Essentials
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-100 Mbps via Telmex Fiber; Starlink widely used (200 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 17.10 MXN. Major banks: BBVA (Calle Ejido), Santander (Av. Benito Juárez)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled 'Garrafones' (approx. 45 MXN per 20L)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage), AT&T Mexico. SIM costs ~150 MXN; 3GB data ~200 MXN
- Banking for Expats
- BBVA, BanCoppel, and Wise/Revolut for ATM withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Hotels, Villas, and Airbnb. Try 'La Casa Que Canta' for luxury or local guesthouses
- Cashless Friendly
- Partial; large restaurants/hotels accept cards, but cash (Pesos) is essential for markets and taxis
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and local FB groups like 'Zihuatanejo Rentals'
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Boutique Casita de Arena (~$25 USD/night), Hotel Irma (~$60 USD/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Playa La Ropa (luxury/beaches) or Centro (convenience)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- La Madera (walkable, good cafes, mid-range pricing)
- City
- Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico
- Population
- Approximately 126,000
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Loft Zihua (Calle Adelita); typical rates $15 USD/day or $180 USD/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Loft Cafe (La Madera) or Loot (Playa La Ropa) - good Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Zihua Digital Nomads Facebook Meetups; Sailfest Zihua (February networking)
- Social Events for Expats
- English-language trivia nights at Barra de Potosí or community beach cleanups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Didi. Official Taxis (white/maroon). Local trips 50-80 MXN
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Zihua MTB (Calle Adelita); rentals approx. 400 MXN per day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa La Ropa (swimming) or Playa Las Gatas (snorkeling - via water taxi)
- Top Regional Airline
- Aeroméxico Connect, Volaris, VivaAerobus
- Top International Airline
- Alaska Airlines, United, WestJet (seasonal via Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Int'l Airport - ZIH)
- Highway Access
- Highway 200 (Carretera Federal 200) connects to Acapulco and Lázaro Cárdenas
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Central de Autobuses Zihuatanejo (Estrella Blanca/ADO terminals)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per ride on 'Combis' (white vans) - 13 MXN flat rate
- Regional Travel
- Luxury buses (ETN or Costa Line) to Mexico City - approx. 1,100 MXN
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital de Especialidades Médicas Zihuatanejo (Paseo de Zihuatanejo)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Zihua Yoga (Calle Adelita) - $12 USD per class; Present Moment Retreat (Troncones)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gym Nautilus (Centro) - approx. 600 MXN per month
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería 'La Burbuja' (Centro) - 20-25 MXN per kilo
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Mandadito Zihua (Local WhatsApp-based delivery)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Tiritas de Pescado (raw fish strips marinated in lime and habanero)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- La Raíz de la Tierra (Juárez 10) - organic bowls and vegan tacos
- Best Dessert Spots
- Tamales y Atole 'Doña Elvia' or Helados 'La Michoacana' (Centro)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal (Av. Benito Juárez) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Mexico, Amazon.com.mx
- Grocery Delivery
- Soriana or Bodega Aurrera (scheduled via website/app)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle Adelita (La Madera) or the Marina in Ixtapa (for clubs)
- Local Brewery
- Zihua Brewing Co. (Calle Ejido) - artisanal craft ales
- Wine Bars
- Angustina (Centro) - Mezcal and wine pairings
- Street Food Stalls
- Taco stalls near the Pier (Muelle) - 15-20 MXN per taco
- Popular International Cuisine
- La Gula (Italian/International fusion, La Madera)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- El Muelle (The Pier) at sunset and the Paseo del Pescador
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Arqueológico de la Costa Grande (Paseo del Pescador)
- Historical Sites
- Xihuacan Archeological Site (30 mins south in Soledad de Maciel)
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Centro)
- Annual Events
- Zihua Sailfest (February); Guitar Festival (March)
- Cultural Districts
- Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman's Walkway)
- Theater Venues
- Cancha Municipal (open-air events and local performances)
- Local Markets
- Eco-Tianguis Sanka (Saturdays) for organic products and crafts
- Music Scene
- Live music at Barracruda or Bandido's (Salsa and Rock)
- Street Art
- Check the murals along Calle Juan N. Álvarez
- Cooking Classes
- Cooking with Monica ($75 USD per session, includes market tour)
- Art Galleries
- Suazo Art Gallery (Calle Ejido)
- Historic Buildings
- The original Customs House near the pier
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Zandunga dances performed at community festivals
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Barra de Potosí (Lagoon and wildlife sanctuary)
- National Parks Nearby
- Sierra Madre del Sur foothills (Guided hiking/ATV)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ciclopista Ixtapa (9km paved jungle bike path starting in Marina Ixtapa)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cerro del Almacén (Panoramic view of the entire bay)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Laguna de Potosí - home to over 180 bird species
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa Blanca (Allowed with local permit/respectful distance from turtles)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Calle Ejido), Estafeta, FedEx
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Fix Zihua (Av. Morelos)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports complex (Unidad Deportiva)
- Language Classes
- Zihuatanejo Spanish School (Calle Adelita)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (near the Zocalo)
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural de Zihuatanejo
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in Centro (limited specialized gaming lounges)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Emotion (Ixtapa - 10 mins away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $45,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² studio = ~$105,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $28,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = ~$65,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $42,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ~$147,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $25,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = ~$88,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $40,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ~$187,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $22,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ~$102,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard 30% rate
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for individuals
- Tax System
- Residency-based; worldwide income for tax residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 16% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'REFIPRE' rules apply
- Property Tax
- Predial (annual); very low, typically $100-$300 USD per year
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI tax (approx. 2% to 5% depending on municipality)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- RESICO (Simplified Trust Regime) for residents with rates from 1% to 2.5%