OK to travel to Zihua and Ixtapa?
Sep 27th, 2017, 06:04 AM
#1
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OK to travel to Zihua and Ixtapa?
My hubby and I have reservations in Zihua in late December, with the plan to celebrate NYE there. However, we are getting concerned about recent earthquakes especially since we change planes in Mexico City. Can you provide some advice on whether we should cancel or reschedule our trip?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Sep 27th, 2017, 06:22 AM
#2
MEX is operational and was only closed for a short precautionary period. I think some glass was broken. As far as Zihua, from what I've read, that area was not affected. Who knows when or where the next tremors might happen, how strong they might be. Personally, I'm planning a Oaxaca trip for some time in December or January.
Sep 27th, 2017, 06:23 AM
#3
I will let Stewbear handle this one.
Sep 27th, 2017, 11:01 AM
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Much of the violence was between drug gangs & crooked cops which seamed to have settled down. The biggest problem is a lot of these guys do not shoot real straight so when lots of after dark problems made for unsafe conditions.
While I no longer have any financial interest in the area I still have a few friends there, but fewer as time goes on. With deaths in my generation, health issues & people just moving on it has indeed changed without much of what I found desirable.
I would say it is as safe as most coastal tourist areas as long as you stay in the correct areas & do not wander later at night especially when drinking.
While I may occasionally return to see friends it is not high on my list. As a guy in the last quarter of his century much of what appealed to me (beach, scuba, sailing etc) no longer holds my interest.
So go, use common sense and you will be fine!
While I no longer have any financial interest in the area I still have a few friends there, but fewer as time goes on. With deaths in my generation, health issues & people just moving on it has indeed changed without much of what I found desirable.
I would say it is as safe as most coastal tourist areas as long as you stay in the correct areas & do not wander later at night especially when drinking.
While I may occasionally return to see friends it is not high on my list. As a guy in the last quarter of his century much of what appealed to me (beach, scuba, sailing etc) no longer holds my interest.
So go, use common sense and you will be fine!
Oct 7th, 2017, 06:45 AM
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If you are talking beach I would choose Manzanillo for laid back low tourist area with lovely beaches, decent snorkeling & a number of day trip points of interest. Colima has possibly one of the pretest town squares in Mexico with a semi active Volcano that "puffs" on occasions.
A number of smaller but somewhat more touristy spots are near by.
Good restaurants, a real native El Central & low crime make this a excellent destination.
A none beach area I fell in love with is Guanajuato about 6 years ago returning for months each year. The architecture is very European, a most prosperous but hilly city that has a large university, excellent museums, theaters & fine places to eat. Very small Expat population makes it so Mexican! Most differently a walking city.Clean streets & low crime. IMO Gods gift to me! Lots of day trips to Leon, Delores & San Miguel among many others
A number of smaller but somewhat more touristy spots are near by.
Good restaurants, a real native El Central & low crime make this a excellent destination.
A none beach area I fell in love with is Guanajuato about 6 years ago returning for months each year. The architecture is very European, a most prosperous but hilly city that has a large university, excellent museums, theaters & fine places to eat. Very small Expat population makes it so Mexican! Most differently a walking city.Clean streets & low crime. IMO Gods gift to me! Lots of day trips to Leon, Delores & San Miguel among many others
Oct 7th, 2017, 11:33 AM
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Stew: What did you mean by a "real native" el Central??
Colima has been on my radar for a long time but I've not been there, yet.
Any of you been to Caleta de Campos, on the Michoacan coast? Just curious..
JMM: I would not worry about an earthquake..chances are pretty remote despite the recent tragedies.
Colima has been on my radar for a long time but I've not been there, yet.
Any of you been to Caleta de Campos, on the Michoacan coast? Just curious..
JMM: I would not worry about an earthquake..chances are pretty remote despite the recent tragedies.
Oct 7th, 2017, 11:55 AM
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Stew: What did you mean by a "real native" el Central??
What I mean is even the majority of tourists (and there are a number) are Mexicans. Some towns are inundated with us darn Yankees! It is not unusual to spend the day in GTO never hearing any or little English.
And before the political correct chime in with how there is no El Central, so call it what you want.
What I mean is even the majority of tourists (and there are a number) are Mexicans. Some towns are inundated with us darn Yankees! It is not unusual to spend the day in GTO never hearing any or little English.
And before the political correct chime in with how there is no El Central, so call it what you want.
Oct 8th, 2017, 11:27 AM
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Actually as far as GTO goes if you get into a cab asking for "central" You will be taken to downtown at the Jardin.
If you wish to get to the bus station you need to ask for "Central de Autobus". Learned that the hard way but then some posters from "Gringoland" refuse to learan.
If you wish to get to the bus station you need to ask for "Central de Autobus". Learned that the hard way but then some posters from "Gringoland" refuse to learan.
Oct 8th, 2017, 05:16 PM
#15
Eks, no doubt you've done some research already. And I'm unsure of what you might be looking for, so some general impressions.
Caleta is sort of the commercial hub for the small towns along the coast past Agua Azul. And there's not much for another hour or so up the highway. So it's a pretty active place for it's size. I never get a real warm vibe when I'm there. A fair amount of daytime beer drinking on the main street. There's a number of budgety hotels that cater almost exclusively to Mexicans; you might find the occasional gringo backpacker, but they're rare. The nicest hotels are Villa Tropical and Villas Partour, neither has ready beach access, but the latter has really nice views. Both have pools. Caleta's main beach is quite small, not very private, as the enramadas encroach right on the water. There is no broadband Internet access, the 1 Internet Cafe has dial up, and it's often full of kids gaming. Cellular broadband is pretty much nonexistent as well, although you can get emails and whatsapp without pictures or voice. Our travel preferences may differ from yours, but Caleta doesn't stand out as a destination for a week's vacation, but it would serve well as a base for exploring part of the Michoacan coast, if you could arrange suitable transportation; we have a car, so our circumstances are different. There are miles of empty beaches in the area, though the water can be rough.
There is evidence of cartel presence in the area; you'll see a number of "inmobiliario asegurado" signs on some homes and businesses along the highway. The "community police" groups are active in the area as well.
We stay in nearby Nexpa, even though we don't surf, and the beach is rocky and the water mostly unsuitable for swimming. But we rent an isolated house with a pool right on the beach. It's a village of maybe 200 people and a dozen or so surfer/stoner/old hippy types from around the world at any given time. Suits us well.
I know I'm wordy; sorry. But I hope I answered a question or 2, feel free to ask anything.
Caleta is sort of the commercial hub for the small towns along the coast past Agua Azul. And there's not much for another hour or so up the highway. So it's a pretty active place for it's size. I never get a real warm vibe when I'm there. A fair amount of daytime beer drinking on the main street. There's a number of budgety hotels that cater almost exclusively to Mexicans; you might find the occasional gringo backpacker, but they're rare. The nicest hotels are Villa Tropical and Villas Partour, neither has ready beach access, but the latter has really nice views. Both have pools. Caleta's main beach is quite small, not very private, as the enramadas encroach right on the water. There is no broadband Internet access, the 1 Internet Cafe has dial up, and it's often full of kids gaming. Cellular broadband is pretty much nonexistent as well, although you can get emails and whatsapp without pictures or voice. Our travel preferences may differ from yours, but Caleta doesn't stand out as a destination for a week's vacation, but it would serve well as a base for exploring part of the Michoacan coast, if you could arrange suitable transportation; we have a car, so our circumstances are different. There are miles of empty beaches in the area, though the water can be rough.
There is evidence of cartel presence in the area; you'll see a number of "inmobiliario asegurado" signs on some homes and businesses along the highway. The "community police" groups are active in the area as well.
We stay in nearby Nexpa, even though we don't surf, and the beach is rocky and the water mostly unsuitable for swimming. But we rent an isolated house with a pool right on the beach. It's a village of maybe 200 people and a dozen or so surfer/stoner/old hippy types from around the world at any given time. Suits us well.
I know I'm wordy; sorry. But I hope I answered a question or 2, feel free to ask anything.
Nov 4th, 2017, 06:48 AM
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I had already booked at 'La Casa Que Canta' in Zihuantenejo for February before all the controversy started.
Am hoping it was not one of the resorts that had the bad alcohol, bad 7-up and mysterious blackouts, attacks by security guards etc.
Stubear, as long as we don't do late night walking to other areas, as far as you know, shall we go ahead and plan on it? DH wants to cancel.
Am hoping it was not one of the resorts that had the bad alcohol, bad 7-up and mysterious blackouts, attacks by security guards etc.
Stubear, as long as we don't do late night walking to other areas, as far as you know, shall we go ahead and plan on it? DH wants to cancel.
Nov 4th, 2017, 03:20 PM
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Well for the most part the tourist areas are safe however it was not unusual to hear late night gunshots outside the wall of my old neighborhood in one of Ixtapa's better areas near the Los Brisas.
