Ixtapa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ixtapa
City
Municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta in Guerrero
Ixtapa Location in Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Guerrero
Municipality	Zihuatanejo de Azueta
Resort created	early 1970s
Population  (2010)
• Total	8,992
Website	ixtapa-zihuatanejo.gob.mx

Ixtapa is a beautiful resort city in Mexico. It is located right next to the Pacific Ocean. You can find it in the state of Guerrero, close to the town of Zihuatanejo. Ixtapa is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) northwest of Zihuatanejo. It is also about 245 kilometers (152 miles) northwest of Acapulco, another famous Mexican city.

In 2005, about 6,406 people lived in Ixtapa. By 2010, the population had grown to 8,992 people.

How Ixtapa Was Created

Ixtapa is special because it was planned and built specifically as a tourist resort. This project started in the early 1970s. Before that, the area was mostly a coconut plantation and a swampy area with mangroves.

In 1968, the Bank of Mexico created a special fund. This fund was made to help build new places for tourists along Mexico's coasts. Ixtapa was one of the first two places chosen for this project. The other was Cancún, located on the opposite side of Mexico. The World Bank also helped by giving a loan to support Ixtapa's development.

The main plan for Ixtapa was created by architects Enrique and Agustín Landa Verdugo. They helped choose the best spot for the resort. Their plan designed the streets and different zones for the tourist area. The city is organized into large, irregularly shaped sections. Fast roads separate these sections, and smaller streets inside them often end in cul-de-sacs. A popular Mexican TV show called Marimar was filmed here in 1994.

Getting to Ixtapa

It's easy to travel to Ixtapa! You can get there by plane, bus, or car.

By Air

Ixtapa has its own airport, called Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport. Many airlines fly to this airport from:

• Mexico City
• Other cities in Mexico
• Various places in the United States
• Different cities in Canada

Some of the airlines that fly here include Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. There are also many charter flights, which are special flights for vacation packages.

By Bus

You can also reach Ixtapa by bus. Many bus companies offer routes to Ixtapa from different parts of Mexico. Some popular bus lines include Autovias, Costa Line, and Estrella de Oro.

Gallery

• 

  Ixtapa bay

• 

  Linda beach
  (Playa Linda)

• 

  Hotel Zone

In Spanish: Ixtapa Zihuatanejo para niños