Town center Zihuatanejo

part of paseo del pescador or boardwalk

the fishing town , resort of zihuatanejo spreads out around bay of zihuatanejo , inland toward sierra madre del sur mountains. town seat of government municipality , principal community in region. since 1970s, has been developed in conjunction nearby ixtapa, conserving traditional mexican feel. downtown called el centro , located on north end of bay. centro still has narrow streets paved stones or bricks. town has long-standing community of swiss , italian immigrants.

the heart of zihuatanejo waterfront walkway paseo del pescador (fisherman’s path), called malecón. tree-lined pedestrian walkway goes along municipal beach between archeological museum , fishing pier. lined restaurants offering seafood , many other dishes, variety of stores selling rugs, arts , crafts , souvenirs, , small shell market. in evening, area fills people socializing.

plaza basketball court

instead of traditional plaza, center basketball court in front of beach , serves point of reference. surrounded benches , shade trees. next gazebo , casa de la cultura. these venues host music, concerts, cultural presentations, art shows. main thoroughfare cars juan alvarez, block behind malecón. sections of several of main streets designated pedestrian zones. main church of town, parish of nuestra señora de guadalupe, located nearby.

zihuatanejo s oldest building part of ingrana family hacienda, coconut plantation. today, building houses restaurant coconuts , storage facility plantation when built 150 years ago. plantation remained in family until mexican revolution, when particular building confiscated , turned field hospital , rest of plantation divided smaller units. current restaurant opened in 1979 after restoring building. of timber in bar area original. gallery of restaurant coconuts has collection of works done guerrero native nicolás de jesús.

the mercado de artesanías (crafts market) has 250 shops, sell wide variety of crafts. these include local work done seashells, coral , snailshells. market has silver taxco , lacquered objects olinalá, guerrero, , ceramics , bark paper paintings central valleys region of oaxaca. town center has own beach, called municipal beach , not recommended swimming. due proximity port, there constant maritime traffic in part of bay.

parthenon , luxury residence built , once owned arturo durazo moreno el negro , nowadays managed fideicomiso bahía de zihuatanejo (fibazi), bay of zihuatanejo trust

the town hosts annual festival called annual zihua sail fest, raises funds education of disadvantaged children in zihuatanejo. five-day event takes place in february more 100 boats, far away alaska coming bay. events include cocktail parties, concerts, auctions , sailboat races, chili cook offs , street fairs. in 2009, event raised $640,000 pesos, along matching grant , donation of $20,000 usd rotary club.

another festival zihuatanejo international guitar festival held in march; week-long event held @ multiple locations every night, children s show free public show @ main plaza. zihua guitar fest brings guitarists on world such canadian artist adrian raso, south africa s margarets daughter, nashville s eric mcfadden , texas based los pistoleros name few. festival prides in drawing tourism area helps support many small family-owned businesses. festival began in 2004 , has been big hit locals tourists.