character, set on a deep, horseshoe-shaped bay in the state of Guerrero. Its modern twin, Ixtapa, is a planned hotel zone about 7 km up the coast. There is no cruise berth: ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers to the rebuilt Muelle Municipal at the end of the Paseo del Pescador, the town's beachfront promenade. Calls are few and mostly by small luxury and expedition ships, roughly November to April. From the pier you can walk to everything in the centre: the fishermen's beach, where the morning catch comes in; the small Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande; the crafts stalls along Calle 5 de Mayo; and the market streets, where tiritas, the local lime-cured fish, is served. Playa La Madera is 5 minutes away on foot and Playa La Ropa, the bay's best swimming beach, is a short taxi ride. Small boats from the pier cross to Playa Las Gatas for snorkelling behind an old reef. Ixtapa's beaches, its bike path and the boats to Isla Ixtapa from Playa Linda are 15–25 minutes by taxi. Taxis use official fixed rates in pesos; agree the price before getting in. Guerrero is under a US "do not travel" advisory: stay in the tourist areas of Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa and don't drive the highways on your own.
Cruise dock
Muelle Municipal (tender pier), Zihuatanejo
Tender landing at the downtown municipal pier at the western end of Paseo del Pescador; ships anchor in Zihuatanejo Bay. Rebuilt 2020 with shaded waiting areas; the centre starts at the pier gate.
Latitude: 17.636924, Longitude: -101.559162
See dock on port map →Getting to Zihuatanejo
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Bring about MXN 1,000–1,500 per person in small notes for taxis, boats, lunch and tips. US dollars are taken in tourist spots, but at a poor rate.
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Typical weather
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Excursions compared
4 comparedIxtapa and Zihuatanejo Highlights with Lagoon, Golf Course and Beach Stop
≈ 3 h · sold by 2 cruise lines
Cruise line
€100$112
Do it yourself
€20$22
Save ≈ €80Save ≈ $90 (80% off)
Walk 2 to 10 minutes from the Muelle Municipal along Paseo del Pescador to the artisan market and the Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande (Tue to Sun 10:00 to 18:00, about MXN 10). Then take an official taxi to Playa Linda (MXN 180) for the crocodile lagoon, a short taxi to the Ixtapa hotel zone for shops and a drink on the beach, and a taxi back to the pier (about MXN 120 to 150). Taxi costs here are split between two people.
See the DIY plan →
Isla Ixtapa Boat Trip with Beach, Snorkelling and Lunch
≈ 5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€110$123
Do it yourself
€39$44
Save ≈ €71Save ≈ $79 (65% off)
Take an official taxi from the Muelle Municipal to the Playa Linda pier (MXN 180, about 25 minutes). Buy a return boat ticket there (MXN 60 to 100, about 10 minutes each way) and rent snorkel gear on the island (about US$8 to 12). Boats stop running in heavy swell, so check at the pier before you go and catch a boat back early.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
8 plansFree Zihuatanejo: Fishermen's Beach, Paseo del Pescador and Playa La Madera
Watch the pangas unload the morning catch, stroll the shady beachfront promenade and swim at a calm little beach five minutes from the pier.
Rainy-Day Zihuatanejo: Archaeology Museum, Church and Crafts Market
Pre-Hispanic finds from the Guerrero coast, the town's parish church and three blocks of craft stalls, all a short walk from the pier.
Playa La Ropa Beach Day with a Long Seafood Lunch
The bay's best swimming beach: soft sand, gentle waves, a turtle nursery and grilled fish at a table on the sand.
Playa Las Gatas Snorkel by Boat and Palapa Lunch
A ten-minute boat ride from the pier to a reef-sheltered beach with the bay's easiest snorkelling and seafood under the palms.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Zihuatanejo?
- Zihuatanejo is a tender port: your ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer to shore by small boat.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Zihuatanejo?
- Yes. Zihuatanejo is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Zihuatanejo centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Ferry, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Zihuatanejo?
- Plan for at least 2 hours ashore to see Zihuatanejo independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Zihuatanejo and are cards accepted?
- Zihuatanejo uses the Mexican peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Zihuatanejo cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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