Amanda and Joey’s
Favorite Kid Stuff to Do in Ixtapa
Swimming with dolphins: Way easier to get reservations, and way cheaper than at Sea World! Delfiniti dolphin experience is just two blocks away! To get there, walk down the beach past Carlos and Charlie’s.
Boogie boarding: The waves are awesome right in front of the villa. The body surfing’s great, too.
Swimming pool: What kid doesn’t love hangin’ by the pool? The huge, two-level Tesoro pool is right next to the villa. You can just relax, or join in on the activities that are always going on, like water volleyball, silly contests, or aerobics. One fun tip: we’ve found that the pool DJ will play CD’s that people bring him. So bring a fun music mix and you might get to listen to it poolside.
Shopping for souvenirs: The shopping is great right here in Ixtapa. You can get arts & crafts, designer clothes, and neat things like starfish and abalone shells. For something different, go into Zihuatanejo. The coolest shopping there is right next to the fishing pier.
Eating out: One neat thing about Ixtapa and Zihuatenejo is that the restaurant people just love to serve kids. Chances are they’ll prepare whatever you like, even if it’s not on the menu. We love the buttered noodles with cheese, and they’ll make it just about anywhere if we ask. Our favorite: Carlos ‘n Charlies, just about a block down the beach. Come in the early evening, and kids rule the dance floor.
Isla Ixtapa: Take a water taxi out to Isla Ixtapa. Then hike over to the other side of the island. There you’ll find tiny black crabs scurrying around on the rocks, and beautiful pieces of polished beach glass. When we first started finding the beach glass we thought it was emeralds! There’s also good snorkeling here if the sea is calm.
Playa la Ropa: This beach is totally different from the one in front of the villa. The water is calm like a big bath tub and you can swim, float, build a sandcastle, or whatever. It’s great for little kids because they can play in the water without getting knocked over by waves.
Golfing: Just watch out for the crocodiles. Seriously!
Getting your hair braided: Get those cute tiny braids done right on the beach. Hint to parents: they’re cheaper and just as good out on the beach rather than by the hotel pool.
Painting a fish: or another cute ceramic figurine right by the hotel pool. Be sure to do it early in the week so they can fire it and get it back to you before you leave. (It takes a day or so.)